SANTA CLARA, Calif. — Quarterback Colin Kaepernick arrived at the San Francisco 49ers headquarters at about 8:00 p.m. Friday night to meet with the local media for the first time since being drafted in the second round.
Kaepernick spoke about his excitement to join the 49ers. Head coach Jim Harbaugh and general manager Trent Baalke spoke about the decision to draft Kaepernick as the 36th overall pick.
Here are some notes from the press conference
Kaepernick:
- Kaepernick says he can fit the offense well. After watching quarterback Andrew Luck at Stanford, he has an idea what the offense is about. He said he also plans to talk with Luck later on to learn about Harbaugh's offense at Stanford.
- He said he enjoyed the energy from Harbaugh during the March 18 private workout in Reno, Nevada. Kaepernick said that both he and Harbaugh had a throwing competition, which was a great challenge/
(For those keeping score, there was a spiral competition in which both Kaepernick and Harbaugh split. Kaerpnick won the accuracy competition. General manager Trent Baalke also got involved with some throwing.) - With the uncertainty of the lockout, Kaepernick said he wants to stay prepared, whether it was going back to Reno to workout our being here if he's allowed to.
Harbaugh
- When assessing Kaepernick's DNA, Harbaugh said that he had great productivity, great ability to lead a team in comebacks and has great contributions on the field.
- Said that all quarterbacks are developmental, and that Kaepernick is no different. He noted that the quarterback had great gifts and has the ability to think his way to success.
- Throwing motion wasn't a concern for him. Harbaugh noted that the motion isn't important, but rather if the throw gets to its desired target.
- On Kaepernick's 37 score on the Wonderlic test (which is a very good score): Says he likes how Kaepernick's intelligence shows that he can think his way through to winning and other tough situations. Saying that he "loves the way he competes and moves the team".
- This short period in which he can meet with the quarterback will be used to just get to know him as a person.
- The future of Alex Smith does not change with this pick. Smith and Kaepernick will be in competition for a starting spot, like all the other position players on the team, he said.
"We're rowing and we're not going to miss a beat," Harbaugh said about the current quarterback situation. "Alex (Smith) has the ability and license to be the starting quarterback." - Harbaugh said it was good to be around Alex Smith at the facility today. He said about 15 players showed up this morning.
- There could be opportunities for Kaepernick to get into QB draws or third down situations down the line during games.
Baalke
- TCU QB Andy Dalton did not factor in the team's decision to draft Colin Kaepernick, as the board was already set.
- The team contemplated getting Kaepernick in the first round but couldn't find the right trade suitors to make it happen.
- Baalke said that the team will have three quarterbacks to compete for the starting job, but didn't give details on who they would be and how they would acquire them.
- Baalke was the pass rusher during throwing drills at Kaepernick's private workout. He said that Kaepernick carried himself very well throughout the evaluation of the drills.
- On third round pick CB Chris Culliver: Said he has great versatility and has lots of value. Baalke can make a very strong competitive roster with Culliver on board.
- He also said that despite Culliver's lack of experience playing cornerback, there's a learning curve at the position on the pro level that could benefit Culliver since he might not have any bad habits from being a cornerback.
Tomorrow's draft starts at 9:00 a.m. PT. Here are the 49ers' remaining draft picks
- 4th rd, 18th pick (115th overall)
- 6th rd, 9th pick (174th overall)
- 6th rd, 17th pick (182nd overall)
- 6th rd, 25th pick (190th overall)
- 7th rd, 8th pick (211th overall)
- 7th rd, 30th pick (231st overall)
- 7th rd, 38th pick (239th overall) *Compensatory
- 7th rd, 49th pick (250th overall) *Compensatory
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