FLOWERY BRANCH — San Francisco coach Jim Tomsula spoke with the Atlanta media via conference call on Wednesday.
He discussed the move to bench quarterback Colin Kaepernick and shared his thoughts on the Atlanta Falcons’ defense. He denied that the 49ers made the move to Gabbert so he could debut against the “weak Atlanta defense” as was tweeted on social media on Tuesday.
Here’s what the first-year coach had to say:
Q: Can you give us some clarity on your quarterback situation?
A: This week it will be Blaine Gabbert?
Q: What’s the rationale behind that switch?
A: I just felt like I needed to make a decision and I did.
Q: How has Gabbert been developing since he’s been with the 49ers?
A: He's done a great job. He works his tail off. He's gotten better every day. He's very serious about what he's doing. Feel good about him.
Q: When you make a decision like this, does it give you a better chance to win this week? Or, do you think beyond that?
A: No, I'm a one-way calendar.
Q: What does that mean?
A: That means we have a game Sunday and that's my long-term goal.
Q: How has the defense been playing?
A: None of us have been playing well or coaching well. We are 2-6. The story has been well written about (Navorro) Bowman's return (from knee surgery) and what he's done. Michael Wilhoitte, this is his second year as a starter at the position. Ahmad Brooks has been here seven years and he's got a lot of ability.
Q: How are you managing after the bizarre offseason with all of the retirements and free agent losses?
A: Day to day. Minute to minute. Wake up and go to work. When you get one of those storms, this isn't one of those storms where you have a choice to sail around in. You've got to sail right through it. Lock your jaw and don't blink. Let's go.
Q: At the halfway point, how close are you all to being a better team than your record indicates?
A: We are close. We're close. I believe that sincerely. We are going to keep pushing forward.
Q: Any concern about morale in the room?
A: Not with this group. No. These guys come to work. The mix of players that we do have in terms of some of the older guys, the middle range years and the young guys, there is an excitement and a focus. These guys come to work everyday.
Q: Did you all save Gabbert to play against the “weak Atlanta defense?”
A: That's absolutely false. That reporter, you sure he doesn't work down there in Atlanta and is trying to get something started (laughter). Sounds like somebody is trying to get some bulletin board material up. That is absolutely false. I've got nothing by respect for Dan Quinn and that football team. What's your record? (6-2). Ok, I don't see anything weak about the Atlanta Falcons.
Q: Did you know that was out there on social media?
A: Actually, the PR guy threw that out. He came in laughing and told me that this morning.
Q: There was never a discussion in your building about that circumstance?
A: No. Zero. Absolutely false.
Q: What do you think of the Atlanta Falcons defense?
A: I think the Atlanta Falcons defense is a hard playing defense. You've got some players on there. Obviously, (former Falcons secondary coach) Tim Lewis is our secondary coach. He knows about that Atlanta Falcons defense very well. That secondary is talented. I know there have been a couple of bumps and bruises, but everybody has that this time of the year. I know Dan Quinn and Jason Tarver of our staff worked with Dan Quinn awhile back. Nothing but respect for the way he does things. Your coaching staff down there and the players that you have on that team, that's a really good football team.
Q: Do you watch just the good film on Atlanta? Or, just the bad stuff?
A: We watch it all. That's the way it works for us. We are looking at everything.
Q: How are you all at running back?
A: (Carlos) Hyde is a possibility, OK. We deal with that day by day with his foot. I'll know more about that later in the week. That's just the way that we planned that through our medical staff. Michael Davis (South Carolina, Stephenson High) is out right now. He had surgery on his hand.
Q: How is Busta Anderson doing for you all?
A: Buster (South Carolina, McEachern High) is doing very good. Buster had that surgery there. He's in here every day, busting his tail. He's representing Atlanta well.
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