49ers-Bears post-game quotations

Head Coach Jim Harbaugh
Press Conference - September 14, 2014
San Francisco 49ers vs. Chicago Bears

What happened in the second half there? Were the Bears doing things differently?

"They made some really good plays. Made some great plays. A couple interceptions that were just really good plays."

Fifteen or 16 penalties for the Niners, is that a major problem? It was today, I guess.

"[Nods head]."

What would you attribute that to?

"Don't know exactly."

What was the explanation given for the penalty on QB Colin Kaepernick? Did the official explain more what the inappropriate language was?

"No, he did not."

Did you hear anything?

"I did not."

Did you feel, after you guys got the 17-point lead, that you guys took the foot off the accelerator a little bit?

"No, didn't feel that way."

What happened with the delay of game on the final drive?

"That shouldn't have been a delay of game. Just took too much time at the line of scrimmage."

You guys had the third-and-six down there on the first drive of the third quarter, why the run play at that point?

"Which one? What yard line?"

The first drive of the third quarter. You got all the way down there and it was third-and-six--?

"Yeah, it was a run-pass option. We chose the run play."

Two plays were sent in?

"No."

Was Colin confused at what he was seeing sometimes tonight? I think he threw three interceptions.

"I think he was seeing things good. He threw some pretty darn good balls that got intercepted. Some really well played balls that got intercepted. Tip of the cap to the defense. But the young guy made a couple great plays."

You don't think he was trying too hard or forcing things at all?

"We're always trying hard."

Does this sting even more because it's the first regular season game in this building?

"It stings to lose. And we all have fingerprints on it."

You've been around football a long time. You've been in this situation before. How do you get back? How do you bounce back?

"Well, we'll look to see where we can improve and how we can be better for it. Bears made plays, especially in that second half. And we look at where the breakdowns were and where we can get better from them, how we can improve. And that's what you do. Make darn sure it doesn't happen again."

How's TE Vernon Davis?

"I don't know. I did not talk to Vernon after the game."

After the Kaepernick fumble, was he injured at all after that play? I didn't really see him running too much after that play.

"He had some pretty good runs after that."

There were a lot of penalties. Any penalties in particular that you took issue with or were the flags okay in your mind?

"Not allowed to talk about that."

How did you feel about the performance of the right side of the offensive line?

"I think we're all going to look at this one and feel like we have fingerprints on it. And go back and see where we can improve. How we can be better for it. Can't really single out one particular segment at this point."

How about the DB Jimmie Ward matchup with WR Brandon Marshall? Seemed like Marshall kind of got his number there a little bit towards the end. How do you feel you guys could have changed up that matchup or could Ward have done anything different? Or did Marshall kind of takeover at the end?

"Really, I feel like we all have fingerprints on this one, and we'll look and see exactly what we could have done differently or how we can improve from it. And I feel like we will be able to and we'll come back stronger for it."

QB Colin Kaepernick
Press Conference - September 14, 2014
San Francisco 49ers vs. Chicago Bears

Colin, how do you evaluate your personal performance in the game?

"Terrible."

Turnovers...Were you trying to do too much you think maybe?

"I mean, I made the throws I wanted to but they made plays on the ball."

Your two interceptions to your left, what did you see on those two passes?

"We had off-coverage on the one to Crab [WR Michael Crabtree], the DB made a great play. The other one, we had cover three and tried to hit a seam route."

What changed in the second half? You guys started off so strong in the first.

"We hurt ourselves. We weren't executing the way we should have been."

Colin, what did you say that got you the penalty after the interception?

"I didn't say anything."

You didn't use a slur of any kind?

"No."

But were you shocked when he announced that it was inappropriate language?

"Yes."

It seemed like Bears DE Lamarr Houston was trying to bait you into something that was...You didn't say anything back?

"No."

Colin, when you have a game like this, a bad game, and people obviously are going to have good games and bad games, do you get down on yourself? What do you do? Do you say, ‘Hey, I'm going to come back' as opposed to telling us what you are going to do?

"You have to come back, that's your only choice."

Sometimes a player feels more confident than the stats with their game, than the stats might show. Despite the four turnovers, did you feel you had control of your game tonight?

"I'm not going to say I felt good about the game or what I did but as far as my decisions, I mean, I saw the coverage's. I went where I wanted to with the ball. We just didn't make the plays. I didn't make the throws."

A couple of your offensive teammates said that they thought you guys kind of took the foot off the accelerator a little bit. Did you feel that way offensively that you didn't continue to press when you got that lead and go for the jugular?

"We didn't execute the way we should have. I think that was the biggest thing."

Were the penalties what might have caused what took the gas out of you guys?

"We can't allow things like that to affect how we play."

On that final pass to Crabtree, was he your first read on that play?

"He was one of."

Colin, what did you see on that play?

"They had cover three, we got the look we wanted. We just have to make that play."

Colin, on your fumble, was it a matter of Bears DE Jared Allen just getting his helmet on the ball? Is there a way to prevent that from?

"He did get his helmet on the ball but regardless, I have to protect the ball. I can't turn it over."

You guys got such a slew of penalties. Did you discuss that at all with your teammates or the coaches?

"Well, we can't worry about that. We have to worry about what we are doing and executing."

WR Anquan Boldin
Postgame Quotes - September 14, 2014
San Francisco 49ers vs. Chicago Bears

On the interception did you see the safety coming over or did you think you had that catch?

"No, I thought I had it. Kaep put it on a rope. I was focused on getting the ball."

QB Colin Kaepernick is a tough critic of himself. What was his mood like as the turnovers were happening?

"He was tough on himself but at the same time he realized that we still had a game to play. He came back out and he battled."

This team is so used to getting out to leads and winning when you do. Was there a little shock when it was suddenly 17-17?

"That's the NFL. Wins are tough to come by. When you have a team down, you definitely have to put your foot on their throat because nobody's going to quit in this league. That was evident tonight in the way they continued to play and the way they continued to work their butts off. They made it a game."

Could you talk about TE Derek Carrier coming in? With TE Vernon Davis and TE Vance McDonald going out, it was really his first game action. How did he fit into the offense?

"Derek played well, as we expect him to. He's a great athlete. We see those plays made by him on the practice field all the time. For us, it's not surprising."

G/T Alex Boone
Postgame Quotes - September 14, 2014
San Francisco 49ers vs. Chicago Bears

I know it's disappointing, always, to lose, but here in the home opener, coming up short, especially having a big lead like that-just describe the emotions here in the locker room and how you're feeling.

"To be honest, it sucks. It's the first game ever in Levi's® Stadium. You want to end it on a good note. I think we turned the ball over too much. We as an offense need to pick it up. We can't leave our defense out to dry like that. We've got to get back in the meeting rooms, look at things and get better. There's always room for improvement, but not a great way to start the home openers."

Besides the turnovers, did anything else change in what they were doing or in how they were affecting you guys that way?

"No, I just think the biggest thing is we've got to play for 60 minutes. We stalled out a little bit and then we tried to regain our momentum, and then the turnovers hit. We've just got little things to clean up. It's on everybody on the offense. It starts with the offensive line. We've got to get better and we will."

How did it feel to get back in the fray?

"Good. It's always good to be out there fighting, having fun. Losing sucks, but to be out there felt good."

You guys have to bounce back obviously. You've got another tough division opponent next week, another physical team. Just talk about rebounding and turning it around.

"This next on is huge-the Cardinals, it counts for two. We need to rebound. We can't slip up. They're a good team. They're a great team. You go down to their house, it get loud, it gets feisty. This is going to be a big game for us to really show if we can be the team we think we are."

LB Ahmad Brooks
Postgame Quotes - September 14, 2014
San Francisco 49ers vs. Chicago Bears

What was your take on the turnaround in the game?

"Turnovers. It was like how we played last week against the Cowboys, causing all of those turnovers in the first half. They got us this week. We turned the ball over four times, so it was kind of like how last week was. But it was on the other end of the table this time."

What changed in what they were doing?

"Calls and turnovers. They also had good field position. Every time our defense came on the field they were already on their 30, ready to score. They were already in field goal position at least three times in the second half."

How do you bounce back?

"We should have stopped them because of our defense and how we play the game. But they just had a better play call than we did and they were able to score touchdowns. This week we're just going to have to bounce back and regroup."

What about penalties?

"I just think that's something the NFL is going to have to correct. They called about 16 or 17 penalties on us today and I think they called 11 on them. That's way too many penalties for a football game."

Even though you had a 17-point lead, you've got to keep pushing, right?

"You've got to keep pushing. I think we gave them a touchdown right before halftime. When we came out, we actually had a good drive when we first came out offensively. We weren't able to capitalize on the score but we were able to get three points on the board. From there, the whole fourth quarter they caused turnovers. That was the momentum swing."

Was there a turning point in the game?

"When the score was 20-10. They got that interception and then they were able to get the ball and score. Then getting back on the field and causing another turnover and being able to score, and gaining a one-point lead on us. Then causing another turnover and being able to score again. That was the game, turnovers caused the game."

How disappointing was it to lose the first regular season game here?

"It was very disappointing. When it's a new stadium and when the 49ers organization has so much history behind them, we just wanted to come out here and win the game for the team and for the organization. That was what I wanted to do, and I'm pretty sure everyone else in the locker room wanted to win the game as well."

WR Michael Crabtree
Postgame Quotes - September 14, 2014
San Francisco 49ers vs. Chicago Bears

What could you guys have done differently?

"I don't know. I need to watch the film. It's hard for me to say because I'm playing only one position and doing my job. Like I said, we'll go back and watch film and get better. That's the only thing we can do. It's early in the season. I'm not going to cry over it. I'm just going to keep working hard. Like I said, we got room for improvement."

Is there something that Chicago did differently defensively in the second half?

"We just need to be in attack mode in the first half. That's what it is. Don't let up on the gas. Their guys, they played good in the second half. They came out, offense put some touchdowns up and they got the W. Not to say that they were the better team, but they came out with the W. And like I said, we need to go back and make it happen."

Did it feel like you guys let off the gas?

"No, I wouldn't say that. Not all the way. I won't talk about it that much. We got room for improvement and we need to go to practice and make it happen. The last play was me. I'm not going to do it alone. It happens. It's football. I'm coming back stronger next week and so is all the rest of the receivers, the offense, the D-line, the DBs. We're coming back stronger. That's 49er football."

RB Frank Gore
Postgame Quotes - September 14, 2014
San Francisco 49ers vs. Chicago Bears

You specifically-I know that 54-yard run was taken back, but was that a statement that you still have it and can score from 50 yards out?

"It's football. God blessed me with the gift to play football, and like I said, I could tell how I feel in the offseason by my training-I know what I can do. It's a blessing that I'm still here. It's football, so I play the game I'm supposed to play-play hard and try my best to give my team whatever I have to do to help us win."

That run was kind of symptomatic of the way the game played out. You had a great run and it gets called back by a penalty-so many penalties tonight.

"We've got to watch the tape and we've just got to clean it up. We've got to clean it up and move on. We've got Arizona next week. They're 2-0 and they're feeling themselves. They're a tough team, great team, and they're playing great ball, so we've just got to watch the film and I think we've just got to finish better."

Given that you were up 17-0 and you had the stadium opener, how disappointing is this particular night?

"When you're up, and like you said, new stadium with the fans, great fans, when you're up like that you've got to go for the kill. We let them get back into the game. We didn't finish and they beat us."

Did you have any words with Kap (QB Colin Kaepernick) afterwards?

"It's football. I told him it's football, keep his head up. He'll come back. He's a ballplayer and a tough quarterback. It's football. You have your ups and downs. Kap is going to bounce back, we know that."

Did you guys feel like maybe the team lacked a little bit of intensity after you guys got off to that lead?

"I won't say that. They made plays. It's NFL ball; they're here for a reason, we're here for a reason. They kept fighting and we didn't finish."

As a team leader, Frank, what do you say to the team after a loss like this?

"Just got to keep our head up, watch the film and do better. Whatever mistakes we had, we've got to clean them up to get ready for next week."

T Jonathan Martin
Postgame Quotes - September 14, 2014
San Francisco 49ers vs. Chicago Bears

In the redzone, it seemed like you guys bogged down a little bit. I don't know what you can possibly say about it other than it just seems like breakdowns more than anything else?

"Yeah, you know, it's frustrating like I said. It's your own season, it's a long season. The trick is not to go up and down with your emotions. Don't get too high with your highs, too low with your lows. It's one of those things - you've got to learn from this loss. Being up 17 and then coming back getting beat in your own place and move forward and win next week.

How would you evaluate the way you played in this game?

"You know, I thought I played well for a lot of the game. That last drive is obviously not up to par. So, it's frustrating. It's something to improve on. Got to do better next time, next game."

FB Bruce Miller
Postgame Quotes - September 14, 2014
San Francisco 49ers vs. Chicago Bears

In the second half, the Chicago Bears were doing a lot of disguising. Is that what you guys saw and were they doing some things that you weren't necessarily prepared for?

"A little bit. On the field from the sideline, everything they did we've been through. We knew what they were going to do. They've got a lot of veterans; they're not trying to trick anybody. Their guys are playing their scheme, playing their defense. We just need to execute better and then not turn the football over. And it's not anybody's fault. Everybody had fingerprints on it. We just need to do better."

You guys have won a million games just like this, right? Up 17-0? Does this seem strange to kick back a game when you had it under control?

"It hurts to let that one slip away. I know if we play a little bit better, more efficient on offense, I think we walk out of there with a win. It just seemed like one play here, one play there, not having everybody on the same page, a penalty. Those things kill you, obviously. They came back and beat us. Momentum shifted. We just have to execute better."

We know QB Colin Kaepernick is as tough upon himself as anybody. What was his mood throughout the turnovers?

"Even with turnovers it was everybody's fault from the blocking scheme, protection, the throw, and the routes. We all had fingerprints on it. It was group mistakes. He's hard on himself, but even through the game, we still had a game to win. He's confident going in ready to lead our team down the field. That was his attitude."

What was your take on the second half and what did they do well?

"Those guys are pros, too. They go into halftime and make adjustments. They came out and played a good half and made some big plays on defense. You have to keep your foot on the pedal. They're professionals too and they made more plays than we did in the second half."

How disappointing was it not only to lose the game, but to lose it here in the first regular season game?

"We want to win every game, especially the home opener and at the new stadium. We wanted to put on a good show and win the football game. That's every week. If we don't perform better, it's going to be tough to win any games no matter where they are or what part of the season they're in. We need to take care of the football."

Are penalties another thing that needs to be cleaned up? You had 16 penalties today.

"That's unacceptable. Turnovers and penalties, especially the point in the game where they were made, that's losing football."

S Eric Reid
Postgame Quotes - September 14, 2014
San Francisco 49ers vs. Chicago Bears

This had to be particularly disappointing given the fact this was the opener for Levi's® Stadium? Was that in your mind or when you're in the game, you're in the game?

"No, I wasn't thinking about that at all in the game. Obviously before and after the game you think about those things. You would love to open the stadium with a win, but hey, this is the NFL, you lose games. Like I said, we've just got to get out back out there and play again next week."

The Bears big receivers posed big problems, especially in the second half, and Bears WR Brandon Marshall showed why he's an All-Pro.

"Yeah, they definitely did. [Bears QB Jay] Cutler made some good throws in the redzone, they made some good catches. If we could have broken up a couple of those passes, we might have had a better chance, but they did a good job. Give them credit."

What did head coach Jim Harbaugh tell you after the game?

"That's a tough one. We put ourselves in some bad situations, but we've got to bounce back. This one is over. It's done with. We've got to look ahead to our next game."

NT Ian Williams
Postgame Quotes - September 14, 2014
San Francisco 49ers vs. Chicago Bears

Opening comments:

"This is just a tough one to swallow. Just have to come back next week. It's a long season. [DT] Justin [Smith] says it all the time that it's hard to win in this league and that proves it. They're good too, so we've just got to come back out here, get healthy and just get back right."

Is it a tough one, because your unit did basically everything it set out to do in this game? It's hard to see how you would improve on what the defense did.

"I mean, it's a team. We can't take the blame. It's a team loss. It's not a defensive loss or a defensive win. Vice versa, offensive loss, offensive win. It's a team loss."

Run defense, it looked like you guys tightened that up pretty good?

"We just worked hard on it this week. Blessed to have great coaches and players to be able to execute against a good Chicago team."

LB Patrick Willis
Press Conference - September 14, 2014
San Francisco 49ers vs. Chicago Bears

Opening comments:

"It's very disappointing in the sense that knowing the first home game here at the new stadium, all of the events and stuff that was going on and then us needing the win that's what we wanted. Not getting that done, it doesn't feel good."

Was there any distraction or anything with all of the hoopla going on?

"No, there was no distraction. We put the loss on us as a football team, not on anybody else. We all had a fingerprint on that game and we win as a team and we lose as a team."

How do you assess being up 17-0 and allowing them to get back in the game defensively?

"I don't have one particular word to say. But, anytime you have an opportunity to be up on a team like that, you have to capitalize, you have to put even more pressure on them and we didn't do that. We didn't play a complete football game as a defense and that's on us. We have to do better. But, that's the thing about the National Football League in the regular season is you get the opportunity to out and watch film win or loss and you get better from it."

Is it getting better on both sides of the ball, the calls, is it getting harder to know what you can legally do sometimes?

"The only thing that I'm going to do is smile on that. We have to cut down on the penalties. Whether that's on us or whatever it is, we have to do better on that end. That's all I have to say."

With Chicago Bears WR Brandon Marshall in particular, how tough is he in the redzone?

"He's a tough guy. He's tough to cover by anyone on the field. I think for the most part we had done really well on him. It's just getting him in the redzone, he's a big body. The youngster [DB Jimmie] Ward was fighting his tail off and doing all that we ask him to do. The plays just went their way on those."

Did you talk to Jimmie after the game?

"No, I just talked to him during the game. I'm sure that I'll talk to him tomorrow sometime. We tend to always have a conversation. But, my hat goes off to him. To come in early like he has, it's still early. My thing to him is to not get down on himself. To take his game and understand the magnitude of the NFL and the receivers that are here. I know that he will and he's going to be better before each game."