Alex Boone blasts Jim Harbaugh critics, Antoine Bethea disputes reports

Some members of the San Francisco 49ers would appear to be circling the wagons with regard to the various reports about locker room tension. The last two days have seen a report from Ian Rapoport, and comments by Deion Sanders and Trent Dilfer about problems in the 49ers locker room. Rapoport pointed to some basic issues, while Sanders said he heard the players wanted Harbaugh out, and Dilfer referred to the locker room as "almost toxic".

Cam Inman did some transcribing of radio interviews that included right guard Alex Boone, and safety Antoine Bethea. You can read Boone's comments HERE. You can read Bethea's comments HERE. Once I find a link to audio, I'll add that. (Fooch's Update: Alex Boone audio)

Boone was on the Damon Bruce show on 95.7 The Game, and he did not hold back. He said he was in the locker room and it was all smiles last he checked. He said that he "knows for a fact" that everybody loves Jim Harbaugh. I think my favorite line might have been when he said, "How could you not want to win for a guy that wears cleats during a game?"

Bethea was fairly simple with his comments. He said they were a family and outsiders can say what they want.

There are obviously a lot more than just those two players in the locker room, but it's nice seeing some support for Jim Harbaugh. I am sure there are players who have some kind of beef with Jim Harbaugh. I don't think it would be a sports locker room without somebody being unhappy about something. And I imagine there are some unknown number of players talking to the media.

That being said, plenty of coaches have proven there does not need to be some significant personal bond between a coach and all his players to win a championship. Some coaches might get more love than others from their players, but plenty of great coaches had players who hated them. That is probably not the healthiest way to go through life, but it is not necessarily going to stop teams from winning championships.

Now if Boone could just work on his blocking!