Golden Nuggets: Does the absence of a decision by Justin Smith on retirement mean anything?

Good morning everyone. Yesterday was a media day with the team so we have a lot of links. One of the more surprising things not just from yesterday, but the off season in general is the retirement limbo of Justin Smith. Of course he has every right to take his sweet time in deciding, but I was in the camp that just considered it inevitable. The longer he goes without making a decision, the more and more likely I start to think it is that he returns. Maybe I'm doing nothing but setting myself up for disappointment, but the longer this goes, I am going to get more and more hopeful. If he does retire, the 49ers have done a good job of drafting at the position, but due to Vic Fangio's tendency to play veterans and avoid substituting we really have no idea about guys like Tank Carradine. An option in the draft if they choose to go that route is Oregon's Arik Armstead who I am incapable of being objective about since his high school was about 5 minutes from mine.

Some of the other discussion has to do with the magnificent transformation of Colin Kaepernick from athletic scrub to the golden god present at off season work outs. I'm sorry but I can never take off season hype seriously in any sport. Everyone looks great in off season workouts, and everyone had some special training that is going to make the difference in a Superbowl run next season. Colin Kaepernick could very well be a transformed man, and I already think he is going to be markedly better over his terrible last season. But I'll believe the "he's a different person" talk when the games start. To the links!

10 of Trent Baalke’s favorite things (BASG)

Kaepernick should silence critics by only actions on the field (Gin)

Kaepernick likes stable of running backs ‘capable’ of replacing Gore, perhaps including Aussie Jarryd Hayne (Inman)

Kaepernick’s revised mechanics wow Vernon Davis at start of offseason program (Inman)

Who’s the new guy? Colin Kaepernick’s offseason work obvious, 49ers teammate says (Barrows)

Eight months after ACL, 49ers’ Kendall Hunter looks ready to roll (Barrows)

Bowman expected to return to field this month (Maiocco)

NaVorro Bowman expected to take field with teammates this month (Iman)

49ers hoping for Justin Smith's return, prep for retirement (ESPN)

Vernon Davis: 'I'm here because I want to get better' (Maiocco)

Boldin: 49ers better than 8-8 record (Maiocco)

3 Antoine Bethea, reigning team MVP, expresses confidence amid offseason turnover (Inman)

49ers notes: Patrick Willis’ retirement gave teammates perspective (Barrows)