Harbaugh Calls Kaepernick 'Exemplary' After 3 Days Of SB Practice
NEW ORLEANS (CBS SF) -- The San Francisco 49ers wrapped up their final practice before the Super Bowl a little early Friday, with coach Jim Harbaugh offering praise for the way Colin Kaepernick has handled the three days of work in New Orleans.
"Exemplary,'' Harbaugh said of his quarterback. "That's the way he always is since we've known him. This is always the way he handles himself, A plus, plus. He's very focused on the game plan. He's ready to go.''
Harbaugh got his team off the indoor field at Saints headquarters 15 minutes early on Friday, spending a total of 40 fewer minutes practicing this week than during a regular-season schedule. A walk-through was set for Saturday.
"We got everything done we normally do,'' Harbaugh said. "There were only one or two repeats. The whole tempo was good in and out of the huddle and that might reflect that the most. There was good attention to detail and a crisp tempo.''
Harbaugh decided to practice indoors Friday because the 49ers are playing in a dome Sunday. He said he thought it was better for the players to get used to the lights and the artificial turf surface rather than being outside as the team was earlier in the week.
The 49ers also used crowd noise for offensive and defensive drills because they are playing the Baltimore Ravens on a neutral field Sunday at the Superdome.
"Normally, we would use the noise for just one side of the ball,'' Harbaugh said. "If it's a home game, we'd use it for the defense. If it's a road game, we'd use it for the offense and special teams. But this is a neutral site.''
Harbaugh said starting linebackers Ahmad Brooks and Aldon Smith - and all others listed on the injury report - would be listed as probable. Brooks and Smith were limited for the third straight day with shoulder injuries.
Punter Andy Lee hit the ceiling several times and then changed his trajectory.
"I'm glad he didn't hit those lights,'' Harbaugh said. "David Akers didn't miss a kick all week. Those guys had good weeks.''
(Copyright 2013 CBS San Francisco. Compiled from 49ers press pool reports. All rights reserved.)
