Kaepernick badly wants to play
Q: You added extra picks in next year’s draft (which) is supposed to be a highly thought-of QB class. Was that why you did that? A: I think we have been very up front that we understand that you have to have a big-time franchise quarterback to have success on a year-in-and-yearout basis. We want that and we are aware of that. We are hopeful that it’s one of the guys that we already have. (Brian) Hoyer really seizing the opportunity or (C.J.) Beathard, who we drafted, taking his opportunity and running with it. There is a quality QB class coming. We just felt like the opportunity to get a lot of players this year that we really valued, plus be able to stockpile for next year as we are trying to rebuild this thing, we want to build this with a nucleus of players that really fit our mold. Q: As an outsider you look at (Colin) Kaepernick — if he was really committed to getting back into the league would he be back in this league by now? A: I would tell you with my conversations with Colin that he is fully committed to being in this league . ... (I told him) I think you are having a little bit of an image crisis in terms of not what you did last year, but people are wondering if this is what is most important to you at a position where the guys that succeed at it live it, breathe it. I think there is a perception that football isn’t on the top of his list. My communication with Colin was the best way you could help yourself is not to have someone make statements for you, but for you to sit down and do an interview to let people know exactly where you stand because he makes a compelling case as to how bad he wants to be in the league when you talk to him. Q: The 49ers were here before the Giants, before the A’s, before the Raiders, before the Warriors. There is a real loyal fan base that had their feelings hurt in recent years. When you make your way around the Bay Area what is one or two things that people consistently say to you? A: The faithful, as I have come to know them, are an incredibly strong fan base and I have been blown away with just how intensely loyal they are and how, in short order, how excited they have become because they feel the same energy we feel around here. Now we have to go do it . ... We need to start winning some damn games. That is what these people deserve, that is what this area deserves.