Harbaugh: ‘We're from the sticks & stones school of approach'

Jim Harbaugh addressed the week's headlines with the media on Monday, including on Frank Gore, on the Cardinals -- and complaints out of losing coach Pete Carroll.Transcript courtesy of 49ers media servicesHow was your weekend?
Great, outstanding weekend.

Did you see the big game?
No. I spent every waking and asleepmoment with my wife and kids. Had a wonderful weekend, every minute of it waswith them.

Did you guys do a bunchof the work last week, preparation for the Cardinals gameplan?
Yeah, its ongoing. We did some of it onFriday and then that continues today and tomorrow. And then the next day, andthe day after that, the hay will not be in the barn.

Four days off for theguys during a five day period.
Did they need that time to get off their feetand get those bumps and bruises rested and healed?
Yes.

How do they feel?Theyve reported back. Is it a healthy bunch right now?
I believe so. I believe it will be,especially as the week goes on. A lot of our guys came in and lifted and gottreatment. Going in that direction.

I think RB Frank Gorehas 103 carries in seven games. Is that about what you want to see from himworkload wise? Thats considerably less than he had at this point last year.
No, didnt have any number in mind.

Generally speakingthough, do you want to see him have fewer carries this year than he did in theregular season last year?
No, not necessarily. Hes doing a greatjob. Been very productive when he has had the ball in his hands.

A lot of people arewondering, RB Brandon Jacobsyou guys brought him here in the offseason,still hasnt gotten on the field for any plays. Whats the vision for him asfar as how hes going to make a contribution?
I think thats all decided on the field.Brandon came here, in training camp was doing very well and got injured. Thenhe is working his way back. Thats a process thats going on and simultaneouslyyou have some guys who have played very well at that position. So I would say itsa process.

What do you make of the Cardinals?
Very good football team. They play outstanding defense. Very dangerousoffensively. A team that we know. They know us. Have a lot of respect for theCardinals.

When you see a team struggle protecting the passer as much as they havethis season, do you see that as another golden opportunity for you guys to getto the passer?
Its a challenge for everybody. In this league, call it a struggle, callit a challenge. Every single week, thats a challenge and an opportunity forboth teams. Both teams are faced with the challenge of protecting their passerand both teams have the opportunity to get to the opposers passer. Its a testof wills on sides, protecting and putting pressure on the passer.

What do you like most about G Mike Iupati and GT Alex Boone and theway theyre working together?
Just been fantastic. I thought the guard play this past game was topnotch. Both of those guys, Mike and Alex Boone had their best or close to theirbest games, which is saying a lot because theyve had good games. The way thethree of them worked together, I thought it was outstanding. Upon furtherreview we had to really look at it and say that both Mike Iupati and Alex Boonehad excellent games. The more you watch the tape, the more you appreciated thataspect of it.

Is it hard to believethat Alex Boone was an undrafted rookie?
That happens, yeah. To his credit, hestaken his opportunity, his talent, his work ethic, and also a great attitude.And then hes got it. And I think its a great lesson for all the youngplayers, individual players, that working hard, doing it with a great attitude,a team attitude, you figure it out. You get it. And hes a wonderful example ofthat.

C Jonathan Goodwin hadsaid last week hes never been around a guard that enjoys running power as muchas G Mike Iupati. Does that show up on film? Or do you get a sense just fromhim how much he enjoys getting up and going after linebackers on those plays?
Yeah, I think its high enjoyment level.Hes a very strong man that plays very physical. Its talent. Its attitude.Its a lot of those things. But, hes unique in that he is as big, as fast, asquick twitch as he is. And also secretly likes it to come down to just that,the physical nature of it.

When you obviouslylooked at film from 2010 when he was a rookie, did he jump out at you? Has heimproved a fair amount in these past two seasons?
Yeah, I think hes getting better andbetter. The group is as a whole. Talked about it before. Offensive line coachMike Solari and Offensive Line coach Tim Drevno do a great job with them. Andcontinues to keep going on the right track.

Has the line had to usethe silent count much yet this year? And does Phoenixs stadium require itmuch?
Yeah, anytime youre on the road youhave to be prepared to the use of silent count. Yes, we have had to use silentcount this year.

Im sorry can yourepeat? Its hard to hear.
Yes, we have used the silent count thisyear, and you always have to be prepared for it when youre on the road.

Is Phoenix any harderthan Seattle? I know theyve said theyve had to use it quite a bit in Seattle.Is Phoenix any harder than any place else? Or just average?
I think anytime youre on the roadyouve got to be prepared to have the silent count in your arsenal.

Are you going to findtime to watch the baseball game tonight?
Hopefully have some time to watch it.Its pretty exciting.

Seattle Seahawks headcoach Pete Carroll on his radio show today, he compared your statements aboutthe Seahawks corners to what New York Giants offensive coordinator KevinGilbride said about DT Justin Smith. Do you care to respond to that? Are theresimilarities to what Kevin Gilbride did and what you said Friday?
No, I dont think so. And anytime youask me about anything, the officiating from a game, previous game or anupcoming game, theres a way weve been instructed to handle that. And that isto not criticize the officiating and to address any concerns, and also justanything you want clarification of, or interpretation with, with the officialsin New York. So, thats what weve been instructed to do. Thats the way Imgoing to answer all the questions, whatever you all ask or have your ownconcerns. Thats the protocol. So, thats how Ive been instructed to go aboutit. Thats what well do.

He said he thought youmay have thought your receivers were overwhelmed.
Well, Im not going to comment on, orget paraphrased, or let somebody quote somebody else, and then have a reactionto it. I think you pretty much know that were from the sticks and stonesschool of approach. So, calling us names isnt going to hurt us.

Some people would say,why wouldnt you just limit I guess your response to say
No comment?

Well no, thatssomething that were going to take up with the league office, and leave it atthat?
Well, thats what I did. You made astatement, or I was asked a question. Is this how you interpret the play? Thatsnot the words I would use. Well take it up with the league. But, thats whatweve been instructed to say and do. I can stand up here and say, no comment,to just about any question. I try not to do that. I try to be professional, tryto answer questions the best that I can.

Has the league respondedand given you a satisfactory answer?
We havent, no, we havent, and we dontdiscuss those responses either. Thats part of the instructions.