Colin Kaepernick conducted his weekly press conference from inside of the San Francisco 49ers locker room.
Here's what we learned.
1. Kaepernick was short and sweet when talking about the penalty he drew in Sunday's loss to the Chicago Bears. The 49ers quarterback maintained he "didn't say anything" and that Chicago Bears defensive end Lamarr Houston also told reporters that Kaepernick didn't say anything. "We're going to leave it at that," Kaepernick went on to say. However, when pressed more on the subject, Kaepernick said he was fined more than $11,000 by the NFL, and he plans to appeal it.
2. Kaepernick has great respect for Arizona Cardinals cornerback Patrick Peterson. Both players were members of the 2011 NFL Draft. Peterson was selected 31 spots ahead of the 49ers quarterback, who was taken 36th overall. "He's a great player," Kaepernick said. "Has all the physical tools you'd want in a corner." Both players swapped jerseys after the teams' 2013 meeting in Arizona.
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3.** Third-string tight end Derek Carrier caught his first NFL pass in last week's loss to Chicago. Carrier finished the game with three receptions for 41 yards. The former college wide receiver out of Division III Beloit College in Wisconsin has impressed his teammates, including Kaepernick. "He plays fearless," Kaepernick said of the second-year pro, who was called up from San Francisco's "opportunity squad" last season.
"He's going to give you everything he has, and he's willing to go and make a play. I think he showed that on Sunday." Kaepernick said Carrier's respected around the locker room, especially with how he's made the most of his opportunities with injuries to fellow tight ends Vernon Davis and Garrett Celek. "Everyone has noticed and has seen what he's done and the work he's put in," Kaepernick said. "So, it's great to see him go out and make plays and contribute."
4. The 49ers signal-caller was happy to discuss Carrier's ascension, but he had no thoughts on Davis' left ankle injury. "I'm not going to talk on another man's injury," Kaepernick said.
5. Kaepernick said the critical 3rd-and-6 hand-off by the goal line was the right call based on Chicago's defensive alignment. Although the 49ers had a run and pass call based on what the Bears showed, Kaepernick said the play did not succeed because of "execution." Frank Gore was tackled short of the first-down markers and Phil Dawson connected on his second field goal of the game to make it a 20-7 game in favor of the 49ers. It would be San Francisco's last lead of the night.
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