Feb 3, 2013; New Orleans, LA, USA; San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick (7) celebrates after scoring a touchdown against the Baltimore Ravens in the fourth quarter in Super Bowl XLVII at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

San Francisco 49ers Colin Kaepernick has spent the entire offseason in the gym. Clearly left with a bitter taste in his mouth from the Super Bowl loss and eager for a full season as the 49ers quarterback he has spent his entire offseason preparing for 2013.

But his coach, Jim Harbaugh, is slightly concerned that “too much” of a good thing could become a bad thing.

“If you’re just talking about weightlifting and upper-body strength, yes, I think there is that fear,” Harbaugh said, via Comcast Sports Network.

“It’s something we’ve talked about. ‘I don’t want you getting too jacked-up, Colin.’ I want some speed, quickness, not just (flexing chest his muscles).”

Basically he’s saying that there is no need to work on your beach body, work on the things you need to improve. His arm strength his undeniable, he’s dislocated receivers’ fingers and they’d rather catch warm up passes from other quarterbacks on the roster.

“When we are doing individuals with the quarterback and the receiver, guys go to the back of the line when it’s Kaepernick’s time,” WR Michael Crabtree said. “They try to time it out so that if Kaepernick is (throwing) third, they want to go fourth. It’s a lot of heat coming.”

But the enthusiasm he is showing towards the 2013 is nothing to be upset about. His offseason work ethic embodies leadership by example, and more importantly that he’s handling the defeat well.

“I never had to concern myself with that because the players we have, the coaches we have. They’re already back in the building,” Harbaugh said. “Justin Smith is already, arm in a sling, champing at the bit to get back. Colin Kaepernick is already working out, pulling chains. So it’s not a challenge for me.”

Feb 1, 2013; New Orleans, LA, USA; Baltimore Ravens head coach John Harbaugh (left) poses for a photo with San Francisco 49ers head coach Jim Harbaugh (right) and father Jack Harbaugh (second from left) , grandfather Joe Cipiti (middle) and mother Jackie Harbaugh during a press conference in preparation for Super Bowl XLVII at the New Orleans Convention Center. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

If you were unaware that the Super Bowl features two teams coached by a pair of brother Jim and John Harbaugh, you are incredibly lucky. You also must not have turned on a computer or TV in the past two weeks or opened a newspaper. Heck, you probably haven’t even glanced at a newspaper while waiting in line at Starbucks or CVS.

But what is a lesser known story is that this Super Bowl that pits brother against brother, also features a father versus son angle.

That’s right! It really is the Harbowl…. sick of hearing that term yet?

But anyways, returning to the story.

Jim Harbaugh, that’s the San Francisco 49er one, is avoiding talking to his eldest son leading up to this Super Bowl. The reason is that his son, Jay Harbaugh, is an intern with the Baltimore Ravens, and Jay’s uncle and Jim’s brother, John.

I know can you keep all those J names straight. Let me recap. Jack Harbuagh (I know another one and his wife’s name is Jackie) has two sons, Jim (49ers head coach) and John (Ravens head coach). Jim’s son Jay interns for the Ravens with John.

Anyways, this has forced father and son to ignore one another in the biggest weeks of their lives.

“I’m really thankful and proud at the same time that Jay is doing what he loves to do,” Jim said, via Pro Football Talk. “John being there and hiring him, I hear he’s doing a phenomenal job. This week I haven’t been talking to him or calling him or anything — sent him a few texts just to tell him how I feel but I don’t want people thinking I’m talking to him about the game. I’ve heard he’s done a great job and that means the world.”

And John is happy his nephew Jay is there.

“I’m appreciative that Jim allowed Jay to come out,” John said. “Maybe that will be our edge, maybe it’ll be Jay. He’s really good. He’s a hard-working guy and he’s excited about the game and competing.”

Oct. 29, 2012; Glendale, AZ, USA; San Francisco 49ers cornerback (29) Chris Culliver against the Arizona Cardinals at University of Phoenix Stadium. The 49ers defeated the Cardinals 24-3. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

On the heels of news that a former San Francisco 49ers player was involved in an altercation with his boyfriend, Chris Culliver is trying to recover from anti-gay comments he made.

“I don’t do the gay guys man,” Culliver said. “I don’t do that. No, we don’t got no gay people on the team, they gotta get up out of here if they do.”

“Can’t be with that sweet stuff. Nah … can’t be … in the locker room man. Nah.”

The comments came on former Howard Stern’s sidekick Artie Lange’s show. Lange asked about the possibility of having a gay teammate.

I personally wasn’t too familiar with the 49er cornerback but he has been thrust into the spotlight for all the wrong reasons. His Super Bowl opponent Brendan Ayanbadejo of the Baltimore Ravens is using the platform to fight for same-sex marriage.

“That’s not what’s in my heart,” Culliver said as he apologizes profusely and repeatedly. “I’m sorry if I offended anyone.”

“No . . . I mean, hopefully not, that’s why I’m doing this today,” said when asked if he was worried about being labeled a homophobe.

His coach, Jim Harbaugh, has come to his player’s defense saying that he is not a homophobe or hateful person.

“There’s not malice in his heart. He’s not an ugly person. He’s not a discriminatory person,” Harbaugh said. “I really believe that this is something that he’ll learn and grow from.”

Harbaugh said he spoke with Culliver but declined to go into details. He said Culliver made comments in response to a question, off the cuff and without thinking or choosing his words carefully. It wasn’t till later when he read a transcript of the comments that he recognized how hurtful they were.

Chris Culliver is relatively young, only 24 years of age, so there is probably some truth to what Harbaugh had to say.

Nevertheless he found the spotlight on the biggest stage of his career and maybe even his life, for all the wrong reasons.

Jan 30, 2013; New Orleans, LA, USA; San Francisco 49ers head coach Jim Harbaugh addresses the media at a press conference in preparation for Super Bowl XLVII between the San Francisco 49ers and the Baltimore Ravens at the Marriott New Orleans. Mandatory Credit: John David Mercer-USA TODAY Sports

We’ve seen the NFL shift to a different kind of offense this season and really embrace the mobile quarterback. Russell Wilson with the Seattle Seahawks and Robert Griffin III with the Washington Redskins both led their teams to the playoffs. Cam Newton of the Carolina Panthers has been successful, and the NFL has embraced the zone read offense.

But the San Francisco 49ers do something slightly different, the pistol formation. And head coach Jim Harbaugh credits this football genius to his offensive coordinator Greg Roman.

“I think Greg Roman has done a job that is revolutionary in football,” Harbaugh said in a press conference Wednesday morning, via ProFootballTalk.com. “I think the way he has mixed the trap, the power, the wham plays, into the pistol offense and into our conventional offense has been revolutionary in many ways.”

While it has certainly worked getting the 49ers to the Super Bowl, they weren’t exactly ineffective last year in their normal offense. But remember the Wild Cat formation, and how that was going to revolutionize the game? Well that faded away quickly, so is this pistol formation here to stay?

“It’s possible that it is here to stay. I won’t make any predictions on that,” Harbaugh said. “I think that it’s been successful for us because of the players we have executing it. I think they’re extremely good at it.”

Trent Dilfer says that the pistol formation makes handoffs easier and the running game better because the quarterback isn’t having to run and put the ball in the back’s hands. This second or fractions of a second it saves can give a running back an edge.

If the 49ers win a Super Bowl with this offense you’d have to think it’d be cemented into the minds of NFL franchises, owners and general managers. Especially when teams desperate for success are looking to find a new quarterback. Geno Smith’s draft stock is certainly rising as mobile quarterbacks and these new offenses thrive in the NFL.

Do you think the pistol formation is here to stay?

Jan 20, 2013; Atlanta, GA, USA; San Francisco 49ers kicker David Akers (2) reacts after missing a 38-yard field goal against the Atlanta Falcons during the third quarter of the NFC Championship game at the Georgia Dome. Mandatory Credit: Matthew Emmons-USA TODAY Sports

David Akers missed a kick in yesterday’s NFC Championship game, a 38 yarder. He made his only other postseason kick against the Green Bay Packers the week prior, for a post season 50% completion.

That’s a dip from his regular season total when he went 29-42 and the San Francisco 49ers even brought in Billy Cundiff in as insurance.

Ironic considering the Baltimore Ravens, their Super Bowl XLVII opponent dropped him in the offseason in favor of a rookie after Cundiff missed a AFC Championship kick that would’ve tied the game. If they had gone on to win in overtime they would have punched a ticket to Super Bowl XLVI.

Cundiff was released the Friday before the NFC Championship game and ineligible to play for the 49ers in the Super Bowl. Rules state that a player cut during the post season can’t sign with a team until after the Super Bowl. But the 49ers aren’t looking for a replacement according to head coach Jim Harbaugh.

Jim Harbaugh says David Akers will be 49ers kicker in the Super Bowl.

— Matt Maiocco (@MaioccoCSN) January 21, 2013

David Akers himself was less certain about whether he’d be suiting up for the 49ers in the Super Bowl.

“I’m here until they tell me otherwise,” said Akers, via CBS Sports.

If you were the San Francisco 49ers, would you feel confident with David Akers kicking field goals in the Super Bowl?

Oct 7, 2012; San Francisco, CA, USA; San Francisco 49ers coach Jim Harbaugh walks off the field after the game against the Buffalo Bills at Candlestick Park. The 49ers defeated the Bills 45-3. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee/Image of Sport-US PRESSWIRE

The San Francisco 49ers were without head coach Jim Harbaugh at the team’s practice facility today because their leader is undergoing a minor procedure at Stanford for an irregular heart beat.

In the absence of Harbaugh, special teams coach Brad Seely has been overseeing the organization.

The 49ers issued a statement to respond to notes of the minor procedure.

“Coach Harbaugh is not at the facility today under doctor’s orders,” the 49ers said. “He is having a minor procedure done at Stanford Hospital today for an irregular heartbeat. We anticipate that he will be back at the facility tomorrow, but do not have any further information to share at this time. Assistant head coach and special teams coordinator Brad Seely will be overseeing today’s practice and meetings. When more information regarding coach Harbaugh is available we will pass that along.”

There is no word on whether or not Harbaugh will be in attendance for the team’s Monday Night Football match up against the Chicago Bears. We wish Harbaugh a speedy and full recovery.

Jan 14, 2012; San Francisco, CA, USA; San Francisco 49ers head coach Jim Harbaugh celebrates after the game against the New Orleans Saints in the 2011 NFC divisional playoff game at Candlestick Park. San Francisco defeated New Orleans 36-32. Mandatory Credit: Jason O. Watson-US PRESSWIRE

San Francisco 49ers head coach Jim Harbaugh did the unthinkable this season and turned the miserable 49ers squad into a NFC Championship team with a 13-3 record. Harbaugh used his talents to turn Alex Smith into a serviceable quarterback and brought a new sense of toughness to the team that has completely changed their mentality and prepped them for the future.

Congrats to Jim Harbaugh on an excellent season. He has the 49ers ready to return to glory in the not-so-distant future.

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(Rob Carr/Getty images)

As the season winds down and the teams dwindle, thoughts go to the Super Bowl and who may be there.

These thoughts have taken over most of my free time and I have finally come to a conclusion, there will be no “Clash of the Titans,” but there could be a clash of the Harbaugh’s.

These two men have changed the way grown men feel in the locker room.

The tears running down Vernon Davis’s face and the desire to please his coach are evident during this season and the playoffs. Ray Lewis has nothing but respect for his coach who has had some devastating losses, but has pulled the boys up by their boot straps and here they are today.

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This season, Alex Smith has had a fantastic year. Under Harbaugh, he has blossomed into a Pro Bowl caliber quarterback and he has led the 49ers to a NFC West title. Smith has gone from being considered a bust, to being a serviceable NFL signal-caller. Smith’s turnaround is just another feather in Harbaugh’s cap and more ammunition for those who believe he should be NFL Coach of the Year.

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The Baltimore Ravens kept a leg up in the AFC North race after defeating the San Francisco 49ers on Thanksgiving night in a battle between sibling head coaches. John edged out Jim as the Ravens charged down the field on a methodical drive that resulted in the game’s only touchdown.

Ravens quarterback Joe Flacco hit tight end Dennis Pitta on an eight-yard strike that gave the Ravens the lead that they never lost on way to their 16-6, victory. The loss sends the 49ers two games back from the Green Bay Packers in the race for home field advantage throughout the NFC playoffs.

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