NEW ORLEANS -- 49ers coach Jim Harbaugh made light of President Obama's recent comments about the sport. The president said if he had a son, he would have to "think long and hard" before allowing him to play football.
The subject was a popular one during interviews with the Super Bowl participants Monday."Well, I have a 4-month-old, almost 5-month-old son Jack Harbaugh," Jim Harbaugh said. "If President Obama feels that way, then there will be a little less competition for Jack Harbaugh. That's the first thing that jumps into my mind, if other parents are thinking that way. It's still early. Jack's only 5 months old, but he's a really big kid. He's got an enormous head."Harbaugh then was asked what his son's 40-yard dash time is."We don't have a time on him yet, but his wingspan is a plus-one," he said. "As soon as he grows into that head, he's going to be something. It's early, but expectations are high for young Jack."Justin Smith's tricepsDefensive end Justin Smith had never been injured, so when he tore his left triceps tendon in Week 15, he was thinking the worst. But Smith missed only two games, returning for the playoffs.While wearing a brace, Smith had a combined nine tackles in the 49ers' two playoff victories."I think it's getting better every week," Smith said. "I can do more stuff every week." Reed's homecomingBaltimore Ravens safety Ed Reed is not only playing in his first Super Bowl but he's doing it in his hometown of New Orleans."I can't explain it," Reed said. "This is awesome. To come home, to be in Louisiana, in front of the home team, the home crowd, playing for the Super Bowl. I can't really explain it. I'm really speechless. For everything I have been through to get to this point is awesome. I'm trying to enjoy it and not hold every thing in. I'm trying to soak it all up."Reed's first memory of going to a Super Bowl at the Superdome was there for media day in 1997 when the Patriots and Green Bay played because he had just won a local punt, pass and kick competition."I remember everything," Reed said. "The winner of the event came to Media Day. I was just standing around, me and my dad. I remember seeing the Superdome field. It was just an awesome day." -- Clarence E. Hill Jr.Just like YoungstownYoungstown, Ohio, isn't New Orleans. But the time the 49ers spent in the city of 67,000, located halfway between Cleveland and Pittsburgh, did somewhat prepare them for Super Bowl week.Jim Harbaugh has taken his team to Youngstown -- home of the DeBartolo family -- for the week between back-to-back games played on the East Coast. Current owners Denise DeBartolo York and John York still have a residence in eastern Ohio."I think it's a good thing that we've done this, really the last two years," Harbaugh said. "We've stayed in a hotel, had our meetings in a hotel and then go to a facility to practice and get ready for the game."The 49ers are practicing at the Saints' facility in Metairie this week.Charean Williams817-390-7760Twitter: @NFLCharean
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