Jim Harbaugh: Matthew Stafford Is A 'Modern Day Gun Fighter'
By: Jeff Riger
One of the cool things about covering the NFL is getting a chance to talk to the opposing players and coaches throughout the week. On Wednesday, Niners coach Jim Harbaugh took some time to meet with the Detroit media via a speaker phone in Allen Park. Of course there are always story lines leading up to a game, but this week was different, as all the local media were interested to hear Harbaugh's comments on last year's 'Handshake Gate' and if there were any regrets or hard feelings as Sunday's nationally televised game is quickly approaching?
Below are some of the more interesting quotes from the coach about the handshake, the Lions and quarterback Matthew Stafford.
Harbaugh on Stafford: "He's a winner. He's kind of like a modern day gunslinger, gunfighter, and modern day gunfighter. He has all the attributes of a football playing quarterback and then some."
Harbaugh on the handshake: "I don't have any reaction to people talking about."
Reporter: "What regrets do you have about that situation last year?"
Harbaugh: "The single most important factor in a football game is winning the football game and that is our task every single week when you go into a game. The next game is the most important game, so looking back on that game I have good memories of that game. But, you can't live in the past, you got to live for the next game and the next opportunity and that's what we believe in. We believe in preparation and work to do just that."
Reporter: "You just don't want anything to do with the handshake this week? Talk about it or anything?"
Harbaugh: "Those are your words."
Reporter: "Well what are yours, what do you want people to know about the handshake?"
Harbaugh: "I don't know anymore I can add then what I have already added which is; our philosophy on many controversies is to give them the attention that they deserve which is very little."
Reporter: "Do you plan to shake Jim Schwartz's hand at some point on Sunday?"
Harbaugh: "Yes."
Harbaugh, on how he turned around the Niners in one season? "The keys to success list, ah, I don't have that list in front of me right now."
Reporter: "Extemporize!"
Harbaugh: "What? I don't know that I can even spell that word. I don't want to know what it means."
The above were some of the more interesting exchanges with Harbaugh and the media. Listen to the entire media session below for all the coach's thoughts and then catch the game Sunday on the Ticket at 8:30pm.
