49ers coach Jim Harbaugh expects Kendall Hunter to get more work in 2012. That’s not what Frank Gore owners will want to hear, but it may not be as bad as it sounds.

Trying to understand the mind-set of 49ers coach Jim Harbaugh sometimes can feel like an exercise in futility. Case in point: His media session Thursday at the NFL Scouting Combine.

Tim Tebow is working to improve his oft-criticized throwing motion. It could have a significant impact on his fantasy value for 2012.

Despite talk that the 49ers QB job was open, Jim Harbaugh indicated that Alex Smith had the complete support of the organization.

With Todd Haley as Pittsburgh’s new offensive coordinator, with the Steelers offense resemble some of the high-powered Arizona Cardinals attacks of years past?

Living legend alert: Joe Montana hit Radio Row on Thursday, where questions about Tom Brady came fast and furious.

Bill Romanowski, four-time Super Bowl winner, is pounding a smoothie as we begin our conversation. The former linebacker has a few things to say about preparing for the biggest game of the season.

We are now eight days away from the Super Bowl. And while we could pay homage to the No. 8 worn by three-time Super Bowl champion Troy Aikman (the best quarterback of the 1990s), we instead shall honor legendary Jerry Rice, who had eight career touchdown receptions in the Super Bowl.

We have yet another child crying on the Internet because their favorite NFL team went down in defeat. This time, it’s young Johnny, who’s shattered over the 49ers’ demise.

49ers punter Andy Lee put it best when he said, “There must be something in the water” in the Bay Area. That’s the only explanation as to why, for likely the first time ever, the kicking units for the NFC and AFC each come from two teams from one area: 49ers and Raiders.

When you look at the tape, the Patriots and Giants walked away conference champions for reasons that spanned the length of the game. And the Ravens and 49ers exited stage right for just as many reasons.

Bay Area rap artists are now 2-for-2on the season when it comes to 49ers-inspired tracks.

“Playbook” analysts Solomon Wilcots, Brian Baldinger, Joe Theismann and Brian Billick make their picks for the conference championship games.

When the Giants and 49ers earned their way into the NFC Championship Game, they had won their games on the scoreboard – and one particular area of the field.

Four divisional playoff games this weekend to break down. Let’s get right to it.