SANTA CLARA, Calif. (AP) A.J. Jenkins no longer is in a San
Francisco 49ers uniform after being dealt to Kansas City. Coach Jim
Harbaugh is still coming to the defense of his former receiver.
Harbaugh
took the opportunity Wednesday to again criticize those who delivered a
negative take on Jenkins, the 2012 first-round pick who underachieved
in his one-plus season with San Francisco.
Asked a question
Wednesday about Jon Baldwin, the receiver the 49ers acquired from the
Chiefs on Monday for Jenkins, Harbaugh weaved Jenkins into the
discussion unsolicited.
"I don't think it's fair to bully or
label a young player, though I fully understand that people are entitled
to their opinion and perspective," Harbaugh said. "However, I prefer
the criticism -- I'd appreciate if the criticism -- is directed toward
me. I'm responsible, and I certainly accept it. Actually, welcome it."
Jenkins,
the 30th overall pick in 2012, appeared in just three games last season
and didn't make a single catch. With the Achilles tendon injury to No. 1
receiver Michael Crabtree, he was viewed as a leading candidate to
start this season opposite Anquan Boldin.
But Jenkins hardly distinguished himself through the early portion of training camp and two exhibition games.
Harbaugh was asked to clarify what he felt responsible for in relation to the media criticism directed at Jenkins.
"I'm
responsible for helping pick the draft picks, fully responsible for
coaching the players up, and I willingly accept those responsibilities,"
Harbaugh said.
In July 2012, Harbaugh called out as "clueless"
those who predicted Jenkins would be a bust before he even played in a
preseason game.
Referencing the fact Baldwin, a 2011 first-round
choice of the Chiefs, has been labeled an underachiever, Harbaugh said:
"I know a lot of people have kind of made some sport of A.J. and
Jonathan, and my comments and that type of thing. I feel the same as I
did a year ago when I made those comments."
