Credit: Howard Smith-USA TODAY Sports

Newly signed San Francisco 49ers free agent Nnamdi Asomugha recently gave an interview with Bay Area sport reporters. It was an insightful interview as Niner fans get to hear Asomugha explain why he chose to sign with San Francisco and why things did not work out with the Philadelphia Eagles.

Without a doubt, Asomugha will be closely watched by Niner fans during organized team activities and training camp. It will be interesting to see if the cornerback can recapture how he played with the Oakland Raiders when he was a three-time Pro Bowl selection. If he can, the 49ers defense will get a huge boost in the secondary.

Asomugha said he is “happy to be back” in the Bay Area, so let’s hope that familiarity will allow him to revert back to his how he played while in Oakland. Below are some highlights from the interview and also the full video interview:

Q: Biggest reason why he signed with 49ers:

Nnamdi Asomugha: It being close to home was a big factor. But this team the last couple of years they have been able to do some great things, the winning has been great, knowing the players, the type of guys they are and how hard working they are, and knowing coach Harbaugh. All of that stuff played a part.

Q: The contrast the last two years playing in Philly:

NA: The contrast was I didn’t know anyone out there and it was a new area. Those were the biggest differences. Out here (San Francisco) there is a familiarity with the area, players and with coaches.

Q: Did defensive scheme play a part (in coming to San Francisco)? The Eagles played zone defense and the 49ers play man defense.

NA: I think the 49ers have a good mix in what Vic Fangio does, which I think has been awesome. Over the last two years, as much as I have seen…you know having a chance to do it again, definitely had to make sure the scheme was something that I liked. And I was able to find San Francisco with a scheme that was really impressive.

Q: Do you think you have something to prove coming back here?

NA: You know I never have gone into a season without having something to prove. Always had a chip, the chip might be a little bigger now, but it’s always been there. I am really excited to get back on the field. I know what things could have been better and I know how to make them better. I am excited to go out and show it.

The best part of the interview is when he is asked why things did not work out in Philly as they did in Oakland. Watch the full video interview below:

Credit: Kirby Lee/Image of Sport-USA TODAY Sports

Of the many free agents the San Francisco 49ers have added to their roster this off-season, one of the one important was the signing of defensive lineman Glenn Dorsey. The former Kansas City Chiefs player will take over for Isaac Sopoagaat nose tackle, who signed with the Philadelphia Eagles. He signed a two-year, $6 million deal with the 49ers.

On Monday, I stumbled upon an interview Dorsey did on the radio station 95.7 The Game in San Francisco talking about why he signed with the 49ers and what the team has in store for him. The interview was conducted shortly after he signed with the team on March 13 and was one of the first interviews as a Niner. What was the most intriguing part of the interview were the reasons why he signed with the 49ers. One of which was to win a Super Bowl, explaining he felt there was “something special here” with the 49ers:

They (San Francisco 49ers) just come from the Super Bowl. They have a winning formula. Even getting here and just getting off the plane and coming to the facility and just saying hi to guys who are interacting with each other, with the players and the personnel and the coaches. Man it’s something special. It’s something special here. I’m excited to be a part of it.

The full interview is worth listening to. Click here for the audio from the interview. Here are some highlights:

Why were the 49ers such a good fit for you?

Glenn Dorsey: “I think everybody can see that the 49ers have a good situation going on and they had some guys leave. Just watching them on film, I think I can help contribute. I’m excited about the opportunity.”

How do you see playing alongside Justin Smith?

GD: “Yeah, I’m looking forward to the opportunity. You watch them on film and they got a lot of great players here. Guys who been around awhile and know how to do things and just the mindset everybody has when I got here. People are working. I am just excited and whatever they ask me to do I’ll do it to the best of my availability.”

Talk about a team that has a chance to win the Super Bowl?

GD: “Right, it’s a big chance. I am not taking anything away from Kansas City. That’s a great organization over there, too. A lot of respect for those guys. They gave me an opportunity, but like you said, the 49ers just came from a Super Bowl and there’s a lot going on — a lot of positive stuff and action going on here. I’m just thankful and glad I have the opportunity to help contribute and I am ready to get in there and start working.”

What were the options you had and what sold you on the 49ers?

GD: “I had a few teams, but to be honest with you man, it’s the 49ers. They just come from the Super Bowl. They have a winning formula. Even getting here and just getting off the plane and coming to the facility and just saying hi to guys who are interacting with each other, with the players and the personnel and the coaches. Man it’s something special. It’s something special here. I’m excited to be a part of it.”

Have the 49ers told you how they are using you?

GD: “No, I’m coming into it trying to play whatever they want me to play. Whatever I can do to help this team, and the team’s had success in the past, so whatever I can do to add to that and keep helping I am going to do. I don’t have no set spot. I just want to come in and compete and whatever they see fit, let’s go.”

Q.  Right guard is one of the few positions the 49ers still need to fill with a starter.  Does any player have an edge over others to become the starter?

Harbaugh:  The inside track and huge advantage is Alex Boone. He has been a real steady performer for us in the past.  We predict that will continue well into the future, whether it’s at right guard, left tackle. Through five weeks of workouts he definitely has the inside track.

Q.  What excites you the most about A.J. Jenkins and LaMichael James?

Harbaugh:  Numerous things, number one both A.J. Jenkins and LaMichael James don’t act like guys that are first-rounder’s or second-rounder’s.  There is a great work ethic that has been instilled in them by their parents and a great humility that has been instilled in them by their families.  And a real energy about liking football.  So those two things to start with.  But the talent in undeniable.  We are not a team about fueling the hype.  Those are two really outstanding players we got a look at first hand at our (rookie) training camp.  A.J. Jenkins, LaMichael James, both are going to be outstanding and will do just fine.

Q.  Which rookie impressed you the most at the recent rookie minicamp?

Harbaugh:  There were numerous guys.  To start with, A.J. Jenkins was very impressive.  So was LaMichael James, Trevor Robinson, safety from Michigan State, Jason Slowey who we moved to center, he will be an outstanding player.  Garrett Celek, tight end from Michigan State, Jason Palmer wide receiver and Joe Hamilton was very good.  It’s a real long list of guys who did well at camp.

Q.  Which NFC West rival presents the biggest threat to the 49ers this season?

Harbaugh:  They are all really good no question about it.  We have been watching what all of the other teams in the NFC West have been doing in the offseason.  There is no question we will be fighting for our lives next year.

Q.  Last offseason after you were hired most 49ers fans thought it was time to move on from Alex Smith and start over with a new quarterback.  What was the biggest factor to you in bringing Alex Smith back?

Harbaugh:  The biggest factor was his ability to play the quarterback position.  Alex’s level of play speaks for itself.  He did an outstanding job last year and he is working very hard to get better this year.  And I got to say, you know, again I hate to over promote things and create hype but he has been outstanding this offseason and he has matured.  This is still a young guy, a 28-year old young man, physically seeing him maturing before our eyes.  He is much stronger this offseason throwing the ball.  He has more velocity, more accuracy.

In terms of his knowledge of the system he is now an expert and is on par with the offensive coaches on our staff.  So he will continue to grow and is the unquestioned leader on our football team.  He is our guy, it’s been well documented.  We are excited to go into week six of the off-season and to see how much better we can get.