SIGHTS & SOUNDS FROM NEW ORLEANS

Harbaugh spilled beans on Kaepernick to dad

If anyone can get sensitive, 49ers-related information out of Jim Harbaugh, it's his dad.

On Wednesday, his father, Jack, talked about a phone conversation with his son after the first day of the 2011 draft. The 49ers selected Aldon Smith in the first round, and Jack was dying to know who they'd take next.

"So I said, 'Jim, tomorrow in the second round, surely you're going to draft a quarterback. Which one is it going to be?' " Jack said of the call. "And it's dead silence. In fact, I can hear (him let out a sigh)."

" 'Are you talking to anybody?' "

" 'I'm not talking to anybody. I'm your dad, you've got to tell me.' "

" 'You're not going to tell mom who we're thinking about drafting?' "

" 'Would you just tell me who it is? I promise you, I won't say anything to anybody.' "

"He said, 'We're drafting Colin Kaepernick.' He said, 'I not only think he's the best quarterback in the draft, I think that he's the best football player in the draft. And we're going with Colin Kaepernick.' "

Jack and his wife, Jackie, held a well-attended media session Wednesday.

Not surprisingly, it began with mom and dad belting out the family motto: Who's got it better than us?

When they didn't think the reply from the crowd was boisterous enough, they performed it again, and this time the response met their satisfaction.

Jack also said the brother-vs.-brother battle won't be the only family rivalry Sunday. Jim's son Jay is an assistant weight coach and works in the film room for the Ravens.

Said Jack: "You've got a father-son component Sunday as well."

– Matthew Barrows

An 'RGIII' sighting

During the 49ers' media session, one gentleman spent time seated next to kicker David Akers.

His media credentials identified him as Roman Gabriel III.

"Yeah, I'm the oldest son," said Gabriel, who works with faith-based charities and sports radio in North Carolina. "My dad (former NFL quarterback Roman Gabriel) is 73. He had a stroke about five years ago, and he doesn't like to travel much anymore. He would never come to something like this."

– Ailene Voisin

New York, New York?

While many around the NFL prefer Super Bowl cities with warmer climates and compact stadium/hotel situations such as New Orleans, Baltimore Ravens running back Ray Rice is looking forward to next year's game in East Rutherford, N.J.

"I'll be dressed like a snowman," said the native of New Rochelle, N.Y. "I'll be good to go."

– Ailene Voisin

He's not a nut

During Baltimore's media session, a visitor from Hawaii handed Joe Flacco a box of toffee-covered macadamia nuts and asked the Ravens quarterback to shout out a greeting to NFL fans in the islands.

The normally reserved Flacco looked into the camera and obliged with a forceful "Honolulu!"

– Ailene Voisin

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