Even in anger, Jim Harbaugh is choosing his words carefully.
USA TODAY Sports is one of several media outlets to report that the San Francisco 49ers took exception with comments from NFL Network and former NFL star Deion Sanders, who said that he has hearing that the 49ers players want Harbaugh gone - even after San Francisco's 26-21 win over the Philadelphia Eagles on Sunday.
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The report of a disgruntled 49ers locker room is not new from the NFL Network. USA TODAY Sports reported that a similar report surfaced before the season. It added that ESPN analyst Trent Dilfer also called the locker room "toxic" - a report he disputed after the Monday Night Football broadcast.
Dilfer said he was referring to the team's body language on offense during their win over the Eagles.
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Harbaugh took on an inquisitive media during his news conference on Monday with comments that sounded OK on initial reference but could be dissected in different ways.
He said in regards to the team that, "There is total belief in each other. Offense lifted up the defense; defense lifted up the offense, and both did that for the special teams. That's a joy to be around. That's a joy to coach. They're playing for each other, and that's what they should be doing."
Which could also mean that the players have rallied around a common enemy, and that enemy is Harbaugh.
The coach also was asked about his relationship with the 49ers management. He and the 49ers failed to reach an agreement on a contract extension, even though the team has gone to three straight NFC title games, including one Super Bowl.
It was speculated in the offseason that the 49ers had conversations with the Cleveland Browns about him leaving for the Midwest in exchange for a first-round draft pick.
Harbaugh said his relationship with San Francisco general manager Trent Baalke was "very good" and that he, Baalke and 49ers owner Jed York are "on the same page."
"We're focused on this season and making it the best it can be," Harbaugh said, according to USA TODAY Sports.
That could mean, however, that a future in San Francisco for Harbaugh is iffy in the wake of his stalled contract negotiations with the team.
Harbaugh wasn't happy with any of the comments reported to him during his weekly news conference. In reference to Sanders' remarks, Harbaugh said, ""Personally, I think that's a bunch of a crap."
When asked about the comments attributed to Dilfer about a toxic locker room, Harbaugh responded, "I haven't seen Trent or Deion around much."
"If someone has a good story to tell, they want to put their name to it," he said, accusing the use of anonymous sources. "If I had a good story to tell, I'd want to put my name to it, so I don't put a lot of credibility to the unnamed source."
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