The Journal visited with Turlock hometown favorite and Pitman High alum Colin Kaepernick after he and fellow Niners quarterback Blaine Gabbert participated in 7-on-7 drills at the training facility in Santa Clara earlier this month.

Kaepernick is competing with Gabbert for San Francisco's starting quarterback role. Kaepernick lost the starting job midway through last season. He missed the offseason program after undergoing operations on his non-throwing shoulder, left knee and right thumb.

Q. How are you feeling after surgery?

A. Feeling great; everything is strong, healthy, ready to go. It feels great to be back on the field again playing football. I get to feel like an athlete out there again.

Q. What has the competition been like for you coming back after the surgery?

A. It's always a competition when you step on the field. It doesn't matter if they say there is one or not. My mind said every time I step on the field, I'm there to compete, I'm there to win. This year's no different.

Q. What is Chip Kelly bringing to the table?

A. A lot of energy. He is a very high-energy guy, very positive, very focused on what we need to get done, how we need to do it and pays great attention to details, which in turn the team does. I think that's important and I think it shows on the field thus far and it will continue to show.

Q. Pitman lost back-to-back games to Turlock for the first time ever. Do you having any tips for the Pride coming into this season?

A. Preparation. Preparation is the key to winning. You have to make sure you're prepared when you step onto that field it should be like practice. You should practice at a level that when you come onto the field to play a game it's easy for you.