SANTA CLARA — Colin Kaepernick came under intense criticism for his 87-word media performance last week.

On Wednesday, the 49ers quarterback took his cues from another playbook during his NFL-mandated press availability, elaborating, smiling and even throwing in the occasional laugh over the course of nearly 10 minutes.

Here is his question-and-answer session:

Q: How are things at practice?

“Yeah, we’re back to work, trying to get ready for this next game, trying to get back on a roll.”

Q: Is it possible to have fun and enjoy this time?

“Football is always fun. Opportunity to go out and compete. That’s really why you play this game. So for us we just have to get back to go out and competing.”

Q: Are you personally having fun or is this unchartered territory with the losses and disappointment.

“I’ve lost games before. It’s not unchartered territory. It’s just we have a high standard, and everyone else has a high standard for us. If you lose a few games, I mean, it’s not a situation you want to be in and we’re trying to correct that.”

Q: Relish the challenge presented by Seattle and are the Seahawks your favorite challenger?

“They have to be up there. Their defense is great. They do a lot of things well. And it’s always good competition out there. You have to be able to rise to those occasions.”

Q: Sio Moore posted a picture of you that wasn’t complimentary and had words with you. What did you think of that?

“I’m not too worried about what someone else is saying. I’m out there trying to compete. That’s really all I’m worried about, trying to help this team win.”

Q: Did he challenge you in the tunnel?

“A little bit. I’m not one to back down from a challenge, so we exchanged a few words.”

Q: Do you stick around after practice and work on throws?

“We get a lot of work during practice, and when we have breaks in between periods just trying to make sure we have timing down — depths, route combinations, things like that — so we can go execute on Sundays.”

Q: What did you take from the NFC Championship game from there?

“That game and the game we played on Thanksgiving are two games we look at and we try to take everything we can from those, and see if we can attack them a different way to go out and try to get this win.”

Q: You maintained after the (NFC Championship) game the throw to Crabtree vs. Sherman was the right read. Do you still feel that way?

“Very much so. I mean, once again, if I throw that ball a little bit further, we go to the Super Bowl. It’s not something I regret. I just have to throw a better ball.”

Q: How do you deal with opponents when they’re trying to bait you into penalties?

“I really don’t worry about it too much. I have one thing in mind: that’s trying to get in the end zone and help this offense get there. Once a play is over, it’s on to the next play.”

Q: Do you think your media retort is worth a discussion?

“There’s a different way to go about things. Obviously it’s something that I take my job very seriously. When I go out there and compete and don’t do well at something, I’m very hard on myself. It’s something I have to approach others differently with when I’m in those situations.”

Q: You’re using more words and smiling.

(Smiles and laughs.)

Q: Have you thought about it? Is there a happy medium here in taking a different approach with us?

“Yeah, I think there is a happy medium. It’s something that obviously I’m working on. Try to help you guys do your jobs as well.”

Q: Can you get more comfortable playing in Seattle as you play more games up there in that different atmosphere?

“It is a different atmosphere, but I feel like it’s anything you do, the more you do it, the more you’re there, the more comfortable you get with it.

So when we get there, this offense should be fully prepared for what to expect.”

Q: Can you be too hard on yourself? Is that something you’re working on and you think could help you play better?

“I don’t think I can be too hard on myself. I have a very high expectation for everything I do. And when I go out and compete I expect myself to make every play.

“And when I don’t, it is frustrating for myself. So to me it’s something I have to be able to use that frustration in a different way and make sure I’m productive when I’m out there.”

Q: You’re head coach has backed you every step of the way. How important is it to you that you’ve had that backing constantly?

“It’s huge when you have a coach that’s going to support you through thick and thin.

“And I think it’s reciprocal. I support him through everything. I mean, he’s a great coach, he’s done a great job with this team. And he’s still working as hard as he can to make sure we’re ready and we’re prepared to play.”

Q: What does it feel to see your name on TV every time you look?

“(Smiles.) I don’t watch too much TV when it comes to sports or news or things like that. So I don’t hear it too much. I kind of go into my own zone once I leave the facility.”

Q: Did you even know your short answers were being scrutinized?

“I did catch wind — a few people let me know (Laughs, looks at a PR aide, smiles.)”

Q: The NFL announced a new player conduct policy, one part being that the commissioner is no longer going to be involved in the initial doling out of punishment. Any initial thoughts on that? Have you guys even been made aware of it yet?

“Just was made aware of it a few minutes ago. Until I really know what it means and how things are going I really can’t say too much on it.”

Q: What’s your analysis of Richard Sherman on the field?

“He’s fast, he’s long… I mean, he does a great job covering guys. So he makes the windows very small for being able to get the ball into receivers.”

Q: Is he the toughest CB for you to face?

“I would say he’s one of. I mean, he does a very good job at what he’s coached to do. He makes it tough on receivers, makes it tough on quarterbacks.”

Q: Did you care about them eating turkey at midfield here on Thanksgiving?

“Not something I was necessarily happy about. (Smiles.)”

Q: You guys might’ve had the same option if you’d won?

“(Laughs.) I’m assuming so, but really not too sure.”

Q: Do you think you can try too hard? How do you fight that?

“I don’t think you can try too hard. I think you can get too focused on one thing or another thing. You have to be able to do everything as a quarterback, and that’s not necessarily taking care of your job but making sure you’re preparing everyone else to go out and play well. And make sure you have them in the right mindset when they step on the field.”

Q: Bowman might return to practice next week — just having him back on the field, what will that do for you guys?

“He’s one of the big leaders on this team. He’s very good at what he does and when he steps on the field you know what you’re going to get out of him.

“I think he lifts this team not just defensively but as a whole.”

Q: At the risk to push this too far, but we always ask you about what’s hindering the offense and you say execution and you have to play better. But there are things you can point to that have held you back?

“Yeah, it’s something that… it’s a constant work in progress. I mean, the biggest thing is execution, when it comes down to it. When you have one person miss an assignment here or physically just not make a play on any particular play, whether it’s throwing, catching, blocking, whatever it may be, offensively it won’t be successful.

So it’s something that we just have to tighten those things up.”