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The San Francisco 49ers recently wrapped up veteran minicamp and are now taking time off to get ready and recharged for training camp. According to many, the team’s offseason program was a rewarding experience which enabled the players to gain understanding of the playbook while getting prepared for the upcoming season. Find out how the offseason workouts went for running back Anthony Dixon, who enters his third season with the 49ers.

Q: What was the best aspect of having an entire offseason with Jim Harbaugh and his staff?
A: We’ve been out here working together. That’s a good sign. You hear from other players around the league that it doesn’t always go like that. When you have everyone coming together like that, it’s special. I think one of the reasons it’s like that is because of Coach Harbaugh – everybody likes Coach Harbaugh. It’s cool. You can feel the good vibe around here.

Q: What was your favorite drill of the offseason program and how did it improve your game?
A: I think it was the prowlers and squats we did. The prowlers are the sleds we put weights on to push on the turf field. This summer, working out with Justin Smith and the defensive line, I got up to like six plates on the sled. I really didn’t know I had that in me. But we were out there one day – working hard, going at it – they challenged me and I did it. Working with “Big Justin,” and you know how strong he is, they were making it look easy. But you know, I did what I did and I got it done. That was probably my most favorite exercise; it got me so much stronger after that. With the squats, I made improvements from last year, too. Those are things I can look back and say, “That’s what made my season go as good as it was.”

Q: How prepared is the offense for the upcoming season based on the offseason program?
A: Even more prepared. Our offense is prepared to be one of the better teams this year. We know there’s a target on us. We know we’re the hunted. We know people are out to earn their stripes against us. Everybody in the (offensive meeting) room knows we have to be that much better. We can’t turn the ball over. We didn’t have that many last year, but we even need to get that down. We want to be the best and we know every game is going to be a fight. That’s what we’re prepared for.

Q: Who jumped out to you the most during the offseason program?
A: The No. 1 guy that jumped out to me was Justin Smith. I gotta go with Justin because before we officially started (the offseason program), I was out here with him and he was talking to me about being a pro. I saw how he went about it and this dude, he comes in here every day and he just goes. He’s a real blue-collar workhorse. So I’d say Justin. I learned so much from him this offseason as far as work ethic and what it takes to be a pro.  

Q: How will you spend your time leading up to training camp?
A: I’m going to go home for a little second, but I’m in that mode where I’m just grinding. I don’t know what other guys are going to do, some guys will probably go home or go to their workout places, but I’m going to stay around the facility as much as I can and keep getting better. I want to really show people what I can do.