SANTA CLARA – Colin Kaepernick wants to show this preseason that he is capable of becoming starting-caliber quarterback – that’s what he said at his Tuesday afternoon press conference. He also discussed his performance last preseason and his ongoing transition to Jim Harbaugh’s pro-style offense. Here’s a transcript.
Q: Looking back at last preseason, did you feel overwhelmed in those games?
KAEPERNICK: I definitely wasn’t as prepared as I would like to be. We had to deal with the lockout, and we went out there and did the best we could.
Q: What’s the area you wanted to see the most growth in this season?
KAEPERNICK: Just performance – going out on the field and performing.
Q: What do you take from last year?
KAEPERNICK: This offense can do a lot of great things, we just have to go out there and execute.
Q: How has the transition from the pistol offense to this offense gone over the last two years?
KAEPERNICK: I think first jumping into it there’s quite a bit of a learning curve, but now I’m comfortable with this offense and I’m ready to get back out there.
Q: What’s the hardest part of that transition?
KAEPERNICK: I think it’s just the size of the playbook, knowing all the checks and audibles, what we’re trying to get out of each play, and I think that’s where I’ve made the biggest strides in the last year.
Q: Some people think the biggest transition is learning to receive the ball from under center and all the footwork that comes with that. How is that process going for you?
KAEPERNICK: I don’t think that’s that big of a process. There are little things you want to tweak here and there, but that’s minute compared to some of the other things.
Q: How would the playbook here compare to the playbook at the University of Nevada.
KAEPERNICK: A lot bigger.
Q: How much bigger?
KAEPERNICK: A lot.
Q: In terms of taking off and running with the ball, do you have to tell yourself to not do as much of that here, or is that just part of your game?
KAEPERNICK: It all depends on what the defense is giving us. If there are people open to throw the ball to, that’s what we want to do. If the pocket breaks down or if there’s no one open, we’re going to take the ball and get as much as we can.
Q: What are your goals for this preseason?
KAEPERNICK: To go and show that I can be a starter in this league. I want to do my best and show everyone what I’m capable of.
Q: What is it like having to wait last year and wait now?
KAEPERNICK: It’s football. At some point you’re going to have to wait your turn to get out there on that field and you just have to be ready for when that opportunity comes.
Q: What type of things are you doing on the sideline during the games?
KAEPERNICK: I’m going through the plays just like I was in the game, looking at the defense and seeing where I would be going with the ball.
Q: What are your memories of your first preseason opener last year against the Saints?
KAEPERNICK: We got blitzed a lot.
Q: Looking back at that game, is there any thought that it was a good thing for this team because it showed how much work needed to be done?
KAEPERNICK: Yeah, but we knew we had work to do regardless of that game.
Q: Do you watch a lot of film of you in the preseason last year, or did you move on to film of you in practice?
KAEPERNICK: I went to watching practice film. You watch the preseason, you get what you can from it and you move on.
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I hope this kid develops and shows some promise during the preseason games. Even if Smith proves himself worthy of being the long term starter, we need CK to show the potential that would prompt teams to trade high value draft picks for him down the line.
We also need CK (or JJ or Tolzien) to be ready in case of injury. QB’s tend to be squishy.
@BigP:
Sounds like Kaepernick may have had the same thought.
Q: What are your goals for this preseason?
KAEPERNICK: To go and show that I can be a starter in this league.
“To go and show that I can be a starter in this league. I want to do my best and show everyone what I’m capable of.” That’s the kind of spirited comment you would expect/want from your player. He’s basically saying there are 31 other teams in the NFL and to come and get your boy if you like what you see Friday night. He doesn’t want to wait around while the 9ers run the gamut with Smith.
BigP,
Couldn’t agree more.
Well said BigP.
But the problem is, CK can’t shut his mouth. This guy is to arrogant.
I’ve never perceived him as arrogant, he seems like a really good kid. I have never heard him run his mouth either, I don’t know where you got that from. He wants to be a starter, which is the attitude you want from all of your QB’s.
CK can’t shut his mouth. This guy is to arrogant.
Would it be too much to ask you to provide some context for that statement? It seems like it is coming from out of left field.
This kid is our future and I know that in time he will get his chance. This is starting to remind me of the Montana and Young era.
He is getting his chance starting Friday-let’s see. Montana/Young-????
STKNINER,
Are you freaking serious, your comparing CK and AS to Montana and Young?
neal reading comprehension is not your thing is it vato?
the reference is that one day CK could eventually take over and be great, no one said anything about CK being the next S.Young or that Alex is Montana, you really are not very bright are you…….
…u shld know neal is a lil bit slow…..
I’m a fan of both, but they are nowhere near the Montana-Young level. Not yet anyway.
There isn’t anyone even close to the great Joe Montana ! even S. young.. lol !
Dont tell that to Ds. It will get mad.
Grant, Have you run out of article to write?
LOL!
i am willing to bet a lot of money that the 49ers will need their #2 QB any where from 2 games to a full season. it is the nature of the nfl especially with our O line and i want a backup QB with confidence. CK sounds like he thinks he’s ready[ we will see this friday] i watched him closely at nev and saw alot of what looked like a young steve young and we know how much dificulty he had adapting to the pro game so do’nt give up on CK.
CK will be a stud when he gets the chance to lead a team.
Buster you’re a fool. CK needs to prove himself to the 49ers brass. Him saying it, doesn’t make him arrogant – it means he’s self aware.