Alex Smith vs. Colin Kaepernick is Topic No.1 in the Bay Area this week, so for the heck of it let’s list the things Alex Smith does better than Colin Kaepernick, and the things Kaepernick does better than Smith.
I’ll list three for each quarterback. Please list more in the comment section.
THREE THINGS SMITH DOES BETTER THAN KAEPERNICK
- Ball security: Smith is one of the best quarterbacks in the league at not turning the ball over. Last season, he was the best in this category. He fumbled five times and was intercepted five times. This season, he’s already thrown five interceptions and fumbled three times. He’s turning over the ball more often than he did last season, but he’s still one of the most careful quarterbacks in the NFL. Kaepernick has played just 93 snaps, but he’s fumbled the ball three times already. He tends to hold the ball away from his body when he runs.
- Pre-snap reads: Smith is a smart quarterback and he has a veteran’s grasp of the 49ers offense and NFL defenses. He’s good at identifying what the defense is going to do before the snap. If he sees the defense is geared up to stop the run, he’ll call a pass, and vice versa. Kaepernick is also smart, but he’s a novice in this category.
- Accuracy: Alex Smith is completing 70 percent of his passes this season. That’s the best completion percentage in the NFL. He’s been money on short and intermediate passes all season, especially when he plays in the middle of the field. Kaepernick has thrown some beautifully-accurate passes, like the 20-yard strike to Mario Manningham on the left sideline against the Rams, but Kaepernick has missed some wide open receivers, too.
To see what Colin Kaepernick does better than Alex Smith, read the next blog coming up soon.
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Alex Smiths ball security has been amazing the last year and a half but lets not forget the old AS he was terrible his interception ratio was ungodly and you could count on him to fumble at the worst possible time in the game. Whats the difference between the old AS and the new AS? Very simple Jim Harbaugh now give CK sometime as the #1 QB getting the #1 QB’s reps with harbaugh in his ear constantly and i think CK’s ball security can be as good as Smiths
Grant, do you get paid on the number of comments you get lol as ESPN would say come on man!!! Lol
Grant, recovering your own fumble does not count as a turnover. Alex is not an accurate quarterback. This is why Harbaugh basically only allows Alex to throw balls 5 and 10 yards in the air. This is why Alex has high completion percentages now…because he throws mostly checkdowns. Fortunately, this year his receivers have made some plays after the catch.
Good NFL teams and defenses shrink the field on Alex, meaning they take away the 5 yard cross and the Vernon seam. The Giants did it. So did the Vikings. When this happens, Alex is, literally, an incompetent NFL quarterback. If you let Alex make these 5 and 10 yard throws he is capable of methodically moving hte ball down the field. If you make Alex beat you deep, you are going to win the game.
Wrong and wrong. Alex is accurate, and he doesnt’ restrict his throws to the short stuff. His comp % and YPA bear that out.
Teams typically take the big play away from the 49ers, forcing them to march down the field, or take risks for the chunk play. That is what the Vikings and Giants did, if I’m not mistaken.
Augustin,
He does check down very often. His ypa has everything to do with YAC, not the length of his throws.
>>Alex Smith vs. Colin Kaepernick is Topic No.1 on the Inside the 49ers Blog this week.
Fixed that for you, Grant.
To wit:
Maiocco: “There is absolutely no QB controversy right now”
Kawakami: “Kaepernick’s not replacing Smith full-time this year. The job is Smith’s.”
Barrows: “Smith and Kaepernick will be on the same team again next year.”
NFL.com: Kaepernick a “Tier 4″ QB. Ouch :(
“I’m not as high on him as the media seems to be. He’s a gadget guy. They won’t be as effective without Alex Smith.” — AFC personnel executive
http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap1000000094858/article/backup-quarterbacks-who-has-best-contingency-plan-worst
None of those you mention expected the 49ers to be in the NFC Championship game last year either. Stay tuned….
All those reporters Ribico listed have been following the team very closely, are well respected and know football/this team better than anyone on here.
+1…. And when they were saying smith was a bust or cossell comes out and keeps it real. They don’t know anything. Ribico. I understand you’re a smith fan. But don’t be a flip flooper with others opinions. Every one of those guys or news links have buried Alex smith 2 years ago.
And this goes for you too FDM.
md, it may well be tha Kap is the next QB in waiting and if he performs well (starting with this game, if he plays), I’ll be all the happier.
However, it doesn’t take a genius to see that the seeds of a controversy are are trying to be planted within a particular bubble where none exists in the world outside that bubble.
For good reason MD, but now seeing the errors of their ways where it was really all about coaching, continuity and surrounding talent for Alex.
They admitted and wrote about those things playing into Alex’s lack of production all those years. And now they are writing how JH’s has provided all those things for Alex to be successful, and he has. 19-5 is 19-5 anyway you want to slice it or give credit to whomever. Its still a winning formula. Everyone has anknowledged that except for some, that includes you too.
Sooooo if Harbaugh turned around Smiths dismal career why on earth would they or you think he couldn’t help out CK? Basically it sums up the fact that none of these writers know what the hell they’re talking about. So why bring up their opinions now when you all wouldn’t listen to them before?
Point is MD, everyone was wrong to not think coaching, stability and continuity had anyhting to do with Alex’s failures.
Now that he has those in place, like all good teams and QB’s have, the results dont lie. 19-5 baby.
Just saying the supposed fever pitch is a little higher in this locale than other outlets. Why is that? Take your best guesses.
Because this site has the best comments section going…
>>Because this site has the biggest volume of comments going…
And I fixed that for you, Jack.
It didn’t need fixing Rib. It is so good that you continue to come back almost every day…
Sure Jack, I add to the signal-to-noise ratio, just like everyone else here. But in the end it’s… all full of sound and fury, signifying nothing.
Of course Rib, as are the words of every sportswriter you brought up.
My prediction (mainly based on tweets I’ve read): Monday’s game will be an Alex Smith vs. Jason Campbell affair. That to me is a more intriguing storyline right now than Smith vs. Kaep (key words: right now, because it’s just not going to happen… yet).
But Smith vs. Campbell? Battle of the 2005 first round qbs not named Rodgers, both of whom have been kicked around aplenty…
Harbaugh has installed and designed the offense that fits AS.
Low risk passing is an obvious fit for AS, but if it moves the ball downfield I’m fine with it.
Harbaugh can probably take more risk with CK because of his arm strength, but you lose a little with accuracy.
AES, not just Alex, the offensive line, the running backs, TE’s and recievers. The offense is tailored to maul people because of the personnel.
How happy are you to see Crabtree become the #1 WR and Alex’s go to guy? Did you see Crabs without the sleeves on Sunday displying the big guns? He is finally showing some confidence and making big plays with Alex. As soon as CK came in, I thought Crabs was hurt to cause it seemed like he wasnt even on the field.
I’m curious am i the only person on this blog who likes AS and CK as players. I give AS a B grade as a QB. I believe he is better than approx 60 to 70% of the starting QB’s in the the nfl. I also like CK very much i wanted the 9ers to draft him and believe under harbaugh he will develop into at least a B level QB. I just find it odd that everyone who likes CK seems to devalue AS and vice versa. liking the ability of one guy is not mutually exclusive of liking the skill set of the other. when you enter tolzien into the conversation i feel the 49ers future at the QB spot isvery very bright.
No you’re not. I just want the best qb on the roster starting. And so far its Alex smith. Although there is a possibility that if Smith doesn’t play (which he will) and ck plays lights out. There could be some substance to Grants posts. And not only that. IF and that’s a big IF ck did play lights out put some serious numbers up and points that could be a huge spark for this team. I’ve noticed that no certain part of the team has been inspirational for the others to want to follow.
MD,
I actually hope Smith plays this game and not CK. For a couple of reasons.
First, you want to manage a young QB’s growth. You don’t want his first start to come against a fierce defense that sends Julius Peppers after you on every play.
Conversely I would like to see Smith face this type of defense. Like the Giants game this would have been a measuring stick game for Smith to tell you how he would fare in the playoffs when facing this type of D.
Had Akers made the field goal last week, winning this week would not have been so critical…..
You are not alone Coach.
Well because most of the people who are cheering for CK are Alex haters. They always find a way to devalue Alex. If somehow he ends up winning the superbowl, they still hate him and find an excuse. This is the thing I hate the most about some of “49ers fans”. I honestly I don’t think they are real fans at all, more like bandwagons or the people who are still lost in the 80s. Not having faith in the team/coach decisions. It’s really sad and embarrassing.
Tina says “I honestly I don’t think they are real fans at all, more like bandwagons or the people who are still lost in the 80s. Not having faith in the team/coach decisions. It’s really sad and embarrassing.
Hammer meet nail, nail say hello to hammer!
+1 Tina
Old Coach
Not all of us. My only problem at one time was I didnt know if CK could play a WCO. I wish all our QBs great success. I want the best player to play period regardless of loyalties.
old coach, there are plenty of us that are both objective and appreciative of both of their individual skill sets that look at their most recent play (this season) as a gauge for performance. Both have done well in some areas this season while lacking in others. Some fans value their attributes differently, sometimes to the extreme, while failing (or not wanting to be) objective about the actual results of their play. Myself, I tend to look at actual results more than potential results because one is fact and the other is speculation.
But as a former coach, I’m sure you’ve been in situations where there was competition at a position where two players brought something different to the table, but you couldn’t start both and had to make a tough decision. You mind if I ask how you went about making those decisions as a coach just for a little insight?
Jack, I know you coached as well, so if you want to answer, feel free.
Spaceborn coaching at the H.S. and J.C. level is different in that if you have 2 players of equal ability you hope one is a sr and the other a jr then you can use the upper classmen play first arguement. the one thing pro coaches do’nt have to deal with is angry parents i would trade for 5 disgruntled lowell cohns over 1 angry wealthy connected parent
Spaceborn you lean on your asst coaches and sometimes you go with your gut
Thanks, coach!
I think most people on here (minus a few haters) like both guys, but that often doesn’t come across when people are arguing and trying to make a point about who should be the starter.
3 things Alex Smith does better than Colin Kaepernick
Grant, you forgot about the fine caddy job that AS did for JH and the excellent way he drove the car in the SF Giants parade.