NEW ORLEANS – The 49ers just beat the Saints 31-21. Here is the grade for Colin Kaepernick.
Colin Kaepernick: A-. I mark him down because he threw an interception and was flagged for two delays. But his performance was extraordinary. He had pressure all game and he never got sacked once. If Alex Smith had played, he would have been sacked five times.
Kaepernick made unbelievable throws from the pocket and from outside the pocket when he was adlibbing – the best one to Crabtree which was called back because of an Anthony Davis holding penalty. The offense converted almost 50 percent of their third downs (6 of 13). Kaepernick converted a third-and-11 with a 25-yard laser to Delanie Walker. Kaepernick made five-to-ten plays that Alex Smith absolutely cannot make.
The score was tied 14-14 at halftime. The 49ers got the ball first in the second half, and Kaepernick led the offense on a six-play, 80-yard TD drive in an instant. That was a critical moment in the game.
Kaepernick proved that he is the present and the future of the franchise. The 49ers have a much better chance of winning the Super Bowl this season with him than they do with Smith. The 49ers now have the ability to blow teams out consistently. You could make the argument that Harbaugh should have made Kaepernick the starter earlier in the season.
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>>If Alex Smith had played, he….
Grant, not you with the hypotheticals too?
No need for hypotheticals. We saw what we had with Smith and it stunk. Everything has opened up for our offense all of a sudden.
There’s no doubt Alex would have taken multiple sacks. Even Joe Vitt commented at half that they had to figure out how to stop CK’s ability to run.
Yes, there is a doubt. Because it didn’t happen. Grant, you or anyone saying it does not make it so. Hypotheticals just weaken your argument, not that there isn’t a strong argument here to begin with.
Ribico,
Wake up call. WAKE UP CALL. The bandwagon is taking off. Are you riding wit h us Niner fans are do you want us to ship you off to the Jets? ” Eitherget on or get away, so you don’t get ran over Son!”
Prime
How the heck are you? Nice to have you back.
Why would Harbaugh bring Smith back? Do you think he doesn’t like Kaepernick’s far superior talent? Do you not like Kaepernick’s far superior talent?
Would you, perchance, consider answering football questions?
Not sure why but I’m sure that putting the pressure on a young kid with huge upside but little experience to get to the SB and win it might be asking alot.
Kaepernick, like coal, will only reach his true potential by going through high pressure and heat.
And 5 more games will give him all the time he needs to be ready to go into the playoffs and win a Super Bowl? Wow!
Sit back and enjoy the ride Prime. It’s okay if you can’t comprehend what is happening.
Jack please spare the righteousness act for your hair pulling tiffs with Hof. I don’t play well with teenagers.
This was a team win. Without the two defensive touchdowns CK loses 21-17. You forget what AS did last year against the Saints. He came back 4 times in the 4th quarter to win it. Even Troy Aikman gave AS credit for his history over the past year plus. CK did a lot of good things and you have to give him credit for all that, but to pan AS and say he couldn’t is also wrong. Yes, it would have been a different dynamic with AS, but I believe that he would have done the 9ers proud.
CK had similar stats to an average AS game 16 comp for 240 yards. He checked down on 3rd down (first series) and he had plays that netted nothing (a 1st quarter run where he fumbled but ruled down by contcat) The funny thing is he achieved AS like stats in a different manner (by throwing down field more) He didnt take a sack where many THINK AS would have. That said He didnt play that much differently that AS ussualy does, but the FEELING everyone has is certainly different. IMO CK didnt do anything to stoke or difuse the QB controversy and we are back in the same boat we were in last week. At this point id feel comfortable with either QB goin forward.
On a side note. Browner and Sherman popped for PEDs. I guess now we know why they were so physical all the time
The feeling is different because those stats don’t tell the story of how CK played. The most glaring stat to show the difference is the sudden drop off in sacks. Pocket presence…
Also 3rd down and redzone effeciency were impressive. These are areas Alex has struggled in. There’s no way AS would have delivered a win with one of him typical performances.
>>There’s no doubt Alex would have taken multiple sacks.
If A, then B.
If A is false (Alex is not playing), there is no way B can be true (he’d take sacks).
I’m not sure why this basic logical construct is beyond your grasp.
Another example:
If Houston 9er had a brain, he wouldn’t continue to make make statements containing logical fallacies.
See how that works?
@ribico – you do make a good point.
ribs, that’s just plain idiotic. The 49ers were one of the worst teams in the league in sacks per pass attempt. All of a sudden they go an entire game without allowing even one sack and you won’t give any credit to CK? There is absolutely no doubt Alex Smith would have taken multiple sacks in this game. Smith doesn’t come close to Ck in pocket awareness and scrambling ability. Any attempt to defend Smith on this is futile and quite frankly stupid.
Smith even says he’d rather take a sack than throw the ball away
Actually, Smith stays and steps up in the pocket, which is why he gets sacked more often. Kaepernick drops behind the pocket and plays behind the tackles. Because he’s faster and because our tackles have held up very well in protection the last couple of games, he’s been able to rely on his athleticism in that way. To use his scrambling ability as a basis for why Kaepernick is better is also to say Kaep is better than Brady.
Rib,
Just proves the point you Smithers just care about AS. pretty sad.
What is sad is your constant dumb comments…
Amen, Randy.
+1
The absolutist positions are nonsense.
I’m not sure why we can’t just say that CK had a good game and leave all the generalizations and exaggerations out of the conversation.
@ Adam:
I’m not sure why we can’t just say that CK had a good game and leave all the generalizations and exaggerations out of the conversation.
Because that’s not the way this blog operates.
@ Houston:
Gosh, where are DS and Claude?
Forgive me for not spending my Thanksgiving break on the blog. I saw the game. There was lots to love (particularly from the defense), lots to be optimistic about (particularly from Kaepernick), and some things to worry about (how serious is Hunter’s injury; if Ginn and Williams are both injured, who returns punts – Perrish Cox?).
Seven years of evidence aren’t a hypothetical.
What happened in 2007 has NO impact on what happened this year. So yes saying AS would have done this and that because he did it 7 years ago is ignorant at best and agenda driven otherwise. Lemons we know where u stand on AS Thx for letting us know u still have that view.
If we play the Hypothetical game. THERE IS NO WAY AS THROWS THAT INT right in to the Dbs hands. CK never saw him but AS would have because in the last 2 years AS didnt throw picks (does that line of thinking make sense?) While we’r at it what about the horribly underthrown fade to RM that Jenkins should have picked but Moss broke up? Would have been a TD with alex (see how easy it is)
If alex smith would have played we would have lost and all his insane fans would be blaming the tedd ginn fumble for the loss, alex doesn’t have the skill set to even overcome one mistake.
As opposed to the rational Chris who used 3 “Would have” hypotheticals to try to slam AS for no reason.
Douche
Well Mrs Smith, I have 8 years of evidence to back up my points of view on alex smiths various inabilities, no need for hypotheticals, your hubby alex 3 and out smith is a backup forever now. Please go away while I watch a real qb on my SF 49ers and you can hate on colin and cry when we win a superbowl with him and alex is in the cfl.
Chris,
Right because we lost so many games with Smith over the past two seasons…oh wait…
Cmon be real, alex had as much to do with the niners going to the championship game last year as rex grossman had to do with the bears going to the superbowl (actually Rex did more that year) but you get the point. Defense, Run game and special teams, if we had a real nfl starter last year we would have won the superbowl easy.
I agree Grant!
Why not? You Smithers do it all the time…
homer
Gosh, where are DS and Claude? Are they only fans of One Niner? The team had a great win today. I guess they missed the game again.
Yep! That’s a fact! What a stud we have at QB!!! Gonna love this draft longtime … “love you longtime” 2011
haha, definitely a great draft thus far
No question CK7 leads this team all the way into a new era. My question is, how does this coaching staff get Akers back? They will need him come playoffs. Points will be a premium and games will be close. They’ve got time, I just don’t know how they do it. He might be done.
No kidding. I’m really worried about Akers. Those crunch time field goals could be the difference in a superbowl berth or going home.
That a reason why AS can’t be a starter, he rely’s too much on field goals, Akers is not very good this year.
Razor,
That’s what makes Kaepernick so important right now look at our 3rd down numbers and our red zone efficiency these past 2 games. We absolutely can’t rely on Akers anymore. He is slumping and with Alex Smith at QB, we’d be relying on Akers even more.
I say, we bring in a couple of guys just to light a fire underneath Akers.
What about that young left-footer we had in the last two preseasons? I think he was booting them far. Akers might be done.
LaLa,
Gotta get some competition in for Akers. If Smith can lose his job, Akers can too. He already gave us that tie with the miss from 40. He’s killing me.
Great point jordan.. Ive been saying for 2 years akers was smiths best friend. Defense n special teams carried us last year. Alex had a Braf Johnson 2002 year…. Great Defense lead by a game managing QB. Alex is a starter in the nfl but for teams like the jets or chiefs. not for a team with so much fire power but cant use it because of the qb limitations
Not sure about that. Should have been 35-21, but G-Ro went all limp-brained in the last Redzone trip. Might not need field goals with this QB!!!
If Kaep can keep this up, he gives us that extra something we’ve needed since we lost Steve…the ability to flummox the opposing defense.
Jordo has been dead-on for some time now. Let’s stop playing like good corporate citizens and let’s start playing with some swagger. Kaepernick gives us that ‘oomph’. It’s not a case of whether Alex would have been sacked or the Smithers’ case for statistics, it’s the willingness to take a chance on a throw that might be intercepted…or it might be a TD or it might bring us an interference gain.
Thanks LaLa,
The Smithers will never admit I was right. The key is that with Kaepernick, we are getting off to better starts. We threaten the entire field. We are advancing the football down the field instead of to the sidelines. Did you see that laser to Delaney for 25 on 3rd and 10?
We need Kap because we can’t compete with New England or the Giants or Falcons without him. Alex Smith doe not have a K GUN. It’s time for real Niner fans to accept the move to Kaepernick. If not, order your #11 Charger jersey for next year!
Lol Jordan you are a broken clock (Occasionally coincides with the correct time by complete luck), and frequently annoying, thats why you aren’t going to get any credit. But for serious, CK7 is friggin amazeballs. He’s got a Laser cannon for an arm, and his accuracy is much better than we saw in preseason. His passes get to where they are going in a hurry. Serious ability to evade pressure. Quick feet, and a determination and attitude to keep plays alive and get the ball to his recievers. Its like magic happening out there.
Wait, Jordy is right? When did that happen? Was Josh Johnson re-signed?
Jordan and La-La- you’re both right on. Props Jordo for not relenting on Smith, and I think the Smithers are seeing what they were missing all these years. All except that loser BS who has nothing decent to say about Kaep. Even you Jordo would pay Alex a compliment when he did something right, like that NO playoff game last year. BS is officially a Hater now.
Fourth,
I appreciate the props. It wasn’t personal with Smith. I just knew he didn’t have the tools. It sure is a joy to watch Kap run around and throw lasers all over the field. The man is a threat whenever he drops back. He makes all the receivers better. No it’s time to activate Jenkins. I think he may become an instant deep threat. Next man up. Kap to the promised land!
Vernon Davis 0 catches 1 target
Oh Oh Grant where is the 5 articles disecting whats wrond with our O cordinator and QB. Surely once VD proclaimed CK the man and praised him for taking the handcuffs off everyone was gona live happily ever after. Guess VD’s biggest issue is VD
OK this is rediculous grant this is probably on par with the emperors new clothes. People have gotten absolutely rediculous about the talent of Colin Kaepernick, going on saying hes like Steve young or like Joe Montana. Today Colin Kaepernick played a decent game but lets face it the star of this game was not him, it was the defense any time a defense scores the same ammount of touchdowns as the offense the offense as a whole is not playing at the top level. Also if a QB ever throws an interception in a game they should not get anywhere near an A grade, I think he earned a B- grade the fact that he threw that interception dropped it down an entire grade point as a matter of fact a QB should lose a grade point for each Int. Colin Kaepernick was sharp today but he still needs work. The 49ers will not win the Super bowl this year regardless who is under center. The team isn’t ready, the defense is not doing as well as they were last year and the ST has been appallingly bad this year. You can call me a fake fan, but I know each team in the NFL is just as talented as the 49ers, we simply are not the best team in the NFL and Colin Kaepernick or Alex smith are nowhere near the best QBs in the league there are at least 10 QBs I would rather have than them.
Paragraphs, please. Bloody Yanks.
Let us know when you start your own blog so we can avoid you.
I might be wrong on this but I believe Joe Montana threw 3 Int’s in the 81 Championship game against the Cowboys. Should he get a D for that game?
At any rate, I tend to agree with you. I’m now sold on CK as the starter. He clearly is a play maker that has great pocket awareness but he can improve greatly. Let’s not make this guy the next SY or JM until he proves it in a meaningful game. CK played well but he still has a ways to go before he’s the QB that can lead this team to a superbowl.
11-0
That’s the most telling Montana stat.
He can’t have a long way to go Houston. He’s already exceeded where Smith is or else JH would not be playing him. Therefore, if you believe you could win a super bowl with Smith, then you have to believe we can win with Kap. We can an we will win the Super Bowl this year. Book it.
Sorry Jordan I’m actually going to say Houston or Denver wins the SB this year.
Its just reality, I love the team and the players but we aren’t going to get it this year. Sorry guys, no super bowl for the niners this year.
Wow! You’re really going out on a limb there!!!
Its a win win situation for me, if we don’t win one I ca back and say hahaha I was right.. If we win I can get super excited because the team won.. Honestly I still expect us to lose just about every game, to me it seems like a strange miracle that our team doesn’t suck anymore.
Wow!!you sound like a “true” 49er fan..who is going to beat us to make your prediction true?
I think houston has a better team than we do, a more balanced team at least. I think Denver could beat us, and I think Baltimore could beat us. The falcons and giants could give us a run for our money, if we meet GB again we will probably lose that game. I don’t think our team is bad I just think any of those teams has an equal chance of winning those games. I am a football fan first a 49ers fan second I do not have this irrational idea that all the other teams are going to just let us win.
Agree; it’s almost like PTSD, after so many losing years. Better to lower one’s expectations and be pleasantly surprised than expect too much and be crushed.
Of course, one might argue the best bet is to get a life and not be so emotionally invested in a sports team, but then we wouldn’t be true fans now, would we? (Fan = fanatic)
With Alex Smith on the bench now we have a chance to win a superbowl and we will. With alex I just knew inside it would never happen, but its gonna happen with Kaep just watch, ring #6, we finally have a qb that can use the talent around him which is ample.
And what if it’s not gonna happen? Who do you blame?
If smith had played this game, it would have been a grind it out win or loss in the end. It’s this simple. Harbaugh made the change because Smith plays NOT to lose, and ck plays to win. Obviously the extra edge is here with ck that it wasn’t with smith. Smith is history after today so some can take their backhanded shots at the kid. But it’s obvious Harbaugh wants more than “Not to lose” this kid is good and this is just the beginning.
Let’s stop with the Kaep and Smith comparisons and fake controversy. It is the wrong narrative for the events that are unfolding. The true narrative is that the quarterback that Baalke and Harbaugh had picked and groomed is playing up to their expectations. Kaepernick’s ascendency has come at an unconventional time, but it has come regardless. We are perhaps witnessing the next great Niner QB in the recent tradition of Montana, Young and Garcia. Kaepernick needs to be judged on how he uses his talents to execute Harbaugh’s offense and hopefully the Niners back to the Super Bowl. 8 more games until #6!
don’t know if Garcia was great..
Ummm, maybe Brodie, Montana, Young. Wouldn’t have Chip-on-the-shoulder-Garcia in there.
“If Alex Smith had played, he would have been sacked five times.”
Complete BS statement Grant. Unless your name is Professor Farnsworth you dont have a What If machine so all you’re doing is unnecessarily slinging mud at Smith and for what reason? Like kicking a guy when he’s down?
This is something I never could understand from GC and his Boy Scout crew. Predictions based on simple emotion.
That statement was made by Grant, not ‘BS’. Lol..
You don’t need a time machine look At the games these year…..open up your eyes
2 games hey Peter, you know he is the real deal? Because you have played and coached and scouted in the NFL you know Kap is ready to win a SB. Yeah, ooooookayyy!!!!!!
Prime
Please how many times do you want me to tell you “i told you so”
I might not be a coach or scout but anyone who has common sense can see who the better QB is….
Sure Pete, you told me alright. Ever since you been on the blog for two weeks you told me. Whatever you say rookie!
That’s sad when you have trolled a blog so long you can call others a rookie. Good going prime you just got yourself the annual waste of life award, after the ceremony you can make the world a better place by taking yourself behind the shed and pulling an old yeller.
Prime
Please in those two weeks you could’ve had a degree with what i taught you..lol
Been following this blog since MM
I can predict the sun will rise tomorrow and I can predict the weather based on certain observations. It is the same prediction with Smith.
There are some haters here who are going to trash this blog and hope Kaepernick makes some mistake, but the reality of it is that we are all fortunate. SF has two great QBs.
I’ve learned from watching the NFL that a mobile QB is fragile. It’s great to know that at QB like every other position on this team we are stacked. There’s no reason to be upset at anyone. We should be stoked SF is in such a great position.
Oh by the way, my blow out prediction was embarassing and wrong. I’m stoked that SF made a fool of me.
Your right, he wouldn’t have been saced 5 times. More like 7 or 8
One thing I will say for Kaepernick based on the entire fan base, overrated. If I had to say he was like a QB hes like Randall Cunningham. Hes better than Trent Dilfer but hes not one of the great QBs like people act like he is.
So he’s still better than Trent Dilfer, I mean, Alex Smith then..
Im pretty sure thats what was stated
man,give the kid time and stop comparing him to Randall Cunningham for God’s sake!!
Randall cunningham was not a bad QB at all, he was really good. Its a huge compliment to compare a QB who has not proved anything with Randall cunningham, I would say Randall Cunningham is his ceiling though.
49ers took my slurpy
first you are telling people that its too early to judge this kid but then are saying he wont be better than Randle Cunningham. You cant have it both ways.
Is it me or is this blog filled with commentors that are Alex Smith fans first and 49ers fans second? I’m seeing more of this than any time since Montana played for the Chiefs. It’s pathetic.
Funny..I was thinking it was Kap fans and let’s hate Alex first…then 49er fan
I agree with Randy… More lets hate Smith first on this site…
Too right.
Its a joke! i do not get it at all! I like Alex and he should be niner but CK has performed well as a rookie QB. I also agree with Grant base on the past games that CK avoided at least 5 to 6 sacks tonight! GO NINERS
Me too!
It’s actually the opposite. The haters are what was once called the Fairweather fan but taken to a new level. It’s personal apparently. Most of the so-called Smithers I’ve seen here just make the argument that Smith was/is not as bad as the loons would have you believe.
Would be nice if everyone would agree that CK had a nice game and move on but there are some here too invested in their own egos
AF
Its Def AS centric. whether he plays or not there is always a debate on if/how much he sucks. Its too bad we cant enjoy a big win without always diminishing one or the other. Unfortunately now is the time that anyone who ever disliked AS comes out to let us know that “they told us so” even though after good games by AS those same people said “lets see him do this every week” apparently 2 games is all they need to see of CK’s play so no need to “play consistently good every week”
I’m sure going to miss the. 2 yard dump off pass to gore on 3 rd and 15. Who wants to see an accurate 20 yard laser in that situation
Lol
I’m going to miss going 2 for 14 on 3rd downs
tyrant: Thats funny because Kap had several of those ‘dump offs’ tonight… did you watch the game?
6 for 13 on 3rd down, including a Crab drop and a 45 yard completion to Delanie.
Tyrant
Guess U didnt see the first offensive series of the game.
I am a random lurker who could care less about who starts at QB, but I am guessing that Alex would have changed the calls on a few of those potential sacks to run plays, something a more aggressive QB doesn’t tend to do. Whatever gets the W.
Just a Dude,
How would that have worked out if he had changed the play. Saints did a great job stopping the run game today. I. Obvious passing downs, we don’t need the QB checking down to a run play. We need him to beat the blitz and make a play. Something that Smith does not often do. He can’t extend plays with his feet. See the ravens game from last season.
Talk to the rookies, they are the only ones who don’t know your a douche, wait, not yet anyways.
Kettle meet Pot…
Geez… Every game is different, and so are the Matchups.. Thats why Aldon Smith didnt get 5.5 sacks today… Both players have different styles, and they are both effective…
I wasn’t commenting on how it would have worked out other than that it would not have been in a sack. And to get as hypothetical as Grant, then in the minds of many an AS offense would have stalled more and run fewer plays – lowering the probability of taking 5 sacks, which reinforces my point.
Like I said, I’ll take a W any way it comes, and I think either guy can bring it based on recent history. Go Team.
Jack don’t worry, Hof will show up soon and then you can’t start your cat fight. I am not interested. Thanks.
*can
That’s okay Prime. You’re still a myopic Smither.
Actually, there are infinitesimally different outcomes on each play depending on the given personel, some good, some bad. For someone to state that X would have had the exact same outcome as Y has a pretty stunted knowledge of the way the physical world works.
Sort of disappointed that Grant, college educated as he is, falls in to that trap.
Its official guys we now have an elite scrambler, if you look at all the great scramblers they had their careers ended prematurely due to injury.. Hopefully the tole on Kaeps body isnt too great, for the sake of the fans guys for the sake of the fans.
I certainly hope you take a second-grade English class, soon. Holy moly.
I believe the correct word is Moley Mr. grammar Nazi.
No, it’s moly. You are wrong. Then again, you are a Smither so what should I expect?
http://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/holy_moley
Its D-Day grammar Nazi and the Allies are here to drive you and your demonic third Reich of grammar oppression to a close. Also I am not a Smither I have said more than once that I don’t give a rats ass who is in just as long as we win games. Also up above in this same thread I indicate that Alex smith is not as good as Colin Kaepernick. You better get Joseph Goebbels back on your speeches grammar Nazi.
CK is pass 1st run 2nd…
No the 49ers’ offense is run first pass second, don’t be a dolt he is an option QB. He has great passing ability but he is most definitely a scrambling QB.
With time we will tell….imo our off was built around AS so of course we HAD to run run dink n dunk…but with CK our off will be explosive..just today how many passes over 15yrds did he have…don’t be surprised if our off starts to look different…he stand tall in the pocket and only moves when he has too…
Being a scrambling QB isnt bad its just risky.
Somebody clearly spiked your slurpy. Sound much like the troll you’ve been for the past few weeks. Run alongside now. Watch the games before you post.
23J
What are you talking about
Pete
Did u ever watch JH at on The Farm? He had Andrew Effin Luck at QB and they still had a 50/50 balance split of run/pass. We r a run first team because thats the JH way nothing more nothing less
Pete,
I’m talking to the slurpy.
If anything, CK has shown us a willingness to be a pass-first QB, so that lessens his injury risk but thank you for your concern!
So far i haven’t seen him get nervous(happy feet) even when the ball is on the ground or low snaps
Steve young was a Scrambling QB, I am not calling him Tebow I am stating that he can and will be utilised as a designed runner when he is a QB and this will increase his injury risk. He is not a pocket QB he is a scrambler, this isnt the insult you are acting like it is.
Slurpee
No. Not like Steve Young. More like Big Ben … who is always hurt. So your baseline point is accurate, but not your player comparison.
But remember the power of the Harbaugh. He makes his QBs better than they might otherwise be. Develops them beautifully. Did it with Gannon, Johnson, and Luck. Recently done it with Smith. Kaepernick will be fine, and will learn to protect himself before he suffers any serious injuries.
Favorite Kaep play today…he ran over to pick up the loose ball from Miller, even though it meant running downfield. If it had been ruled a fumble rather than ground-caused, we would have kept the ball. Heads-up play from the young man.
That was great awareness… He is a player…
Thanks God the D scored two TD,s or Kaep would have received his first loss…
Very premature statement. Who knows this? You’re probably used to writing games off with Alex at the Helm, but perhaps Kaep could’ve turned things around.
Chill buddy… Just wondering if it sounded like Grant when he said “If Alex Smith had played, he would have been sacked five times.” I am a 49er fan 1st… Just sick of all stupid Smith bashing… What ever coach decides I am good with… Been a fan since the 60′s, so I bleed red and gold not Smith or Kaep…
Thank gaaaawd for the refs is what the Saints should be saying. Because without them it would have been a Chicago beat down.
Bullsh*t PI call gives the saints a first and goal
A crap whistle that was blown early cost us a fumble.
A crap hold call gave them a first and goal on a 3rd down
A crap whistle saying MC was down
Those ultimately decided the saints even being close in this game. Get real!
Right on point MD. The refs stopped more drives than then Saints D. On top of that, there were many no calls on the Saints o-line for holding.
Alex Smith said after the game that he thinks he should be the starter. He said he wants to be the starter.
LOL, I think that’s cute. He doesn’t realize he’s not a better player than the starter. I thought they said he was cleared from the concussion symptoms. Time for a mental evaluation Alex. Alex, find your SF Giants hat. It’s a little more comfortable than the helmet on the sideline! By the way, you should not be the starter!!
Yeap 23j, you and I both know this well. I do fear though that there’s some sense of entitlement by both Smith and Harbaugh (For Smith) so they just might resume him starting against the Rams next week.
I sincerely hope not, but it’s an unfortunate possibility.
So a 104.1 passer rating, six come from behind victories, and 20 wins and 6 losses in since the start of last is not worthy of starting… Kaep has some good games and I support him 100% but I bet Harbaugh would have thrown a fit if he got benched because of injury with numbers like that when he played…
Ken,
I think the stats for this argument are moot; because they can make a case for either player (Cite Kaepernick’s 3rd down efficiency as an example). I mean, what does it say to have a 104.1 passer rating in the 28th ranked passing offense that is also one of the highest in surrending sacks?
Like others have said…put down the stat book and just believe what your eyes are telling you.
1) The vertical passes that Kaep has made these past couple games are not the throws we have come to expect Alex to make.
2) Look at the calmness under pressure while keeping an eye down field…how many throws did he make while escaping the initial pocket? He takes the ball down to create a new throwing pocket…not to always run or to take a sack.
3) Speaking again on 3rd down efficiency…he actually completes 3rd and longs with regularity.
While Alex can argue that he’s playing pretty well…it’s only relative to his performance over the duration of his career.
Total passing yardage doesn’t seem like it will be much more with CK. So the 28th ranked isn’t likely to change. This team, as one of the writers pointed out tonight, isn’t built around the QB.
Adam, the offense has jumped up 50 yards per game with Kaepernick under center. That puts the team in the middle of the pack. Not first but also not 30th.
230 yards per game is not the same as 190 yards. 9 YPA is not the same as 8 YPA either.
Kaepernick has simply performed better. Same coaches, same teammates, same excuses: better performance.
Ken,
What it boils down to now is getting prepared to beat the teams you are going to meet in the playoffs. Our Niners of old would prepare themselves and the roster to deal with the NY Giants and the Cowboys. They knew they had to beat those teams to win a Super Bowl.
That is what JH is doing now. He knows we can’t beat the Giants or the Patriots come playoff time with this offense. We are playing Kap because he is more explosive and he opens up the entire football field. Alex Smith does not do that. We have to make our opponent defend the entire football field.
.
I’ll look tomorrow. When I looked at the single game game splits, the averages weren’t that much different.
I think some fans are under the delusion that we’re going to magically see 400 yards passing. Not going to happen with the way we’re structured.
Adam
Fans who want 400 ypg don’t understand that Matt Stafford isn’t half the QB Alex Smith is. Huge arm, dumber than a rock.
yeah i wonder if he’ll be wearing the SF Giants cap when hes not here next season
So Grant, here’s the real question. As expected Harbaugh classified Kaep’s start as an injury situation with Alex. While this is partially true, we all know that Harbaugh (And the whole football world for that matter) wanted to see what Kaep would do with a 2nd start. So now, against the Rams next week starts? Honestly, I wouldn’t be surprised if Smith starts, but I suspect that he’ll be on an extremely tight leash for the rest of the season.
Sincerely, it’s my hope that Kaep is just made the starter outright because I feel that our offense has no bounds with him.
What do you think is going to happent?
I would start Alex but before I did I would say” buddy, this is it. You need to do this, this, show this, lead this, execute this, and get a win. If you don’t, we are going with CK the rest of the way”
You cannot lose your job to injury haters. I know your small minds cannot understand that but if you have ever played football or a team sport for that matter, you would understand that.
Prime,
(Ignoring the 2nd part of your statement)…
You can lose your job to injury…it happens all the time (Tom Brady, Philip Rivers, Carson Palmer to name a few); however, I do think the person behind you has to be hands down better than the injured player (Which I think is the case with Kaepernick).
Why do you need to say “do this, show this, lead this, etc…” to get Alex going? There’s no more talking needed…run our offense at the high level it’s built to be or take a seat. Easier said than done now with proven talent behind him.
Where did you get the idea that a player in the NFL “cannot” lose his job because of an injury? It all comes down to if the replacement is a better player and does a better job. Trent Green lost his job because of an injury (to Kurt Warner), Drew Bledsoe lost his job because of an injury (to Tom Brady). True, the replacements went on to QB Super Bowl teams. Actually, it’s incorrect to say they lost their job BECAUSE of an injury. They lost their jobs to better players. That is the criteria on who starts on an NFL team.
Alex was winning the same way Kap is. The defense is doing all the heavy lifting, guys are making plays after the catch and the result maybe not as entertaining but its the same. Winning.
Alex deserves another start. My philosophy is you don’t lose your job to injury. Well find out next weekend what the organizations is. All I’m saying to the haters is don’t be surprised if he gets another shot.
I still see the same team and the same philosophy out there that produces wins. One throws longer and has a big nose, the other is more methodical and has bad hair. Who cares if they both can win. No style points in football and spare me this ceiling talk. I didn’t see more of Moss or VD these past two games. In fact our supposed #1 WR Crabtree has become an after thought. Someone care to explain that?
Marshall Faulk on the network said, guys always want to try and elevate their game for the backup QB. That’s what they did for him the past two games. Manningham was asked about it and he said the guys made a conscious effort to play better and get Kap situated to play by elevating their games.
Prime,
Who gives a damn about your philosophy? You’re not a coach, you’re a Smither. We know what your philosophy really is. It’s Alex Smith or bust. You make it appear as though Kap throwing down the field means nothing. The thing is, all you Smithers think the same way. You should just ban yourself. You and your posts are useless. You are a Smither. Kap could throw for 500 yards and 6 touchdowns and you’d talk about what he didn’t do. Stuff this stat up your nose 10 plays over 20 yards in 2 games. Alex smith had 22 in 9 games. Kap is doubling Smiths production in that category. Kap has 1 sack in the past 2 games. We don’t want to talk about Smiths sack totals.
We know this is a tough pill to swallow. I told you about this a long time ago. You didn’t expect JH to stay in the dark and feel sorry for Smith forever did you? Alex Smith is now officially a backup. As he should be. This is not T ball. this is the NFL where the best players play. Get used to it.
J,
are you listening to Primescums whining? Alex deserves another start… Buahahahahahahah. LOL. Hahahahahahaha, hahahahahahaha, hahahahahaha. Oh jesus. That hurt my gut.
I wonder if Primescum / welcher stamped his foot when he said it. Buahahahahahah.
Bay,
The kid prime is pathetic. Both he and BS are on the verge of suicide. Where is Hofer? Man, they just can’t stand this. I told you your boy Kap was ready. JH can’t possibly start Smith again this year. talk about losing the team. That’s how he would lose the team, and 90 % of the Bay Area media and fan base. Only Smithers and Alex are confused about him starting. Alex is a Smither as well I guess.
Based on those two childish comments I’d say Jimmy and 23hater sound a little worried Harbaugh just might go back to Alex. Now who will be on suicide watch then?
Good points to my post above but you do need to throw out Smiths stats Before Harbaugh because the coaching was horrible… However, I support both QBs, and feel good with either playing… Kaep makes me a little nervous the way he handles the ball but he has a gun on him… Still curious to see how Smith plays if he starts again…My guess is that he does not err on the side of caution like he has been coached and throws downfield more often…
Ken,
If Smith tried to be more aggressive downfield, you will see more turnovers from him. Alex Smith does not have the arm strength to throw downfield with accuracy and effectiveness. He can’t do it and he knows it too. That’s why you don’t see him attempt to do so. He makes safe short throws and hopes. That’s not going to beat the New York Giants.
When kickers get old and start to slump, they’re often finished. Remember Vanderjagt? There’s no point in not bringing in some other kicker to replace Akers. He’s becoming a consistent liability.
Yeap, I think it’s time to call up (Baseball style) our kicker from the preseason: Giorgio Tavecchio. Guy has a leg as strong as Akers’.
That’s the kicker I was trying to remember. I think he’s also a left-footer. Young kid. If Akers can’t get out of his slump, Coach needs to call it.
Its crazy how fast he turned that corner. He tied the longest Field goal in history and then went ka-put.
Anyone have any word on Kendall Hunter?? That worries me. Hope it’s just a sprain.
2nd straight game Kaep makes plays that Smith can’t – avoid sacks, several 20+ yard throws. Not a difficult decision – why on earth would JH start Smith again? Smith doesn’t start again with the 49ers unless Kaep gets injured, period.
this was no dominating performance. The saints offense scored more than c.k. and ruled time of possesion .16 for 26…
That will tend to happen when your defense scores 14 points…. duh. It automatically gave Brees two more possessions and put them behind the 8 ball to score.
Not every win can be a “dominating” performance. We played a team that had won 5 of their previous 6 in one of the toughest stadiums for a visiting team in the league against one of the greatest QBs in the history of the NFL (who by the way was outplayed by the 49ers QB in just his second start, dominating or not).
and we were up the whole 2nd half with some clock eating playcalls in the 4th quarter. dont forget the dropped balls and plays called back due to holding that Kap completed
For someone who’s been on these boards through the past ten years, furious with everyone from John York, to Erickson, Nolan, Singletary, and all of the ineptitude, I just can’t believe how great this team looks. Every person in this organization from top to bottom deserves credit, beginning with Jed York. For hiring the best coach, and the best GM, who both picked and prepared Kapernick, who will assume his place in 49er history. How does this sound: Montana, Young, and Kaepernick! (I know Brodie and Garcia were good too).
The best owner in football — Jed York! How ’bout our owner?
Our 2011 draft is just looking better and better, so proud of this organization for finally getting it together.
Well coached, athletic, daring, strong armed, leader, aggressive, accurate. All things I like in a QB. Sounds like #7 to me. A. Smith misses in the aggressive, and strong armed category and in today’s NFL i think these are needed traits for a succesful QB. Smith is a nice QB…not great. #7 can look bad one play and then zing it 50 yards the next. AS just does not have that ability.
See the NYG game this year. Once we were down, we were dead. #7 was on the road in a bad place today and held up well. Let’s see how he does versus the Ram’s. AS sucked verus the rams and #7 tore up the Bears bad ass defense. Regardless, the next few games will be interesting.
Watched the first quarter
Manningham and Miller really made some nice catches/YAC. CK avoided a few pressures. But this was the worse non-Raider D in the NFL, and they didn’t suck. CK could have made them suck more.
Grant..an A- for an Int? It would have been an A+ without? That isn’t remotely accurate. Always stirring a very well mixed pot I see. Had AS best play been on a penalty you’d have blamed him. And the Niners D scoredd just as many TD’s as the offense. You’re looking bad Grant.
I don’t about an A- but Kap’s ability to make something out of nothing is 100 times better than Alex’s. Kap gets it done on third downs much better.
don’t know
Then explain only 2 TD’s against the worse defense if his escapability is so good?
That on a day where he had lots of help scoring.
Easy DS…did you watch the game?
Did you see how many penalties we committed? The box score says 10 for 68 yds, but I don’t think that actually includes the YAC plays that VD and Crab had. Not only that….pretty much conservative on offense after we want up in the 2nd half.
It’s hard to score when you’re not possessing the ball…
Kap did good with his opportunities. period.
I’m now first drive into the 2nd quarter. I saw much of the 4th. And 7 points is fine if it were against a top D. Against the NO D, it is a “C” at this point. And he hasn’t thrown his Int yet. By the way AS lost a ton of yards in his last 300 yard game via penalty. Keep that in mind.
PS An Int drops the grade a full letter unless it was a miraculous game(like the Catch game, which I know this wasn’t).
DS,
your post is BS. Now who’s the hater? You are hating on the starting QB of my San Francisco 49ers. And we got the win. Didn’t you say all that matters is the win?
Our new QB is undefeated in his only two starts. And you are speaking negatively? Stats don’t matter right? Only wins. You are pathetic. Did you find medication to help you with your depression so that you could crawl out of your hole?
bay
You’d know BS better than any other. Tell us again about your racial slurs.
Lets talk football BS. How did AS look on the sidelines with is helmet on, chin strap on and a ball tucked under his arm?
I know I voted the other way in the poll, but I actually felt a little sorry for Smith. Just standing there with the cameras on him, and Buck/Aikman going on and on about it.
DS9
Back to his old tricks! Give up on Alex, my dude! He’s a top-notch backup now.
Read my last post to you again.
DS9
Um, no. Reply here. You still stump for Alex. He is not as good as Kaepernick. Anybody with eyes and a brain knows it. If you are really a Niner fan, this is your chance to show it.
Don’t go telling me to go find your old posts. That’s just plain cheap.
Sorry. My fault. I assumed you can read. Wth “Neanderthal” in the name it was my fault.
I’m fine reading, I’m just not fine hunting through weeks of threads from Grant to find a stale read from you.
If you are unable to be present, then simply don’t be. Leave. But if you are here, at least participate in a way that allows your fellow readers to interact with you. It would be nice to know what your position is.
DS9
Nobody is a fan of you, bud. Delusions of grandeur are silly.
But I’ve now posed 2 football questions to you, and you’ve not addressed either. Because I’m polite and thoughtful I will repost them here for your convenience…
1. How does Kaepernick manage to take 1 sack in 2 full games?
2. How so you explain Kaepernick scoring 2
TDs and winning by 25 against the best defense in the league?
If you can’t or are not willing to talk football, why are you posting on a football blog?
See this thread as evidence of you tagging after me discussing football the whole time.
Later.
DS9
Whatever you call it bud. I’m gonna be keeping you honest until you mature enough to actually contribute something of value.
Happy Holidays!
skip post.
In the NFL I don’t think it’s accurate to say any D is horrible. Stats don’t mean a thing. SF has had a great D for ten years. THey just ended up playing the equivilant of 2 games for outting because the offense couldn’t move the ball. SF D played 45 of the 60 minute game due to turn overs, incompletions, and stagnant production on offense.
This is the NFL not some pick up game. Every player in this league is premier and the best (plural) in the game.
Bashing a player because he could have made more throws is laughable. Every QB in the league misses a few throws. Unless you are the architech of the playbook, you really can’t determine with any certainty who made the mistake on any given play.
This isn’t a popularity contest between Smith and Kaepernick. All the fans want is a superbowl. Right now, Kaepernick has stepped up and gotten this team 2 games closer to the superbowl. That’s freaking awesome and worth an A. He’s done it in a matter that really makes it hard to game plan for SF now. That’s even better.
I don’t see anything to be upset about. I predicted a blow out and look like a fool. We’re all wrong at some point. Enjoy the win!
DS,
As someone who (by choice) wasn’t involved in the ongoing Smith/Anti Smith missives over the past few years, you are now coming off worse concerning Kaepernick’s performances than the Smith haters did with Alex last year. Your “analysis” of CK’s performance today is so skewed through a prism of teeth-gnashing, that it renders it nearly comical. If this had been Alex in his 2nd start, you would’ve brought up the drops by Gore and VD, the penalties, the poor pass protection, touted his escapability, the fact he was playing in an extremely hostile environment, that his passer rating was higher than the almighty Drew Brees, his laser-like throws, the 3rd down conversions, the fact we grabbed a 10-point victory against a hot team, etc
Smile DS. Life is good. The 49ers are energized and we’ve just beat 2 quality teams.
You have never read this blog. And AS in his 2nd start wasn’t playing for a Super Bowl contender. BIG difference.
Explain how 2 TD’s against the worse defense in the NFL is better than AS.
DS9
What about 2 TDs and a 25 point win against the best defense in the NFL?
Neanderthal
Make up your mind will ya?
I’ve talked football with everybody who’ll talk football with me. You can’t play both sides. Talk football with me, or skip me. My life is fine if you do either. A simple reply of either “talk football” or “skip” is all that is required. If you say skip, I won’t reply /read your posts again.
PS The Bears stank in that game. Just like we did against the Vikings. AS when given that much time playd as well if not better.
DS9
Your reply was 12 lines of text, only 3 of which were related to football. The other 9 were personal attack. What’s up with that?
And your 1012 post was about football?
You started a whole thread without being provoked at all.
Hypocrite.
Since you are unable to follow a simple reply, of “skip or talk football” I’ll go ahead and skip you. Can’t discuss anything with anybody if that request confounds you so.
PS
You keep following me without me bringing you up. See this thread as proof along with most threads you talk about me.
Kap or Die
There is only one right thing to do for the rest of the season. Kaep has to start the rest of the way. The move was made.
Harbaugh is smart enough to know that if he goes back and forth then he is going backwards.
No part of K-gun is nervous. He is attacking and making plays. How is it that he is running the same offense as the other guy and now we rarely see a check down?
I think the entire team is feeding off of this kids energy. Two starts in a row of 30+ scoring isn’t by accident.
Anyone else think its uncharacteristic of us to have so many penalties and big plays called back because of penalties?
Muffed punt by Ginn ( Harbaugh held him out after that ) and more ugly field goal attempts by Akers…. ( is he officially in a slump now ? )
Gore’s touchdown called back……
Also just an observation. Hunter is hurt, so all we have is Gore and they run the clock out with him? Why not bring in Boobie?
I hear ya with everything…. just to add. I want to see AJ and LJ get some reps now. It may give another dimension come playoff and SB!
They did bring in Dixon.
Dixon actually have a couple of decent runs. When he runs, he runs hard. Jacobs also had a good run where he just ran some dude over.
This is what the NFC Playoff Picture is looking like:
1. ATL
2. SF
3. CHICAGO
4. NY GIANTS
5. GREEN BAY
6. TAMPA BAY/SEA
I think the Giants will probably drop a game, Niners might drop one, most likely to Pats.
Niners have a good chance against all the remaining teams — and then it comes down the Giants again. If the D played like they played today, we have a great chance. And if Roman doesn’t abandon the run.
If the Niners make it, there is no dominant team on the AFC. I take Niners over Texans, and I just don’t think Pats will get there this year. And I think that’s regardless of who plays QB. (Both have strengths and weaknesses although I would say next year this team is CK’s team and I’m down with that!)
Fan,
49ers-Giants NFC Championship Game?
Hammer,
It’s all about match-ups. If ATL is #1, then they will play the Giants and I think they will do well with a shoot-out. I think Niners can handle Bears/Packers or whoever is left. Then it would be ATL vs SF. Nolan vs Alex! Ha that would be funny!
I think the Giants just have the Niners’ number. That’s why we play the game though!
I was thinking about the game today. It was exciting to see what CK can do and he did extend some plays. At the same time, that was a really bad NO defense. This was the first time they did not give up 400 yards.
There were some bad 3 and outs, for a variety of reason.
And that horrible throw to Moss in the end zone.
CK has swagger, that’s for sure.
I’m a pretty big risk taker in life, so I’ll all about gambles, but I think you gotta go with Smith these next two games. He was playing at a high level until he got hurt. That was a nice TD pass to Crabs in the Rams game.
Jimmy Dugan does not even watch the games. He just looks at the box scores for his fantasy leagues.
I believe it was your buddy DS who admitted to not watching the game. Couldn’t bear to see Smith on the sidelines I guess.
He was awfully cute on the bench with his helmet on like he might actually play.
On a side note, Bunkley should be either fined his entire game check or suspended for the next for kicking Boone in the back of the head.
yyup yup. The Hammer has got to come down on that trash. That was Haynseworth/Suh-esque. Ridiculous. And because there was only like a minute left in the game, an ejection is hardly punishment.
Any news on Kyle Williams or k hunter inj Great replacements for them James and Jenkins.
Williams has an MRI set for tomorrow.
I love both those guys and wish them speedy recoveries. In the meantime, Let the rookies Loose! AJ to fill in for KW, and LMJ fillin in for Hunter!
Why would Harbaugh have brought in Randy Moss for downfield passes Alex Smith couldn’t complete? Not because Moss turned out surprisingly to be a good teammate and mentor. Same with Harbaugh going after Manning. There was reason for that madness of Moss and Manning. The writing was already on the wall.
Given Harbaugh’s years of experience as a successful quarterback in the NFL, I’m glad he’s in charge of this quarterback controversy, if that’s what it is. 49ers selected Kaep in the second round, traded up for him, and I suspect that was Harbaugh’s decision.
Still waiting for Kaep to hit Moss deep…
Yeah…and hopefully he can remember that Moss’ strength lies in going UP for the ball, NOT playing defense!
First drive of the 2nd quarter was a disaster. An A- Grant? Did you see CK take that hit and fumble it? ST best get ready if CK takes shots like that often. He still loses the ball WAY TOO MUCH!
Montanaman is correct from what I’ve seen. The offense has had 1 good drive out of 4 against the worse defense in the NFL.
Poor DS….
Poor CK. Watch that drive again Jack.
BS stop talking to yourself wuss boy.
Poor DS…
BS,
It’s okay, CK is the guy Harbaugh wants and believes in. He has the potential to be great. You convinced yourself that Harbaugh meant what he said about Smith during those press confernces, and I told you actions speaks louder then words. Don’t get upset, Harbaugh is just “evaluating” Kaepernick.
BS ,
That wasn’t a fumble dummy! Why are you here. Can you manage to disappear again? Please. This was actually a great place without you!
@DS – I am not buying it either, Kaep needs a full offseason to really produce better than Alex.
He doesn’t drastically improve the offense compared to Smith.
What happened to the long passes against the saints?
@JCarter
I saw CK look great in a game against a Bears team whose D couldn’t beat the Raiders that day (that is my way of saying it was bad). And win.
Then I saw CK look very “C” grade in a win against the worse D in the NFL (not named the Raiders). In similar games this year when AS played against absolute crappy D (see Buffalo) he annihilated them. That would mean more than 1 TD and no picks.
In the past two games, the D (which has gotten crappy press here) has played steallar. The only teams which lose to the opposition when the D scores 2 pick 6′s are the Cards. I bet the number of wins for a team which returns 2 Int’s for a TD are pretty darn good. Regardless of QB. So, the fact that CK won this game in that light means little in the way of proving he is the QB of the future.
Also, in the past two games (especially the Bears game) the OL has been awesome.
PS As a side note, MC has not been anywhere with CK as the QB. He might want to be careful about who he wants as a QB in the future. Aside from his 1 TD agaisnt the Bears, he hasn’t done much of anything considering CK is the QB who will throw it deep to the WR’s and AS wouldn’t.
I’d give Kaep a B. We became the first offense to not gain 400 yards of offense vs the worst D in NFL history. And the offense only put up 17 points. And the pick before half was arguably the worst pass a niner QB has made all year. And Without the defense putting up 14 this game is a nail biter. I grade this way because that is how we have always graded Alex. It’s only fair. B.
Good points…
Stats not fair in that respect, the defense scoring two TD’s takes two offensive possessions away from CK. Therefore taking away potential passing and rushing yards, and TDs.
Stats are stats. I’m simply pointing out that the offense only scored 17, if Alex were playing he would have receieved some criticism for that. Main reason for the B is that INT. Thats a bone head play. Luckily we benefited out of it.
“if Alex were playing he would have receieved some criticism for that. ” Not from me… just sayin. I know the haters will go on and on and on about how Alex should’ve/would’ve/could’ve (as evidenced by grant and many posters here) but two wrongs don’t make a right.
CK didn’t produce as well as he did last week, but it was a different game, different situation. Yes the INT was a rookie mistake, and there were some definite ‘sputters’ in the offense today, but his play going forward helped to seal the game. I’d probably give him a B+ or so. But he definitely gets style points and degree of difficulty points.
An area that I think the coaches will continue to address with him is reading the pre-snap defense and deciding which play to go with, because they got away from the power run game in a bad way today, and against the worst run defense in the league, that is unacceptable.
Adam707,
I don’t think his pick was worse than the 3 against the Giants 707. Just as the announcers sad during the game.thei saints are understanding their defense a bit better. Yhey also viewed this as a grudge match and a game that they absolutely had to have in order to feel like they had a chance to go to the playoffs. They stopped our run game and our penalties took a lot of big pass plays from us. You are usually a bit sharper and more objective than that. We got conservative in the 2nd half like we do when we have big leads. We started killing clock with the run.
If you don’t think this team is any better with Kap, look at one stat. 6-13 on 3rd down. That’s it, that’s all.
I definitely do think the offense can be better with Kaep. Today I was impressed with how he handled the crowd and blitz. My only point was he didn’t deserve an A grade for todays performance. We could have been much better, and I’m sure Kaep agrees. There is no doubt he does things Smith could only dream about.
The Int’s were different situations. We were down 14 in nyg game and had to start passing in the 3rd to bring it back. This game we were down 7, 1 min left and get the ball at half. The last think you can do is turn the ball over. That easily could have led to 7 for NO and its a 14 point game at half. Love or Hate Smith, he wouldn’t make a bonehead play like that. That being said Kaep still played very good. Just not an A effort. Imho.
Any scout, GM or football coach would take CK over delicate flower, any day of the week,matter of fact it is the biggest no brainer of mankind.
Now the Smithers are delicate flowers as well, be kind to them, they are not in a good place.
I thought you were the “biggest no brainer of mankind”?
Another great game from CK7! In Harbaugh I Trust.
Speaking of trust, Akers has lost mine. I’m not ready to give up on him, but he really needs to get it together asap.
I enjoyed this game as much as any 49er game since they started playing in 1946. As for this blog and it’s need to attack Alex Smith, it’s pathetic.
Given the way the game was played, if Alex Smith had been the quarterback, there would have been a hew and cry that he was a bum that almost lost the game at the end of the first half with his panic interception. And, further more, that there was no way the 49ers would have won the game if the defense hadn’t come up with two pick sixes and a bunch of sacks in the fourth quarter.
I learned decades ago that the best way, for me, to enjoy 49er games is to enjoy each game on it’s own, and to see the whole game as a team effort. Try it. You might like it. That even includes Grant.
Typical Smither! You guys can’t help it. It’s almost over for Alex. I hope you have video of Smith. He won’t be playing much nowadays.
Right on cue.
htw
Most on here aren’t in it to attack Smith. Most aren’t in it to defend him to the death either. But the stinkiest poop attracts the most flies.
:)
23J
I missed the game can u tell me how Josh Johnson did for the 9ers?
Grant
I’m now imploring you to make 2 permanent moves to improve your blog.
Banish DS9 and Prime Time. Just make these two moves.
Neither one brings anything productive to your blog. All they do is insult your other readers, call names, and make ridiculous assertions that are plainly wrong.
Their presence here insults the collective intelligence of your blog and reflects poorly upon you and, frankly, the Niners fan base.
agree
DS9
How do you explain CK taking NO sacks today?
N.O.,
They actually do bring something to the blog. Comic relief! You have to realize that these 2 felt like Smith deserves a pay raise after week 2. Smith deserved 12-14 million a year. BS is the biggest joke on the blog. However, everyone knows that. Prime is our fake resident tough guy that is as soft as cotton. We know he’s a sheep in wolf’s clothing. He wouldn’t bust a grape in Napa with golf spikes! He’s a coward.
Smithers only see it one way. Alex’s way. I’m just thankful JH realizes that he has a better option.
I disagree. The blog has been positive, constructive, and relatively intelligent the last few days without these guys. I’ve tussled with Montana/Coffee/Ribico over that time, but each of them is mature enough to bring humor or new ideas to the table in each and every post.
>>All they do is insult your other readers, call names, and make ridiculous assertions that are plainly wrong.
LOL. If Grant applies your rationale, he’d drop the banhammer on everyone and this would be one lonely blog.
Rib
You talk football. Those two don’t. You stay, they get bounced. Big difference.
I am not Smither or a hater, I trust our coach, and the coach says our future is now, and that is with CK and that is good.enough with me. LOL
NOT. Grant isn’t the Taliban. C’mon N.O. I know you’re not afraid of them. I know you don’t knuckle under to others, so why, in this great country where we can exercise our Constitutional Rights to be A-hos would we want to deny DS or Prime the same rights?
Jordo, you above all people on here should be defending DS’s & Prime’s right to express (now) minority opinions.
Unless the attacks get too personal or nasty, which happens, Grant let’s us all ramble on exposing our good sides and our bad sides. How about we all use self-discipline and let Grant worry about who to ban or who to suspend or who to edit and warn.
Lots to be happy about, but we’ll never all agree. THIS GROUP?
Never agree. And when I think of some of the comments, I’m proud not to agree. I don’t feel the need to muzzle those who I don’t agree with.
Why? Because the blog looks more and more like a kindergarten rumpus room because of this type of behavior. It detracts from the enjoyment of the blog. That’s it. I’m not against Free Speech or a-holes, just ignorant blowhards who never speak with any relevance.
23J and Neal are just about as bad as DS and Prime. I wish all 4 of them would knock it off…it is childish but it takes two (or 4 in this case) to tango.
Just ignore it.
Yeah, he’d be getting rid of a few more than you think if the rules were: be respectful of other posters. This thing got real nasty after Eric left.
Got it, Angus. You’re absolutely right. I’m done.
NO
If those are grounds for banishment then at leas 10 more would have to go. I won’t name em but people already know who they are.
That’s fine. Clean it up. We should all be respectful, and contribute. Grant’s father, no matter how grouchy he is, never allows this type of immaturity on his blog, and it’s better off because of it.
And whats with this “I told you so” baloney from the anti-Smith crowd? These are the same chuckleheads that were dissing CK last offseason, saying that some lousy journeyman named Johnson would be #2 on the depth chart by the start of camp. Pretty sure he’s out of the league now. Oh and their other golden boy Tolzein who was the preseason hero that could “start for half the teams in the league” LOLOLOL. So much for “I told you so”, time for a reality check kids.
Huh? Who wanted Tolzien over CK? Seriously? Wow, what a tool!!!
There were several. Our blog’s very own Jordan and Chris were Johnson and Tolzein’s biggest fans.
LSX,
We all know that tolzein shouldn’t even be on the roster. Josh outplayed him in preseason and got cut. I’ve NEVER said Tolzien was better than Kap. Josh never got a shot. All I know is that Alex is backup, where I always felt like he should be.
Most of those who wanted Tolzien over Kaepernick are from the “Smither” crowd.
All through training camp and preseason, all you heard from the anti-Smith crowd was how awesome Johnson was. They said Kaep would have to fight with Tolzein for a roster spot. Now all of a sudden they called Kaep’s greatness? Please.
As far as the Tolzein fan club is concerned, they were just as delusional as the Johnson groupies.
Nobody ever said Tolzien would definitively overtake anyone. As a WCO QB, he is intriguing.
The evidence was pretty clear that JJ didnt have what it takes. That seemed pretty obvious to most of us. The guy isn’t even in the league now.
Adam, I know you’re a big Tolzien fan and I’ve always respected your opinions of him. I’m not including you in that group of delusional fanboys. Your comments were always accurate and realistic, but there were definitely a few guys on here saying he should be the starter based off some garbage time preseason action. It made zero sense to the rest of us, but they were pretty vocal about it. I’m sure they were the same people who thought Kory Sheets would be a Hall-of-Fame halfback.
6’3″ Scott Tolzien
Shocked at his height and growing musculature. He will be a big time QB sooner than later. Gonna be a QB factory in here as long as Harbaugh is coach. Bodes well for trades and high draft picks!
Jack – there you go again makinbg stuff up.
Why did the “Smither” crowd want Tolzien over CK? I don’t even remember you being here then, Jack. Were you here for those discussions? I must have missed those. If the conversation starts going down hill with the usual suspects calling each other names, I generally bail out though – the keyboard thug doesn’t interest e much. So… could have missed it.
I know from my part, I stated that Tolzien had the best looking mechanics of the four. He’s more of a Walsh west coast offense prototype and he seemed extremely precise and deliberative in everything he was doing. He doesn’t appear to have the same athletic type of tools that CK has, although I don’t think I’ve seen him take off and run either, so I won’t swear by that. I can’t recall from the college vids I’ve seen. He may be a diamond in the rough, I got some good vibes off that kid.
I’ve always said here that I liked CK from the day they drafted him. Nice kid, he’s got some intangibles there, good arm, nice velocity and accurate with stationary targets, just needed to focus on clean throws, speed of the game, timing the receivers, etc. So far, so good, in my opinion. There are a few he could take back and dial down a notch or two but otherwise, looking pretty solid.
I don’t think JJ was ever in the mix. Not really. The personal haters of Smith were looking for ‘ABS’ (anyone but Smith) at all costs, including the cost to the team. Johnson was OK, but he was kinda flat, sort of a one-trick pony in some respects. He’s not even in the league now so that sort of tells you everything right there in a nutshell.
I said Tolzien could start for half the teams in this league. I think a quick check of half the teams in this league who have flip flopped QBs shows that’s pretty accurate.
It’s a compliment to the SF front office on their ability to see talent. That’s awesome!
First time I watched Kaep play was on the youtube videos (see the two on his first start as a redshirt freshman). This was after he worked out in the Bay Area (for shrine game I think) and the rumor was that Harbaugh really liked what he saw. He looked like superman on these videos (which were not all highlight films by the way, they were every play of the offense in the game) but what really impressed me about Kaep was his demeanor in interviews. Intelligence, maturity, a quiet but solid confidence, a charismatic leader. I’ve been watching 49er football since 1967 and I think this guy has something special, the great physical skills combined with all the intangibles. I think he’s got the starting job now simply because he is the better player. And …. what a freaking exciting player this guy is, talk about ELECTRIC!
“…and though
We are not now that strength which in old days
Moved earth and heaven; that which we are, we are;
One equal temper of heroic hearts,
Made weak by time and fate, but strong in will
To strive, to seek, to find, and not to yield.”
@ La-La
Keep these coming.
Nice break from the “Did Not” “Did Too” stuff we get so much of.
Grant, “Namecalling” case in point:
DS94everXev says:
November 25, 2012 at 10:31 pm
Chess head says ST can start for half the teams in the NFL.
Ban yourself. Nobody here has supported ST more than me here, but your comments are Neanderthal stupid if you think he can start right now.
What have you brought Neanderthal? You jerk. You’ve haven’t once talked football with me. Only come around and bitch about me. Skip my posts then.
Hey All!
On another note…
Did you guys all see the New York Football Giants make Aaron Rodgers look like Alex Smith today?!!!
A good pass rush can make a lot of QBs look bad. We had Brees pretty much frustrated in the 4th quarter today. We need to keep drafting talent to get after the QB, you never have enough.
Amen!
Quick who’s rodgers backup. Surely if the mighty giants beat him he must be terrible and in no way capable of beating them ever again
Graham Harrel is his backup. Speaking of Rodgers, what is up with that Ron Jeremy stache?
Movember Jack. Raise awareness for prostate cancer.
Grant!!!
Here’s another one. I’m stumping hard here. If you have a problem with that, let me know…
BigP says:
November 25, 2012 at 10:32 pm
BS,
It’s okay, CK is the guy Harbaugh wants and believes in. He has the potential to be great. You convinced yourself that Harbaugh meant what he said about Smith during those press confernces, and I told you actions speaks louder then words. Don’t get upset, Harbaugh is just “evaluating” Kaepernick.
DS94everXev says:
November 25, 2012 at 10:43 pm
Big Piss a lot
You’re a loser whose Daddy got you that house. Stay away. I have no need of you, though your stalker tendencies never cease. I haven’t been here in a week, and once I come back, you’re here tagging after me.
Give it a rest. It goes both ways.
Wow! Seriously surprised anyone wants to sift through this kind of content, but okay.
Another all football post.
PS Big P actually did stalk me. Learn the history or stay out. I’d advise to stay out of it.
DS9
Is that a threat?
I will no longer interact with you, but I’ll be watching your posts and if you continue to insult people while adding nothing of value, I will call you out on it every time.
Your buddy Adam might not like it, and Adam deserves respect because he is a stable and consistent contributor with vast football knowledge, but you need to mature.
Grow up. Quit insulting people and wrap your head around making sensible and respectful comments.
skip post Part II
DS is a loser, plain and simple. Nobody stalked her, somebody shared HER XBOX tag and people laughed at her. She then tried to say that men frequently dress their Xbox avatars as women. It is what it is, she is confused and lonely.
Bs is irrelevant now! End of story
@ninermd you calling someone irrelevant is similar to the pot calling the kettle black.
NO
Where u at with ur Blog police? U let Big P insult DS and didnt coment? What gives? U said u were gona monitor and call out any poster who insults w/o adding football posts. Big P did and u stayed silent ??? Is it an anti DS and Prime thing or r u just a hypocrite?
I dont care either way but if i have to read ur righteous defender posts it would be nice if they would go both ways.
THX
BOS9er
Not looking at them. They’re not inciting this behavior. The blog was a constructive arena of debate when DS9/Prime weren’t on here for a few days.
Tell you what: of you want to call out BigP/Bay/Jordo, be my guest!
Tarzan you are the blog police? Buwhahahhahahahhahahahhahhahahah!!!!!!!!!!!
May want to look at who insulted who first. And you did it every time.
Skip my posts, and guess what? No insults of any kind at all. That is asking you too much though.
PS I skipped all your comments in the live blog. It ain’t that hard.
I’d give Kaep a B. He played well, made at least two bad errors, but survived them. You can see the potential, he just has more to learn about the position. On the whole, I think he is our future.
I’d give Goodwin an “F” for this game. Too many low snaps, one of which contributed to a pick.
VD gets the “sproing!” Hands of Stone award for that one drop. There are drops and then there are drops… that one was ugly.
Gore had a tough game on the ground and at trying to catch the ball. Kaep was most of our running game as well as passing today.
Nice to see Justin get some pass rush going along with the OLBs. And Brooks in coverage totally fooled Brees and took his candy.
Goldson keeps hitting receivers like that, he’s going to kill someone.
Predictions of CK doom that never came to be:
1st CK start vs Bears: CK will have multiple turnovers against Bears. He’ll throw picks and fumble against a ballhawking Bears D and we’ll lose. Reality: no turnovers; huge 32-7 win against a good Bears team.
2nd CK start vs Saints: certain fans are convinced that the victory over Bears was a fluke because the Bears weren’t prepared. We were told by those fans that CK would fold under the Saints’ crowd noise and the varied looks the Saints defense would give CK. Reality: CK unbowed by crowd noise, etc. plays well and combines with D to achieve a 31-21 road victory against a Saints team that , coming in, was playing as well as anybody.
It’ll be amusing to see how the doubters move the goalposts on CK this week, weaving tales of woe and misery.
Who said that?
Adam, some people here were predicting turnovers and a loss vs Bears–not an unreasonable prediction. My inclination was a “wait and see” approach going into that game. I also read opponents blogs–Bears, Saints. Also, national media and comments sections of those sites–CBS, ESPN, Pro Football Talk, etc. Saints were actually the chic pick in many circles. How did you like the game today? I’m feeling great about how our defense played and the things we did to jumpstart our pass rush in the 2nd half. I thought our offense showed resolve–despite some untimely penalties and dropped passes. It was great to see Delanie play the way he’s capable; no drops, good routes, big gains. Not pleased with special teams, however.
Tannehill looks good. Miami could be a test.
Happy as a clam in mud with the win, but this whole Kapernick thing….
Am I the only one feeling a Jonestown type of vibe to with this whole Kaepernick thing? Don’t get me wrong the kid looks VERY promising and I am 100% behind him. I just worry about Uber Athletic QB’s after seeing so many under achieve(or flame out), over the long haul. It just seems so, maybe Jonestown isn’t the right description, odd to me this instant buy in after 1 great game and 1 very blah game. I swear if anyone says that was a “great game” should be, how shall I say this…relieved of their oxygen usage rights. That was a very “B” performance, an A- is completely insane!
1. We had the same issues with time management
2. Still had issues with guys not getting open or not getting deep enough on routes or dropping balls
3. Wasn’t this change supposed to fix V.Davis & the wide receivers lack of involvement in the offense?
4. He threw 2 picks(thank you Randy & the Refs on nullifying #2)
5. And if you didn’t know Kap was the QB, that stat line could just as easily have been Smith’s*****
**** I must say Kap does throw a hell of a nice ball!!!
So now I guess the Kap apologists, or “The Kappers” (i’m puttting that out there now), can blow hard about its his second game, blah d blah d blah!! He has upside, yada yada yada. But if you are going all in you either drink the Kool-Aid and take the criticism or maybe, just maybe, ALL of us(smithers included) need to get some f’ing perspective on this whole QB thing and realize that:
1. QB’s probably don’t deserve a lot of the credit they get for winning
2. QB’s probably get too much credit for losing
The 2011 NFC Championship proves the point.
If you look at those stats, everything but passing yardage is in Smith’s favor, he even chipped in 42 rushing yards, yet the Niners lost. The game came down to two muffed punts, pure and simple. BOTH QB’s played to a tie!
C/ATT YDS AVG TD INT SACKS QBR RTG
E. Manning 32/58 316 5.4 2 0 6-49 38.6 82.3
CAR YDS AVG TD LG
E. Manning 1 -2 -2.0 0 0
C/ATT YDS AVG TD INT SACKS QBR RTG
A. Smith 12/26 196 7.5 2 0 3-18 30.7 97.6
CAR YDS AVG TD LG
A. Smith 6 42 7.0 0 17
I make this point because I don’t want us fans to get so high on this guy(or any QB for that fact), anoint him the next coming of Joe Cool and then be ready to crush him out of town if things don’t go to script.
btw, I posted this yesterday…”I think we win 28-21 because we will establish the run, play great defense and ask the QB to not F it up… like we have done every week since Harbaugh arrived.” Not too shabby, thank you D for bailing me out!!
Oh and take this to the bank. As much as I admire Smith’s ability to stick with the Niners(I am a Smither) he WILL NOT be back next year, unless Kap gets seriously injured this year. The more I thought about it, it isn’t even about performance really and it was Kaps stat line against N.O. that made me really realize this. If they can get essentially the same stats from Kap, that Smith would provide, then it is simple. Kap will cost the team next to nothing next year and even if he continues to deliver “Smith like” stats they should still continue to keep winning AND with the savings from Smith’s contract in 2013 they might be able to keep that Defense intact a few more years. Obviously the icing on the cake would be if Kap does start showing that upside later this year or next year!!
Why are you posting about the NFCCG?
Why not post the stats from the more recent Niners-Giants game?
And what’s with your stat-focus anyway? Smith is a statistically poor QB, but under Harbaugh he’s been a winner. For the most part, it would be correct to say that Alex has won on the strength of his decisions and smart play while riding the defense’s coattails.
Kaepernick could do the same thing against 90% of the teams in the league, but it looks like Harbaugh thinks he can do more against the Giants, too. Otherwise, why make this move?
And again, going back to your stat-focus… Why? You don’t need to talk about stats after you just watch CK play. All his attributes were on display today, not gonna list them.
You want stats? Just look at sacks taken.
curious why you are so offended by the use of stats?
fwiw, those stats were just there to back up the point about how QB play is perceived, nothing more. It was interesting to me because a lot of fans think Smith ultimately lost the NFC Champ. game for us, forget the punts or that maybe we had a bad offensive game plan, smith had a bad game or whatever. But in a general sense, based on the stats, he really didn’t lose the game. But the perception is “Smith” should’ve done more. And if we want to talk more recent history. Today’s N.O. game is a good representation of how QB play is perceived as well. Without the two defensive touchdowns, Kap’s day(stats) could’ve had a much different taste to them had we lost, that’s all I am saying. I am not uplifting or bashing anyone, its merely a thinking/talking point.
I do agree Smith takes sacks he doesn’t need to. I also know he needed to push the ball down field more this year to truly secure his position as the starter and he hasn’t/can’t do that. See my note about his departure years end and I do wish him well I think he really does need a fresh start.
Full disclosure I am a Smith guy! But a Niner first.
Alright, fair points. I don’t like stats because they’re not kind to Smith, while they ARE kind to guys like Stafford and Newton. If I had to choose between those three guys, I’d choose Smith, but it’s pretty apparent that CK has benefitted from Harbaugh just as Smith has, and that he is a better QB by a significant margin.
I too was a Smith guy until 1. this year’s Giants game and 2. CK came into that Rams game. But no more. He has been limiting this offense for too long, and that’s become obvious in only 2 games.
It’s tough to say the D bailed anybody out yesterday, because CK looked like he could have scored 50 on the Saints if the game planning had not been scaled back. The Niners essentially started running out the clock with two minutes left in the 3rd quarter, and that 9 minute drive probably could have ended in a TD if the coaches hadn’t gone conservative.
Alex played great in that Saints game last year, but the writing was on the wall in the NFCCG and his fate was sealed in this year’s Giants game when he was so terrible.
I think that quarterbacks are more important than you indicate, but overall you nailed what the front office and Harbaugh will do. Harbaugh is interested in the upside, and the suits are interested in the bottom line.
I’m interested in hanging on to as many of the best players as possible. Some people forget that Walsh and DeBartolo didn’t have to deal with a salary cap. In fact the salary cap is a tribute to them.
Oh I am not diminishing the importance of QB, but I think importance lies more in the intangibles the QB brings to the team, leadership, confidence, clutch ability etc. that’s what makes the QB position so important.
Really what I am trying to point out is that we appear to be VERY concerned with how we are getting the W’s. Because if it was only W’s that mattered this whole black cloud with Smith would’ve dissipated by now(i think). I mean somethings still got everyone’s panties in a twist with Smith at the wheel, it can’t be his W-L record(at least since Harbaugh got here) it can’t be his clutch ability(outdueled Brees twice in 3mins) so its got to be stats related right? The ultimate point to this whole blurb is, we need to be careful. What if we are still winning but getting Smith type play/stats from Kap for the next couple years, say the NFL figures him out, etc and that’s that, what then? We maybe as fans need to worry less about how we get W’s and be more happy that we are.
And maybe it’s really late and I am rambling far too much about philosophical things in a football blog!
https://m.facebook.com/sharer.php?u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.youtube.com%2Fwatch%3Fv%3DZn4K5TtoHXg%26sns%3Dfb&t=NFL+Films+Presents+-+Alex+Smith&_rdr
This pretty much sums it up. It’s hilarious because I’ve heard all of it before.
Honestly, I think people are blowing the Kaepernick/Smith comparisons out of proportion.
Kaepernick can do things Smith can’t and so he provides big play opportunities, but he also relies a lot of his athleticism and creates opportunities for the other team. For the criticism of Smith’s conservative approach (or executing the plays exactly as he’s coached), he doesn’t provide many opportunities for the opposing defenses and does a good job of keeping his team in good field position.
Although Smith doesn’t create as many big plays, he is capable of threading the needle when he needs to. The offense, with him under center, put up 36 on these guys in the playoffs. Sure, they were on the road today, but Kaepernick led the offense to 17 points against this Saints D that isn’t as good as last year’s. My point isn’t that either guy is better, but that Kaepernick doesn’t drastically improve the offense compared to Smith.
I think the team has just as good of a chance with either player, so why not show some loyalty to the guy who’s stuck through the franchise’s darkest days and who reached into his own wallet to rent a stadium so he could install Harbaugh’s offense during last year’s lockout?
I am so confused with you people. The big complaint about smith is that he didn’t win game, the D did. Kap had a decent game. He’s good. But I would MUCH rather have Smith under center.
So you Kap lovers and Smith haters, just go look at the stats. Look at this game’s stats, then go look at Smith’s stats. Hello? Is anyone with a brain reading this?
The 9′ers were not broken, in fact just the opposite. And, Smith was proving to everyone just how good he is. So we stick Kap in instead, he has a decent game and everyone’s high on it? Even though he ran the offense like Smith would (just not quite as good). Get a clue people. This is the downfall of the 9′ers this season. I love my team, but I’m disgusted with the coaching decisions. You don’t pull the guy that got you where you want to be so you can start your little cub. Smith is the man who got us here. Let him finish the season, and then send him packing, but don’t do it this way. I’ve lost all respect for the coach on this one. This is NOT how a team is run.
So in the end, it was our D that once again won it for us DESPITE the errors on Kap’s end. Though he did play a good game, it was filled with little flaws that Smith does not have. But I’m afraid that the Smith days are over, going back now would mean our coach got a brain. But, he would never admit he was wrong, even when logic dictates it.
KoolMD
One sack taken in 2 games and 8 big plays over that time.
It took Alex 9 games to get 22 big plays. Alex’s winning was predicated on short, conservative passes and protecting the football. In this year’s Giants game, you saw a defense that understood how to attack that style of play, shut down the short passes, and nullify the ball protection by getting 3 picks in one game.
You ought not point to stats. Just open your unbiased eyes and watch what’s obvious: CK is a MUCH better player than Alex. Alex showed that he can’t beat the Giants. Letting him play out the season and then sending him packing would equate to conceding the NFC to the Giants in 2012.
KMD,
You use an emotionally charged moniker “Kap Lovers/Smith Haters” to try and reduce the opinion of those who support CK. I’m a person who supports the switch to CK, but I like Alex Smith. I think Alex is a capable starter in this league. I simply believe that CK is better equipped to lead this team to victory when other elements of the team break down, so let’s take the emotionally-driven false duality of HATE ALEX/LOVE KAPPY out of it, for just a moment. I don’t think decision makers like JH buy into such absurd things and neither should fans.
You refer to little flaws about CK. I would say every QB has flaws; it’s just a matter of how they get dealt with. What do you think CK’s flaws are? Are they correctable? How do those perceived flaws inhibit him from being a better QB than Alex? You also claim that people should “just look at the stats”. Why not cite the stats you’re referring to, to better support your case? I’ll cite some for you: since taking over at starter, Kaepernick has a higher QBR, a higher passer rating, better ypa, better ypc (indicates more complex throws) and we have a better 3rd down conversion rate as a team. Couple that with the fact this kid has only started 2 games, has an intense competitive drive and a commitment to improve, things will only get better.
Brooks who finished with an int for a td and 1 ½ sacks also had five
tackles, two quarterback hits and one tackle behind the line of scrimmage.
It was one of his best games as a 49er, and he did it in front of his mother, grandmother and a crowd of cousins, with whom Brooks would spend holidays and summers when he was a boy.
Classic Stuff.
JCarter
Nice piece! I’d like to see Brooks take DPoW honors like Aldon did last week. I thought his performance was that good.
I thought CK played well, but an A- seems like a serious fanboy letter grade. We watched the 49ers defense dominate one of the best offenses in the league. But the New Orleans defense isn’t exactly stellar. They fall somewhere between “pretty darn bad” and “horrible.” Maybe some of you don’t realize how bad they are. But statistically, the 49ers offense performed pretty badly against them. You all do realize they give up an average of 28 points per game, right? And 231 yards passing against a defense that has been giving up an average of 300 yards passing per game doesn’t impress me. Matt Cassel put up more yards against them. Josh Freman lit them up for over 400 yards and 3 TDs. CKs zero sacks was great, but NO only averages 2 sacks per game this season, so I sort of expect that vs a mobile QB.
And Drew Brees doesn’t typically gift a pair of interception/touchdowns. Brees on the money and the 49ers D not playing crazy good, and the score would have looked lopsided in the opposite direction based on the 49ers offense performance. I thought CK played well, but the love fest going on here is a bit odd. Personally, I expected a lot more from him than 17 points and 231 yards against that horrible Saints D. I think an A- grade is a bit ridiculous, and indicated a performance where the QB carries the D, not vice versa.
Refreshing to see some reason with the latest posts on this blog. I’m first and foremost a 49er fan…I’m stoked they won last night. But starting with your initial post, Grant (CK is the future, etc. etc.) there is a childish glee about Kaep on here that I can’t help but think is reflective of some irrational dislike of Alex Smith.
Niners
It’s a child-like glee, and it has everything to do with the unabashed joy that Colin Kaepernick plays with. It is infectious and his play has the capacity to take this team to several Lombardi trophies.
Smith was abused and maligned by everyone in the Niners organization until Harbaugh got here, and he’s played cautiously as a result. When he throws caution to the wind and is aggressive, he becomes a very good QB, but that is not is nature. A Superbowl victory was just not in the cards for Alex.
http://sports.yahoo.com/news/nfl–week-12-winners-losers–colin-kaepernick-makes-niners-look-like-potential-super-bowl-champs-041441132.html
From a Niner:
“We practice that stuff all the time with Colin,” Miller said. “He has the unique ability to extend plays and make something happen when you think it’s dead. He opens up so much more. The amount of things you can do with him is endless.”
As someone who has seen every 49er QB from Albert to Kaepernick, I am rejoicing at the emergence of CK, who only after two games has left me with the impression that he is clearly our best QB since Young and is very capable of taking us to the Super Bowl this season.
He is by nature a risk taker and a very exciting athlete. His ability to avoid the rush is the most stark difference between he and Alex. His superior passing ability should be obvious to any true Niner fan who simply wants this team to not only win but dominate. That will never happen with Alex.
Now it’s time to take the $8.5 million that Alex would have received and sign Dashon Goldson and Isaac Sopoaga to long-term deals. Goldson has clearly proven his value and Soap is the most underrated player on the defense. It’s interesting that when an opponent makes a big run up the middle which doesn’t happen very often, it’s on “obvious” passing plays where Soap was pulled. Keep every cog of that defense together.
See you at the Super Bowl.
Thanks for the perspective from a charter member of the Faithful.
I agree that he is our best QB since Young. I have seen them all from Title to Kap, cant say I saw Albert. To those who cannot see it yet all I can say it is just a matter of time till they will. No use arguing as the truth will become more apparent as time moves forward. I believe that barring injury Alex has made his last start in SF.
Goldson yes Sopoaga i do’nt think so. RJF is ready to take over Ian Williams can back him up and we can use Smiths salary and Sopoaga”s . managing the salary cap will be very dificult going foreward
How many of us are there? My most memorable moment from Frankie Albert’s time was a play where he was running around in his own end zone. Finialy he threw the ball as far as he could to Joe Arenas who was standing all alone past the 49er forty yard line. There was no one within twenty yards of Arenas, but the ball hit him in the chest and bounced off. Them were the days. Albert, at 5′ 9″ and 166lbs played both ways.
Enjoy
I feel as a true 49er faithful we need to give Alex Smith his praise too. He led the niners to the playoffs last year and he was having a good year so far this year. We did not give up on kyle Williams for his fumbles in last years playoff. So we should lighten up a little on Alex. I enjoy watching Colin play just as much as the other 49er fans do. This is a team sport and we need everyone to reach the ultimate goal which is the superbowl. Jim harbaugh is tired of hearing about Alex and Colin and I am tired of hearing about it. Let us just enjoy the 49ers and support whoever is leading the team to victory.
I would give Kap a lower grade than an A-. I’m thinking a solid B border line B+. He looked unbelievable out there 80% of the time the other 20% he looked like a young raw QB. his int was a very stupid play, he should have eaten the ball or thrown a checkdown. He should have had another int in the end zone but Moss made a great play on what was a terrible pass. he had great difficulty with crowd noise and silent counts. He is definetly our QB of the future and the future is bright but he is going to have growing pains and he might even lose a game or two. I believe his growing pains will be worth it though.
Yeah, the Int was a bad forced ball. He had the underneath guy open, but I don’t know if he ever looked there. The timing was all off after the snap.
Kap has played very well in the last three games, but I am not ready to put him in the pro bowl yet.
The A- grade is over the top and not supported by the facts. I think he had a solid B, maybe B+. He threw one interception and Moss saved him from another. He also had the two delay of game penalties. If Alex played the same game you would give him a B and point out how the defense bailed him out. Grant; your bias against Alex is clear as is your bias in favor of Colin. Frankly I would expect better from you.
I do expect Kap to start and I think he has earned it. I think his numbers would have been better and the score higher but for the penalties the O. line commited.
The biggest test for Colin is going to be the Pats. They are very good at taking away what a QB wants to do, so he and the rest of the team will have to adapt.
You’re outraged because I gave him an A- instead of a B+. Frankly, I would expect better from you.
Outrage? Sad.
I don’t think he’s outraged Grant. I think he’s got a point, actually. Kaep played pretty well, but was far from perfect. His performance was Smithesque in it’s “pretty good” ness. Two scoring drives against the worst D in the NFL?
I was impressed by his scrambling though, that’s the element that he’s shown me he brings that Alex doesn’t have. Aside from that he’s been up and down…hopefully he improves and the sky’s the limit!
I didn’t give him a perfect A+. His performance was much better than “Smithesque.” Kap would have had 300-350 yards passing if it weren’t for the drops and the penalties.
Grant is not the only Bay Area writer to give Kaepernick an A- grade.
Kaep’s performance was easily worthy of an A-/B+ grade. It was very impressive.
But he didn’t get 300-350 yards. He got 230. Seeing as the Saints give up an average of 300 passing yards per game and average giving up 28 points per game (and yes, those other QBs all have drops and penalties as well,) he just didn’t impress me all that much. Would you have given Matt Cassel an A+ in his game against the Saints? Would Freeman get an A+++++++? An A- seems exceedingly generous against that terrible Saints D when so many other QBs in the league have done much better against it.
Then again, I assume the letter grades are based on performance as opposed to the league wide body of work. If it is a “weighted” grade (ie, second year, second round draft pick in his 2nd start, so he gets a big padding) then I guess it makes sense. But if it is meant to reflect his performance as compared to other QBs, A- is crazy based on what I’ve seen other QBs do to the Saints this year. If Brees and the offensive wasn’t so damn good, the Saints probably wouldn’t have a win this season. Their D is that bad.
Angus,
you mention that Kaep in his two starts is up and down. Given his output which includes an increase in yards per game, yards per catch and rushing yards where is the down part? He’s completed over 60% of his passes in both games.
As I mentioned above. Kaep has only been sacked once in the last two games. Smith was sacked 6 times in the last game and a half.
I’m just baffled at the up and down part. So I have to ask.
Bay,
He’s had some ugly plays. The non-throws to Williams and Davis (in the st. louis game, i think), the int (which I partly blame on the bad snap – they were all at his ankles for about a half…crap snapping), the throw yesterday where Moss had to play DB…
Don’t get me wrong though, I’ve been impressed. The bears game in particular. Nothing to criticize in that game at all. We’re going to be a better team in the long run with him under center, and we may already be better.
Angus, I heard that low throw snap excuse a couple of times today and that is bogus. He had no pressure and just fired it toward KW. Just plain bad! I think JH saw that play and the one RM broke up and just shuddered!
*low snap*
“I think JH saw that play and the one RM broke up and just shuddered!”
Curious, what was Harbaugh’s shudder like when he watched Smith actually throw the pick in the end zone against Seattle?
Harbaugh must have had a grand mal seizure when he watched Alex’ three picks again the Giants.
JH saw how the NYGs handled GB yesterday. ARodgers sacked 5 times and had a pick. He’s elite and didn’t fair well. It happens!!
So the failure of Aaron Rodgers is going to impact Harbaugh’s decision on the QB of his team?
The weak defense of the saints talk. Well this kid in only his second start against this team was only out scored by 3 other teams this season. The saints were hot and at home in that loud stadium. Ck went in there and beat them like a drum. Especially on 3rd downs. Quit the hate Smithers! Smith will be starting. But next season he’s gone. You might want ck to start the rest of the season. That way there is a “chance” he fails and smith is safe. If he sits he will be starting next season.
“But his performance was extraordinary”
What was so extraordinary about it? Last week against the Bears it was extraordinary. This week eh, defense won the game not the offense. CK managed the game very well. He is very elusive and has a real strong arm. This is CKs team in now, but extraordinary nah. This is one of the worst if not worst defenses in the NFL and he could only put up 17 points against them. What is so extraordinary about that? He threw a stupid and I mean a stupid interception. That for sure wasnt extraordinary. Couldnt get a play off twice, thats extraordinary, yea right. I liked a lot what CK did last week, but not this week he wasnt extraordinary. This week he was average. Next week hopefully he lifts his game back up.
My expectations are now that the QB has changed and the reason it has changed because CK is better then AS. Now follow me here, if AS took us to the NFC championship game with a lot less talent, then is it not to be expected that CK takes us to the Super Bowl. Nothing less would make this change at this time look very foolish. For me to fully embrace CK, and not get caught up in a couple of games and the hyperboyle is that CK takes us to the Super Bowl. CK is now the man and I am 100 percent behind him and hope he plays great football and bring back the Trophy to the Niners.
Escaping constant pressure, converting almost half his third downs, making about 10 throws most quarterbacks could not, playing like a veteran in a tough road game.
Kaepernick would have had even better stats if it weren’t for a few holding penalties.
Grant
But that makes him extraordinary? Dont think so, lots of QBs have done that and will do that. Last week he was extraordinary this week eh. Now Grant no excuses/reasons allowed, M67 would get on you for that after all we have heard nothing but excuses for 7 or 8 years. Your third down conversions are at play here and CK did well in that important area.
The 25-yard throw to Delanie Walker on third and 11 was extra extraordinary. The scramble and throw to Crabtree down the sideline that was called back was extraordiary. The throw that Crabtree dropped on third and 14 was extraordinary. The deep out passes were extraordinary. The way he escaped pressure on nearly every play was extraordinary.
Well maybe our definition of extraordinary is different. I view extraordinary as something that is very uncommon and I dont see anything that he did that was really uncommon unless your making comparisons to AS and if you are then I can see your point. Lots of QBs in this league have done what CK has done in that game. Nothing to gush about. Now last week that was a different story that was extraordinary.
Two extraordinary throws on the 9+ minute drive. The out to Crabtree from his own 8, and the seam shot to Walker. Those were elite level throws.
Forget Alex Smith. No 49er QB for the last 10 years could make those throws.
Grant why are you such a baby when we comment on your reporting? Does the truth hurt or you jut don’t have the stones to deal with it?
The defense saved CK yesterday. All those wins under Alex you attributed to the defense when he was part of those wins. Now under CK and with what happened in the game against the Saints where they basically won that game, no mention. Don’t delete the comment, man up and state why!
Grant – Ban this clown
Why do you continue to allow Prime Time to comment on your blog? He just questioned whether you are a man.
Running for One TD and throwing for another TD against one of the WORST defenses on the NFL, is NOT exactly extraordinary!
Kap is a talent, but is he worth a controversy? Only the playoffs will tell…………..
Another quadruple poster, get a life. You can always when Smith is in turmoil because a bunch of “new” posters suddenly show up and repeat the ramblings of the Smith Sniffers.
What a fun game to watch yesterday! I think CK earned an A-, it’s his second start and was in one of the most hostile environments in the NFL. The crowd noise didn’t phase him as some anticipated, and he did everything that was asked of him.
Yes, he made mistakes and there are things he still has to learn, but it’s becoming more and more apparent that he’s going to be scary good once he’s got more experience.
My biggest issue with Alex over the last few years has been his accuracy – specifically ball placement. The stats will tell you he’s very efficient and completes a high percentage of passes. What they don’t tell you is how many are too high, too low, to the wrong shoulder, etc and limit the ability of the WR’s to get YAC.
CK’s ball placement the last two games have been great – ball is being delivered to spots that give the WR’s opportunity to extend plays and to run away from the defenders. They’re getting more chances to catch it on the run and not always having to stop and adjust to the pass. His accuracy and mobility make him much more of a threat to opposing defenses than Smith.
Whether it’s this year or next, I’m looking forward to having CK as the unquestioned starter of the team.
+1
9er girl, I agree with you that Kaep’s done well, shown nice accuracy on the short and intermediate routes, but I don’t think accuracy was necessarily a weak spot with Smith. He lead the league in comp %, and he’s right up there in YPA. That just doesn’t happen if you’re not accurate.
Kaep is starting because of his mobility, in and out of the pocket, and his howitzer arm, but not because of any accuracy issue with Smith
I had the same thought Grant. Alex doesn’t escape the Sants pressure last night. You idiots who rip Grant for hypotheticals obviously haven’t watched Smith play quarterback all these years. Kaep actually keeps his head up while scrambling and continues to look down field — Smith tucks and falls.
Chris Everett!
Ouch. Jim Rome just clinched up.
Experiment. Curious to see if this works:
No. Pos G GS QBrec Cmp Att Cmp% Yds TD TD% Int Int% Lng Y/A AY/A Y/C Y/G Rate QBR Sk Yds NY/A ANY/A Sk% 4QC GWD
11 Alex Smith QB 9 9 6-2-1 152 217 70.0 1731 13 6.0 5 2.3 55 8.0 8.1 11.4 192.3 104.1 69.83 24 137 6.61 6.76 10.0
7 Colin Kaepernick qb 8 2 2-0-0 48 74 64.9 680 3 4.1 1 1.4 57 9.2 9.4 14.2 85.0 102.3 79.58 6 46 7.93 8.11 7.5 1 0
32 Kendall Hunter 11 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0.0 0.02 1 4 -4.00 -4.00 100.0
Team Total 11 8-2-1 200 291 68.7 2411 16 5.5 6 2.1 57 8.3 8.5 12.1 219.2 103.6 31 187 6.91 7.06 9.6 1 0
Opp Total 11 224 374 59.9 2263 12 3.2 10 2.7 6.1 5.49 10.1 205.7 76.8 28 203 5.1 4.6 7.0
Mmmm… nope.
Stats comparing the two QBs: http://www.pro-football-reference.com/teams/sfo/2012.htm
Worth a read.
Smaller chunks of data (with the current font size should work).
One more experiment:
Cmp% TD% Int% Lng Y/C Rate QBR
Alex Smith 70.0 6.0 2.3 55 11.4 104.1 69.83
Colin Kaepernick 64.9 4.1 1.4 57 14.2 102.3 79.58
Kendall Hunter 0 0.02
Team Total 68.7 5.5 2.1 57 12.1 103.6
Opp Total 59.9 3.2 2.7 10.1 76.8
Never mind. The styles aren’t set up correctly. :(
I think the QB discussion has moved past Alex Smith, we are now just discussing the merits of CK his strengths, his weakness’s. If he plays well it stands alone. If he plays poorly it also stands alone. I do’nt believe we will see AS starting a game again unless there is an injury.
I think finally we can put that arguement aside. I’m curious though, i believe some people are’nt happy with out something to bitch about, so now that they do’nt have AS to kick around anymore who is there next target going to be. Lets wait and see.
David Akers
Anthony Davis
David Akers. And deservedly so.
Definitely Akers .. Should of had 6 more points in that game-still wouldn’t convince the Smithers though
I’m amazed that 8 people voted that Alex Smith should get the start against the Rams!
Who could they POSSIBLY be?
8?
BS, Prime, Axel, OneNiner, Latino Heat, Hofer, FDM and Ribico.
There are more. You forgot angus, jdilla, and onelames many new ……..screen…names….
I voted for Kaep, thankyou.
You seem to be confused as to my position. I want the 49ers to win. Kaep appears to be the guy to get it done. I appreciate what he brings, and I also defer to Harbaugh’s judgment.
I also appreciate what Smith brings, and recognize the high level of play from him under Harbaugh. Others, however, have been so invested with blaming Smith for the teams failures pre-Harbaugh (and pre-any talent on the o-line), that they hold to idiotic and untenable positions about Smith’s play. I am glad I’m not one of those people.
No angus I KNOW and remember well when you were calling him out of his name and discrediting him when he was getting part time work. It’s cool. Jump on the bandwagon now. Bet me you didn’t.
Are you still whining about my “Kaepercrapper” comment MD? lol.
Like I said before, I don’t like the play (the “Kaeperkeeper” option play, that is). That’s why I called it the “Kaepercrapper”. Are you going to get over it?
If my feeling was that Smith should be the starter going forward, I’d state that. I don’t care enough about what you think to be dishonest on a bloody blog, fer christ sake.
I think Smith is starter material on at least 1/2 the teams in the league, but I’ve been very impressed by Kaepernick, and I love his ability to avoid pressure and still make a play with his arm.
It is comical now that the tables have turned when smith isn’t under center the comments all praise the qb. For someones 2nd game CK played pretty well. Had some really nice downfield throws and showed off that arm strength. I understand why we drafted him now. Like some have referenced though, if you replace CK’s name with Smith, people on here are complaining that the defense won the game and not him. 2 different styles of quarterback play, and yet they achieved relativley the same statistical output. Just goes to show there are always two ways to achieve a goal. The only huge difference that really stood out was CK’s ability to avoid the rush.
That is something that cannot be taught and CK excels at. Beside that, it was more or less the same game. CK achieved a victory with longer passes, less efficiency. If you think Smith could not have won this game with the defense scoring 14 points you are kidding yourself, just flat out hate Smith and I have every right to call you the equivalent of a smither, in regards to CK.
Do I agree we needed to make a qb change midseason, in first place in the division? No. I think Smith should still be quarterbacking and we would still be winning. The defense will be always be the real quarterback of this team. That said, I will follow Harbaugh wherever he takes us. If he believes CK is ready to start, so be it, ride or die as they say. I wish Smith well. Will always respect your passion and commitment to want to prove and play infront of a fan base that mostly rootes against you in every game. Bring on the lambs!
So you are saying you are smarter than Harbaugh and he is making a mistake?
How could you infer that from reading my comment? Read it again.
@jdilla:
You’ll have to excuse bay. He has been smacked down with that question many times. He has been dying to use it on someone else and I think he simply jumped the gun with you.
jdilla,
You hit on the underlying point of this whole thing; New QB-same style of winning. This is the formula this team uses. The irony is Smith was bashed by many over the fact the defense played a huge part in victories, yet when it happens with Kap at the helm it’s dismissed and Kap is praised as having played a major role in the victory. Kap was excellent yesterday but the simple fact is, so far the formula is the same, the style of winning is the same and the team is successful. We have a hell of a Coaching staff.
rocket,
Glad we’re thinking on the same level. You can truly appreciate this coaching staff when looking back at the dysfunctional array of coaches we hired before. Unfortunately I think Roman will be gone if not next year, the year after. He’s too talented not to at least try out being the head coach somewhere. I can see Vic staying around longer though, he likes his defensive weapons.
Regarding the Poll;
Although I didn’t/don’t agree with the original choice to start Kaepernick I do believe at this point that it would be more detrimental to try and switch back and forth. So stick with Kaepernick.
Yes. CK is not the second coming of the Joe Montana. I get it. Yes. Alex Smith has been consistently solid for us the last two years. I get it. And while I think its reasonable to assume CK will have some growning pains, I believe he’s the real deal. While I think AS could possibly play well enough for a Super Bowl run, lets remember how many field goals we had to rely on last year because he plays so conservative. Last year, when Akers was lights out. This year, not so much. Come playoff time, I think this will be a major problem. I cant understand why some people are completely ripping Harbaugh for this decision. Is it risky? Sure. And its not like he has any history of completely turning around losing football programs and making stars of their QBs! Oh wait….
Bottom line- some of you are satisfied with the way we played last year with Alex at the helm. You spit out last year’s record, and you assume since we went to the Conference Championship and our personnel hasn’t changed much, that we’re going to be back there again. And you further assume that a fluke or two in that game is all that prevented us from being Super Bowl champions.
Well I’ve got some news for you. What we did last year guarantees nothing. Do you think that every other team has remained the same as last year?
If you’re not looking to improve, you’re getting worse by virtue of other teams getting better.
Alex gave us a very slim margin of error last year. Any mistakes at all and we were done. We can’t rely on that, hence the move to CK. He actually strikes some fear in the opposing defense.
Alex has reached his ceiling, plain and simple. For him to raise that ceiling, he needs to lose everything, not the least of which is the starting position. Once he roams around the league looking for another job, he might try and lay it on the line for once and take some risks. Not happening here. He needs to get uncomfortable and go elsewhere. Start over, have nothing to lose.
With CK, we may or may not win it all this year. Certainly with just a few games left, we put ourselves in a position of going into the playoffs with an inexperienced QB. I don’t care. I’d rather take that chance to get better than waste another year with the same ho-hum offense with Alex that scares no one.
Smithers- get out of your comfort zone. Take a chance. Deep down inside you know CK has far greater upside. Why not roll with him and see how great we can be? Or you can stay in your comfort zone and be solid but never great. Choice is yours. Harbaugh is a tough cat to figure out, but he seems to not like standing still. Think Bruce Bochy, with less patience and a lot more motivational qualities, but pretty much the same instincts about player personnel decisions.
There are no more smithers out there so can we please for gods sake put the labling to rest. i have not read a single post today that said we should bench Kap and start Smith. I have Gagged on the whole pro Smith\anti Smith screaming match that has gone on here forever. NO MORE. Kap is our starter Alex is our very capable back up for the rest of this year. Now GO NINERS
I think you need to scroll up. The Smithers are definitely still here, although their numbers have dwindled. If you read you might see a few here saying Alex should be the starter, albeit frankly, they’re grasping at straws at this point.
It sounds like you are the one still grasping at the alex smith straws. Your whole identity is tied to him and you’d have to change your name (again) if he goes away.
Just read this and it makes me think we’ll be seeing either Jenkins or LMJ or perhaps both activated for the next game depending on Hunter’s injury:
http://blog.sfgate.com/49ers/2012/11/25/report-49ers-fear-kyle-williams-tore-knee-ligaments/
Are you stuck at Pappa as well because of the SFO fog Grant or did you get out last night?
I am wondering if AS regrets saying taking a sack is not such a bad thing.
I’m pretty sure if he regrets something it was telling coach that he was seeing double. Easy to assume that if he had been able to stay in that game none of these conversations would be happening.
I love Kaepernick, but it’s only fair to point out that if Alex Smith played the exact same game, you would have written this, Grant:
“Alex Smith: C+ Made some good throws but only managed two touchdowns on 10 possessions. Threw one bad interception when he tried to do too much. Would have had a second interception – perhaps a pick-6 – if not for Moss saving the day. Most of his yards came after the catch, and are credit to his receivers. Didn’t connect once with Vernon Davis, the 49ers best playmaker.”
Seriously, Grant. I’m not an AS apologist. I was happy with CK’s game. But there’s no chance in heck you give Smith an A- if he played the exact same game.
100% agree. Grant would have given Smith nothing better then a B- and I can guarantee you $1000 he would have blamed Smith for not throwing more to VD.
That also illustrates probably his biggest failing; Grant is far to subjective in his writing.
I agree too, but mainly because Alex would have taken a handful of sacks and killed those drives CK extended. Simple.
If your comparing both QBs by the stats, your going about it wrong. Ck didn’t need to do more than what he did after they went up 2 scores. They went real conservative on offense. Why is CK being criticized for this? While this was Kap’s second start in one of the hardest places to play.
JSand3030,
You’re correct, they went conservative and CK did what he needed to get the win.
The point that Brady and Coffee are making is that Smith was criticized non-stop for exactly that, to the tune of a 20-6 record, Grant being one of the critics.
It’s not possible because Alex Smith could not haves se the throws Kapade. Alex Smith could not have escaped that pass rush that successfully. Smith does not run as fast as Kap does. So your hypothesis is an impossibility.
Jordan who was willing to put CK up for trade bait,
Understanding your unitelligible posts is what’s impossible.
Ex,
That’s what happens sometimes on an iphone. Still waiting for you to show me that trade post clown. Smith is done, just like I said he should be 5 years ago. thank God I won’t have to see his soft azz again. Keep feeling sorry for him. All the way to San Diego! Bye Alex! You’re done!
Try proof reading or get an adult to write your post. Then again, no one is listening except Neal.
Blog writers are payed primarily to editorialize not report and for a young writer Grant does a pretty good job. i give him a solid B\B+
Grant overreacts often and deals in absolutes but it works for him. He stirs things up and gets people talking. That’s what the blog is all about.
Right! Hes doing exactly what he needs to do as a blogger. He has 347 responses to this topic alone. Im not sure why people think this site is anything but what it is. Its a blog not a newspaper article.
@ old coach:
I see what you did there.
You might also hope that a blog writer would bring some degree of objectivity, maybe even a little nod to actual journalistic integrity once in a while. (As in reporting facts, [not just spewing opinions and repeating rumors], getting multiple sources for what you write, getting quotes from both sides of an issue…stuff like that. Yup, it’s a lot harder and more time consuming, but THAT’S how you earn respect as a writer.). Hey, some personal knowledge of the game would be good, too.
Not gonna find any of that here. Ever read any of the pre-game predictions? There’s your clue. The value of this blog lies in the comments, tedious as they can sometimes be. I’d say Grant gets a C-.
The good news is, he can always do some actual research and unbiased reporting, and bring that grade up. I’m hopeful, but after a couple of years, not holding my breath.
If you have such disdain for what’s written here why are you here?
As I said, Matt, ” The value of this blog lies in the comments”, even though, clearly, a lot of those who comment aren’t all that good at actually reading what others have posted.
Rusty
Grant loses cred points when he allows bloggers to bash others who had they directed those insults at him, they get deleted.
If you’re going to delete posts attacking you, you should have the consideration that those attacking other bloggers should be deleted as well. Or, be cool with both. You can’t (and Grant has) chosen to be fine with some bloggers writing whatever they want to other bloggers, but deletes others, and deletes those that attack him.
Something isn’t right about this.
If Alex do the same match, Grant mark a B-, or C+. No problem
For what it’s worth, my step dad is friends with a person that works in the 49ers front office. He had lunch with this person last week and was told that Smith was the guy when healthy. I thought it was interesting because my step dad is not a football fan at all, and didn’t even know who CK was. Just sharing an interesting tidbit.
@ BigP:
If that were to come about, some commenters’ heads would explode.
That IS interesting. I wonder if it’s still the case today?
If that’s the case, I think all SF fans are in a great position. We have two capable QBs and our Defense has stepped up to playing on a playoff calibur level. Really only one tough matchup left and we’ve already exceeded football insiders prediction we’d finish 7-9.
Agree, Matt; this IS a really good position for the team to be in, assuming all’s cool in the locker room. That may be a HUGE leap of faith, but we can hope!
When you say “only one tough matchup left”, I’m guessing you mean the Pats? They could be very tough, for sure, but I’m thinking the Lambs will definitely bring EVERYTHING they’ve got. Last time, it was nearly enough.
Big P,
I’m glad the source lied to him! Lol. The team will question JH from this point forth if he gives Alex Smith that job. Crabtree, Manningham, Vernon, Walker! We’ve not seen walker make 2 great catches in one game all year. At lest I know who you would start Big P.
@ 23jordan:
The team will question JH from this point forth if he gives Alex Smith that job.
Did you hear that from the same reliable source who told you that Josh Johnson earned the No. 2 QB spot in OTAs?
How do you think Alex played last week??
Do you think that if you pretend like you never said these things, we’ll forget them? We won’t.
Like when you said that the 49ers might as well trade Kaepernick because he wasn’t going to play this year? Because Josh Johnson had passed him on the depth chart?
Jordan, who liked JJ over CK,
So now you’re saying that AS was responsible for DW’s inability to catch the ball earlier in the season? CK somehow fixed DW? The kid is even better than I thought!
New Poll Question:
Is it fair to Kyle Williams that A.J. Jenkins will take his role as the #3 WR on the roster?
Yes, let’s see what we have in AJ Jenkins by getting some game time experience. Other rookie WRs are getting playing time and showing good production: Randall (Giants) and Sanu (Bengals) come to mind.
Is he ready to step into that role like CK was?
CK is in his 2nd year AJ is a rookie
I’ll re-post this in case you missed it, NO. It may be a moot poll you’re taking.
http://blog.sfgate.com/49ers/2012/11/25/report-49ers-fear-kyle-williams-tore-knee-ligaments/
Spaceborn
No moot point. Just a joke. If KW loses his job due to injury, blah blah blah…
Gotcha!
Thx for the link. I read it before putting up my poll. It was the source of my good (?) humor!
It was funny, but I’m a little slow out of the gate this morning due Bushmill-shot flu during the 2nd half yesterday, lol.
It’s getting harder and harder to come on here and wade through the junk trying to find some good football posts. It doesn’t matter who the QB is, it seems we will forever be damned with the Smither/Anti Smither flame war, even when Smith isn’t playing. We have people chastizing Smith for wearing his helmet when that is the only way he can hear the play call…seriously you guys need to give your heads a shake and stop overreacting to every screen shot of the guy.
Just as fans should have been behind Smith when he was playing, we should be supporting Kap now. He’s had two starts and two wins. He’s playing extremely well for how little he’s played and the team is winning. That’s what it’s all about, at least to me. I cheer the sweater, I’m a Niner fan. I want to see wins and I don’t care how they happen. If Harbaugh says Kap is our best chance to win a Championship, that’s good enough for me. I like Alex, and I think he’s good enough to win with, but Kap has played just as well in these two starts and has shown a superior ability to escape pressure and convert 3rd downs. Instead of being angry, some of you need to focus on the big picture: Winning the SB. That is all that matters and Harbaugh is showing the stones to go for it no matter what the perception is.
The team is playing the same style of game with Kap as they did with Alex and the team has responed well. Kap is making the plays he needs to make and the defense was fantastic for the most part yesterday. Get excited about a real opportunity to win the 6th Lombardi people. This QB debate is so tired and boring. It’s about the team; not Smith vs. Kap. Smith may be needed at some point or he may never play for the 9ers again. Either way, it’s the 49ers playing every week and hopefully winning the SB. It really is time to end this fruitless QB debate and just enjoy what this team is doing.
The front 7 started out a bit slow yesterday, but boy did they turn it on in the 2nd half.
Jack,
No doubt, especially when they didn’t have to play the run anymore. Brees was under siege in the second half. It was fun to watch. If you can keep Brees and Co. to under 300 yards in that dome, you can stop anybody anywhere anytime. It’s all about consistency now because when this team shows up with their A game they are pretty near unbeatable.
@ Jack, rocket:
I too loved what the defense did yesterday, but I still worry about their [lack of] ability to shut down/slow down Victor Cruz and Wes Welker.
I agree, Claude. That’s a primary concern going forward.
Jack
While you’re watching the All-22 this week, pay attention to how Fangio’s ILB Blitz packages loosened up the Saints OL. That was markedly new tactic employed by this D, and it worked wonders. Once they used it a few times, the OL was on its heels and the Niners were then able to get pressure with just 4. Brees had nowhere to go with the ball and the game was over.
Claude,
We may get a pretty good look at that this Sunday if Amendola’s heel is better.
@ Jack:
Yeah, if Amendola plays, it gives the team two chances to practice against such a receiver before the playoffs.
Rocket, Another good post, as I had stated you are the only Smither, that has valid points and thinks objectively. The Smithers in general are the same as the haters, now that being said. If you can’t see the difference in their play, then you might need glasses, glad JH does.
Neal,
I said the team is using the same system to win as they did with Smith. The differences in their abilities are obvious. Kap has better arm strength and escapability but is a second year player with little playing time under his belt. One of the best attributes Smith has is not putting his defense in harms way with turnovers. If Kap can do the same, then he deserves to keep the job because he does offer more explosiveness than Smith does. It remains to be seen whether Kap continues to play well or hits the wall. The good thing is we have another option if it happens.
Rocket,
I hope you appreciate Neal’s graciousness towards you. It takes a big man to credit a Smither like you with objective thinking and valid points.
Of course, he followed it up with a slam, but, hey, he’s only human. You were asking for it Smither!
agreed
do like that CK….athleticism
i kind of thought the refs were pretty tight on the home team….the pass moss broke up was definitely pass interference….but a good one because it could have been a pick six the opposite direction…also the CK rushing TD could have been a holding on miller why that guy couldn’t get over to fill the gap CK took while having eyes on CK, well it wasn’t called….
great win for the #2 seed ….
again all ready for the secrecy fest this week…..this isn’t about QBs anymore it is all about JH….JH was never seriously entertaining manning…he would never give up the reins to somebody who took his job 10yrs ago and would want free reign to run the niner offense according to manning….JH has elevated AS game and it looks for now he is taming/training the new horse the way he wants to….
Niners at least for this year have a good situation….CK was able to get a start against the bears he probably wouldn’t have and the bears defense simply failed to show up on the road calling it the obama curse….and the saints defense was what we thought they were, sucky…and if it wasn’t for the great niner defense who really knows….
CK does have escapability and that is the thing that separates the two athletes at the moment…..ok i will give you speed of the throw as well but that can be somewhat mitigated if the brain is used….but for now CK does appear more dynamic but after two games i can’t say i trust him simply because he hasn’t face the giants, the ravens the steelers, and on and on….the future defenses will have to step it up to contain CK once they figure his tendencies and control the gaps
i am on board with CK but will not bad mouth AS because he is good as well and way more battle tested
Hahaha Cmon guys just watch the game. JH still had training wheels on an 8 year vet and he’s comfortable opening up the offense with essentially a rookie at qb. No more talk about Alex Smith, Rams fans aren’t still talking about Deiter Brock because he stunk and so does alex. If you aren’t enjoying this team and a dynamic talent at qb instead of mediocrity you aren’t a 49er fan. Real niners fans are behind you 100% Colin!!! Keep up the excellent play!!!
Was it just me or did the saints WR’s look like they did’nt want the ball in the second half? Whitner and Goldson remind me soooooo much of Carlton Williamson and Ronnie Lott. We need to make sure they are both tied up for at least the next 3 seasons. This years D is the hardest hitting D i’ve seen in a long long time. Actually Whitner really reminds me of Mel Phillips from the late 60′s early 70′s
I noticed it too old coach. The hits on Colston and Moore were devastating and had the receivers looking for contact instead of focusing on the pass at times. I’m starting to think Goldson has to be resigned after the season. His game just keeeps getting better and better and he’s developed a reputation as a hitter that intimidates people.
Yeah its amazing what they’ve done all year. It started with the first game. Remember the Green Bay game when all the WRs started getting alligator arms?
I was thinking the same thing yesterday, how physical our DB’s were playing and making the Saints wr”s pay for every catch.
Old Coach,
Nice Mel Phillips reference!
When Alex faces 3rd and 15 the biggest play he will look for is an 8 to 10 yard throw, hoping the receiver can gain the extra yardage for a 1st. If that is not available he will dump it to gore for 2 yards. In the same situation kap looks for the big play past the sticks. If its not available he either dumps it off or takes off running. The reason Alex doesn’t look down the field is simple, he knows he doesn’t have the arm to throw that kind of pass.
We talk intangibles when it comes to Kaepernick. Here’s one more. YAC.
I think receivers are getting more YAC with Kapernick in because the defense is having to keep one defender in to account for Kaepernick’s mobility while the defense has to respect the middle to deep part of the field. This opens up more holes for our speedy receiving core to break the man tackle and turn small gains into large gains. That’s something Alex Smith doesn’t bring to the offense.
With Smith you can cut out the deep game and just keep everything in front of you. That prevents YAC.
I think the best thing I’ve seen from this qb change is that the team hasn’t changed it’s philosophy. The games look the same but with a little more flash from the qb position. My concern when CK got the Bears start was we’d see some option crap, Newton or worse Tebow style, but so far he looks like a legit qb and not just a guy that runs a gimmick offense.
OK, so if we look at the important stats (yes, stats matter) we have some interesting stuff. Not yet enough to give us a decent margin of error for prediction but still interesting.
1) Looking at the third down conversions. In the last three games we’re actually below our season average of 36.5% but in the last game (and four games totaled up when you include the Cards game) we’re up 10 points on the average. The Rams game was pretty much the big let down. If the last four games could be used for an entire season though, we’d be third in the league in conversions. So we have Smith with 1.5 games and CK with roughly 2.5 games. Of course not all games are created equal and the defense does have veto power but the conversions are better in the last four games.
We’re still ranked 20th in the league in 3rd down conversions but we’re ranked 2nd overall in the league (behind New England) in first downs per play, so what this means is that we’re gaining first downs by converting first and second down plays (and only 30%-40% of the time on third downs.) We’re striking earlier in the down series – primarily with the run game (as we know.)
2) Looking at yards per completion (because completions are all that count) we have CK leading at 14.2 vs. Alex at 11.4. Those extra three yards can be important, we saw a nine-minute drive yesterday that kept Brees off the field. That was excellent.
The TD% per pass attempt is still in Smith’s favor by about 2 percentage points. We’ll have to see where this one levels off after a few games.
3) Sack losses so far. Alex loses just over 15 yards per game. CK so far is losing 23 per game. But…
4) Looking at the rush stats, both QBs have about the same number of attempts but CK has somewhere around 100 more yards and 4 TDs. Advantage is clearly CK in the rush stats. The NFL doesn’t count sack losses in that total but even so, CK would clearly lead in the QB rush totals.
5) This is pretty interesting. Longest completed pass play is about the same, 55 for Smith, 57 for CK.
So… CK is giving us three more yards per completion at this point. Smith is giving us more TDs on average per series. In business we look at opportunity costs – the defensive scores yesterday were an opportunity cost for the offense, we don’t know (and will never know) whether CK could have strung together two more drives for scores or whether either would have been from pass plays. We’ll know more as the games go on.
Of course in a perfect world we’d have more data. CK’s numbers so far (statistically) don’t give us much more than a small trend. The trend is good compared to team (Smith’s) norms but we’ll need more games to see if these numbers hold and we’ll need to see if CK can pass for more TDs, instead of running them in in short yardage situations.
The eyeball test gives us a pretty good indication of what CK can do and the avg. yards per completion are better than Smith’s. Now what we have to see is better production in pass/TD ratio, like I mentioned above.
So far, so good I think. I suspect (but can’t prove) that Smith would have won the last two games, it just would have looked slightly different without about 30 yards less in total pass/YAC yards. Those 30 yards, by the way, can be the difference in a game but we don’t know (I don’t deal in absolutes) if they’d have definitively made a difference. Certainly better to have those extra yards than not.
So, my goal for CK (because I get to set them for him in my head – ha!) for the next couple of games is to increase that pass/TD ratio. If this happens and we do as well (or better) in post season, then from a purely economic standpoint (and taking all the riled up emotion out of it for everyone) there’s no need to pay Smith the roster bonus, they can cut him and save the $7 mil to bring in another role player or two or put it toward Goldson or Sopoaga, etc.
Just some Monday morning 2-cents.
That was more like a roll of pennies. Good stuff, Adam.
At the end of the day, he has lead the team to victory over two very good teams. One victory over one of the top defenses and another victory on the road, over a very hot team fighting for it’s playoff hopes. Pretty good for his first two starts. Now, if they tie the Rams again next week I’ll be pissed.
Adam, the situation between Smith and Kaepernick reminds me a lot of the evaluation process that companies do when planning to layoff employees. They use both subjective and objective statistical analysis when deciding who they keep around.
On one hand you have the long-term employee that they can objectively look at his/her track record over a length of time and can say, “Bob has been around a while and has been a very steady employee, shows up for work and does what he is asked to do but not in any spectacular fashion; usually makes his quotas but not by a large margin, etc.”
Or they can look subjectively at a new employee and say, “Bill is new and also always shows up for work, too, but he is also aggressive and is not satisfied with average work, has quick learning ability and possesses the desirable intangibles we’re looking for, etc.”
Lots of data on one employee, but the objective indicators say he is an average employee, whereas the subjective indicators imply that the other looks like a star of the future.
I think this is similar to the way the 49ers are looking at it.
Excellent write-up, Adam!
Adam,
I’ve got a stat for you. In AS’s last two games he dropped back to pass 27 times and was sacked 6 times. That’s one sack for every 4.5 drop backs and in those six sacks AS lost 37 yards.
In CK’s last two games as a starter, he dropped back 48 times and was sacked once for a 7 yard loss. His ability to elude a rush and keep a play alive has him being sacked once every 48 attempts. While the sample size is small, I used their last two games.
That’s definitely a positive, Bay. Keep those edge rushers playing contain and let CK sit in the pocket where he’s showing he is comfortable.
Since the start of last season, the Rams have given up an average of 23.7 points per road game.
In 4 quarters, Kaep put up 17 on them at the Stick.
In his last 5 quarters, Smith put up 33.
Over the same period, the Saints have allowed 16 points per home game. Kaep put up 17.
This year the Bears have allowed 16 points in their non SF road games. Kaep put up 30.
So, Kaep has had one average game, one below avg one and one very good one.
Kaep certainly has a huge upside and is the odds-on favorite to replace Smith, but whether his time to be the starter is now is up for question. It does not appear that either of his starts would have been lost had Smith been the QB. It appears likely that Smith would have won the Rams game.
I know it is difficult for you to handle disagreement, especially when it comes to Smith, but Harbaugh may well go back to Alex this season. I wouldn’t be surprised if Kaep gets some experience this season and a shot at the starting job next summer.
Either way, we have the best backup QB in the NFL.
Sorry — my last post was to Bayareafanatic…Sean got in before me.
Drgrosse,
Kap didn’t play 4 qrs in the ram game bro. Try 17 points in 3 qrs.
Three and a half quarters.
Can’t forget OT which was another Qtr.
Bro.
those ny giants sure are a fickled group on defense …. seems only to show when play top teams….that is scary coming into the playoffs…
and hope the niners defense starts playing that tune as well…
and wow what did VD say….he is fickled as well
this is JH team period
ahmad brooks …. this is one guy i was always interested in getting in the supplemtal draft….and didn’t…..singletary/nolan has to be credited with the niner defense…it is the smash mouth ball he was driving towards but don’t get much kudos for….
JH bringing his group of coaches really is the difference maker for this niner team
JH being JH…..
still calls AS his starting QB
http://espn.go.com/nfl/story/_/id/8675242/richard-sherman-brandon-browner-seattle-seahawks-facing-4-game-suspensions-sources
so if AS starts is JH protecting CK from a fischer defense…..JH’s had was forced on the bears defense and obviously didn’t take the saints defense to be all that so it was no biggy to give CK the start and let AS have those extra days…
i will not be surprised to see AS back as the starter…
for the down the road stuff CK confidence is sky high….and will be needed against that giants defense come playoffs
Harbaugh isn’t platooning the Qb position. Kaep is the permanent starter, the coach just doesn’t want to publicly humiliate Smith any further. Pro-Smith fans seem to go thru the 1st four stages of grieving ; denial, anger, bargaining & depression, jumping back to denial without ever making it to acceptance. This is an interesting phenomenon.
Or, harbaugh goes back to Smith and you get to foam some more!!
“Kyle Williams suffered a torn ACL late in the third quarter against the New Orleans Saints Sunday, and will miss the remainder of the season.”
-MM
Damn, I was afraid of this. He became an important part of this team.
What a shame! That kid has a lot of special talent. Too bad. Curious how Harbaugh plays this. Believe AK might be higher on the depth chart of WRs than Ginn. Curious…
Ginn will be back returning punts.
Lets hope that Hunter is OK and can return at some point. Im not sure who would be a bigger loss for the team. Hunter or Williams.. Im leaning toward Hunter
As with Smith, it’s next man up. Will be interesting to see if Jenkins gets onto the 46.
Great to see the added depth.
The biggest issue in terms of depth is the O-Line. They are the engine for the running game. Leonard Davis comes in and gets a holding penalty. Or a false start. Those guys are built for run blocking, so-so for pass blocking. CK saved a few sacks. I think Alex is more of a 3 step drop passer. He is not good at 5 or 7 steps where Kap has a better pocket awareness.
Jack, who would you put in the slot, if not Jenkins?
Space,
Jenkins will still be at best the #4 guy, and they rarely put 4 WR’s on the field at one time, and that won’t change. They are at their best with Walker and Davis on the field with Crabtree and Manningham/Moss. Williams’ role will be covered by those guys.
Jack, I thought Harbaugh said that Ginn injured his hand and that was the reason Williams took over the return duties. I wonder to what extent that injury was, if true – and could it affect him playing next week since he is not known for his eagerness to get back on the field?
Neither one is a huge loss because of the quality depth. That’s exactly why they were drafted, and signed via free agency. They’ve been chomping at the bit to get their opportunity to show what they can do out on the field. They’re that much closer.
Not so sure about that. I dont think Jacobs will be as effective as Hunter. Hunter adds a different dimension than Gore and Jacobs.
Here’s an interesting read on Harbaugh, the QBs he’s saved, and a current Defensive player’s view on SF and their QB protection/scheme.:
http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap1000000100968/article/colin-kaepernick-becomes-latest-qb-to-rise-under-jim-harbaugh
Thanks for the link. Here are a couple more from the national press, on a more irreverent note, though!
http://www.nytimes.com/2012/11/25/sports/football/49ers-take-odd-spin-on-quarterback-controversy.html?pagewanted=all&_r=0
http://www.sportsonearth.com/article/40413820/
@JackHammer
See above… Breer forgot about Gannon.
A more interesting and holistic article would discuss all the QBs in the NFL who are/have been directly connected to Harbaugh.
Gannon
Johnson
Luck
Griffin III
Smith
Kaepernick
Peyton
That would be a fun blog piece to research and write.
I can see both AJ Jenkins and LaMichael James being on the active roster next week.
Nick – Even Jenkins can’t outrun a K-Gun bomb. Kap had a 92 mph fastball in H.S……Lincecum can’t even hit 92 mph anymore.
Timmy is the original freak but K-Gun is a freak athlete.
VD then better get back on the jug machine that has two speeds AS speed CK speed
I can’t see them playing. They’re not in football shape. They haven’t been taking hits.
Grant,
With KW out and Ginn banged up, either LMJ or AJ could help out in kick return. They may not play, but I think at least one of them will be on the active roster.
I asked Crab the same question. What do you think of the upcoming Pac12 CG?
Grant,
What else can they do to get in Football shape? They practice every week. The only way to get used to hitting in a game, is to actually play in a game.
Crab,
CK7 is a freak athlete – no doubt. With more experience and tutelage under JH, he’ll be even better. I can’t wait for the next game. Bring on the Lams.
By the way, what do you think of the upcoming Pac12 Championship game?
Nick – Will Stanford sell out stadium for Pac 12 Championship?
UCLA should bounce back vs Stanford bro….. Look for 6 foot 7 receiver Joseph Fauria (baby Jimmy Graham) to catch 2 TD’s…..Bruins win 27-24.
Stanford by 10. As for a sell out, 4:30 on a Friday is tough.
Stanford beat up the Bruins last week and playing at Stanford is not going to make it any easier for UCLA. Stanford will win convincingly and go to the Rose Bowl.
I believe that Kap throwing to AJ Jenkins is going to be an outstanding combination. It will take a few weeks to jell but by playoff time look out they could be the next great 49er duo.
Wow. I’m watching Around The Horn and shocked at how none of them except JackieMac have a clue about CK/AS/JH/49ers. Chuckleheads don’t get what they see, and of course Harbs drive ‘em crazy.
all they got to do is go back to harbaugh’s bears QB days vs tomzack
Good point. On KNBR, Bob Fitgerlad – a big Bears fan – said the same thing. He mentioned how Harbaugh – as the young up coming QB – sat on the bench while steady veteran Mike Tomzack remained the starter.
Grant, any news on Hunters status? And with Williams out for year does Jenkins get in?
Upon reflection, I think I may be misunderstanding the grading system here. It appears to be more of a weighted system. In other words, because he is only a 2nd year player, and a 2nd round pick making his 2nd start, he gets a few bumps up. Because if it was a straight grading system, no way he gets an A-. The Saints D is horrible. Look at what other QBs have done to it. Great QBs have eviscerated it. Bad QBs have performed strongly against it. So if CK was an A-, is there even a grade worthy of what Freeman and Manning and Newton and Griffin did to them? I mean, they are all great QBs, so in a weighted system, maybe they are downgraded.
Oops, RG3 was a rooking in his first game when he threw for well over 300 yards and 2 TDs. And Newton is a 2nd year player, and he posted a 129 QB rating against them. And I seem to remember Freeman only being in his 3rd year, but hitting the Saints for over 400 yards and 3 TDs. So…do they all get A+++? Maybe Manning only gets an A+ because he is a veteran, and should be expected to get 600 yards against the Saints to get an A+++?
I don’t know, but I think the grading system should be straight up. No curve. And compared to what 6 or 7 other QBs have done to the Saints this year, CK seemed downright average at best. Not saying Smith would have been any better, but I really expected way more out of CK after the Chicago game while playing this soft and pathetic Saints D. I mean, Matt Cassel did better against them. And I don’t think anyone wants Cassel as their QB.
Kevin, excellent point, well documented. I don’t think what we’re seeing is “grading on the curve”. It’s “grading on the bias”.
“grading on the bias” — that sounds about right…