Mike Florio of NBC’s Pro Football Talk just reported that Alex Smith is getting a second opinion on the concussion that forced him out of the Rams game in the second quarter. You can read Florio’s article here.
What affect do you think this will have on Smith’s status for Monday night’s game against the Chicago Bears? Florio speculates that Smith is looking for a second opinion “that points to a mild concussion or no concussion.” Florio says it’s unclear whether a second opinion would have an effect on the independent neurologist’s decision.
At the end of the article, Florio says Smith is in danger of becoming “the sports world’s next Wally Pipp.” Do you agree or disagree?
If you’re not familiar with Pipp, he was the Yankees first baseman before Lou Gehrig. Pipp missed one game with a headache and never got his job back.


49ers RSS feed
To quote Mike Freeman, “Troll, troll, troll you boat…”
:-D
Florio has no idea & no basis to Spin that Garbage what so ever.
In today’s society anybody can say anything & not be taken to the mat for saying such Stupidity.
C’mon can we get some REAL Reporting by REAL Reporters?
Some of you call out Grant for trolling, making crazy statements, but his take has now been backed up by a well known NFL reporter, and Barrows.
Link to Barrows article?
http://blogs.sacbee.com/49ers/archives/2012/11/49ers-qa-what-happens-to-smith-if-kaepernick-excels.html
http://blogs.sacbee.com/49ers/archives/2012/11/49ers-qa-what-happens-to-smith-if-kaepernick-excels.html
From said Article….
“A.) I don’t think Smith will be out for long and B.) I think Kaepernick’s outings if Smith were out for a while would be up and down — like they would be for any young quarterback. Which is all a long way of saying, I think Smith and Kaepernick will be on the same team again next year.”
Read more here: http://blogs.sacbee.com/49ers/archives/2012/11/49ers-qa-what-happens-to-smith-if-kaepernick-excels.html#storylink=cpy
This isn’t really true. B-rows responded to a question from twitter, and obviously a hot one. Here’s his take on the matter. Pay particular attention to B.
A.) I don’t think Smith will be out for long and B.) I think Kaepernick’s outings if Smith were out for a while would be up and down — like they would be for any young quarterback. Which is all a long way of saying, I think Smith and Kaepernick will be on the same team again next year.
The 49ers have an option to part with Smith, so if Kaep tears it up, do you think they’re gonna want to pay Smith 7-8 Million to stay as a backup? Do you think Smith would even consider being a backup when there are teams who have a need at QB and would start him right now?
If CK becomes the starter, he will be demanding a much higher contract than his current one.
The Niners have the same option to get rid of CK. And it wouldn’t disrupt the chemistry at all.
All players are really on 1 year contracts. CK has gotten his guaranteed money already. His play and attitude will allow him to get the rest and ask for a raise. Same goes for AS, player x.
Thanks J for getting it right on Barrows.
Seems like Hammer is actually giving this Take New Life. Amazing how easy people can get Hooked by of all people Florio? That guy is a Tool!
I think you are overselling Florio just a bit there, Jack. Also, neither Florio nor Barrows engaged in the nonsense I already identified for you.
That said, is there any way to read this other than Smith is seeking a second opinion because he didn’t like what he heard from the first doctor?
We have no way of knowing Claude.
As you said, we just disagree on this topic.
Yea, I’ve been wondering the same thing Claude. Considering all the stuff surrounding concussions and what not, it is possible he’s just covering his bases.
He’s a smart guy, but he’s also a father and a husband. It’s possible he, his wife, and maybe the staff figured it best he get more than one opinion just to cover all bases.
Barrows, sure but Mike Florio? He’s a hack. Yes PFT is an extremely popular site and full of news, but they are by no means the standard of responsible journalism, neither do they claim to be one.
“his take has now been backed up by a well known NFL reporter, and Barrows.”
@jack – Do you even know how to read or are you just blinded by your hatred of Alex you can think straight.
how did they back him up?
from barrows – ” A.) I don’t think Smith will be out for long and B.) I think Kaepernick’s outings if Smith were out for a while would be up and down — like they would be for any young quarterback. Which is all a long way of saying, I think Smith and Kaepernick will be on the same team again next year.”
from florio – “Smith has every reason to try to get back on the field. If Smith doesn’t play and if Colin Kaepernick plays well on a national stage, Alex Smith could be the sports world’s next Wally Pipp.” – KEY WORDS – “if CK plays well”, that is florio covering his asz just in case CK fails
He might not be a troll but it’s total chicken poo to post something like this and then not have the huevos to stick around and join in on the conversation.
I think this is a stupid discussion on a topic that’s being blown out of proportion by bored sports writers.
There is tons of precedent for people losing their jobs because they were injured (Brees (although he just got traded, he still lost his job in SD… although that might just be because their front office is stocked with fools), Kolb, Bledsoe, and Green for example), but Alex hasn’t been playing like someone who should be scared, and Colin hasn’t showed that he’s the next Warner or Brady. As Branch so aptly pointed out, Smith is as hot as they get right now, 26 for his last 28, 307 yards, 4 TD, 0 INT, and a 151.9 rating
Brees was not traded. He was a free agent. He was offered a performance based contract from the Chargers and then got two contract offers from the Dolphins and Saints. We all know where he went. And its not as if any of those teams were any good.
I wonder if the concussion has been diagnosed as being more severe than Smith thinks it is? Seeing double seems like a pretty bad one to me. If he’s walking around seeing double, that can’t be good.
“If he’s walking around seeing double, that can’t be good.”
Heck, he threw a TD pass seeing double.
He threw a TD pass. I don’t think he was seeing double then. Harbaugh says he hot the concussion in the QB sneak. Every time the Smith concussion is talked about on TV, they show that hit by the linebacker when Smith scrambled. That hit by the linebacker looks like the concussion jack. I wonder which one it was?
Harbaugh said it was on the sneak so I will go with that. The TD pass came at the end of that drive, and was his final play….
True that jack. I am really impressed that Alex was able to perform so well while having blurred vision or seeing double. Also Jordan I agree that seeing double sounds pretty bad, in terms of prognosis. I’ve had 3 or 4 concussions that I can remember (memory loss side effects? Lol) and I never “saw double.” I had spitting headaches, ringing in my ears, and I saw yellow spots, but no seeing double, and it always went away in a day or two. I would be concerned for Alex if he is still symptomatic.
Blurred vision.
If you’ve ever gotten knocked pretty good on the head, seeing double is pretty normal.
I was hit behind my ear be a catcher throwing to second base. I watch the ground come up and hit me in the face. That’s all I saw. I didn’t feel a thing,
Then I took a nose dive from about four feet up and met the concrete with my face. The air was knocked out of me and that was the worst part.
Once in 1992 I saw double twice in about 24 hours with no blow to the head. That caused a full neurological examination, extensive testing, scanning and a cautionary prescription for blood thinners.
The point is that seeing double for any extended time period can be a very serious situation.
As for the lead into this topic, it’s just cheap attention grabbing. If Kap turns into the next coming of anyone great, then he will win the job, no matter what Alex Smith does.
Watching him when he is contained in the pocket, or when he has had to make any throw with touch on it, I think that the odds of Super Kap happening in the next few weeks are long. Very long.
lol… Super KaP!
“I was hit behind my ear be a catcher throwing to second base.” That explains a lot…
Without knowing the results of the first exam there is no point jumping to conclusions. How do we know he doesn’t want to bring two clean bills of health with him when he visits the independent neurologist, could it hurt?
What happened to my comment Grant on your last post???? Nice bit of subterfuge.
Grant if AS is Wally Pipp that would make CK Lou Gehrig. Wow CK is going to be one of the greatest football players of all time? I think it might be a bit of an overstatement by Florio. I posted yesterday that i was concerned that smiths condition might be worse than it was being made out to be. if he got his concussion on the QB sneak it was’nt that big of a hit. I hope for AS and his families sake its not serious.
If Kaep plays football as well as Gerhig played baseball then i think all of us fans are 100% fine with him being the starter
I dunno Adam. Quite a few folks were dead set against bringing in a HOF quarterback just a few months ago.
I think that the hit that Smith took that was heard accross America made him susceptible to the next hit on the QB sneak.
Interesting Razor.
Did ya all see where Matt Maiocco says there is no QB controversy and Ray Ratto says there is a QB controversy? Well let me tell ya, Maiocco is right, but he has the wrong guy as our QB. Maiocco says Alex Smith is our QB no matter what. Let me set the record straight. Kaep is our QB now and in the future. Ratto thinks it’s up for discussion. Not a chance. Kaep is the man. Alex Smith is history. BECAUSE HE’S A BUST!!!!
To answer Grant Cohn’s question: Not only is Alex Smith the next Wally Pipp, he should be getting a second (third?) opinion from Steve – I had 17 concussions and I can still speak – Young. Steve would tell him, “This is your opportunity to exit with grace.” And exiting with Grace (what a gal), Is something most men can only dream about. I mean, I would LOVE to “EXIT WITH GRACE.” But, well, I can only dream.
WELCOME TO THE FIRST STRING, COLIN!
You’re a pathetic human being. Being so blind to anything beyond getting your guy to start that you hope that Alex just suffered a career ending injury is despicable.
“Let me set the record straight. Kaep is our QB now and in the future.”
=============================
Good thing you have no ACTUAL input in the decision-making at 49ers Headquarters.
This is getting quite funny, no not the concussion, all the speculation on whether CK will subplant AS as the starting QB. Take a look at Harbaughs job. He is making somewhere about 5 mil a year, (if thats incorrect someone please correct it). His main job his too win the super bowl. He has to put a good product out on the field. If JH were to make bad decesions or fails he is out of a job a la Nolan and Sing. All people in the entire Niner organization players and staff want to do win and all are dependent on JH to put a winner on the field. If JH thought CK was ready do you really thinks he needs an EXCUSE to start CK. Dont think so. If CK was the better QB without a doubt CK would be starting. I think most of us want the best player playing at their respective positions regardless of loyalties. If JH is not playing the best player that he has at any position then JH is letting down the entire organization. I dont see JH doing that. So may the best QB be our QB and I do believe that it is still AS.
I agree with you Mr. Undercenter. It’s nonsense.
The whole problem is at a certain point a young QB isn’t going to get better without a bunch of playing time. Kaep needs experience to get better and Harbaugh has to decide when that is.
Undercenter,
Agreed
Hmm…didnt Trent Dilfer take his job. How bout Shaun Hill, JT Osullivan, David Carr, Troy Smith? Funny. I’ve heard this story before.
Does anyone remember what day of the week we knew that Staley was going to play the next game after his concussion a few weeks ago?
I believe it was the day of the game Ex.
MWN,
Thanks.
I thought he had at least one unrestricted practice during the week, and it was known he was going to play. Maybe it was just assumed.
Losing Smith is not a big deal…. This is a run-heavy offense and the stats back it up. Smith is a conservative QB and the offense will grow with Kaep who adds another dynamic for defenses to worry about. Not to mention Kaep keeps plays alive and keeps his eyes down field scanning targets where as Smith just bends over and takes the sack at the first sign of pressure. Most know Smith isn’t the long-term answer…. No sense in delaying the inevitable. Go Niners!
Run heavy or not, who reads the defense and makes the calls at the line to make sure the Offense is in the right play? The QB.
Is CK a guy who knows how to make the right reads? Who knows, maybe not. With a full game we’ll get to see that, but that’s only if Smith doesn’t play this week, which is not entirely the case yet.
Only in San Francisco is this conceivably a hot topic and only because so many of you hate a decent and highly competent quarterback. Could he be the next Wally Pipp? Of course he could as could any other player in the NFL. But it is not too likely.
Kaepernick is promising but raw and on Sunday he was also fortunate. There were three big fumbles and the 49ers had to cover all three to TIE. Kapernick has skills but he is also mistake prone as was obvious. That seems scant reason to replace a quarterback playing as efficiently as Smith. Winning 80 percent of your games generally does not cost you your job in this league.
If there is a time and a team like the Bears to see what this Colin K kid has, this is the ideal situation. The bad news is we cannot afford to lose this game and potentially a #2 seed in the playoffs. Still lots of football left, but in a head to head, the winner of this game is in a good spot.
And only on this blog an opposing teams fan knows more and just flat out keeps it real more than many here.
Thanks chargerfan.
(not sarcastic DS. This is serious DS)
Dear Mr. Chargerfan,
I think if Grant looks up your IP address we will find that you are a Smither. JMHO.
As for CK’s fumbles, they are a concern. Luckily, holding the ball out and with one hand is one of the more correctable parts of a QB’s mechanics.
AS holds on to the ball pretty well now even though he was very fumble prone his first few years in the league. To a point that there were articles written regarding him having small hands.
Any real 49er fan would look at CK and be glad that he is getting some real game experience without wetting the bed. You can only learn so much on the sideline especially at the QB position.
Judge his decision making, his accuracy, his footwork. Oh and have a little patience after all AS took 7 years to reach the level of better than average.
I’m not a Smither or a 49er fan, but I’ve watched the NFL long enough to recognize an outstanding coach and Harbaugh obviously believes Smith gives him the best chance to win this year. I would also offer the observation that if this fan base is dissatisfied with Smith playing the QB position with his current efficiency, Kaepernick is not likely to meet your standards either. You guys are jaded.
Jaded? No sick and demented is what they are. Charger fan, this is not who 49er fans are. This is what the hater 49er fans are. They don’t hate Smith. They truly hate the style and brand of football Harbaugh has implemented. They want the run and shoot offense where a QB consistently throws for 300+ yards every game. They just cannot admit it but they are fantasy football fans. It’s about entertainments for them, not winning or understanding strategic football.
They don’t get that the 49ers have drafted and chosen players to fit this style of football Harbaugh has constructed by way of the past 5 drafts under different leadership. He now has taken the strength of his personnel and developed a winnin formula with it. He truly is doin what Singletary and McCloughin initially started, only now under some bonifide coaching and management.
Like Smith losing his confidence and Davis not having as many passes thrown his way, this isn’t a big deal. I agree with some who said Smith is just covering his bases. I hope he gets cleared for Monday’s game, but if not then that will be ok because I believe CK fill in admirably. Smith’s health also comes first and foremost before a football game. And I also don’t believe he’s the next Wally Pip either.
…CK will fill in admirably.
Kaepernick was able to throw a dart through multiple defenders to get the ball to Davis. Smith can’t do that.
You didn’t see the playoffs did you?
Good name by the way. Great name if you apply it to yourself. You didn’t notice the pass to VD who was wide open that hit the ground in front of him. AS is smart. He knows when to take the risk (NO game) vs. not (CK’s RM pass into 3 coverage earlier this year).
Great that CK can hit the covered WR. He can’t hit the open ones though. Where did MC go when CK came in? Aren’t you concerned that the “Rams killer? vanished the second AS left?
Grant, this series of articles is a flat out embaressment. If you were sick and somebody wrote an article in your place, do you think you should lose your job? Add to that you were the lead writer in one of the top sports sections in the country as AS has led the team to the top as a Super Bowl contender. And you’d be cool if you lost your job?
Just bad thought process here Grant.
I don’t know which is more insulting, people believing Smith will never play again or jinxing Kaepernick to get a disease named after himself.
There is no way Alex Smith is the next Wally Pipp. Wally Pipp was actually a good player. : )
Sorry he isn’t up to your Cam Newton standards.
As well you should be.
No Houston. I don’t care about fantasy stats. What I care about is if he’s a good teammate. and can help the team win. Stats don’t earn a W. It only comes from solid play. and teamwork. If the stats come great. If not oh well, just as long as the team gets a win.
MWN, I have absolutely no clue what you’re trying to say. I don’t have a Cam Newton standard. I also don’t care about fantasy stats as long as the team wins. My personal opinion is that the team will win more games and have a chance at the Superbowl if the offense becomes a bit more dynamic. The 9ers have the 30th ranked passing attack and the #1 rated rushing attack resulting in the 16th rated scoring offense. I think we can actually increase our TOP and our scoring efficiency if we maintain our high powered rushing attack while also improving the passing game. That calls for actually throwing a few more passes more than 10 yards from the line of scrimmage. What flaw do you find in that opinion?
As far as Cam Newton goes, he’s the best player on a terrible team. His stats are meaningless to me. Ask yourself one question: If Jim Harbaugh could replace Alex Smith with Cam Newton today, would he do it? If Jim Harbaugh replaced Alex Smith with Cam Newton today, would the 49ers have a better shot at winning more games? So if you want to bring Cam Newton into this discussion, let’s do it. Who, in your mind is a better QB – Cam Newton or Alex Smith?
Houston- Alex every day of the week and twice on Sunday, especially on this team. Cam is only a bettter athlete, he has a LONG way to go to be a good QB in the NFL. But then again, I’ll take brains and toughness over talent most of the time. Cam has not exhibited either one of these qualities in my eyes. IMO, he has already reached his ceiling, nothing but a downward spiral now. He and Vince Young might be selling cars together in 3 years.
As far as your just a few more passes past 10 yards, have you noticed that AS has the 3rd highest YPA? That isn’t by accident and cannot be overlooked.
Bray
Didn’t you know about YPA in the air?
AS isn’t high there. He depends on YAC to get that number. And he has accuracy problems so WR’s can’t get YAC.
If that sounds confusing, it is. That is exactly what they say. In one post they say AS isn’t accurate and that WR’s can’t run after the catch. In the next they claim he has such a good YPA because the WR gets it for him.
No DS, that is incorrect. Alex has high YPA because he doesn’t attempt many passes and he completes a high percentage of the short passes he throws. Alex has attempted only 217 passes which ranks him 31st in the league. The only guys behind him are QB’s that have missed multiple games due to injury. Among the top 10 QBs in terms of YPA, the average QB on the list has thrown 92 passes more than Smith. Because YPA includes completions and incompletions the QB’s who throw fewer passes have a much greater chance at a higher YPA. Look at Shaun Hill. Hill has a YPA of 13.2. Does that mean he throws alot of deep balls? I don’t think so. He has attempted a lot fewer passes than Smith. So my point is that a high YPA does not mean Smith is stretching the defense. In Smith’s case it means he has a high Comp % and a low number of attempts.
Bray, I agree that Alex is better than Newton right now. With the coaching of Jim Harbaugh, Cam Newton has Hall of Fame ability. Alex Smith does not.
Houston what makes you think Newton has the intelligence to play under Harbaugh? Newton is a freakish athlete. That was great in his rookie season. Now defenses know what he does and look what has happened, he might have bust written all over him.
But before that, tell me how vital good coaching is to a QB.
Well Prime, without giving away too much let me tell you that a former college coach of Newtons lives next to my family’s place up on Lake Travis. This guy knew him during his time at Blinn JC all the way to Auburn. Newton’s intelligence is not an issue but he does take time to learn an offense. The word is that Newton did have an ego problem but grew up and is really just a goofball but a really good kid. Newton is a freakish athlete that could become great with the right coaching. I agree Alex is a better QB right now but he doesn’t have near the upside of Newton.
This whole upside and potential argument is a joke. Did anyone think Montana had the potential he lived up to? How about Brady or Brees? Did people know they had this enormous ceiling of greatness? NO!
So just because a guy is 6’4, rocket arm, 4.4 speed tells us what? Nothing.
In the NFL, the QB position is more about intelligence, leadership, toughness and accuracy. From there you need continuity, good coaching and surrounding talent in consecutive years.
Well said Prime.
Correct DS, I don’t have enough time to point out all the screwy POV’s in this group.
I bet that YPA mattered when Montana was throwing 4-10 yd passes with WR’s running wild. It doesn’t matter though when Alex is throwing the ball, but it does when Brady throws it to Welker, or Brees to Sproles.
Alex has been pigeonholed by many, even if ‘he’ leads the team to a SB win, many will not give credit when due, it’s just not in their DNA. They will just build another virtual wall for AS to jump over for them, then say he didn’t clear it by as much as the ‘other guy’ did.
You obviously didn’t watch Montana. The deep post to Jerry Rice was a thing of beauty and Montana threw it all the time.
Houston
And you clearly don’t know who JM is. In every interview he gives credit to the guys who ran 10-20 yards after he threw it 5 yards.
And you might want to take note who that WR was. He isn’t just the best WR ever. He is the best player EVER. AS doesn’t have JR to throw that deep post towards. Who by the way was open all by himself. JM didn’t throw JR open, though you wish it were true.
Houston- Watched him plenty, met him on a few occasions. Most accurate passer I’ve ever seen, but he, his teamates, coaches nad stats will tell you that the vast majority of his passes didn’t go past 15 yards. He always had a great, running game AND defense. That doesn’t diminish him or his accomplishments one iota.
Bray, I’ve met him as well on a few occassions and what you say is very true. Alot of his passes were short passes turned into long passes. However, he also threw in the 10-20 yard range and further several times a game. Bill Walsh signed Renaldo Nehemiah for one reason and one reason only. He threw deep go routes and deep posts to Nehemiah 2-3 times per game. The deep routes and the intermediate routes opened up the short passes and allowed them to become long passes. I’m simply saying this 9er offense relies almost exclusively on the very short passes.
Looks as though the Godfathers defense is getting figured out…
Just seen on NFL Network they believe the Bears D is better than the Niners D.
We’re about to find out…
Smith is smart enough to know that if he doesn’t play and CK plays well in relief, the situation will take on a life of it’s own. If he really has a fairly substantial concussion, he shouldn’t play this week. He should resume as the starter as soon as he is declared healthy. He has earned that, at least for the remainder of this season. The problem is if CK were to perform well, the popular opinion would be that he is only going to get better with more playing time. He isn’t the complacent, happy to hold the clip board, veteran backup QB. You can only learn so much by being on the side lines, eventually you have to learn on the job.
http://ninerchatter.blogspot.com/2012/11/film-review-colin-kaepernick-first-half.html
Thanks for the analysis Jack. It helps since I wasn’t able to watch any of the game.
Thank you MidWest. Hopefully it goes beyond the “he missed him” and explains the why.
I will try to get the 2nd half/OT up tonight.
It’s not even funny…it’s ridiculous how much battering is done against any post/comment regarding Kaepernick. You guys say others are ridiculous, stupid, or dumbfounded for raising the idea of him stepping in.
Get over yourselves and respect the opinions of others!
Granted, this conversation keeps coming up with the various articles ablaze on it so it’s unavoidable it’s to discuss but we really need more time to let things play out.
As I said a couple days ago:
“Who doesn’t look a little rough/unsettled when thrown into your first opportunity at any significant playing time in the middle of the season with a miniscule number of practice reps heading into the game? Technically, that was his first rookie regular season game. I think he’ll be fine if he gets all of the 1st team reps this week providing that AS is still out. Us fans should probably hold off critiques until then.”
Just, good point! I truly hope Alex is well and he can recover fast!
Now this whole CK conversation is silly! This is the NFL, so it’s all about what you have done for me lately! If CK starts and plays a very productive game and somehow the offense clicks then we will have a QB controversy! I personally believe Alex is a more polished QB right now, however ck has the upside if he can become a pocket passer! Go Niners
I agree this is kind of a silly topic as the 49ers have a good record and Alex has been playing well lately. Even if Kaep replaces him for a game and the 49ers beat the Bears it would be EXTREMELY unlikely that he would take over, even if he played well – Alex would still get his job back for sure. Now, how COULD Kaep suddenly create a QB controversy? Go to youtube and download the two parter of Kaep’s first game at Nevada (I believe he was taking over for someone). You’ll see every single play of his very FIRST game. Quite a performance. And that’s what it would take now. He would have to be SPECTACULAR. We’d all have to go “….WOW…..” But next year if we don’t make the SB? That’s another story, kids.
Here’s how the conversation went down:
Doctor: You have a concussion
Alex Smith: Hm, I want a second opinion
Doctor: OK, you’re not that great of a QB either
lol
Except that he’s actually better than eveybody on the planet, except for 10 or so guys, on their good days.
Field day for the finger pointers I suppose.
HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!
Next subject?
I think that what would happen should Kaep start and do well would depend on how he does well. If he is successful playing the way he did on Sunday, I would think Harbaugh would go back to Smith. I think he would prefer having an offensive system that is worked by the QB rather than constant ad-libbing.
Harbaugh also would likely go back to Smith because he probably would not think it appropriate to let Smith lose his starting job to injury.
That being said, Kaep did better that I anticipated and that’s a good thing because it will push Smith to be better.
From PFF game reviews
Mixed Bag for Kaepernick
With starting quarterback Alex Smith concussed, backup Colin Kaepernick got his first extended action, and as expected, there was some good and some bad to take away from the game. His -2.6 grade for the game stems mostly from his careless ball handling as he dropped a snap and then later put the ball on the ground as LB Mario Haggan stripped him while he rolled away from pressure. As a passer, he overshot a couple throws, but there were times he displayed the laser arm that pushed him up into the second round of the 2011 draft. On the first play of the fourth quarter, his deep out to WR Mario Manningham in the face of three pass rushers was a thing of beauty. In addition to his touchdown, Kaepernick also picked up three other first downs with his legs. This game did well to sum up Kaepernick as his inexperience, inconsistent throwing and mobility were on full display.
sounds about right.
Curious, how can you be inconsistent throwing the ball and complete 64% of your passes?
Bay- Alex completes at a higher % than that, yet he is considered by some to be very inconsistent throwing the ball, It can’t work both ways. It depends on the POV you choose to take I suppose.
Bay,
The key to noticing inconsistency is to actually watch the games. We see inconsistency with Smith because he will play badly for most of a game, not just a couple of passes. The degree of difficulty for sSmith’s passes are extremely low. So his misses are more glaring. Kap missed a few throws. He’s gotta see Kyle on that deep ball. However, his throws were for 15-20 yards as opposed to Smiths for 7-12 yards and sometimes less. I hope Kap starts Monday. That way, we can evaluate him with a full week of reps. Smith was evaluated yesterday and is seeking a 2nd opinion. Did his evaluation not go well?
http://ninerchatter.blogspot.ca/2012/11/film-review-colin-kaepernick-first-half.html
Here’s the first half passes by Kaep as put together by Jack Hammer. Seems like a lot of short passes that only AS throws. Let me guess. He was just warming up? JH wanted to ease him into the game? They still had AS training wheels on the playbook?
“This game did well to sum up Kaepernick as his inexperience, inconsistent throwing and mobility were on full display.”
Definitely sounds like someone you want leading your team as you try to make the playoffs. The last thing you’d want is someone with experience that stays in the pocket looking for the receiver.
Smith doesn’t stay in the pocket looking for receivers. He drops back and looks for his primary and then checks down or takes a sack. He rarely runs for positive yardage on a broken play. That’s when he’s usually taking a sack. When he has time to throw the ball away, he often holds on to it. He takes far too many sacks. So no he does not stay in the pocket looking for a receiver.
>>Curious, how can you be inconsistent throwing the ball and complete 64% of your passes?
There’s another Niner QB completing 70% of his passes and is branded inconsistent up and down. So you tell us, smart guy.
70% of checkdown variety passes. Like I said earlier, not going to knock Smith like before because he’s has improved quite a bit. He still has too many holes in his game to be considered our long term QB. He ignores too much of the field and he doesn’t score enough period.
He hits the short safe pass which is perfect if your defense plays like it did last year. The stats say our Defense is still highly rated. While I think they are good, they are not great IMO. NO way the RAMS should have put 24 on us. Especially when your weapons are Amandola and Jackson.
Bay, posted this yesterday I guess you missed it…
“Looked to pass first even though the Smithers call him a “running QB”
Bay, below is a quote from MLombardi and the grade
CCasserly gave to CK on his play last Sunday…
Michael Lombardi NFL.com
“If Colin Kaepernick has to start for the San Francisco 49ers next Monday, look for the Chicago Bears to try to force him to be a quarterback, not a runner. Right now, Kaepernick is a runner, not a thrower.”
Charlie Casserly on NFL.com gave CK a C+ grade after looking after the game film mainly due to his lack of decision making and accuracy from the pocket.
He did give him accolades for his athletic ability and strong arm. There is a video clip on NFL.com.
I read what you posted Hof. It carries no weight for me. We are not judging a 8 year QB, we are judging the kid that Harbaugh drafted and hand picked who got his first significant playing time in a division game in which he was trailing when he came in.
All he did was move the ball, tie the game up and put them in a position to win.
And then took a costly sack in OT which put us out of FG range and a chance to win. Where was the athleticism and ability to attack then?
FDM,
The sack in OT took them out of FG range? The ball was on the 49. You expected them to try a 66yard FG?
If he throws it away, its a 52-53 yard field goal try. Go watch the game again.
Bay,
I agree with your looked to pass first take. CK is mobile, so his label is run first. His play speaks for itself, and nothing you or I say will change their opinion of him, just like no one can change your opinion on Smith.
Hack you dumb clown, Akers made what a 60 yarder this year? At least give the team a chance. The last thing you do in that situation is take a sack. You guys warp on AS for holdin the ball too long. But now no complaints with CK. Go write a blog piggy backer!
Bay, the point is you said “running QB”! The experts feel the same way I do. Not the experts that *only* watch film, but the experts that evaluated talent for years and helped build SB teams. Filtering facts is your strength!
FDM,
The play started on the STL 49. if you don’t believe me, check the link below. Without a sack it is a 66 yard attempt from there. Harbaugh isn’t going to chance a kick from there as a miss gives the Rams the ball on the SF 43 with plenty of time to pick up a couple yards for another try of their own.
http://scores.espn.go.com/nfl/playbyplay?gameId=321111025&period=5
Can’t argue that. Only time you try a field goal of that distance in OT is with no time on the clock….
FDM
Had CK pulled the trigger to a wide open Frank Gore on 1st down, that sack never happens to pull them out of FG range. Chances are Frank gets a 1st down or close to it.
AS throws that pass. Now CK saw him, and he pumped towards him. But CK trusted his legs over trusting our best player and heart of the offense instead. He only got 2 yards as a result. Then the run that gained 1 or 2. To put us in a position to have to throw it on 3rd down, to make a sack even possible. That is called poor game managing. And that is 70% of the job.
It started on what happened on 1st. CK was scared, or usure or whatever you want to call it because Gore was open…a clear throwing lane was there…CK saw him…then pulled it down.
CK throws that ball, I’m betting Akers gets a legit shot at it again..and makes it. Of course that would mean Akers scored the final points and CK shouldn’t get credit for the comeback because he himself wouldn’t have scored the winning points. So that wouldn’t count according to the rules applied to AS.
Casserly and Lombardi are Both pretty knowledgable guys but this site seems to drool over Greg Cossel. i’m interested in hearing his weekly take on 49er quaterbacking. i would give kaep a c+ also but if i was going to grade the 4th quarter and overtime period alone i would give him a B border line B+
Eric Branch reports ESPN’s Adam Schefter says “(The 49ers) feel pretty good that Smith should be able to go.”
http://blog.sfgate.com/49ers/2012/11/14/report-49ers-feel-pretty-good-alex-smith-will-start-vs-chicago/
Branch also writes:
Kaepernick’s late-game performance has inspired some whispers of a quarterback controversy among the fan base, assuming he can replicate it against a stingy defense in Chicago. Kaepernick, who had 66 yards on eight carries, has intriguing skills, but his future isn’t now.
whispers ??? lol. Obviously Branch doesn’t surf PD’s way any longer.
@ ribico:
At least someone is doing some actual reporting. I wonder if that report will calm everyone down?
Ha! Who am I kidding?
This whole thing is a bunch of nonesense. The critics have been waiting all year for their chance to clamor for CK and to roast AS. One of the problems with a blog you have no idea on the age of the poster. You would have to be about 50 years old to of seen and understand what you were seeing at the time. I read some of these comments which proclaim to have witness JM and BW introduction of the WCO. Then they post things that contridict their so called knowledge of the WCO.
Time for a subject change, like whats up with the defense, special teams, play calling. Those right now are more serious then the QB so called dilema.
Of course, contrary to Florio’s report, it turns out that Smith never sought a second opinion. He was cleared by the only neurologist he saw. But I guess in Florio’s mind, the important thing was, notwithstanding that the support he had for the idea Smith sought a second opinion was obviously flimsy, it set him up for the cute, albeit overused, Wally Pipp angle.
After all, what’s more important in the Internet world than facile, provocative angles?
Did he not get checked out by the teams staff and then again by a doctar at Stanford? I thought he said that in his presser today.
No, he said the doctor at Stanford was the only one he saw.
Thanks for that clarification MrSardonicus!
Did you see multiple neurologists?
“No, I only saw the neurologist up here at Stanford.”
When you say you went to Stanford, was that Dr. Daniel Garza (team physician who is on the Stanford staff)?
“No, no. Separate neurologist up there, independent of the team.”
Floria got it right that Smith saw an independent neurologist and got it wrong that that was after seeing the team physician.