Jim, if you choose to start Alex Smith against the Rams on Sunday, you’ll be making the biggest mistake of your coaching career.
You absolutely must start Kaepernick.
If you start Smith, you will start a massive quarterback controversy. Every play Smith makes or doesn’t make will be compared to what Kaepernick did or could have done. Talk about speculation and hypotheticals. And you’re the one who will have started it.
If you continue to play your guessing game and start Smith, there’s a big risk of splitting the locker room into a Smith faction and a Kaepernick faction. That will spill over onto the field on game day.
Jim, if you pull Kaepernick for Smith this week and the offense goes back to its methodical, plodding style with the check downs and sacks, will you then pull Smith for Kaepernick?
If so, then Smith is done for the year as well as for the future with the 49ers.
On the other hand, if you start Kaepernick, and he continues to perform along the lines of his previous play, Smith still remains a viable backup in case Kaepernick slumps or gets injured.
Smith is a veteran and can handle being a backup, but not if you jerk him back and forth.
Jim, this is not about who is your quarterback. It’s about what kind of coach are you.
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No other logical decision. If you want a chance to beat the Giants, I think you let the CK7 Project continue, gain experience and by playoff time, ready for the defending Champions. Sacks are drive killers, and Alex takes too many. Against the sack happy Giants, we need CK7 moves and dagger to the belly throws.
Well, I guess that’s pretty straight to the point. I, for one, as much as I like Kaepernick and think he’s done a fine job, would start Alex. It’s not that I think he deserves it, as much as I think he’s earned it. Kaeps great play may light a fire under Alex, and push him to take some more risks. If he doesn’t do well, then they can pull him for Kaep and that will be the end of the Alex Smith (as a starter) era.
D Rouge
Risks for Smith= turnovers. People have been waiting for Smith to be more aggressive for 5 years. His aggression results in interceptions. See this years new your giant game. You don’t want to see Alex Smith throw it all over the field. It’s not his game.
You are right. His game is take what the defense gives you. Why is that such a problem when the result has been wins. Oh wait, that was the defense helping him out and the special teams. Just like it was against the Saints this weekend when Kap played.
Funny when we ignore that all of our wins with either QB comes as a result of a team effort.
That is how we are built, that is what coach talks about, that is who we are. The team, the team, the team.
I hear ya. I have been one of those people that have been waiting. I am by no means an Alex cheerleader, and I completely agree that Kaep is our QB of the future. However, as bland as Alex has been he is still ranked pretty high in completion percentage and QB rating. I just think he should should have this one last chance (I know, of many), and come April 1st he will probably be released.
I also agree with FDM, that wins are wins, and they are team efforts. Kaep in 2013, but let Alex have a chance to build his stock and finish the season.
Yes, Alex has had some good games. But just look at the last 2 Giant games and the Vikings game. Alex just can’t do it. He will lose again in the playoffs when they’re again facing tough teams. We may not have another chance at the Big Game. Kaep gives us the best chance to get there and win it.
You can’t blame Alex for the loss in the playoffs. That game was won until the two bad receptions on kicks. This past Giants game was a mess, but was it all Alex’s fault. If there were two interceptions for touchdowns like in the Saints game the outcome would have been different. Without those two interceptions CK7 loses 21-17. Grant, you and your father have this thing about Alex and you just keep harping on it. So far this season Alex is one of the best QBs in the league. Look at the Giants record and yet they dote on Eli. Give me a break and let the coach decide who to play and stop your totally biased opinion. I am not an Alex fanatic and I am neither a CK7 detractor, but it is still the coaches decision who to play and it is the teams job to back that decision with all they have.
Mavin, I get really tired of people blaming the game on Kyle. Granted w/out those turnovers the Niners would have been in better position to win, but the offense was doing NOTHING! One completion to a WR? Come on, give me a break. That’s not on AS you say?
If anything, it’s the fault of no one else. You may argue the OC…and the only reason I agree, isn’t because he called bad pass plays. I would say he didn’t call enough running plays. They were moving the ball on the ground at 10 yards a pop in the forth quarter, but he blundered by putting it in AS’s hands and then the offense sputtered.
I like Alex, but I like CK better. Of course it’s up to the coaches, but I agree w/Grant, there’s no other choice that makes sense.
EB: duuuude, if our offense was doing nothing, thats intense for the Giants b/c comparatively, the Giants offense was doing WORSE at that point in the game. Alex Smith was outplaying Eli Manning because the 49ers were winning going into the 4th quarter… at the time of the ‘incidents.’ We are all tired of talking about it, but thats no reason to misremember what happened. Alex smith had 2 TDs to VD, including one for 73 yards. But nobody rags on Eli manning for a crappy performance that day because his teammates got some turnovers and put him in field goal range… where they kicked a field goal. Great job Eli!
At this point, I don’t think anything will light a fire under AS. After the nice season he had last season, then getting all these new weapons in the off season — there shouldn’t be any reason for him to continue to be afraid to throw the ball. Unless he doesn’t have the confidence within himself, which I believe is the underlying issue. “Captain Ceheckdown’s” true calling in the NFL is about to begin — NFL Backup QB.
I agree! You’re “Overcooking It” Grant. Alex needs to be the starter going forward. Smith and Kap have been in this offense an equal amount of time and Smith has a far better grasp of it! All the players that I’ve heard quoted said whatever the coach decides! VD even said after the game ” I think Alex is still the man but whatever coach decides”. That didn’t get get on a blog like it did when he said it about Kap being the man!
Kyle Williams being out hurts Kap, that was one of his main targets. He has a chemistry with the likes of DW, KW and MM. Crabs has pretty much joined Davis as irrelevant. Smith takes what the defense gives better than any qb out there. Crabs was having a good season until Smith went out! Smith should be QB going forward and I don’t think at all it will be a locker dividing, job losing decision. Way over cooked that one!
We’ll win as a team no matter which qb is in there! I sure didn’t see Kap hitting a wide open Moss down the field that AS supposedly always missed either! As for not being able to beat the Giants, he did last year and should’ve in the playoffs as we all know! This year we were way out coached. Not even close to Alex’s fault. Alex slung it all over the field last year against the Saints and didn’t throw one pick. Kap has fumbled twice, luckily recovered by us and threw a pick. We ain’t turnover free with any qb in the league so that argument is weak. Just my opinion! I wouldn’t be at all surprised if Alex gets the call now! See Brotha Tuna Post! This was a bad idea grant! Besides Smith is our Captain! That’s the belief of a fan, not a hater of one or the other!
ok like this read
Three times this week I’ve heard 1) Alex Smith, 2) Troy Aikman, and now 3)Jim Harbaugh say “Alex has done nothing to lose his job.” ARE THEY KIDDING? 1) He nearly leads the league in Sacks per attempt; 2) He’s among the league leaders in Can’t get the ball 20 yards down field; and 3) He’s among the league leaders in Can’t convert 3rd downs. Those are loser’s stats. Gore, O-line, special teams and the defense keep the 49ers in the win column, DESPITE those major quarterback deficiencies. To me, all that trumps all the rest of Smith’s positives. Those three problems are exactly the reasons that Smith would not beat the Giants in the playoffs.
you clearly know zero about football..
I’ve been following NFL football for quite some time now and I think I’ve learned a thing or two. I’ve had opinions before and sometimes they’ve been vindicated and sometimes blown away wrong. I’ve still got opinions, but if I was sitting across the table from Jim Harbaugh at a Deli, I would so NOT try to tell him what he should or shouldn’t do. I’ve learned that much in all these years.
Truer words never spoken.
Smith starts due to him being the veteran player. Kap is the backup to Smith. Regardless of how well he has played the past two games, Smith by definition has been the true meaning of consistency. You know what you are going to get which is not bad at all. Kap is the wildcard here. If Roman calls the same plays that require throws down the field, does Smith complete those? We do not know the answer to that. It is all hypothetical. Kap can come and relieve Smith when his productivity and/or performance falters. The relationship that JH and AS have will be no longer is Kap starts, period.
J dog,
We do know what happens when Roman calls plays down the field. Alex does not elect to make those throws. He surmises that the guy isn’t open and checks down to Gore. You do not start Smith out of sympathy. smith was supposed to go in last week. Didn’t get a play. Kap is better. You make the choice that gives the team the best chance to win the game. That is Kap.
We do know what happens when Roman calls plays down the field. Alex does not elect to make those throws. He surmises that the guy isn’t open and checks down to Gore. You do not start Smith out of sympathy. smith was supposed to go in last week. Didn’t get a play. Kap is better. You make the choice that gives the team the best chance to win the game. That is Kap.
Jordan, do you think when AS starts, he will stop checking down more often and attempt to make those throws even though they might not be within his comfort zone? Sympathy was not the terminology I was referring to though. The rift that would be created within the locker room would be too much of a distraction. I agree that Kap is a more gifted athlete but I strongly feel that AS will start. Now with KH gone for the season, it will be interesting to see what kind of plays Roman calls.
J dog,
Alex starting says to the team that even if you’re better than the guy in front of you on the depth chart. You can’t take his job because he didn’t do anything to lose it. Kaepernick has outplayed Alex Smith against 2 quality opponents in the last 2 weeks. His passing yards are 30-40 yards better than Smiths. He’s manufactured 10 passes of more than 20 yards in 2 games, Smith had 22 in 9 games. Kap has doubled that. Kap has 1 sack in 2 games. Smith averages 4-5 sacks a game. Sacks kill drives. This isn’t rocket science. JH is not going to start Smith out of Sympathy. Kap took Smiths job. Alex has to respect that if he truly is a team player.
Smith does not have what Kap has. He can’t just decides that he wants to be more aggressive now. He should’ve been that way from the start.
They are the same plays…Kap is just able to make the throws that Alex couldn’t. Vernon Davis says, “I turned around and the ball the was just there. The TE usually doesn’t get the ball on that play because it’s a difficult throw for the QB. It reminded me of a throw that Tom Brady makes.”
Yeah, that was a little telling. VD give politician’s answers usually, but he was clearly surprised that the ball came his way, because Alex would choose not to throw it. Different playing styles for different QBs.
So where was Vernon last Sunday and Randy Moss who is suppose to take the top off defenses?
The offesne is designed for the QB to take what the defense gives them. Its not specific to any QB. The QB has to make the right decision in dtermining what the defense is dictating and the read is take what is there.
Moss and Vernon were being covered and schemed for. Therefore you seen manningham and Delanie Walker have big days.
FDM, I feel like you just answered your own question?
Thats my point dangle. People are saying that CK is more explosive and that he has added an element to this offense. Yes he has a superior arm and running ability but the offense has not changed.
The Bears played man to man , therefore more down field throws were made. Kap took what the defnese gave him.
Against the Saints, they took away Vernon and Moss and Kap made plays with his legs avoiding the rush and hit more Delanie and Manningham.
So Smith cannot avoid pressure like CK but he can still run and make better reads.
Again, should not lose your job to injury when you have played well and the dynamic of your team remains the same.The defense has saved smith just like it did against the Bears and the saints for CK. No difference.
Bull, those aren’t the same plays. The playbook as been obviously simplified for Kaepernick.
Alex calls Kill Kill Kill when he sees that the play will bust. Alex is also 19-24 under this coaching regime.
Do the math.
Mark
I think you meant 19-5.
FDM,
VD had a nice catch come back because of penalty. He also dropped a 25 yard pass that hit him on the numbers.
CK didn’t ignore him, he threw him two beautifully thrown balls.
FDM,
you didn’t mention sacks, yards lost to sacks and third down conversions when comparing the two. Why?
JH has done a big picture evaluation of both and it’s not based on hurt feeling and emotion like most are doing in this room….
Hi DS94everXev,
My bad, you’re right, I did mean 19-5…
i was beginning to see a few games back before the concussion that the ball was being spread around to the many weapons…in the beginning of the season not so much….MM was hurt…. but as the season progressed the # of rcvrs involved increased….so i was holding out that AS was reading defenses very well and started getting the a visual in his mind where rcvrs would be at different time intervals in the evolution of the play…..but AS did have some issues with letting the play evolve a couple of more seconds…CK accentuated this aspect and then those medium depth plays showed up (+10yds pass in air)…The OL played unbelievable in the bear game and so those plays didn’t rely require constant evading the rush….the NO game there was a bit more scrambling and CK showed some promise but also showed some negatives with almost interceptions and carrying the ball loosely
Joke contest!!!
Q: What is the biggest mistake of Harbaugh’s career?
Here are mine:
A: Hiring Leslie Nielsen to write his press conference statements?
A: Allowing the 40 year-old virgin and Jimmy Raye to pick out his wardrobe?
A: Never learned to cook anything besides 2$ steak?
A: Always having to sit next to Rex Ryan at the Coaches table?
A: Agreeing to run this blog under the pseudonym: Grant Cohn?
Submit your entries!
First of all, it is never a mistake to hire Leslie Neilson to write press conference statements. The answer is and would always be anything to do with Jimmy Raye. When the question is what is the biggest mistake and Jimmy Raye is one of the choices, my advice would be to not even read the other answers and go straight for JR.
@ jsand3030:
Sounds like someone knows how to execute an effective standardized test strategy.
lol!
So a reports out that Kendall Hunter is done for the season too. This is not good. I hope Jacobs is ready to pick up the slack (although he doesn’t add what Hunter did to the run game.)
Definitely not! KH was the change-of-pace to Gore. LaMichael James is that also except with less physicality and without the one year under his belt that KH has. Damn, we’re gonna miss KH!
I think you start Kaepernick and keep him as the starter to maintain continuity with the offense as much as any other reason with five games left. And if they do go with AS, then stick with him as well for the same reason. I’m just hoping that when Harbaugh announces the starter for the Ram’s game, that he declares that it’s for the remainder of the season and not a game-to-game decision.
Jeff Fisher seems to think he’s preparing for Kaep.
San Francisco 49ers QB Colin Kaepernick
St. Louis Rams coach Jeff Fisher, sharing impressions from Week 10 while looking ahead to the Rams’ game against the 49ers in Week 13: “Mobility and accuracy. We didn’t confuse him. He made plays. And then to come back and do what he did on Monday night against the Bears was pretty impressive. Then, to carry it on again [Sunday in New Orleans] was impressive. Obviously, the subtle differences over the last couple games are that the ball is going downfield with accuracy. You take their running game — which, we all know how talented and productive their running game is — then you add the vertical passing game to it, it makes a huge challenge on your defense.”
Grimey9er
Thanks for sharing that. It sure sounds like Fisher is expecting CK7 to start. I believe that will be the decision come Wednesday.
Tomorrow will be a huge day in Smither nation, all six of you and another 15 with phony profiles. It will be your D day, it will be the biggest day of your life. The anticipation will be too much to handle. Does Harbaugh start Smith? If he does he would win the battle but not the war. This will be AS last of 9 lives. When AS struggles, or gets sack a few times, or play his third and outs like a pee wee football QB or he is in the red zone and plays like he is scared out of his mind and Akers misses a few more field goals, you are done, AS will be so nervous because he will be on a very short leach, and will be toast..Kaep will come in and saved the day. AS will be pulled out in a New York second. Whatever happens Kaep will be starting next year for sure and AS will be a stop gate for another QB on another team. My belief is that Kaep will start and tomorrow their will be sun.
Spoken like a true 49er fan with the best interest on the team, not the drama, oh wait, its you Neal, my bad.
Give me a break all you kaep haters
Show us one comment by a Smither that is deragotory towards Kaepernick?
Your answer, dont have the time right?
Read Prime and DS responses , they are crying like they lost their best friend, oh wait a minute they did.
Neal
Shut up. Deragatory is not nearly the same thing as critical or questioning. I never wrote anything remotely like “Alice” or insulted CK’s manhood in anyway. All criticims I’ve made of the young man are football related. That is the difference between the two of us. And I doubt Prime did as you claim as well.
Tell me. What happens if AS is named the starter? Does that prove to you that he is better and will this debate end?
DS,
If AS is the starter, it is nothing but temporary, AS is not better then CK, AS will be under a huge amount of pressure, if he does not perform, he will be pulled very quickly, CK is no David Carr.
Answer the question Neal.
What happens to your theory if AS starts? Why would JH start AS if he isn’t in fact better?
If CK starts, I’ve already said AS won’t be here and we will sink/swim with CK from here on till CK retires/replaced/fired. JH will have burned that bridge.
Just the old rule that AS should not lose his job because of injury, although JH is looking at the entire frame of work, that he has hit his ceiling, has played in 4 below average games this season. Frankly DS, I feel that JH knows CK is the future of the team but out of loyalty and respect, he will give AS a start, but he will be yank when he struggles. If I was a betting man, I believe that CK will start.
Neal
CK played below average in the Rams game. Great in the Bears game. And ayt best average in the NO game. 2TD’s against the worse NFL D is far from great. That averages to average. Nothing about AS has been average at 19-5 and near top QB rating.
CK’s stats aren’t as good with a lower passer rating either if you are a stat guy. He isn’t AS. So that is the reason for your excitement.
As harbaugh put it: “I though he acquitted himself very well” -regarding the Kapinator’s performance
DS,
Are you saying that DS played great against the Viking, Giants, Jets and Seahawks this year? You got to be on crack. CK won a game at the Super dome he is basically a rookie, second full game in his career, do you realize how hard that is , oh by the way AS is 0-3 at the Super dome in his career.
“JH will have burned that bridge.”
That is a great sentence DS, considering that a bridge is exactly how Harbaugh and the organization is how they used Smith.
Yes Neal. DS played great in those games.
@FDM…
I get a kick out of Neal’s comments…it makes me wonder how much he knows, or understands about football, when the majority of his posts are laden with statements that appear to be made by a 13 or 14 year old……he’s attempting to follow in the footsteps of MD, Bay and 23J..the major difference there is that the afore mentioned actually have considerable knowledge, and though they throw out the Smither term with regularity, their posts contain some good points. This post by Neal is a good case in point…
I agree 55. IMO Neal has the highest % of posts that do nothing but try to make fun of or insult someone else. I wish it could just be point and counterpoint, about football, but some feel the need to degrade someone else in order to elevate their own agenda\beliefs.
There are no Kaep haters Neal, the ‘haters’ are still the ‘haters’. The people that hated that Alex was our QB, are still the same people exhibiting the same behavior. It’s a frame of mind not which QB you prefer. The people who backed Smith will back whoever is playing, regardless. Of course you have the few who just like to battle, they will come up with something anyway.
GO NINERS!!!
Bray,
You mean like Hofer and DS, I mean BS, you meanPrime time? No these people don’t back Kaepernick. Hofer complained that Kap was a running QB and couldn’t play in the pocket. BS complained about the horrible, “almost interception that Kap threw!” Prime complains that Kap didn’t do anything that Alex can’t do and that Alex shouldn’t lose his job to injury. Look at the games Bray. The Kap games don’t lie. The kid is fierce. Which makes complaints about Kap sound really silly. The kid is balling. I hope you see it.
Jordan- I see it, the guys a stud! I am stoked to see what the next 10 years holds. I am surprised by his overall presence, I knew he had the physical tools.
I don’t think what they ‘said’ is hate, it’s a point.
When it becomes all the time and personal, then it becomes ‘hate’. I guess that’s just what we do around here. If we said the same things while we were sitting around knocking a few pops down, it would be acceptable, but on a blog it seems a little over the top sometimes.
Score- SF 31 STL 10
@ jordan:
You mean they don’t have the long history of backing Kaepernick like you do?
23jordan says:
August 6, 2012 at 6:56 am
Josh Johnson will be the 2nd string QB on this team. Kap is not the answer.
55 whiner
For a guy who says he went to Kezar stadium, you have shown this blog very little with your football knowledge, that is my impression of you.
@Neal
Once again you’ve shown everybody on this blog your level of intelligence….or should I say low level of intelligence. You’ve yet to post a comment that displays any kind of knowledge or experience relative to football….your idea of a thought provoking post is to denegrate other 49er fans that have a point of view different than yours…the problem with that is, you don’t make a counter point, you resort to name calling and personal insults…..completely un-necessary, but completely Neal…….regarding your comment about my Kezar experience, there have been numerous times, as a matter of fact, that I’ve posted comments that generated sensible football discussion among the fans. You’re absolutely misguided on that. Because I don’t follow the daily ‘ let’s bitch about Alex Smith’ routine, isn’t an indicator of not posting comments of substance…..Oh, by the way, your opinion of me and $2.25 will get me a cup of coffee at Peet’s..
55 wanna be
Your nothing but a pompous blowhole and do you really think I give a rat’s ass, on your opinion of me.
@Neal
See what I mean Neal….I mean really…55Whiner, 55Wannabe, pompous blow hole? Once again the senseless name calling…I suspect due in large part to your limited ability to put rational, intelligent thoughts together, without first reading, or having someone else read to you, a post made by others on the blog that are able to do so.
I can’t help but think Alex Smith must have stolen your bike and spit in your soup for the extreme opinions you have against him. I like Kaepernick and am very excited for his future with the 49ers, but I think the locker room becomes much more fractured by starting Kaepernick over Smith. AS has looked really good when Roman has allowed him to air it out. I think they should let Smith start using the aggressive plays called for CK before any final decision is made.
I think the locker room gets more fractured of smith starts. I think there is little doubt that the team is behind Kap. The team has played some inspired football the last two weeks. The players know that the best guy should play and they know who has the better chance to take them to the Big Dance.
Hi Domingo,
I would have to respectfully disagree. Alex is very very popular and respected in that locker room. They voted him captain (Harbaugh doesn’t appoint captains like Singletary did). Vernon Davis made a statement yesterday that made it pretty clear that he wanted Alex to start — even though he got a few balls thrown his way against Chicago.
Kaepernick is incredibly talented and he should probably become the starter next year but I truly believe he’s not ready this year — and I believe the players on the 49ers this season will be better off with the leader they already trust.
Mark,
Vernon is up and down and he has campaigned for both Alex and Kaepernock. Are you saying that the players don’t trust Kaepernick? Players like who?
23jordan,
I’m saying that the team hasn’t built the level of trust with Kaepernick that they have with Smith. Many of them have been playing with Alex for 3 or more seasons. I’m not saying that they can’t build that but it takes time. I also believe that Kaepernick should be the unquestioned starter next season.
It was interesting that Manningham said the other day that they had to really work harder to support Kaepernick and that they were ready to do that once he’d gotten the start. That came across to me as a rather thinly veiled dig.
Davis HAS been up and down, but its interesting that he came out yesterday, after the NO game and after Harbaugh wouldn’t commit (again) and backed Smith.
CK has seen the rams defense…..this may be an overriding factor for CK starting…..rams defense is better than NO and with fischer they may be better prepared for CK….so if i had my druthers i would start CK and see how he does with a second helping of ram
it will be a first real test to see how defense prepare for CK and in the rams case since they have seen CK personally may see a different look and this may help the niners with the season ending run on how other teams might try and defend against the niners…..can the rams show the blueprint vs CK….even if they don’t it will still be enough information for other teams to build a defensive scheme against CK….
and maybe JH doesn’t want this to occur so he starts AS to keep the rams from providing the rest of the league with a blueprint
CK has his worst game of the 3 against the Rams, which is understandable becasue he was just thrown in there. I fully expect him to do much better if given another opportunity this weekend. AS has had a great season and i’d love to see him unleashed, as his throws and reads have been spot on all season.
I’m interested to see how Jenkins steps in and if CK and him have an instant connection from taking 2nd team reps.
MCP,
You’re failing to realize that the playbook is the the same for both guys and the play calls have been the same. That’s one thing that is not in dispute on this blog. Roman has called the plays the same, it’s just that Kapernick has chosen to make throws that Smith won’t chance. I said it weeks ago. There is a difference between being Alex Smith open and being Kaepernick open. Alex need 3-4 more yards of space because he doesn’t have the arm strength and he doesn’t have the confidence in his arm, and he is not as accurate on deeper throws.
Yes, Jim, I hope you read what Grant has to say. If you think that your 15 years as a NFL QB and 5 others as a NFL coach gave you sufficient insight into QB issues, you’d be flat wrong! Grant represents the collective football wisdom of the Cohn family and hordes of blogger fans fed up with too many years of Alex Smith!
But seriously, I don’t see any way that Harbs can yank Kaep out of the starting job now short of injury. Kaep has done as well or better than anyone could have expected under the circumstances. Every time he touches the ball, there is the chance of a big play whether its with his ostrich sprint or a deep throw or a shorter throw with a deft touch.
Having said that, I don’t think Alex’s ceiling under Harbaugh had been reached. Alex has been steadily improving his overall skill-set, decision making and reading of defenses. It’s too bad that he’s somewhat risk averse and his long-range accuracy and pocket elusiveness never did improve as much as it needed to. Alex will probably have to be prepared for his eight OC next year. However, he’ll be far better prepared as a NFL QB leaving the Niners in 2013 than he’d have been leaving in 2011 after Sing’s departure.
But then again, Harbs may start Alex just to mess with the fan’s minds :) Niners can win the Super Bowl with either QB.
Regarding the two season-ending injuries, the players that Harbaugh promotes to the 53-man team will give some indication of the direction of evolution of the offense under Kaep.
Good post Mood and a great point on this belief Smith has reached his ceiling. His last two starts he was completing over 90% of his passes. How is that hitting the wall or reaching the ceiling?
RRatto has written the best piece I’ve seen on this subject, “Superior play doesn’t measure up to potential”.
I believe they give AS his job back because he didn’t lose it due to poor play. Getting injured is just happenstance. They send the wrong message if players get injured, especially something as serious as a concussion, if they lose their job based on injury and not performance. TBradshaw mentioned this on the Sunday postgame show. If a player gets concussed on a given play, they will not say they are not well due to fear of losing their starting job.
CK has played well during 2 2/3 of backup play. He was outstanding against the Bears. The game against the Saints was not stellar. He was stunning moving in the pocket and extending plays, but his INT and near INT in the end zone, would be disastrous in the playoffs. JH knows this. He also knows that without the two INTs returned for TDs by the 9ers defense, this game could have as easily been a loss.
AS has not hit his ceiling. Yes, he is clearly not as mobile or athletic as CK and neither is any other starter in the league. But just looking at the stats, AS has been improving every year since JH has taken over the reins. The one category statistically where AS is lacking, especially for the fantasy players, is total passing yards. That is due to lack of attempts. Even prior to being injured, he was 125-150 attempts behind the top 15 starters even though his ypa is 8. The one thing that AS has done well, that we haven’t seen from CK yet, is bringing the team back from behind. AS did that on the biggest stage against the Saints last year. Not once, but twice. JH has not forgotten about that and he knows, being a former QB, how difficult that is to do.
My gut tells me that JH will start AS, but he will utilize the QB shuffle 10-12 times against the Rams, especially with KHunter out for the remainder of the year.
If they are going to give AS’ job back, why didn’t Harbaugh come out from the very beginning and say that CK was just in there to back him up until Alex was healthy? If he was so set on Alex staying the starter this is what he would have done. Instead hes been ambiguous and put in alot of energy in protecting feelings.
wouldn’t have changed the fan controversy foam
“The one thing that AS has done well, that we haven’t seen from CK yet, is bringing the team back from behind.”
We saw it twice against St Louis. Unfortunately the defense couldn’t hold the lead, and Akers missed the FG.
Keep trying…
Jack,
A lead of 14-7 early in the 2nd quarter can hardly be called a comeback. LOL
Hofer,
What exactly are the comeback rules and qualifications?
I have to agree with Jack on this one. Kaep, who at the time had had only a handful of meaningful snaps in his career, brought the team back against the Rams on a day the defense did not play well, and the 49ers would have won that game if not for poor special teams play.
Sure, the Rams game constitutes a very small data set at this time, but the data do exist. Thus, it is erroneous to claim that we have not seen it (bringing a team back from a deficit) from CK yet, unless the statement is qualified to read that we have not seen CK bring the team back from a deficit in a game that he has started.
Going 63 yards with only 1:09 left to send the game into OT isn’t too shabby.
The NFL measures QB comebacks in the fourth quarter.
Yes, and if not for the Akers miss he has one.
Keep trying…
Hofer,
What specific time in the 4th quarter do the QB comeback rules actually start? Just so can know when to throw on my rally cap…
Kaepernick proved he couldn’t come back against the Rams.
We all were dissapointed at Akers’ missed FG in OT but if Kaepernick had been able to come back we wouldn’t have been in OT.
We were playing THE RAMS for Christ’s sake!
Mark,
Pro Football Reference disagree’s with you.
http://www.pro-football-reference.com/teams/sfo/2012.htm
“RRatto has written the best piece ”
Lol thats a statement that never before has been uttered!
Dangle,
Not true. He’s won awards for his writing.
Ratto’s great.
ok Hof and Angus, against my better sensibilities, I read the article and it was good. I’m surprised that Hof likes this article because Rayray said that starting CK would create a ‘quarterback cornucopia’ while starting Alex would fuel the QB controversy.
Personally, I would disagree that JH’s handling of the situation is necessarily a reflection of his Ability to explain his decision, when it could very well really reflect a lack of a Desire to do so. And somehow VD expressing confidence in both guys is a bad thing? I dunno. PS what are these awards he has won? A 3 second google search was not revealing.
Maybe whoever they start, the team moves forward peacefully and on board with it and just leaves the fighting to us! Good post Hof!
Hofer
If you take emotion out of it, you will realize that CK7 is the better QB and better option to start over AS. There will be no wrong message sent by starting CK7. The message will be simple: the best players will get to play. If you outperform your peers, you will start. Its as simple as that.
Nick,
Emotion is based on hyperbole. Every word in my comment is based on fact.
“Every word in my comment is based on my opinion.”
Fixed it for you.
Looks like you might not have ever played on a sports team and/or seen the division it can cause your lockerroom when a player loses his job due to injury. How do I know? I coached a team one year and it was the biggest mistake I have ever made not going back to the starter.
@FDM, that has not been my experience. I think it can go either way and depends entirely on the situation. There have been plenty of times when guys lose their jobs to injury in the NFL. Its part of life. Remember how NFL stands for Not For Long? Its not what have you done for me, its what have you done for me lately? This is a ~billion dollar business (depending on which team you are talking about) and they are not going to spare guys feelings
I remember days when future HOF players were cut when they could no longer play up to a standard expected of them. Remember Bill Walsh cutting ties with Ronnie Lott and Joe Montana? This is a business and performance based league. If the next guy is better, then he should start. It sounds cold, but the NFL is no place for touchy feely types.
Pssttt…Nick
JM was traded for a 1st round pick
Also it wasn’t BW who parted with any of those players. It was Seifert.
“Remember Bill Walsh cutting ties with Ronnie Lott and Joe Montana?”
Nope. Walsh was not a part of the organization for either of those moves.
Hofer,
Quoting Ray Ratto??? The wackiest writer in the entire Bay Area!!!! You are really desperate now. Poor fella. Alex Smith is not starting. This is the NFL. This is not the sympathy league. Better be there to comfort Alex, like you were last year. After all, you are related to him aren’t you??? Poor guys. You Smithers kill me.
Yeah and Ratto writes opinion-editorial pieces than factual ones
Ratto is an excellent writer. You, sir, are the wackiest writer in the entire Bay area! :)
Ray Ratto knows that Kaepernick is the best fit for the Niners right now. If he doesn’t, he will know in 24 hours because JH will tell him and all of us so. Sorry Hofer, it’s over.
I bet you’re ready for the QB’s to share reps in a game now aren’t you? I bet it won’t affect Alex smiths rhythm now will it? Anything to see Smith play!! Lol
@23 jordan/you told us that the 49ers might as well trade Kaepernick:
Ray Ratto knows that Kaepernick is the best fit for the Niners right now.
Better than Josh Johnson? Now that the UFL has ceased operations, does that mean JJ is available? What about Troy Smith? The 49ers have a roster spot open.
Claude,
Liar, I’m still waiting for the post??
Claude,
Josh is not a Niner, Alex Smith won’t be for long. You mad Bro? You are extremely hurt! All Smithers are. Sorry kid, it’s over. You can’t save the baby! Alex is no longer YOUR starting QB for the San Francisco 49ers. Sorry son!!
@23jordan:
Liar, I’m still waiting for the post??
If you insist.
23jordan says:
August 6, 2012 at 12:35 pm
Rocket,
I thought you were a bit more football savvy than that. Teams don’t give players $500k signing bonuses as favors for the head coach. Johnson was signed because he can help this team win and he will. Can’t wait until preseason starts so he can outshine smith. Kap may as well be trade bait. He won’t be playing this year. Lost a tad bit of credibility big rocket.
Btw, I laugh when you tell other commenters that they lost credibility. You welch, you lie, and you don’t know anything about football. You wouldn’t recognize credibility if it bit you in the backside.
nifty
he kind of reminds me of the raider group back a few years that seemingly took over the blog…or maybe one of there kids
CBalls! Nice pull! thats hilarious! We got an amnesia patient on our hands. lol
@ dangle, jgwindsor:
Amnesia? He knew he wrote that. He just didn’t think I could find it. jordan is as dishonorable and untrustworthy as they come.
I also like how he skulked away instead of manning up and admitting he said it.
That doesn’t sound like an endorsement or CK!
“an endorsement of CK” LOL
@ Hofer:
It gets better.
23jordan says:
August 6, 2012 at 6:56 am
Josh Johnson will be the 2nd string QB on this team. Kap is not the answer.
Man, jordan sure told us about Kaepernick, didn’t he?
Lol! Jordo always picks someone as long as it ain’t Smith! I’m sure he was calling for Carr at one point. This is the only shot he’s got but claiming he called it? He’s called everyone!
I told him I’d go back and find those posts if he continued his selective memory. Thanks for saving me the time Claude.
Jordan time to man up and admit you know nothing about QB’s bud. You whine and moan for the non Alex Smith’s and this time it just so happens the next guy is pretty good. That isn’t knowledge; that is a blind squirrel finding a nut.
Jordan where’d you go brah? Some people are making up these crazy stories about you!
I have inside information that Kaep is starting, a friend of a friend is a maintenance guy, at 49er head quarters, and he was in Harbaugh office, but the coach had his chair turned the other way and didn’t see him and was on speaker phone and the conversation went like this.
“Hello Dad”
“Hello Son”
“Son don’t be a moron and start Alex Smith on Sunday, don’t want to lose your job son”
” Yes Daddy”
Count on it. The future is now with Kaep.
oooh, What a doozie! Step aside Mr. Carrot Top, there’s a new funny guy in town.
Hof,
Not one of the Alex haters here. I like him. I admire your loyalty to Smith, by all accounts a fine QB and he seems like a great guy. Just a couple things here, in the interest of fairness. The Rams game was 17-7 with 9 minutes left in the 4th. And CK technically wasn’t a back up for 2 of the 2 2/3 games you mentioned; he actually started. Most, of our offensive metrics improved in the 2 games CK started (ypa, 3rd down conv %, ypc, points per play, etc). It’s amazing that we’re getting these kind of metrics from our offense with a guy in his 1st 2 starts. As someone not emotionally invested in the Smith/anti-Smith debate, we have slightly better QB play from CK and a higher upside. From a business perspective, if you’re Jed, Paraag, and Trent, you’re looking at a vastly lower cap # with Kaep than with Alex. In terms of intangibles, skill set, and athleticism, I believe CK gives us a better chance against teams like the Giants. We’ll see how it plays out.
5253,
I see your points and respect them. I should have said, “backup starter”. What you and others dismiss, I’m not sure if it is bias not reading enough of your comments to know if they are slanted one way or another, CK threw two really poor passes against the Saints. One was intercepted the other was saved by RMoss, which didn’t get called for the obvious OPI. Lucky for him, DBrees played worse than he did. The other point is that the Saints have the worse defense in the league and CK scored 1 running TD and 1 passing TD – again not stellar.
Regarding the score, you are incorrect. It was 17-7 in the 3rd qtr. The 9ers took the lead early in the 4th qtr 21-17.
Hofer,
Hilarious!!! Ck threw 2 really poor passes!!!!!!! Amazing. Alex Smith has never thrown 2 really poor passes in one game. OMG. Alex Smith threw 3 picks against the NY Giants in less than 10 minutes.
Now we’re even counting almost interceptions!!’ Pathetic. You are killing me Hofer! Man, what is wrong with you. The Kaepernick bandwagon is taking off. You with us or not!?!?!?
agree these are some positives
And i Think what might have sealed the deal for CK (this or next year) are what hes done at the line. The audibles and changes have been whats most impressive
I wasn’t hugely sold on Harbaugh because I felt like he inherited a lot of what he did last season. Now that I’ve seen 2 different QBs succeed in this system, I certainly haven’t given Harbaugh enough credit.
Audibles at the line have been a major success for both QBs. That’s a credit not only to the man under center but also the coaching staff.
Hofer – Plenty of teams have changed starters somewhere along the way during the course of their Super seasons.
Read this SI article:
http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2012/writers/don_banks/11/27/colin-kaepernick-49ers-super-bowl/index.html
Crab, thanks for the link.
Hof, I too have heard a lot of former players talking about “If a player gets concussed on a given play, they will not say they are not well due to fear of losing their starting job.”
I have some thoughts on the issue.
1) This is exactly why the league needs to step up and take concussion prevention/care farther out of the hands of the players. They are developing impact sensors built into helmets that will alert the medical staff when certain thresholds of head collision forces have been reached. This technology should be up-scaled and integrated as soon as possible.
2) Guys like Willie Parker speaking out saying in the same sentence that players do it out of team unity/responsibility/selfLessness (can’t let teammates down) and fear of losing millions of dollars due to losing your job. It CAN’T be both selfless and fear of losing millions of dollars (a selfish reason). If it really was about your team, then if your backup was good enough to take your job, then you should just give it to him for the good of the team. Obviously thats not going to happen, so selflessness/team-first is not the reason players wouldn’t speak up. They don’t want to lose their job and then lose millions. Which (for the Record) is a perfectly understandable reason, and i’m not attacking it, but don’t come out pretending to be all noble.
3) Personal responsibility. Starting now, it is no longer an excuse to claim ignorance. Players who resist the concussion rules do so with the explicit knowledge that their life may be drastically impacted. Yet, it will be those same guys who sign on to sue the NFL when they get older, which threatens the game for all of us (see, my reasons are selfish).
4) Given all of that, the fear of encouraging player misconduct (keeping quiet about their concussion symptoms) is not solid rationale for making team decisions that will affect Winning and the future of the franchise.
isn’t there already an outside nfl team concussion team (3rd party) that basically has the mojo to subject any player during game time to administer a test if the 3rd party sees a suspectable impact….
jg, I don’t know, so I looked into it (briefly). I found this: and its relevant to our team.
http://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/nfl/2012/11/13/jarrett-bell-nfl-concussions/1703581/
I heard something on ESPN radio about how the NYG and another team or two were being uniquely proactive about their concussion monitoring protocol, but that was the exception, and that league-wide, the enforcement of concussion protocols is pretty inconsistent.
thnx
Harbaugh isn’t wishy washy, he’s very firm with his actions. He’ll continue to start Kaepernick. 5 more regular season games, especially against playoff teams in NE & Seattle on the road, will give him all the experience he’ll need to make a succesful Super Bowl run. 8 more games to #6!
Harb will START who ever the hell he wants. And it will be Alex Smith, hate or love it, Alex will be the starter for the rest of this season LOL!!!
Laugh Out Loud
What will you change your name to when he doesn’t?
Back to prime time like he always does!!
Does the Alex Smith haters disappear if he does?
May the best man win!
+1
NinerMd,
The best man already has won, the past 2 games. Against the Bears and Saints. 2 very good teams bro. The Smithers are squirming and I love it!!
I think ck is the better qb, but does Harbaugh? If he thinks Smith is a better option right now I gotta roll with it my dude. I want a Super Bowl badly. Wheeeew!
Ninermd,
If we know who the best option is. If the entire bay area media knows who the best QB is. If the nation knows who the best QB is. Md, dod you homestly think JH does not know?????? C’Mon man. ROBOKAP is the dude bro!
There won’t be a smother on this board after 2:00 tomorrow afternoon!
Did you honestly not know?
gobble gobble dis-anointed one
Grant OMG the sky is falling the sky is falling….I too believe Harbaugh should start CK but if he does’nt it wont be the end of the world or even the end of this season. One of two things will happen AS will play well and the 9ers will win or AS will play poorly and Harbaugh will pull him for Kap and i believe he will win. Do i believe Kap is the better choice? Yes. If he goes back to smith it will workout. Breathe Grant breathe
hahaha +1
A little late in the season to be playing musical chairs at qb isn’t it? His decision will have to be final. At this time.
maybe after this sunday it will be disruptive to be playing musical chairs at that position
Time for meds, 19R
Great Grant, now you just guaranteed that Jim will not start CK and will stick it out with Alex for the next 3 years.
Since when does Jim ever listen to you or your Dad? I actually love it when your Dad asks a question, you can just see Jim getting all ticked off, thinking, “Damn, it’s Lowell again.” Hey I like your dad, been reading since I was a kid in the Sporting Green.
Jim knows what he’s doing. If he starts Alex I am fine with that. Plodding and methodical serves its purpose in shortening the game and giving less plays for the D. They are great and elite but they are vulnerable. CK’s best drive was a 16 play 10 minute drive. Of course CK has the upside and next year is his year.
Alex has had some good games this year. We all knock him for being inconsistent. We can say the same for CK once we get a better sample. Matt Maoicco also said that CK was throwing the ball over the yard in training camp. He also said we should start CK the rest of the year.
Maybe this is a good distraction to have because the main strength of this team is the running game, which will be tested now that Hunter is out for they year. Saints got their bounty after all.
smiled about the bounty comment…..
Looks like Grant will have to play: “Whack a Mole” all day long. Tedious.
Juvenile.
“Whack A Mole”
Great game!!
Grant, you conveniently fail to mention the scenario where Alex starts and plays well!
Also his play is and always has been dissected to a ridiculous degree so how is it any different to his whole career? personally i think if Alex starts he will be motivated to a whole new level now that he knows that kaep is ready to swipe his job. It’s a great situation.
whatever happens i can’t wait for Sunday.
This guy is obviously a seahawks fan that has nothing else to do
Listening to KNBR last night… One caller claimed to be and certainly sounded like a doctor, with some knowledge of what is being discussed at team level. Big concern with hits and concussions and quarterbacks. He believes that in the current NFL environment, if Smith goes in and gets hit with another concussion he will be out for the year including the playoffs. And that possibility is not being taken lightly. And that if it did happen that way it would truly all be up to Kap at that point. First time I had heard Smith’s health issue being presented in this light but it makes a great deal of sense. Coach not wanting to delve into his personal past any further may be because of how many times he and others actually played when they should not have and he does not want to be on any greater record as having done so. And this scenario would also be consistent with their normally cautious approach lending credence to giving this a great deal of weigh in their overall strategy of marshaling the teams resources.
Yes, the first I heard of that too however, I thought I just read JH say that his health is no longer part of the decision, for whatever that’s worth!
Harbaugh is not starting Alex Smith on Sunday despite all the games he’s playing withe the media. This is Kap’s job, now and for the long term. And I predict more deep shots down the field this week from the cannon-armed kid from Turlock.
Somebody asked me the other day who Kap reminded me of, and the last QB I can remember who threw the ball with that velocity, had that size, and could run that well was….John Elway. Some say Randall Cunningham is a better comp, but Kap is a much better pure passer than Cunningham ever was. And as far as Kap’s throwing motion is concerned, nobody is mentioning it any longer now that he’s playing great because it’s a non-factor and it always was. ESPN’s Sports Science did an analysis on his throwing motion in 2010 and concluded that he gets the ball out quickly and with great accuracy.
http://espn.go.com/high-school/football/video/clip?id=6598525
The kid can flat-out ball and we’re going to be set for the next 10 years at that position — which is, by the way, the most important position on the field. It’s why teams like NE and IND stayed competitive for a decade while they rotated players through other positions. It’s why the Niners were great for nearly 20 seasons from ’81 – ’98. And it’s the toughest position to fill on the roster because great QB talents are rare. I can’t believe our good luck.
@ Fudgehammer:
If Kaepernick turns out to be the player you say he is, luck had nothing to do with it. The credit goes to Baalke and Harbaugh.
I agree that Harbaugh and Baalke deserve a TON of credit for trading up to draft Kaepernick, but they were incredibly lucky that teams who also needed a QB (Vikings, Titans, Jaguars) selected other guys instead of the one QB — outside of only Cam Newton perhaps — who had the most natural talent in the draft. How do you think the Jags and Titans feel now after watching Kap play? Both Gabbert and Locker have been below-average players so far. I think Kap will someday have the Bengals wishing they had chosen him over Andy Dalton, who is a nice player with athletic (arm, speed) limitations.
Lucky that none of the other 31 teams had the foresight to draft him first.
Nice! THanks for the link Fudge. I have a strange feeling that those rumors in the description of the video are oddly credible!
You are certainly right about the other QBs. Cam is looking like trouble, like many always thought he would, Locker is terrible, and I’m still not fully convinced that Gabbert actually plays for an NFL team. I think (and for the record always thought) that Ponder and Dalton can be serviceable QBs, but I had no idea about The Kapinator!
@fudgehammer great name i was a big frank nunley fan in the late 60′s early 70′s
had me sum dim sum with nunley in the late 80′s
“Looks so sweet, but hits so hard….”
Fudge,
The Niners have changed Kaps delivery big time. Go and check out some footage of him at Nevada and compare it with the past couple of weeks. They really have made his motion a lot more compact and it seems to have helped his accuracy as well.
That may have been tweaked before he was drafted. the Sports science before the draft clocked his motion at .375, and the Sports Science Tebow edition (.6 btw) said that their average for NFL QBs in .4 seconds… ergo, Goofy though it may look due to his lankyness, he’s apparently got some serious quick-twitch and at least the ability to unleash a throw faster than average. Hooray!
not that I’m doubting the coaching he as received.
@ Rocket,
I noticed that about two months ago during pregame warmups. Drastically different. His footwork too.
It looked forced back then. Looks very natural now.
Grant,It doesn’t make any difference which QB he puts in every play that isn’t perfect is going to be compared and complained about.The only way he could have avoided that was for Alex to not have gotten hurt,and it was already happening prior to that with the hypothetical QB of the future and the hall of famers of the past.
I think he should stick with his stated starter who was taken out because of concussion symtoms and now he knows what he has in Kap for the future wether that is this year or next.
I believe they will be able to go as far as they are going to make it this year with either QB it is the system that I have confidence in.
I know that you folks that want Alex gone will disagree but thats OK I have my opinion and your welcome to yours.
AS was 7/8 with 1 TD before being knocked out of the Ram game. This would be the perfect game for AS to assume his starting role against the team that knocked him out for 3 games. TBD.
hof
The last complete game AS played, he was 18/19 with the one incompletion being a drop. He would have broken an NFL record. One which Steve Young held. He was named offensive player of the week.
He scored 3 TD’s passses in the redzone. All on 3rd down. Grant’s favorite down to put down AS’s skills by the way. And AS did that against a Defense better than the Saints D, with OL play (while good that game) that was’t as good as CK’s Bears game OL protection.
CK hasn’t come close to matching that.
Poor BS,
and what did AS do prior to that game? Two games in which his combined scoring was 16 points. Averages out to 8 points a game. His stat line was 4 Int’s versus 1 TD.
The one game was against the Giants and it gave JH an indication that Smith couldn’t beat them.
Bay bay go away.
Seriously. Go away. You are a racist/sexist pig. And those are your best qualities.
@ Hofer,
that would be great except this isn’t about AS, it’s about the “team”.
Sorry DS,
it’s my job to expose your bs whenever you post. And you do it “whenever” you post lol.
Lol. They love those 4 yard passes and fg’s. they love to play NOT to lose. They love the safe station wagon. Bs is just a hater. Irrelevant when smith is gone. Tic toc and her idiot buddy keeps getting his comments erased no matter how many names he uses.
MD,
Do you happen to know the pass in the air number for CK to MM on that 40 yd pass play? Answer is 4 yds with 36 yds of YAC. How about the pass to FG for the TD? Answer is 6 yds. Are you sure you have the right player? LOL
lol md “Facts!!! Hiiiissssssssss nooooo aaaaahhhh”
They watched a different game than we did. The only explanation!
from espn stats&info
In his second career start, Kaepernick posted a 72.3 Total QBR. That total puts his QBR at 85.0 over the last 2 weeks, the second-highest QBR through a player’s first two starts over the last five seasons.
The reasons behind Kaepernick’s high Total QBR this season has been an ability to stretch the field effectively and success on third down.
Kaepernick has a perfect QBR (100.0) on throws 20 yards or more downfield and he ranks third among qualified players in QBR on third down (89.2), trailing only Ben Roethlisberger (94.5) and Tom Brady (89.5).
Lol Hof. Poor guy you’ve been so cranky lately. You didn’t come out the last two weeks for the live game blog. Why is this Hof? Tell you what. Lets play the game of ck vs Alex in the ball in the air game. Who’s ypa is higher? Not talking YAC. Who’s % is faaaar better with 20 yard passes or more? Hof its sickening to hear you backhand this young mans talent. You claim you’re for the team. Bull*hit!!! You could care less what happens if Smith isn’t making it happen. Are you really going to sit there and say Alex Smith “who I backed this season 100%” is a better qb than CK? You have truly lost your mind.
Grimey
What were AS’s stats (QB rating) the past 2 games he played. I think they were near perfect.
I may have missed some underlying message when Harbaugh said that AS is his starting QB.
Correct me if I’m wrong!
@ AES:
That was only part of what Harbaugh said. Here’s the entire quote
Alex Smith is our starting quarterback. He has not done anything to lose that job. In fact, he’s playing at a very high level. Also, Colin Kaepernick, you can’t categorize him as a backup quarterback because he’s started games, and played very well in those games. So, in a unique situation you have two quarterbacks that are playing at a very high level. One’s your captain. One’s your starting quarterback. The other has played great football the last three football games. Both have a hot hand.
Basically, he was making the case that SF has two good starting-quality QBs.
Claude,
AND he was also softening the blow for Alex Smith. He wanted everyone to know that Alex didn’t do anything wrong, but that his time has come. He is no longer the dude. You know it, I know it, and more importantly, the San Francisco 49ers know it. Case closed. Now give me a prediction of Kaps stats this weekend son?
Yeah,
he’s giving him the “it’s not you, it’s me” treatment.
Thanks Claude,
I understand the mystery/tactic in not nameing a QB until mid-week, but the fact that he expressed that “AS has done anything to lose that job” implies that AS is still the starter.
Harbaugh is the master alchemist and may play both players on Sunday, which would not surprise me at all. The traditinal norms of football don’t seem to apply to coach (lol).
The decision as to who plays quarterback against the Rams should depend on which quarterback gives the 49ers the best chance to win; and, that may change from week to week depending on the opponent and how well Alex or Colin is practicing that week.
Chisholm,
Don’t allow that to be a factor. It’s well documented that Alex Smith has always been a good practice player. Not so much for Kap. That’s why Kap has surprised Grant and so many other Niner beat writers with his play. Trust your eyes if you watch the games. You were right about one thing. The player that gives the team the best chance to win the game should be starting. That guy is Colin Kaepernick. Hands down.
Grant,
Here’s your next blog question. You can thank me later for it.
Make a case for who you think should start at QB for the San Francisco 49ers.
I don’t think there’s a case that can be made for Alex Smoth to start over Kaepernick. I would love to see the Smithers try. Their efforts and Alexcuses have been so feeble over the years.
whose track record has more gobble gobble to it
I just love Grant Cohn.
Right now he’s quivering like a chihuahua in heat with the joy that he’s finally gotten the QB controversy that he’s been trying soooooooooooo hard to make happen and he is trying so hard to pretend that he’s impartial.
I love this sentence, “If you start Smith, you will start a massive quarterback controversy.”
Hello. Wake up. It’s already here.
Not really. It doesn’t get going full steam until Smith starts again. If people thought every pass was scrutinized before, they ain’t seen nothin yet. Now that there is a true point of referrence to compare the 2, it will ramp up for sure.
Greetings Mr Hammer,
My point is that Grant has been trying to whip this up for weeks and the cynical side of me is wondering just how much of it is link bait…
Scrutinized by the haters? We have heard it all for 7 years, they got nothing left we have not already heard.
Mark,
Unfortunately for some he has also been spot on with his predictions the last few weeks regarding how this will play out…
That is true, it was a little uncanny. It backs my theory that Grant is really Jim Harbaugh’s avatar.
JH wants this QB tension much like BW wanted the tension when he traded for SYoung. JMo became a better player with SY kicking at his heals.
Grant is dealing in extreme hyperbole with this entry, but I agree with the underlying message. Harbaugh doesn’t give a rats ass what anybody thinks or QB controversies, but he does care about the temperature of the locker room.
I’ve come to the conclusion that he pretty much has to ride it out with Kap until he gives him reason not too. The reasoning is simple: the players are playing for him and are excited about him and it’s resulted in two wins over a couple of tough teams. The other reason is, it’s much easier to go back to Smith if Kap falters than vice versa. If Smith comes back and struggles at all, the players will be secretly questioning the decision and will become more vocal if he doesn’t pull Smith for Kap. Whereas if they see Kap struggle, their belief in Smith is strengthened and he will not be questioned about his position like he would if he takes over this week.
Personally, I feel good no matter who starts, but I think the prospects for the team are better if they let Kap go and see how far he can take them with Smith waiting to pick him up if needed.
Rocket,
I like your theory, but I’m not so sure. I guess we find out tomorrow from JH unless DWhitner has a radio guest appearance this afternoon. LOL
Grant was spot on but his reasoning was way off. The reports he was posting from Trotter were way off base and he pushed away every report that stated that report was false!
Rocket,
I agree with you a 100%, this is just an formality, he wants to speak with AS and give him his proper burial before he moves forward with Kaep.
I’d love to be a fly on the wall at coaches’ meetings this week.
yuup, as usual
Bowman and 9ers close to a 5 year deal. That’s good news
That is fantastic news. At least some news today was good
Incredible news! What a luxury to have Willis and Bowman together for the next 5 years.
Maybe it would be much easier for Harbaugh to make the change if Alex Smith was not a Captain. Kinda tough to bench a captain.
Hi 9ersurf,
That’s something I’ve been thinking about a lot. Especially in light of the fact that Alex was voted a captain by the team. Harbaugh doesn’t appoint captains like Singletary did.
Smith has a lot of support in the locker room and he always has, even during the down years. What we’ve seen over the last three years is a strong leader with an an incredible amount of heart — and that matters to the players that have to trust him to lead.
Kaepernick just hasn’t had the time to prove that to the team. I believe he’s capable of it but he’s just not there yet.
I know I keep saying he’s not ready and I believe that but I do think he’s the future of this team. When I go to games I wear a #8 jersey and I think that CK7 looks so much like my favorite QB of all time that it’s uncanny.
But I still think Smith should remain the starter for this season.
We are talented enough to be in this situation. Other teams would kill for our QB tandem. I’m more concerned with the loss of KW and Hunter…plus the hip injury for Delanie.
Win-win
Loss
Win-win
Loss
Win-win
Tie
Win-win
(worried even if Godzilla is QB)
Watching this video I do feel bad for Smith. He’s a class act. Truly is. Read his expression which is void of excitement. It pretty much says it all. He’s out of here next year. But honestly, class act.
http://www.csnbayarea.com/ninersvideo?PID=hXWM2-nCWh3RcKmz9S26RHPASSLMT1ZGebd68q
Bay,
Thanks for the link, not a big Romo fan, but I agreed on every word he said
Bay,
I followed the link, but it didn’t seem to relate to what you were saying. Is this the right one?
http://ninerchatter.blogspot.com/2012/11/is-offense-really-more-explosive-with.html
Okay I’m going to show some big time coaching here, taking all emotions out of it.
If healthy and able, you start Alex against the Rams. It’s in Saint Louis so he won’t have to deal with the crazed controversy maniacal fans where half the stadium if for Smith, and half rooting for KAP.
Jim always said that everything is earned. Forget eye test and all that stuff. Alex as a whole had done his job, at a high level.
And then for the Rams game, you game plan not to his strengths, but for the offense the Niners want to run. More downfield, more vertical. See if he can do it agains the Rams, which has a above average D.
The Niners are in the playoffs. They are now fine-tuning for the stretch run. If Alex doesn’t perform at the expected level, at the new standard, the he’s out. You can transition over to CK for the rest of the year.
There are only a few games that will be a challenge now for this team until the playoffs, and that’s the PATS and maybe the Seahawks.
That’s 3 games away, I think.
So there you have it. You let Alex’s play dictate whether he gets to stay the Starter. But once you switch, that’s it. You can’t go back and forth like Singletary.
Oh I was just joking about the big time coaching. What the hell do I know anyway? I ain’t ever played the game in real life. Just Madden!
Colin will start from here on out.
Preview of Jim Harbaugh statement tomorrow:
“Alex Smith is our starting QB…..he’s our guy.”
“This week we’re going to go in Kaps direction, he’s our guy too.”
“Both QB’s have had a hot hand and they’ve shared the QB position very well.” “We need them both.”
The big question Crabs is who gets to caddie for him in Tahoe this year?
Who’d want to? It’s the kiss of death!
Smith caddied for Harbaugh at Pebble I believe.
bay – Maybe Harbaugh should place two hats on a table with Smith and Kaps names on them. Then select one, like the top high school recruits do.
Or do a pay per view event to help pay for Bowmans new contract.
If I’m remembering the deal Smith and Harbaugh cut when Smith caddied for Harbaugh…
…Mr Harbaugh owes Mr Smith an afternoon of bag carrying…
Nice one Mark.
I think there is only one person who might be able to tell coach who to start and his last name is York, and I wouldn’t even bet on that one.
I think Kap appears to be the better QB, but Harbaugh will do what he thinks puts the team in the best situation to win.
I do wonder how all of you who say it must be Kap will react if it’s Smith?
No way in hell York is telling Harbaugh what to do….
either way there will be tears
Either way there will be tears, and dinner plates thrown against the wall!
Don’t forget the gnashing of teeth and rending of garments.
Dandy,
All you do is insult people on here, you must have a pretty sad life.
Troll article is Troll.
I do have empathy for Smith if Kaep starts on Sunday and Smith being Captain of the team, has to go out in the field to do the formality of meeting the refs and opposing players before the whistle is blown.
Razor;
I didn’t say he did. I said the only one who MIGHT is York. The point is Harbaugh will make the decision and no one will tell him who to choose. In theory Jed could tell him sense his family owns the team (see Vince Young), but there is no evidence Jed would do this.
its as simple as this grant. if kaep dosnt beat down the rams AND dolphins then he dont get to play the pats in foxtown… we want our Q.B situation taken care of by that game.. but till now Kaep hasnt done anything alex couldnt have .Only scored 17 points against the worst D in the league with the saints and has put up pedestrian stat lines that would have you complaining if it were alex..
Grant hasn’t discussed CK’s INT anywhere near as much as AS’s last Int.
Both of them prevented likely points to be scored. Both bad throws. Only difference is CK threw his when we were down 7 and near the end of the half.
It’s all about winning, and in San Francisco, we want the “big prize” … a Super Bowl ring.
The QB question comes down to this question and nothing more. Which QB gives the TEAM the best chance to get the SB ring, THIS SEASON?
It’s not about who has “earned it” or “deserves it”, it’s all about the TEAM getting the SB ring.
Kaepernick is fairly new to being a starter for our TEAM, but there really is no denying his obvious talents and skills set, that exceed Smith’s in some very important areas.
With Kaepernick, it would appear we may have already seen the “floor” of what he can accomplish, and with Smith perhaps the “ceiling”.
The move here, a bold one for sure, is to go with CK7. Harbaugh knows this, and the announcement today will further cement the CK7 direction.