SANTA CLARA – Here is what Jim Harbaugh said at his Monday press conference about the possibility of Colin Kaepernick starting against the Bears.
Q: Will Kaepernick get the bulk of the snaps in practice this week now that Alex is hurt?
HARBAUGH: We’ll see. It all depends on when Alex is cleared to come back to practice.
Q: Do you reach a point of no return during the week where you’ve got the game plan going and you’re going to go with Kaepernick? Or does Smith know the offense well enough to come back at any point once he gets cleared?
HARBAUGH: Rather than speculate, we’ll let it play out. There’s a progression and evaluations he has to go through before we really know anyway.
Q: Their styles are so different. Do you have to have two game plans in place whether it’s Alex or Colin at quarterback?
HARBAUGH: There could be some subtle differences. I wouldn’t call it two plans.
What do you think those subtle differences would be?
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The type of plays CK is most comfortable with are running plays. We’ll do that a lot.
You don’t want your inexperienced QB doing anything he isn’t comfortable with. That would be reading defenses and pocket passing.
The Chicago Defense causes turnovers. Game planning Kaepernick to run the ball plays right into the strength of the Bears’ defense.
I don’t expect to see Kaepernick in the game against Chicago. Cutler took a tremendous hit. Alex Smith’s hit was not on the same impact page. I expect to see Smith back and Culter sat.
And just to mention the other concussed QB, Vick is sitting out because of his poor play. Gift wrapping it in a concussion is convenient for the Eagles organization.
It could be a turnover fest against the bears. Either QB will need to be very careful, but obviously we’d be more concerned about CK7 in this regard. The RBs and WRs should emphasize ball security this week as well. Turnovers have a way of coming in bunches for teams and right now that bunch is a hailstorm of turnovers for the bears.
TO’s happen more from passing than running. The Bears are a TO making machine.
My main concern with CK, as I’ve repeated, is how loose CK is with the ball. But him trying to read the Bears smart D passing it around without getting a ton of Int’s…not likely at all.
I’m watching the last drive of regulation with this being a do or die drive, and protecting the ball is just an afterthought for CK while he’s running.
If CK starts, we are in trouble. We should maintain being a run dominant team regardless of QB. But if I’m the Bears, I am forcing CK to read Defenses by playing zone (maybe only 3 man rush, and really force CK to find the holes in the zone or take off running with 8 guys ready for him) or 8 man fronts to help stop the run betting he can’t beat the blitz with Urlacher (fast LB) spying CK. I’m betting my best player (Urlacher) is better at fooling the Niners backup QB than that QB is at beating our best if CK manages to get outside to avoid the initial rush.
Urlacher is a Super Bowl leading LB. The safe bet is he’ll win.
DS says
If CK starts, we are in trouble
Not true. CK will be fine. Look for run heavy attack, but they won’t shy away from passing the ball. This idea that CK is not a pocket passer is absurd. He looks more comfortable in the pocket than AS. He goes through his progressions rather than stare down the pass rush. Like I said, he’ll be fine.
Nick
Please describe why CK didn’t pull the trigger to a wide open FG on the last drive on 1st down that may have netted another 1st drive if CK goes thru his progressions so well and is more decisive?
How good is the Chicago front 7? CK has 3 fumbles I believe. AS has about the same #. Even though AS has played a ton more snaps. The Bears will pressure CK. Or they will force CK to read defenses.
AS was perhaps the best QB in the NFL against the blitz. And he is great at reading defenses. That has helped the run game. He often audibles into the right play.
Please describe how CK is a better pocket passer since he didn’t see KW uncovered. Shouldn’t a pocket passer have seen that? He didn’t pull the trigger at all, and a holding penalty happened. And consequently we went from an easy TD to 1st and 20. And we got nothing on that drive. Those 7 points might have helped win the game. The announcer guy said KW could have gone for a 1000 yards. Nobody was within 20 yards of the guy!
“He looks more comfortable in the pocket than AS. He goes through his progressions rather than stare down the pass rush.”
Nick, not one analyst, beat writer, or talk show host agrees with you. Do you have facts to back this statement or is it just your happy eyes opinion?
Now that’s comedy Cal boy! You now having to support that arguement of CK having better pocket awareness and making the deep throws with facts to support your arguement. Can’t wait!
Nick, “He looks more comfortable in the pocket than AS. He goes through his progressions rather than stare down the pass rush.” Ummm, no. He played good, but that is inaccurate Nick.
I’ll pile on here,
Nick…..credibility dude…..
Aside from Jack, you guys aren’t an objective bunch. If you were, I challenge you to watch the All-22 film of the 1st series CK played. On the incomplete pass to VD, CK stayed in the pocket – comfortably – scanned the field and delivered the ball to what appeared to be his 3rd option. Granted the pass was off, however, the point is that CK displayed excellent pocket presence.
To even have this conversation is ridiculous. We are comparing an 8 year veteran with 1.5 years of experience in the JH system with a 2nd year player without even one full game under his built. CK is light years ahead of where AS was at this stage in his career.
After 8 years, I’ve only seen AS display pro level pocket presence. By that, I mean him either sliding or moving up on the pocket while KEEPING HIS EYES DOWNFIELD.
Nick, are you objective?
Cal boy, that’s it? That’s your arguement? One series with what you mention includes an inaccurate pass is what you are trying to prove your point with? Should we all go out and buy the 22 film and that will convince us that CK has better pocket awareness and presence?
You haters are all a joke. You pop off then never can back up your arguement. It’s ridiculous. No wonder there is never a civil football convo on here with you jokers. Cause you guys are living in dream world as you only see what you want to see with no facts. Bayarea does this better than most but first it was 23welcher and now you. I have asked to this day for 23welcher to find 5 plays in the Vikes game to where Crabtree runs a route over 15 yards. Guess what still waiting!
Now with no facts to support your argument you want us to believe CK has good pocket presence because he scanned the field on one series? This proves it undeniable in your eyes and its a forsure he has this skill? Give your hater head a shake!
Nick,
The all22 film isn’t even available yet. It takes them about 36-48 hours to cut it up and load it.
So now Cal boy is a liar too, great!
I don’t like the way any of the QB’s run with the ball going back to Steve Young. They hold the ball out and forget about ball protection. So, I believe that if Kaepernick starts or even plays, you can expect to see the fumbles mount.
The difference between the Rams and the Bears is that the Bears actually recover lost fumbles. So, I agree with DS’s take on how I’d beat Kapernick.
Of course, if Jason Campbell is starting on the other side, I believe Kaepernick has the better chance to win of the two QBs.
Nick
JM had 1.5 years before he came in and started taking over the job. JM had a great QB guru as well as CK. Not to mention the fact CK is on a hell of a lot better proven team right now than JM was.
So, if you want to say somehow CK shouldn’t be measured because of his lack of inexperience or whatever, he has the same as JM had with a QB guru and better team around him. Advantage goes to CK.
AS on the other hand had crap around him when he came in. And in 1.5 years of the same HC and team is 19-5. So, it is fair to compare.
Did Nick really criticize someone else for not being objective?
Nick?
Really?
Smh.
Hey Nick! After watching the all22 today I owe you an apology. Your take on that particular play, the incompletion to Davis was spot on.
Very good presence by CK, and a just off the mark throw. That was an extremely tight window but he missed it. Good call…
Throw it deep.
If CK starts he will be much more likely to throw it deep than Alex, at least that is what he has shown from his limited sample size thus far. That kind of high risk/reward style would be exciting and potentially more lucrative, but would probably also result in several turnovers.
in other words, get away from the WCO tendancy JH is espousing and is now ingrained in the roman game plan….
You can’t throw it deep if the qb doesn’t have time. The bears will bring lots of blitzes if Kaep starts. Niners will use some screens and move Kaep around (Bears will expect both).
Perhaps some max protect and Moss deep? I noticed him on the field for quite a few plays once Kaep came in. When they go with 1 wr, it’s usually him if I’m not mistaken.
Didn’t Jay Cutler throw five INTs last time he played the Niners? Or was he just sacked seven or so times? He now has Marshall and Jeffreis to throw to but his OL is still bad. Our D has to show up and dominate. CK, AS or Tolzein at QB, it will be hard to score on the Bears. Akers redeems himself. CK hands off to Hunter on those option plays as Lance Briggs will shadow CK all over the field. Reverse plays might be in order to have the Bears D over commit to one side. Quick release passes Colin, quick release! Bears DBs are dangerous so don’t throw into triple coverage. Please come up big on the returns and sweeps Teddy Ginn, Jr.! Get well soon Alex.
Agree with Harbaugh. If AS is not ready to play I don’t see Harbaugh making any major changes to the offense.
We all agree that a one-trick-pony type QB does not find any significance success in the league. No doubt Harbaugh is aware of this as well.
If Harbaugh drafted CK7 for the sole reason of using his running prowses only, Harbaugh is a poor judge of talent.
Ahh, Harbaugh knows talent, period!
CK did not not look very good early on in yesterday’s game.
1. looked unsure
2. missed seeing a sure TD in K.Williams
3. was inaccurate
He looked better than average in the 2nd half.
1. looked more confident and comfortable
2. used good discretion on his runs (not run 1st mentality)
3. accuracy improved
I like that GR/CK made the adjustments at halftime. I also like that CK did not look overwhelmed by the moment.
Obviously, I would prefer AS to start against the Bears, but CK will be fine if AS is not ready.
Sure I’m a little worried, but it has to do more with the fact that CK does not has the onfield experience. I have no qualms about his competitive spirit and passion to play.
Good post AES and I agree.
1. looked more confident and comfortable
Thats a true statement but he still wasnt totally comfortable in the remaining part of the game. That will come in time as only experience can take care of that. I hope.
Grant,
Which way did you vote on the poll question?
I didn’t vote. I would guess that Smith will play, but I base that on no inside knowledge.
I see you voted no. Why?
@ Grant:
What question(s) did you ask Harbaugh today?
I voted no because it’s a head injury and there is no telling how that will turn out.
On a side question, Harbaugh looked like someone just told him his dog had died during his press conference today. I don’t usually get a chace to see them due to work. Is that how he always looks on Monday morning after a loss (or tie)?
If there was a “not sure” as one of the selections I would of choosen that. I tend to take the positive side of everything in life so I choose yes
@ Jack
A concussion is basically a bruise, allbeit to the brain, but still just a bruise. In the NFL, players play through much more than a bruise. In the case of Roethlisberger, He’s been playing with a partially torn rotator cuff.
The hit Alex Smith took on a scale of 1-10 was about a 4 1/2. The hit Jay Culter took was about an 8. Alex Smith will play even with the ultraconservative approach of the NFL. Jay Culter will not. 8 concussions in two years is essentially an automatic sit.
Chess level anyone?
Concussions are just bruises? WOW! I’m educated now!
very doubtful.
Matt,
A bruise is broken blood vessels within muscle tissue and muscle tissue damage.
There’s no muscle tissue in the brain (maybe in your case though), so no, a concussion is is no way whatsoever similar to a bruise.
More importantly Angus, bruises on your arms and such can heal. Those cells can self-repair easily.
Until recently it was thought nerve cells can’t self-repair at all. And it isn’t so easy for them to do so, if it happens at all. Considering your brain controls your arm, bruising your brain may effect your arms movement, leg, heart-rate, everything that keeps you alive. A bruise on your arm doesn’t effect anything but the arm.
If Chess-level doesn’t think there is a HUGE difference between the two, he should go to Harvard Medical School and inform them that they have it all wrong. Brain bruises are =, or not much worse than arm bruises. He’ll make a lot of money and get fame.
For those of you who think a bruise/concussion are dissimilar, I used the term bruise and concussion in terms of injuries you could relate to. My credentials are: BSN from UCSF. 7 years working at Memorial Hospital in the Emergency Department. Memorial Hospital is the trauma center for the Coastal Valley.
@Angus, a bruise on the brain is not only possible, but very common. A bruise is a hemorrhage. On a CT scan, that hemorrhage and fresh blood appears intensely white while the normal brain matter appears grey. It is seen in macroscopic images done by CTs and MRs.
@ everyone else who fancies themselves medically responsible enough to comment on the topic
A concussion is not centralized to a single location like a contussion. A concussion is a physiological(function) bruise. It just is not limited to the impacted area like a bruise on the skin which is merely structual. While there can be bleeding from a concussion at the impact zone, the effects can extend out like waves through the rest of the brain. Instead of killing the anatomy(structure) of the brain cells, a concussion makes the brain cells “sick”(fuctioning). It can break axon connections(physiology). Axons are how the brain cells communicate.
So, I believe my representation of a concussion in comparison to a bruise paints a pretty accurate picture of what’s happening on a physiological level. It is a bruise to the physiology of the brain. When lay persons think of a bruise, they think like Angus did of broken vessels. A concussion is broken axons.
Ouch.
Well played, matt; well played.
Bonus points for not calling names, even if they would have been well-deserved.
Matt,
My faux pas. I will never question your medical knowledge again. You’ve bruised my ego…
Yes Matt
You said the brain cells are sick (not functioning). Just as I did. You should also know as well that nerve cells don’t recover well from damage.
Nice throwing around of some terms, but you’re not fooling me. Cells not functioning is another way of saying cells are damaged. Don’t get cute about whether the damage is obvious or not. It happens. Most diseased cells aren’t so easily seen as a briuise. Genetic diseases likely have no observable differences from “normal cells” until you know what to look for, and even then a staoin assay of some kind may not detect it. And since it (damage) happens to nerve cells, that is a lot worse than it happening to skin/muscle cells. Come on now. Don’t remotely act like they are as serious.
Plus a great concern in the medical field in the sports world of late are the effects of concussions and how they occur. If your creds are real, you know not to take concussions lightly. Especially if the patient is having double vision. Sorry. Try again. You’re not the only one here who knows how life/cells function.
Not sure what subtle implies. Might be hard to tell seeing that CK is not yet comfortable in the offense so normalcey might be hard to pick out. Might see a couple of run options, might see fewer checkdowns as CK at this point doesnt appear to have that touch to make that throw, checkdowns are the bread and butter of an WCO regardless of what some say who are looking for the big arm. We need to pound the ball inside, outside, more screen plays. I guess if CK starts Tolzien will be activated. Hunter might be more included with the read option.
MM reported that Kyle Williams was the emergency #3 QB yesterday… lol yikes!
I was thinking that yesterday when people were asking who the emergency backup was, I didnt know myself but I suspected it would be Williams there wasnt anyone that had the agility to play the position.
more interested in the subtle differences the defense needs to address
which one of the other CBs can handle slot rcvrs….supposedly rogers was great at anticipating the direction a slot rcvr would take….this is not the case for the time being so will there be more jamming of the slot rcvr to control the direction the rcvr ultimately takes….
Some combo blitzes and cross blitzes inside by our guys should reveal Chilo as the matador we remember. Any blitzes they bring should ease coverages on Vernon. With enough reps this week, CK may be ok.
Grant, do you think Tolzien will be activated for the Bears game even if Alex starts and if so will it only be for this game or for the remainder of the season? Not as a comment on the quality of play but that yesterday’s prospect of having to put KW in at QB might have them thinking they need three QB’s on gameday?
Kaepernick is a FAR superior quarterback. The announcers on the Fox broadcast stated unequivocally that he stays in the pocket in the face of oncoming rushers and fires darts, specifically and most emphatically on the Vernon completion. That is a pass that Alex couldn’t complete, and therefore wouldn’t (and shouldn’t) attempt. But that gives Alex more credit than he deserves, because he wouldn’t be looking downfield at all if rushers were bearing down on him; he’d be hot-footing it out of the pocket and getting dragged down for yet another 4 second sack. Alex is just so limited. It’s unbelievable that his supporters will not admit that. Yes, he’s an efficient manager when he keeps his attempts under 25, and yes, he has really played marvelous ball over the last 25 games or so, but is he a quarterback with “it”? NO, and he never will be. That’s just too plain for words, and those who argue otherwise are beating the drum of some goofball agenda. And NO, that doesn’t include Harbaugh, who tried for Peyton and has kept 2 young prospects on the roster while paying Alex next to nothing with no guarantees.
Facts not your simple eyeball test which probably has never worked in the NFL, or has it?
Speak-a engrish plime?
Montana stands in the pocket, wins 4 SBs.
Young gets happy feet, dances, gets scared, finally learns to be a man and take a hit, finally wins 1 SB.
These are facts.
So now we are talking about Montana and Young? You write a long winded brain fart anout Kap and come back with Montana and Young? Grab a brain cave man!
Prime, metaphor is lost on your kind. it is because you are stupid. Make the most of it. Tell your parents that you can’t hack it. Take handouts from the government.
Did you not trust your eyes when you watched Young?! Did you not see Young dancing for years upon years? Do you not see Smith NEVER with with his eyes downfield? It’s called calm in the pocket. Montana had it. Ben has it. Young never really had it til the end. Smith has never even come close.
Prime, don’t project your ignorance onto the rest of the world. Either you get it or you don’t. If you saw Montana and Young and still don’t get it, you’re less than ignorant. If you’ve watched Smith and think he has it, again, you’re less than ignorant.
Take a deep breath and respect those who can teach you something, Son.
Sounds good 23welcher, who are you kidding with that post?
As far as what I see? I see wins and losses. That’s all that counts. You think your untrained eye knows something? Keep dreaming pal!
Who is Welcher23? I ain’t no Jordo, you moron. Your eyes see wins and losses? That’s nice. You just choose to ignore telltale signs of a QB who will never give you a SB. If you think anything short of a SB is success, you might as well cheer for the Seachickens. Alex is Steve Young, at best, Steve DeBerg at worst. Kaepernick has balls, like Montana, like Roethlisberger.
Anyway, Prime, it’s good that you stick to your position! They say you can’t teach stupid. You’re who they’re talking about. Keep on believing.
I will and I will be here to remind you. That is when you decide to show up after every loss or tie, then vanish into the night after every win.
Trust me, dopey, I’m not Jordo. I ripped him to shreds last season because he was unfair to Alex. However, this year, it is your kind, the kind that doesn’t see Alex’s numerous flaws, or chooses to ignore them, who must be checked. Just be real. Smith is not a champion-caliber QB. He doesn’t stand tall in the pocket and can’t create something from nothing. Kaepernick is green, but from 30 minutes of real playing time, it’s obvious he has the tools and mental makeup to take this team to SB victory this year, so long as he takes care of the ball. If you refuse to acknowledge that, ask yourself why.
No more names. You’re a great contributor on here and I’m not gonna denounce that. Just ask yourself why Alex fails so consistently when he faces pressure. The winners don’t. They find a way.
Whatever you say, I say, the other haters say, and all the rest of the Smithers say. You know what it all adds up to? Sweet FA. The only thing that matters is winning. If he wins he keeps the job. If he loses, they replace him. That is a definite across the NFL.
If you think he is not championship calibre great. I don’t even care what you think. Normally I would ask for some facts to back that up but you are a nobody so like I said, I don’t care. See you after the win on Monday. That’s what I believe.
Neanderthal
You do give some mixed messages within the same post.
You open up your last post saying “Trust me, dopey…” then in the ending paragraph, you say
“No more names. You’re a great contributor on here and I’m not gonna denounce that. ”
That is a little confusing to the reader.
A nobody just like you. Nice to finally agree with you.
Tarzan says “You’re a great contributor on here and I’m not gonna denounce that”
But now I’m a nobody cause I said you were? Classic hater immaturity. See you Monday, maybe right? Only if they lose you will be here correct?
You said it buddy. What, are you on the Niner payroll?
You equated what I say, you say, the haters say and the Smithers say. Then you referred to me as a Nobody. Hence, you are a Nobody too. Did you say that without meaning that? Oh, I get it, you think because you don’t recognize my screen name that I’m not a regular commenter on here and therefore not as little a Nobody as you. Good. Keep your self-importance if it makes you feel bigger down there.
Neanderthal
Did you just actually say that Alex at best is Steve Young?
On Sunday, Kaep looked very much like he did at Nevada during his first year there. That first year (and into the second) he showed flashes of greatness but also made many mistakes, especially in the passing game. He really turned a corner at the end of his second year. We will see if he can do this at the NFL level. Given his lack of playing time, I still do not expect that we will know whether that progression has occurred until next year at the earliest, unless Alex is out for an extended period of time and Kaep starts several games. For the good of the team, I hope that is not the case. Alex Smith is the 49ers best chance of winning this year.
I’d see a return to the sort of game the 49ers played in the first half of last season if CK starts. Run, run, run and then run some more with the occasional shot play tossed into the mix.