Jeff Garcia spoke on 95.7 The Game Monday afternoon. Here’s what he said about Colin Kaepernick.
Q: How would you evaluate Kaepernick’s performance against the Rams?
GARCIA: I think the biggest thing is he didn’t turn the ball over. Fortunately there were a couple fumbles they were able to recover. He was fairly efficient through the air, being 11-for-17. He ran the football well, which is really one of his strengths to be able to create with his feet. From the standpoint of coming off the bench in a game they were already behind, I thought he did an excellent job, especially in that fourth quarter being down what they were and to put a drive together and make things happen, get back in the game, tie the score up and send the game into overtime. He did enough to help that team win the game. Unfortunately, Mr. Dependable, David Akers, who normally hits those field goals missed that one. It’s something to build on if Kaepernick has to play this week. At least he got his feet wet once again.
Q: Assuming Kaepernick starts against the Bears, how dramatically will they change the play book for him?
GARCIA: It’s going to have to change. Obviously there are certain strengths than Colin brings to the table with his running ability, but going against the team that they’re going to face next week, especially coming off of a loss – that’s going to be team that’s looking to get back on top. Not really the team you want to start your backup quarterback against, not to say that Colin can’t go out there and do the job that’s necessary, but you would like to face the Bears being at full strength. To go into that situation, the playbook’s probably not going to be as expansive. They’re going to cater a little bit more to some of the strengths of Colin, like movement, getting outside the pocket, utilizing him as a run-threat option. But against that team who’s a sound defensive football team, that’s going to be a tough test for him.
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Grant – the majority opinion of National “NFL Insiders” is that right now Alex gives them the best chance to win. I’m curious why you have not discussed or linked to any of those article and interviews?
You don’t value Jeff Garcia’s opinion?
Because Grant has declared his position on the matter he is pro CK and he is referenceing articles that support his position. writing a blog is less reporting and more opinion editorial. blog readers who disagree with grant reference articles that prove their point. none of our opinions on who the 9ers should start at QB mean anything, we do it to start a discussion, a sports arguement, for fun. thats what baffles me about the readers here who attack each other personally over something so trivial as an opinion about football.
I posted Cosell who did not praise Kaepernick.
I am not one for hindsight or what ifs, but on those fumbles that were recovered and if the Niners lose against the Rams, do you guys think Tolzien would start if Alex was not able to go?
My question really is would the staff consider a look at ST this week if Kap indeed cost them the game?
Tolzien is not the guy.
http://blogs.mercurynews.com/kawakami/2012/11/14/49ers-when-caution-over-alex-smiths-health-and-curiosity-to-see-what-kaepernick-can-do-come-together/
I think not this year. ST has barely managed to suit up this season. His practice snaps are limited. To throw ST in there (say he had the whole week to practice) against the Bear D, that isn’t a JH decision. It reeks of MN/MS type of a decision. And it really doesn’t help ST develop at all.
Come the off-season, I feel ST has a real legit chance of taking the #2 job if we don’t see CK again so he can display better ball protection skills if he has them. The backups #1 job is not turn the ball over. CK looks like he may on every run of his, and that has to change NOW! They teach you to protect the ball in grade school elementary class PE for Christ’s sake. Not an advanced skill. Yet CK looks the same as he did in pre-season 2011 in this, the most important single ability a QB (who along with the Center) is the only player to touch the ball on every snap. That isn’t acceptable.
Who cares what you feel? What you think? You don’t know Ditka!
NEWSFLASH!!
How a QB feels about his HC matters a great deal. And vice-versa. You can’t expect anybody to think it doesn’t? Where have you been the last 8 years? Little slow on the lessons aren’t you.
And you think I am? Yeah, right. If I’m DSL, you’re 2400 kb.
WTH are you talking about how a QB feels?
You wrote: “Come the off-season, I feel ST has a real legit chance of taking the #2 job if we don’t see CK again so he can display better ball protection skills if he has them.”
Are you a QB? No? Do you have a life? No!
Grant my post was’nt a critical one i belive by taking a side you make the blog a more lively place to spend time. keep up the good job.
Thanks. I like to take sides, but I like to post both sides, as well. I stand behind my opinions but I’m not always right. The discussion is the best part.
One thing surprised me about the Rams D was that they did not blitz Kaep more in the second half. I don’t recall seeing any 5-man blitz. I think Kaep could have been easily rattled in the pocket.
Maybe because they know he won’t stay in the pocket. No point blitzing a QB running toward them.
Rattled in the pocket??? Did you not see him convert a 3rd and 20 with guys in his face, do you watch the game sober?
Chris,
That was only one example of them bringing pressure and him standing in and delivering the ball. He also did a nice job of avoiding and making things happen with his legs.
Rattled in the pocket is Alex, not CK. The former jumps around and then takes a sack, the latter sees the monsters around him, shifts a foot or two, and fires a missile into the waiting hands of Vernon Davis 19 yards downfield. It’s SO obvious, but there are those who don’t want to hear it.
I like Alex, love that he is a tough guy who stayed loyal to the team (who signed him to $50M worth o contracts already), and appreciate his ability to lead this particular team to regular season victories. But he is limited, it’s become clear. It doesn’t matter any more that he can win games in the regular season. He is Matt Hasselbeck.
Sorry Johnny, you are not the neutral you pretend to be.
Hasselbeck led his team to the Superbowl where he was Jobbed by the refs, so thats not much of a insult. As far as being limited anyone who watched that game can see that while CK has potential and upside he is more limited now in the things he can do for our O.
I pretend nothing Claude.
Last year, Alex got the benefit of the doubt based on the stupidity of ALL of his coaches up to Harbaugh. On that basis, I got into constant verbal wars with Jordo.
This year, Alex is subject to a MUCH higher standard. Harbaugh created a superstar out of Andrew Luck in just a few years when Luck was just coming out of high school. Alex is a professional, and so he should have picked up all he needed to pick up from Harbaugh in that first year and the subsequent off-season. And he has, he has picked up everything he is capable of picking up. Alex is a good quarterback … he just doesn’t have “it.” Not even Harbaugh can coach “it.” What is “it?” The cool in the pocket, the calm in the face of massive defenders bearing down. What is “it” not? Being safe with the ball, managing to keep the ball in one’s grasp when tackled.
Does CK have “it?” Don’t know yet, but early indications are that he has more of “it” than Alex does. What Alex has (see above – the “not it” – the safety, the fumble protection), is something that Harbaugh can obviously coach to any QB … or do you not remember how Alex used to just give games away by running away from DLinemen and dropping balls (fumbles), throwing picks, generally being atrocious. Alex is a by-product of a terrifically smart athlete being coached by a terrifically gifted coach, but his limitations are apparent, they are related to his instincts and his poise, and they will eventually relegate him to back-up status.
I am neutral on this issue. Alex deserves praise. He does not deserve the abuse he receives from people like Jordo. But he is not a champion, and he will never lead the Niners to a Superbowl. Because of this reality, he is not the quarterback I want for the Niners. There is no honor in getting to the Superbowl. Montana and Walsh taught us that. Jim Kelly and Marv Levy taught us that. There is only satisfaction in winning it. That is what true Niner fans believe. Give me Kaepernick. Let’s see if he has the right stuff.
@ Johnny:
Perhaps I am confusing you with another commenter. If so, I apologize.
Yeah just like they cater to alex’s lack of ability, only Kaepernick has played half of an nfl game and alex has 8 years of blooper reels. Colin looks light years ahead of where alex was at this stage. Alex threw 1 td his entire rookie year and had the worst rookie season of any qb in nfl history.
Are you drinking again Chris? I know it’s Friday, but isn’t it a bit early?
You have Canada in your name. Enough said.
I prefer the weed.
I think I can guess where you might live, how is the weather in Vancouver today?
Rural Ontario Coffee….and it’s bloody cold!
Oh!? I am shocked. You have completely turned me to your corner. I am forever your loyal servant. But how can you prefer Ontarian cannabis to NorCal cannabis? Truth?
I’ve never tried NorCal, as far as I know. But the stuff they grow around here now is plenty powerful enough, holy cow. I can only handle it is small to moderate doses now. I don’t have the tolerance I had 20 years ago……kids and job….
Chris CK has O TD in his rookie year and 0 TD in his second year so until CK throws a TD cool the rhetoric
Which Chris is this?