SAN FRANCISCO – Here is the complete transcript of Colin Kaepernick’s postgame press conference, courtesy of the 49ers.
When were you told that you were going to be a starter?
“Last night was when they officially told me.”
Did you have an inkling that was the way it was going as the week went on?
“I started getting more reps on Friday and Saturday. We really didn’t know Alex’s [Smith] status until last night.”
Can you talk about your performance tonight, how was your first NFL start?
“It just felt good to be back out on the football field playing. I mean, I thought we did a good job as an offense. We put points on the board as an offense, our defense did a great job out there holding them. We came out on top, so that was good.”
You’re facing a defense that led the league in takeaways and you guys never lost the ball once. Were you particularly protective or were you just playing your game?
“That was something we were very cautious of going through the week. We knew they had a lot of great players that try to strip the ball and try to make some plays on the ball. That was one of the things we emphasized going through the week. At the same time, we had to go out there and just play like we can.”
Considering that [QB] Alex [Smith] seems likely to play next week, were you looking at this as your big opportunity, your one shot to show what you can do?
“Definitely, I wanted to come out and show what I’m capable of and show that I can be a starter. That’s what I’ve been trying to prove since I’ve been in the league.”
How much did those reps from earlier in the year help you?
“I think it helped a lot, just being out on the field, seeing the speed of the game, getting a feel for defenses. I think it helped a lot going into tonight.”
Coach Harbaugh said he tends to stick with the hot hand. Do you feel that you are the hot hand right now?
“I don’t think one game can be called a hot hand.”
It felt like the offense opened up tonight, were you surprised that was the plan in your first NFL start?
“That was the game plan we had through the whole week, so I don’t think it was surprising for me. I think we had great matchups out there and great receivers making plays.”
The second pass was a deep one to [TE] Vernon Davis, did that put you at ease and put you into a rhythm?
“I mean, just being in a rhythm like that feels good, being able to trust your players to make plays. Our offensive line was doing an amazing job up front giving protection so I felt very comfortable out there with it.”
Consider your reputation in skills, I think more people expected you to run the ball more and yet you played more by the book. Was that more predetermined?
“Like Coach said, our offense isn’t really going to change, no matter who is in there. Our offense is our offense and we’re going to run it.”
Did [Offensive Coordinator] Greg Roman give you two plays in the huddle and then the power to choose at the line of scrimmage?
“Yeah, we had a lot of plays where we had different options.”
How do you think you did in your reads to choose a play?
“I felt very comfortable with them.”
In one of your first plays, it was a run play to [RB] Frank Gore. Do you remember if you changed that play?
“I can’t recall off the top of my head.”
What was the interplay between you and [QB] Alex [Smith], what was he telling you?
“He was telling me to trust what I was seeing. He thought I was seeing the field well, he was just giving me little reminders here and there.”
What were those sideline conversations with Alex like?
“Just different plays, what we saw, what the defense was doing. What his take was on it.”
Was it helpful?
“Yeah, very.”
Can you compare your comfort level with this week to lasts, and if anything made a difference, what was it?
“I think I was comfortable both weeks. I just got the start tonight.”
Can you go over the touchdown pass to [WR Michael] Crabtree?
“Yeah, we had a straight progression read, got through the progression, started to scramble and Michael made a great play to run to the back pylon. And our offensive line did a great job protecting to give us time to let that play develop.”
What does it mean to get this kind of win, to lead the team like this?
“It feels amazing. I mean, the biggest thing is being back on the field, it feels good.”
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Class act. Not only did he show last night that he could mentally and physically own the game, but now also he shows his character. If this doesn’t show that he’s ready…I don’t know what will (Besides a thrashing of the Saints next week).
A Class Act. That is how he was at UNR for years. Even now he comes to Reno/Sparks and spends Sunday at Church talking to children(and adults). Humility is good for the soul and the team and SF has had more than their share of such players. Wish him nothing but the best and hope he will be a Forty Niner for many years to come!
I love these questions and would like to see more of them, good job and thank you:
Did [Offensive Coordinator] Greg Roman give you two plays in the huddle and then the power to choose at the line of scrimmage?
How do you think you did in your reads to choose a play?
In one of your first plays, it was a run play to [RB] Frank Gore. Do you remember if you changed that play? (Best question asked to one of our QB’s this season)
Can you go over the touchdown pass to [WR Michael] Crabtree?
Would like to see more of these types of questions each week. Good stuff.
Look,
the coaching staff is in a tough tough situation. Do they go Colin now, or next year. If they go now they have to know that Colin will get them to the playoffs, but he is inexperienced so they do not know how far into the playoffs he can take them. But, the experience he would gain would benefit him and the team long term. Tough decision to make.
There are those of you that kept boasting that AS had a three year contract, lets see what that three year contract really looks like when his roster bonus is due. Want to bet they don’t pay it to him? Want to bet they let him become a free agent and then offer him a much lower number as a backup?
Where are all the ludicrous posters like BS that said that CK would be traded? Or Hof who said CK couldn’t throw from the pocket? Or that his arms are too long. Those like FDM that said this offense was not built to chuck it around. Those that said we could not score and it was Roman’s offense holding us back. Lotta crow to be eaten this week. Thanksgiving crow.
On a positive note, thank goodness we have a star in the making at QB and he is young. A true franchise QB.
Bay,
All good points after one game as a starter. He’s not one and done is he? You even suggested yesterday before the game that if he plays lights out, they should go back to AS(??!). CNewton and MVick have played better in games than CK did yesterday. My approach is wait and see once the dust clears. I’m not crowing him the franchise QB quite yet!
*crowning*
I think this offense is pretty much a turn-key situation for any QB (as long as they know the playbook) that steps in. That said, CK showed solid decision making and was Not a running QB last night. forget Vick, that guy still doesn’t know how to read defenses and CK is miles ahead of him. Cam is a little bit closer, but CK made plays with his passing ability last night. That was the knock on him and he showed up in a big way.
Those that hated AS have something to crow about. CK played one heck of a game and did the team and the fans proud. JH has some really hard decisions to make in the coming weeks. I believe that AS will remain the number one QB for the near term and he will remain on the roster for the balance of the year. To let AS go because of a roster bonus is ridiculous. Is Tolzien ready to take over if CK goes down like AS did? If they let AS go can the replace him with a quality back up for the bonus money? If the team wants to make it to the SB they will need a quality QB and a Quality Backup. They have that now as last nights game proves. It is not who starts next week or the week after that, it is how do we make the SB, get a bye into the playoffs, and win the championship game. The only assurance that we have is a healthy QB who can take the team there and that the fans can stand behind whoever JH chooses to play at QB. So no matter who starts next week or the rest of the season, we need them both to go all the way. So back and cheer for whoever starts no matter what your personal opinion is.
Hofer,
I told you so!
What, That JJ would displace CK and AS?? You get no COOKIE!! lol
Kaepernick: “I don’t think one game can be called a hot hand.”
Well, funny that every freakin Niner fan is calling it that.
I am in no way an Alex Smith fan, but I do recognize HE WAS THERE BEFORE THIS ONE (count it one) GAME THAT KAEPERNICK PLAYED.
Well, not EVERY freakin’ Niners fan! SO glad to hear Colin talk sense after a game that might understandably have made him a little TOO cocky. The more he talks, the more he sounds like a Niner to me. Highest compliment I can give to an athlete, BTW.
One hopes that our host will listen and learn from the players themselves, rather than go with the knee jerk comments like “49ers must make Kaepernick the starter right now”. A UCLA journalism major is going to tell the Niners what they MUST do? Puh-leeze!
Can’t believe I was a little worried about this game …
CK7 played lights out all night ! .. Definitely a great win !
On another note .. the Pro Bowl voting is open over here
How many votes do you think Kaep will end up with ? lol
Damn … they don’t allow write-ins !