Jim Harbaugh has been tap dancing around quarterback questions recently like a performer on Bourbon Street.
Monday at his press conference, Harbaugh said Alex Smith is still the starting quarterback, but Harbaugh wouldn’t name Smith the starter against the Rams. Harbaugh said he’ll wait until Wednesday to make that announcement.
Do you expect Harbaugh to start Smith against the Rams? Should Harbaugh start Smith against the Rams? Why or why not?
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No, because you won’t be happy.
Should he? Dunno… but I think Coach is setting it up that way. To wit (courtesy Maiocco):
“Alex Smith is our starting quarterback. He’s not done anything to lose that job. In fact, he’s played 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,” Harbaugh said. “So, in a unique situation, you have two quarterbacks that are playing at a very high level. One’s your captain and your starting quarterback; the other has played great football in the last three games. Both have a hot hand.”
I think a lot of this hubbub about CK7 taking the position from Alex due to (perceived?) performance issues has just been talk and wishful thinking at this point… media-generated and fan-hyped. Doesn’t sound to me like Coach has had that in mind, at all. In fact, it sounds to me like Coach has been letting it play out (much to everyone else’s chagrin), while being cautious with team captain and declared #1 AND getting his future starter some significant time and wins.
Crafty and sly is the QB Whisperer.
“Crafty and sly is the QB Whisperer.”
Great line.
It would not shock me if AS starts, but I do know that he will be on a very short leach, he is horrible in red zone and third down play and, and if he struggles or get sacked a few times, he will be replaced.
Neal,
Alex Smith is done bro. That is a fact! It’s over fellas. It’s over!
It’s over because you said so?Wow,did’nt know how important you were to the decision making process for the 49er coaching staff…
and, and, and… don’t run out of breath there, Neal. There’s no passing out in football.
By the way, leach? To remove soluble or other constituents from by the action of a percolating liquid.
Harbaugh is just f’ing with the Rams. And the media.
How so… letting them think Alex will start? He’s in a very delicate situation… even if Smith starts and plays below par Harbaugh just can’t yank him. CK played awesome but hopefully this doesn’t backfire
@ Benny:
I don’t read Harbaugh’s statement that way. I read it as yet another “we don’t know who we are going to start this weekend so our opponent had better spend time preparing for both QBs” statement.
I also don’t assume that the message Harbaugh communicates to the public is the same message that he communicates to the players.
Yea I will have one of those that Claude has, Matt Maiocco says this talk is just nonsense, things don’t shock me anymore, however just out of respect for AS, he will discuss the issue privately with him.
In the end it’s a business and CK seems to be the hotter hand. You can’t argue how different the O has looked. When we’re in 3rd n long I have a good feeling CK will get a 1st… I’ve bee rooting for Alex but I don’t have the same confidence that he’s going to make a play.
And it’s obvious why CK should be the starter. He’d be the only uber tatted starting QB in the league!!! LOL
Harbaugh is just f’ing with the Rams. And the media.
And quite possibly, some fans.
CK will start this weekend.
IMO, CK should start this weekend.
You and Lowell Cohn should get togehter and anoint CK7.He has hated him from the start.
So have I.
I think he sticks with Kap. I think it would be easier to go back to Smith if Kap struggles but until that happens, if it happens, I think you have to go with the guy you’ve won the last two games with.
Whatever the decision is, Harbaugh will make it after taking everything into account and getting a feel for how the locker room views it. Davis is still supporting Smith as the starter, but I have a feeling a few others are in Kaps corner. Harbaugh is right in that he has to make a decision though. The nonstop questions about it are going to become a distraction if allowed to go on too much longer.
I like your thinking, Rocket, but I have to respectfully disagree. I think he goes with Smith now that he’s “fully recovered” and has an opportunity to take the lion’s share of the #1 snaps, and if Smith bumbles or regresses even in the slightest, it’ll be that much easier to bench him and go with Kaep for the rest of the year and on into the future. If he sticks with Kaep now and Kaep gets injured or plays poorly (which I don’t see happening), it’d be that much harder to go back to a Wally Pipped-Smith. I’m sure, however, whatever the case may be, Alex’s class and character would ensure a 100% effort…
Could happen Mr. Automatic, I just think they are infatuated with the kid and want to see if he’s the guy for the long term. He’s given no indication that he can’t handle the job so far and Smith will be a good soldier through it. That’s why I think they stick with Kap but I wouldn’t bet on the outcome that’s for sure.
What ever.
I’m just enjoying the show.
Amen!
Kaep should be the permanent starter. Alex is toast.
CK7 should start. no one can deny the positive energy that he infuses in the offense. If you judge the performances of both quarterbacks its easy to see that CK7 is the appropriate pick. I feel that the organization and fans have paid their debt to Alex and he has improved, but in my opinion I think CK7 gives us the best chances of winning the superbowl and in general the best chance to make up for our d or special teams if they come out flat or have a late start to the game. The offense has been the liability of the team and now we can change that. Coaches and players are in it for the superbowl!
This is what Michael Irvin thinks: “The 49ers have reached their ceiling with Alex Smith. They are at their floor with Colin Kaepernick.”
Colin Kaepernick is already 1/4 way to the moon. AS is stuck on the second floor of a Hi-Rise.
MI was a good WR but too bad Michael Irvin doesn’t know how to manage or coach a NFL team…
I don’t think that we have seen Alex Smith’s ceiling necessarily, as MM usually points out, Smith has shown slow but consistent improvement over most of his career. He certainly had noticeable improvement since JH got to him. So, I see no reason why that improvement would not continue with continued coaching and experience, after all, he is only 28, roughly the same age as brandon wheeden (whoops for the browns!) In fact, he would probably continue to improve serving in the backup role, just by being coached by jim harbaugh. The more important point though, is that we are close to the floor of The Kapinator’s talents, and he is basically outperforming Alex already. So I would vote (if it were up to a vote) for The Kapinator to get the start. I love CK’s work ethic and mental approach to the game that he talked about post-game. And what Donte Whitner said about him being the first guy at the facilities every morning. That is what you want in your franchise QB.
So we have to wait another 2 years for him to get where ck is now? Smith will NEVER have the arm or legs ck does. It’s just not in his DNA. Ck also is advanced in field vision an accuracy aaaand throws down field. Smith should have been playing like CK’s last two games from week 1 and improving more than that every week after. Smiths ceiling has been reached.
I don’t think AS has hit his ceiling either. I’d like AS to take more vertical shots, but he won’t do it for the sake of stats or turnovers. I do believe that he and MC have good chemistry this year and the last two games MC was left behind. I don’t know if that was the play calls or the improvising, but either way, not exactly an improvement. AS had an outstanding game against Buffalo and I believe the 9ers win the Rams game if he doesn’t sustain a concussion.
I think AS gets the nod here and let the competition begin in the offseason.
I have no idea if we’ve seen his ceiling. He was making solid progress, year over year for the last couple of years after coming back from the injury.
Steve Young may be right, in that we haven’t seen the whole thing yet.
The problem is, it’s going to get harder and harder for him to come back if CK is gaining four or five more yards per completion (on average) than Smith. Smith has more touchdowns per play than CK but that stat may not last long.
Hard to say. Harbs could be whistling Dixie, he might be telling the truth.
Who knows. It’s too much drama for me. From a moneyball perspective I’m guessing Smith is done at the end of the season. If you have a guy that can replace him with similar or slightly better numbers, who is dirt cheap, and who was homegrown the right way, not scarred by incompetent coaches, etc.? It seems like the right move.
Smith didn’t do anything to lose the job. I was listening to the ESPN boys on the radio this afternoon and they pretty much nailed the sentiment most people feel about this, but the issue is whether or not CK can perform at the same level or higher (and in a crass way, cheaper.)
md, It looks like you were directing that comment at me, but I’m not sure where to start. First off, I said:
“So I would vote (if it were up to a vote) for The Kapinator to get the start.”
then you said: “So we have to wait another 2 years for him to get where ck is now?” So you must have misread what I said, but then you went and contradicted yourself by saying; “Smiths ceiling has been reached.” Either he hasn’t reached his ceiling or in 2 years he’ll get where CK is now. It can’t be both.
Oh, we’ll now I’m sold. If that idiot cowboy biased… Did I say idiot? said it then it has to be true!
Didn’t Irvin cheat pretty much every pass play by pushing off?
I don’t much care what he has to say. And he says too much to begin with.
Grant if he wasn’t praising Kaepernick I have to believe that you would never quote Michael Irvin otherwise.
Another 9er win and a few observations…
This 9er team doesn’t always look disciplined week to week. The early penalties on offense are unacceptable and resulted in big plays being called back (similar to what happened during the Buffalo game in the 1st quarter). That is on JH.
CK was very elusive within the pocket. He made the OL look better than they played with excellent movement and escapability. CK helps the offense with their deficiencies, especially the pass blocking and playcalling. We still didn’t see much of VD or MC yesterday and the timing of play calls – runs versus the pass were still interesting at best.
The 9er defense made CK look better than he played against the Saints. Without the two INTs, there is a good chance the 9ers lose this game. Fortunately, DBrees played worse than CK.
CK threw one INT and would have thrown another if it weren’t for the savvy play of RMoss. The 2nd INT would have been a momentum changer. JH will see this on the game film and will cringe. Not a good thing for CK.
The over-emphasizing of CK’s arm strength and the speed of the pass versus AS as an argument for replacing AS, is simply hyperbole. If you measure him against PM, EM, DB, TB, MS, JC, etc, CK wins that battle as well. Because of his arm strength, there will be games where he gets into trouble because he thinks that he can throw into smaller windows than needed. Let it play out.
Regarding the QB situation, CK has played well especially during the Bear game. With that said, we have yet to see him come from behind to win a game. He was literally saved by the 9er defense in the Saints game yesterday. CK has upside but there will be some interesting growing pains along the way.
AS has played well this year including a franchise team record for offense against a Buffalo team with a defense that is ranked higher than New Orleans by 6 spots (play New England twice). During that game, AS had two big plays called back by penalty and left the game early in the 4th qtr or he would have had close to 400 yards passing. There was also an outstanding throw from AS to VD where there was a very small window and AS dropped it in the basket perfectly.
I hear some saying that AS can’t win over the NYG’s and that is ridiculous. He won against them during the year last year. BTW, I didn’t think GB looked too good yesterday getting blown out by the NYGs and ARodgers taking 5 sacks.
I would give CK a B grade for his play yesterday mainly for his elusiveness in the pocket and his ability to extend plays.
Two good QBs. Good times.
Spoken like a true Smither :)
The better QB is starting Hofer.
no..spoken like a true 49er fan..something you are not
Nick
So AS starts, this argument of who is better is over then no matter what?
I somehow doubt that happens on the blog.
Well reasoned post Hofer. Well put.
Rocket, thanks. Just calling it straight!
Hof – good job, what I want is the best player to be playing period. If its AS great if its CK great if its ST great I dont care, I want the best player to be playing and JH is the one to determine that. I will always support AS like I did JM even when they go to other teams. Only time I dont support them is when they play the Niners.
Under,
I believe JH goes back to AS as the starter. It was always his intention giving AS two games to heal from the concussion. Now CK has in game experience if needed to replace AS.
Hof
Wouldnt surprise me one little bit. I have no problem with AS. I dont have a problem with CK in the small sample size we have seen so far and it would not surprise me one little bit if ST proved out to be better then the both.
Hofer,
Pulling out your last straw huh Hofer? You just don’t get it. It’s over man. It’s OVER!!!
Hofer
Where’ve you been?
Consider the penalties in a different light. The OL has shown extreme improvement this year until this week. The game was in the loudest stadium in the league and against a team that brought the house repeatedly. Those are factors, but the main reason for the penalties was having to adjust to playing with Kaep. Because he was not checking down or taking sacks, but instead extending plays a la Big Ben, the onus was on the OL to play cleaner for longer. That’s as much on the players as on the coaches, and will improve. And it’s a good thing the team is learning how to play with Kaep now, as opposed to during the playoffs.
“Fortunately, DBrees played worse than CK.”
I think we forced him to play off his back foot (so to speak) and kept him off balance all day.
I was looking at the defense numbers today (great day off :P) and they are astounding. Top shelf in almost all if not all categories.
I agree on the two pick-6 INTs. I mentioned this earlier. It was an opportunity cost for the offense because we didn’t find out whether we could have picked up those 14 points from the offense. I lean toward 60/40 yes but I’m not entirely convinced yet.
I had forgotten about the Randy Moss (non) OPI. Good call remembering that one.
CK has some growing pains to go through for sure. He won’t be perfect right out of the box. He’s in a MUCH better environment than Smith was starting out though so hopefully it’s all done the right way.
I like a good redemption story though, so hey if Smith comes back in and marches us to the promised land, it’s all good. :)
I think he right. We can all admit Kaep has the crazy arm and agility but he doesn’t have chemistry with the receivers. Crabtree and Smith was just on fire before Smith got concussed. For us to play well in the playoff we will need that chemistry and we can’t just always rely on the D and scrambling tds. I believe Kaepernick will be our starting QB just not this season. It’s not about what Kaep can do for us in the future (that’s to think about in the offseason), it about who is solid and consistent NOW so we can make it to the Superbowl THIS YEAR. But really that is just my opinion it’s up to Harbaugh and I will always support him.
If Alex Smith starts, we’ll need this guy as our kicker:
http://youtu.be/gq99O88eeUM
This sounds like Nate Davis/Troy Smith/That other guy who I can’t remember his name but started a few games/Shaun Hill all over again.
I like CK. I think he’ll be a good QB. Maybe not great, but solid for a few years (mobile scrambling QBs sometimes have a short shelf life.) But he has played 2 games. The Chicago game impressed me. The NO game? He posted up some of the worst numbers a QB has posted up against the Saints horrible passing defense this year. Somewhere well south of what Matt Cassel did. And I consider Cassel the ground floor minimum as a starter.
I’m not sure why people are always “absolutely sure” this guy is the guy based on a tiny sample size, when they are so consistently wrong. The whole nonsense with Nate Davis was unbelievable. I think CK is heads over Davis, but I’ll reserve judgement before anointing him the second coming of Steve Young. Based on his current starts, he could just as likely be the second coming of Vince Young.
@KevinFFF:
I understand what you are saying, but Harbaugh’s stamp of approval eases a lot of those concerns.
Go back and watch the game again. He played very, very well and would have posted better numbers had some players caught balls right in their hands and referees blowing the whistle when his receivers knee or ankle never touched the ground.
Razor,
You could say the same thing after many of Smith’s games too. The drops didn’t appear out of nowhere this week. Neither did the conservative playcalling with a lead to run out clock. They played the same game with Kap as they did with Smith.
Yeah, but you can cite penalties and drops with any QB. That is part of the game. The Saints pass defense is the second worst in the NFL. I don’t think a QB has had a bad game against them this year. The Saints probably wouldn’t have a single win if Brees and Co didn’t outgun a few teams in shootouts.
I just question such positive analysis based on such a small data sample. It is always “yes, sure I was wrong the previous 12 times…but this time I’m sure I’m right.” I guess it is like playing the lottery, people just forget all the myriad times they are wrong in the hopes that someday they can say “see, I told you!”
Kevin,
A very logical argument, but logic doesn’t always take precedence when talking about a QB for a football team. Many of the people singing Kaps praises are in the anybody but Smith camp. Guys like Jordan have been pumping up every other QB on the roster or ones that didn’t even make it onto the roster simply because of their dislike of Smith as the starting QB.
Having said that however, I view Kap in a much more positive light than any of the QB’s you mentioned. Not only because he’s played well in his first two starts, but because he has been drafted and trained by arguably the best QB Coach in the business.
People are overreacting of course, but this is the business of overreaction. Todays hero is yesterdays loser and vice versa. It’s a fickle business to be sure.
And, of course, we must never forget “CARR! CARR!”
It doesn’t sound at all like that. The difference is CK7 has support and just passed two major tests in flying colors.
He didn’t look like this in pre-season (I was there), he looked like a rookie w/ flashes of potential. I’ve been cheering non-stop for Tolzien as the guy but, CK has shown a growth spurt that very few saw coming this fast. He deserves to be the starter and his intellect is there with all the play changes he was making at line of scrimmage.
It doesn’t take but a few quarters of football to see if the guy has it or doesn’t. Watch the body language of the players he is leading, if they believe in him and are delivering, you’re on to something.
It doesn’t take but a few quarters of football to see if the guy has it or doesn’t.
Yeah, like Nate Davis.
Claudette, exactly.
Except Nate never got a chance by a coach like JH. Instead he got the biggest con of a head coach in Sing who actually said “the QB isn’t as important most make it out to be”. All Nate needed was true mins, but I bet you think Troy Smith deserved them Claude? You think a guy off the street deserved those mins more than a guy who went through training camp and was respected by peers.
Amazing what a coach can or can’t do to your career.
@ sled:
Claudette? Wow, that’s clever.
When they lose the debate it resorts to name calling…how creative!
hofer, damn I wish I knew earlier that you’re the one that crowns winner in the arena of opinions.
the fact that 2 games at A+ level have been played by a rookie and yet, Smith still gets your vote shows how slow some of you are. Keep supporting Vanilla.
some of us are quicker judges of talent. Read the writing on wall already
Whatever!!! Man some of the comments on this blog are just too funny! Mr FFFF, Saints have won five game in the row and they have one of the best offensed in the league! Did you ever think about this was Cks second start in the NFL and he still managed to score two TDS and put together a long drive when we needed it! I do not care who is our starting QB but all this bs talk about CK is just annoying! GO CK and the NINERS
Would not make sense to go back to Alex Smith. You have your hand selected quarterback who you have been grooming. He is able to play as good as Alex with 10% less sacks taken. Every game he starts enables him to grow. Alex is grown. Alex is the perfect backup for him. Maybe Coach Harbaugh has a different view and I’ll respect whatever he decides. Just get me that 6th Trophy. They need to get better if they want to defeat the Giants, especially with Akers MIA.
Alex Smith will start this week vs the Rams. If Harb starts CK, its a disservice to AS and all of the 49er players that a play has lost his job due to injury and furthermore he was playing very well before the injury happen. CK will still be here next season, AS might not. Give AS the chance to finish this season and see how far he can take the team. If he can’t take the team back to the NFCC and SB then let him go next season and start CK then. Starting CK doesn’t make the 49er wide receiving crop any better. The 49ers have no #1 WR and it is still the biggest offensive weakness on the team next to the offensive line on pass protection. CK only masks those issues slightly, but doesn’t improve or make them any better than AS does, furthermore CK has way less experience than AS, especially in the play-off and come back from behind compare to AS.
Good to hear from you Prime
I don’t know who JH will start, but it cracks me up that Kaep all of a sudden is being mentioned in the same breath as Steve Young after two and a half games. I’m very excited about Kaep as well, but I think his inexperience can lose a few games for the team. One wonders what would have happened had Randy Moss not broken up what looked like a sure interception.
I like Kaep but personally think AS gives the Niners a better chance to win for now.
OL was described by Troy Aikman as the best he’s seen in the NFL since his own OL during the 1990s.
WR corps has been improved dramatically since last year with the additions of Moss and Manningham and the emergence of Williams.
Every objective observer, including all the pundits on ESPN, say that the weakest position on the team since Harbaugh arrived has been QB. That Harbaugh pursued Manning, that Baalke signed Alex to a one-year contract that makes him the 21st highest paid QB in the NFL, both show what the Niners think of Smith.
Kaepernick is the future. He may not start every game for the rest of the season, but you can be sure that if the Niners are stalling on offense with Alex under center, Kaepernick will be off the bench in a split second.
Wait, I could have sworn Nate Davis was the future. This team seems to have “the future” seems to change every other week for many fans since Garcia left town. I think I’ll reserve judgment before crowning yet another one. Ck might indeed turn out great. But right now, based on the sample set, I see just as much chance for him being the next Vince Young as the next Steve Young.
(Note 49ers WRs stats: After 11 games this season, the four starting 49er WRs: Crabtree is in route to 825 yds which is less than last season and not a #1 WR should be with at least 1000 yds, Manningham in route to 618 yds, Moss in route to 387 yds, and KW ends with 212 yds, Hopefully Jenkins can be activated and generate some yds/tds for the offense regardless who is at QB, it can help the team win in the play-offs and possibly NFCC again instead of what happened last year with only 13 yds in the NFCC for the WR crop. Bottom line, the 49ers has improve their wide receiving crop slightly from last season. Crabtree is still a #2 type NFL WR, Manningham a #3 as he was with the NYG, Moss is nothing more than a #3 or #4 at this point in his career, therefore they still need a #1 WR, why Jenkins was drafted, hopefully he gets activated now and contribute soon.)
>>>Kaepernick is the future. He may not start every game for the rest of the season, but you can be sure that if the Niners are stalling on offense with Alex under center, Kaepernick will be off the bench in a split second.
Even if AS starts again and fail, and CK comes in, doesn’t mean CK will play better lol.
AWS
Manningham is a #3? Crabs a #2? You are a WR coach?
Alex has been the QB throwing to the WRs for the last two seasons. The team has been ranked 29th in passing offense during that time.
Is that on the WRs, on Alex, or what?
CK came in for 2 winning games, the WR crop still doing the same thing. DW was the top receiver yesterday, Crabtree can only muster up 26 yds, while VD and Moss with no catches VS one of the weakest defense this season in NO. Did changing the QB make a difference???
You tell me know it all LOL.
AWS
I’ll repeat the question for you. Was being 28th the WRs fault or Alex’s fault?
AWS
What’s with all the filthy language?
Under CK the passing offense is averaging 240 yards per game. Under Smith it was 190.
Vernon and Crab both dropped passes this last game costing the team at least 30 yards, while the penalties took away another 40 yards from Crabtree.
I’m not a huge fan of our WRs, not by any stretch, but they’re much better than you give them credit for. And the question was a trick question.
The reason Smith produces so few yards of passing offense is because the coaches protect him by calling short dump offs that he can complete frequently with his short game accuracy.
The Giants shut down that short game. That’s why Alex can’t beat them.
The WR stats are based on the game plan. If Alex’s YPA are(were) 3rd highest, that means when he attempts a pass he gets the 3rd most yards of any qb. The reason the wr stats and his overall yardage arent that high is because…dun dun dun…they dont ATTEMPT a lot of passes. One would argue that you attempt more, with that YPA that he has, and everyones stats would improve, his total yards passing would go up, crabs/moss/manninghams yards would go up, and SFs team passing would go up. But the team doesn’t attempt a lot of passes, CK only attempted 23 and 25 passes…not any different than Smiths. So this argument that the team is more dynamic passing is just wrong. They attempt the same amount of passes, they get the same amount of yards.
always has been a TE centric power offense….
CK does show the promise of taking the top off the defense
Put your money where your mouth is. $25 to your favorite charity if AS starts. $25 to mine if CK starts.
You game, boy?
Hofer – You said “The 9er defense made CK look better than he played against the Saints.” That’s B.S. Hofe!…….give me a break man.
Kap has been tremendous and you know it! He extends plays that Alex normally gives up on. Kap plays every play like it’s his “last play” ever.
Alex did a pretty good job this year but Michael Irvin is right. “The 49ers have reached their ceiling with Alex Smith. They are at their floor with Colin Kaepernick.”
I think Harbaugh won’t publicly commit to Kaepernick yet, because he doesn’t want to crush Alex Smith’s feelings bro. Alex has been through a lot of crap and he is a sensitive guy.
Kap is a very rare talent. He’s proven that he’s ready, sit back and enjoy.
23J – Hofer threw out that garbage (Niner defense made Kap look good vs Saints) and now he hides from me. I replied to wrong post (see above) but Hofe saw it….. He was awol during live Saints blog too. What’s up with Hofe 23J? Why does he hate K-Gun?
Hofe, we go way back but you’re “out of your skull” when it come to Kaepernick. Hofe your football I.Q. is USUALLY off the charts but it’s time to get on the Kap bandwagon now bro!
Don’t be last Hofe.
Crab,
I keep it straight! There isn’t one thing in my comment that is incorrect. I didn’t say who I thought should start. Rocket, who I consider the most moderate here, even comment that it was reasonable. I guess Jordo is your new best friend. He needs friends especially after relishing credit for hand picking CK when he said JJ would replace both AS and CK. Have fun!!
*commented*
Hofe – I’ve never seen you so unhappy after a big Niner win.
Instead of downplaying Kap’s great game, why not give a shout out to Bruce Miller (3 big catches and crushing blocks), Delanie, Brooks/Whitner TD’s and Manningham (fighting for YAC)?
Great coaching from Fangio and Harbaugh/Roman too.
Good times.
Crab, what specifically in my comment describes unhappiness? I think you’ve taken up with the drama queens here! LOL I’m enjoying this immensely!! LOL
I don’t know, Hof – you sounded pretty irritable to me, too..glad to hear that’s not the case :-)
9ergirl, thanks, but not the case. You’ve just been gone too long and miss my jolly snideness. LOL
Hofer – Harbaugh is not married to Alex. It’s a temporary relationship.
Example: Remember waaaaaay back when you were in high school :) when you were dating some chick for too long, it was starting to get stale and boring but you were satisfied. All of the sudden, new babe moves into school district and she’s electrifying, a perfect 10.
It takes you 9 days to finally talk to her. You speak to her twice and both times she thrills you with excitement. She is on fire and 31 other classmates want her too.
Then lightning strikes, she informs you that she wants to be with you and take you places you’ve only dreamed about Hofer.
Are you gonna bust a move Hofer and shoot for the stars or keep things dull and remain with plain Jane?
Crabs do you think that a player should lose his job because of injury?
Crabs,
Hofer hates CK because he knows that CK is light years ahead of Alex Smith. Hofer can’t make an argument as to why Alex Smith is better than Kaepernick. None of the Smithers can. If Kap had thrown 2 picks in the 1st quarter, Hofer would have been all over this blog like white on rice.
Hofer know’s what I’ve known for 5 years now. He knows that Alex Smith has never had “IT”. Never had it, never will. I’ve said it for months. Alex Smith’s ceiling was was right under his helmet. The Smithers hate me because they have to face the music.
Let the Smither cry like babies. Their hero is on the way out of the door. He should’ve been gone last year like I said. JH tried his best to get rid of Smith. He’s finally found a reason.
COLIN KAEPERNICK IS NOW A BETTER QUARTERBACK THAN ALEX SMITH!!! CASE CLOSED!!!!!!!!!!!
AND THAT’S THE BOTTOM LINE CAUSE STONE COLD HATER SAID SO!
Prime – It’s really hard to say, every situation is different bro. Especially with an oddball type of coach like Harbaugh.
Alex didn’t really lose the job, Kap is taking it. Kap is better than I thought he was.
Did you happen to see Harbaugh’s facial expression when Kap connected on long pass to KW in Bears game? To me, JH looked like his own son had just thrown that ball…..seriously. It looked very personal.
23J – Kap definitely has swag!
23J – You still out there? Did you see my post that you were cloned? It was lunch time today.
The over-emphasizing of CK’s arm strength and the speed of the pass versus AS as an argument for replacing AS, is simply hyperbole.
Well, that’s not MY argument. The arm strength is a bene, for sure and allows him to have the confidence to make tough throws into tight windows that AS may pull down. But the real difference IMO, is that CK shows better presence in the pocket. He is more elusive (and dangerous with his legs), avoids sacks, moves, all while looking downfield. Has AS ever done this? Of course. A lot? Nope. He pulls the ball and his head down in pressure more often than not as a first reaction. They bothhave thrown on the run, but in this small 2.5 game sampling CK looks much more natural and flatly better at it.
Alex developed into a much more accurate passer in the last year and a half. CK has show the potential to be likewise. Will he be? Looks like we’re going to find out. I think he’ll take more chances which will lead to perhaps more mistakes than AS, but he’ll also make more plays happen where a sack or toss OB on 3rd down would have happened before. I believe he’ll create more TDs. With a more explosive and dynamic offense, other teams will be on their heels more and our D can take more chances knowing it will be easier for us to score.
Of course it’s JH and his staff’s opinion that matter most.
I think we absolutely need to go back to Alex Smith as the starter. Kaepernik had one great game against the Bears but if you take all the emotion out of it, he was unable to come back against the Rams and could only pull out a tie.
Against New Orleans, he put up adequate numbers against a soft passing offense but wasn’t going to win without two spectacular interceptions for TDs from the Defense. Brooks and Whitner were the ones that won the game yesterday, without the defensive scores, I truly don’t believe Kaepernik would’ve pulled a win.
I think Kaepernik is going to be a truly elite quarterback in the Steve Young mold and I think he probably should be the starter next season but, for this season, I think Alex Smith gives us the best chance to win out.
As I said a few days ago, regardless of the enthusiasm of every local sports writer named Cohn, the last thing this team needs right now is a quarterback controversy. If Alex comes back and blows it, this becomes a different story, obviously, but for now, we need number 11 under center.
That’s not true. They were up 24-17 on the strength of his comeback ability, then the D just gave up a tying drive to the Rams. Then he led them for what should be a chip shot field goal and Akers flubbed it. C’mon man!!!
CK is a far more productive QB than Alex, maybe not as efficient (70%), but if Colin took as many sacks as Alex instead of throwing the ball away, his % would be around 70% too.
Alex went out with a concussion in the middle of the second quarter — and threw a touchdown after being concussed.
Kaepernik came in to an offense that had momentum and couldn’t beat THE RAMS. It’s in the record books as a tie, but realistically that game was a loss. Yes, Akers whiffed on a field goal in OT but if Kaepernik was really the second coming and the angels sang on high every time his feet touched turf, we wouldn’t have been in overtime.
He’ll be great but he’s not ready.
Mark, the D choked in the 4th quarter.
Mark,
read grants poll. I think the fans have spoken. Maybe put some thought into AS’s next destination.
Exactly who that matters gives a rip what the fans want, think or say?
Hi Bay,
The fans that read Grant have spoken. I’ve seen other polls on Bleacher Report and other sites that are either even or have Smith ahead. Grant is giggling like a schoolgirl at the moment because the Quarterback Controversy that he’s been trying sooooooo hard to generate is here.
All on the back of a team player that has won 19 of 24 games under this coaching staff that went out after throwing a touchdown AFTER RECEIVING A CONCUSSION.
There are so many reasons that just throwing Kaepernik in is wrong at this point — but one of the biggest ones is that you have a winning player who is incredibly popular and respected in the locker room (Vernon Davis made a statement today that he wants Alex to start) go down with an injury that he received by sacrificing himself to get a first down conversion lose his starting position because he was out for two weeks with an injury. This sends a terrible message to the team and the other players.
And Harbaugh aint stupid. I’m betting Alex starts this week. If he blows it or the offense isn’t successful, I wouldn’t be surprised to see Kaepernik come in but I bet Harbaugh will let Alex play, if he loses the starting job because he’s not playing well, so be it — just not because of injury.
This is the way I, for one, see it.
49ers (Smith) had bad results in past two NY Giants games. Not happy about the Ram game either. The 49ers could very well face NY Giants again in the playoffs, or another high power offense like Atlanta.
Rams = Kaep
Dolphins = Alex
Patriots= Kaep
Seattle= Kaep
Ariz= Alex
This will keep Kaep fresh and throw Alex a bone.
Miami is no dud.
Neither is Alex Smith.
No, not at all.
And he is the 21st highest paid QB in the league, producing consistently efficient offense at the 28th highest production on a team with the #1 defense and running game in the NFL.
And CK has proved so far he can do better this season if he continue to be the starter over AS? I doubt it.
Furthermore, we’re not even adding the inexperience into the CK equation if he’s the starter. The only thing the 49ers would gain if Harb starts CK for the rest of this season is experience for CK for next year, there is no guarantee of SB or even NFCC. Some people are fine with that since they can’t wait for AS to be gone, while others know AS is still the better option for SB this season, regardless what happen next year.
AWS
Most knowing people (not you, not me; people being paid to talk about it) are saying that CK gives the team its best chance to win. Alex has failed to beat the Giants twice in a row now, with this season’s performance being a serious cause for concern.
And, just being logical, why would Harbaugh stick with Kaep if Smith was, without question, the best option. Smith was cleared to play before Cutler, yet Cutler got the start. Wouldn’t that have been Harbaugh’s play if he believed in Smith like Lovie believes in Cutler?
Hey onelame… And I mean Alex will start…. Didnt Alex smith come in with NO offseason, first year in the system, and still played in a playoff game? What makes your pea think that after these two games CK couldn’t do the same? That was the first time smith ever played in a playoff game. So where is the big difference in this experience you speak of? Get real! You know and bs knows CK looks far better as a qb that can run this system than smith has in just 2-1/2 games. You hear a glimmer of hope Smith starts and you two are back on here bashing and hating away on ck. remember smith WAS cleared to play yesterday.
But don’t worry onelame Smith will start again and will not live up to CK’s play. Just like you and bs like it. Back the coach as long as Alex is the starter.
For all you who keep repeating that Saints defense is horrible, what the hell were you watching? Saints get pumped to play us and showed it by getting through the O-line plenty, that’s why Kap was forced to scramble many times and yet, still threw lasers. The coverage was good, the hits were hard and that place is freaking LOUD! Kap passed all the tests and showed composure. Our team had lots of penalties, VD had an easy drop so lots of momentum stopped by others, not Kap.
The problem that is now presented to us as FANS, if Alex is named starter for any game and the offense goes back to being very vanilla and the games are more of a dogfight, not many points, I’m gonna be pissed. The boo birds will come back out and I almost wonder if JH kinda wants that so he has a reason to say well, Kaep is the guy. Who wants to go back to boring football now?? Anybody?
That’s the kind of football that Alex represents, as I said before he’s the Mitt Romney of football. This has a domino effect for all of us, not just us fans, but players will now have inner monologues like “that ball would’ve gotten to me on time if Kap threw it, or Kap wouldn’t take that sack”. The reality is we now all have a reference point and it does change things.
Just to clarify for you, Sled: There IS no “Mitt Romney of football”. I’m not even sure what you’re trying to say here, but that phrase is offensive as hell. Why not just say what you mean?
MM is on the Grant Napier show. He just said that Alex Smith may be finished as a starter for the Niners. He says that he believes JH has made the switch and that he can’t go back to Alex once he makes the switch. Leo will not crap all over the field and give JH a reason to go back to Smith.
Kap*** will not
23 after seeing the press conference, I have no idea what Jim is up to, he’s a hell of a poker player.
He said “Alex is our starting QB” so to not play him after saying that is gonna be weird. At least we’ll know by Wed. Wish Alex could be shipped off to another team.
Sled,
I’m sure Alex wished he could as well. How do you not start the better player?? Goes against what JH preaches. We will see.
“He said “Alex is our starting QB” so to not play him after saying that is gonna be weird.”
Kind of like during free agency when he said “Alex is our Guy” and then went after Peyton Manning.
His actions have always spoken louder than his words.
Question is “Who do you think should start” I my answer is Kaepernick. Of course last I checked I wasn’t on JH’s list of advisors.
Who do I think WILL start? Alex. I think JH used the last two games to get a feel where CK was at in his development and will go back to Smith for the rest of the season. If he fails to perform, then maybe he gets benched in favor of Kaep but for whatever reason I just don’t see Harbs making the QB switch midseason.
I don’t love the thought of going back to Smith, but I trust JH and know he will do what’s best for the team and what’s best to maintain peace in the locker room.
49erGirl
I have a feeling you are right about this. The next time Alex fails to produce TDs will be his final failure in SF, however.
Does that mean CK will take the 49ers to the SB? I don’t think so lol…
If I was a betting person (and I am), I’d put money on Kaepernick winning a SB before Smith does.
49erGirl, +1 My thoughts mirror yours. This scenario seems most likely in my estimation as well.
Grant — More intelligence on your blog
Prime Time says:
November 26, 2012 at 4:51 pm
However you might cry an wet your pants if they start Alex. No one wants to see Tarzan, king of the jungle do that now would we?
@ N/O
You really are starting to come off as the nerdy kid who ratted out his classmates for misbehaving while the teacher was out of the room.
Claude
Seriously? Why don’t you have a little conference with your boys and get them to start behaving like men.
You always contribute. You are a respectable member of this community.
Drama? That’s contributing? Weren’t you booted once as well? Are you the *only one* allowed to return?
@ Neanderthal:
Seriously. No one likes an informant.
If you don’t like what a particular commenter writes, then ignore him/her.
I don’t know who my “boys” are, but I am not responsible for anyone’s comments but my own. Besides, you only seem to be bothered by those who disagree with you.
Flattery will only get you so far.
Hof… Where were you yesterday? Missed you on the game day blog. What did you think of CK’s and the defenses performance? I’d ask st, but that would be a dumb question lol
Yeah Neanderthal don’t be a ds. Not a pretty look my dude. Snitches are characters that never get respect.
Hofer
There you are. No drama here, bud. Got any football to talk about? See the football reply to your long post? Got any ideas about that? Like the comparison to Big Ben?
I’m not backing Jordo or Neal here, Hofe. You need not protect Prime or DS9. Normally don’t see you swearing and crying like they do.
MD
Not snitching. It’s a different type of play. If you don’t like it, I can’t help you.
I’ll relent when I’m ready to.
Claude
Got any football to talk about?
Have at it dude.
Grant – another intelligent post from Prime from a different name
Alex Will Start says:
November 26, 2012 at 5:00 pm
WR crop fault idiot, CK can do no better. If you don’t believe it that’s your problem. Why the f**k do you think they drafted Jenkins in the 1st round if Crabtree is so great and they think he is a real #1 NFL WR? LOL Crabtree wasn’t even drafted by them. If AS can GTFO once CK is ready so can Crabtree when Jenkins is ready.
You get the drift idiot?
They won’t start Alex again. He is “hot”now so they might be able to trade him for a second. If he bombs he’s a fourth or even fifth-round pick. That is unless other teams wait and hope to pick him up as a free agent. Either way, he’s not going to start again…
^^^
This.
Which car/qb would you rather go to the house of mud in? Lol
http://youtu.be/XTN7utu_JSI
Alex Smith will be the starter!
“Do you expect Harbaugh to start Smith against the Rams?” Yes
“Should Harbaugh start Smith against the Rams? Why or why not?” No. In only his first 2 starts Kaepernick has proven that he is at least equal to Smith. Although the stats appear similar, you need to remember that prior to Kaepernick taking over the 49ers offense was near the bottom of the league in sacks given up. Over Kaepernick’s 2 starts there has been dramatic improvement in this area due to his increased pocket presence.
With Kaepernick at the controls the 49ers offense became more explosive as well. In the last 2 games they have accounted for 9 pass plays of 25+ yards, an average of 9.2 yards per attempt, up from 8, and an average of 14.2 yards per completion, up from 11.8.
It is true that Kaepernick benefitted greatly from the great performance turned in by the 49ers defense. The pick 6 by Ahmad Brooks was a huge play to make up for Kaepernick’s poor interception 2 plays earlier. How did Kaepernick respond? He came out in his next possession, the opening drive of the 2nd half and quickly drove the team down for the go ahead score.
Then with the score at 28-21 he led the team on the 4th longest drive of the year in the NFL, and eventually a short FG that sealed the win. Along the way he made 2 elite level throws to keep the drive going. First, a completion to Crabtree on a 15 yard out from his own 8 that he drilled perfectly between 2 defenders, and later an absolute seed to Delanie Walker on a seam route over the LB and in front of the safety on 3rd and long.
Despite this, my gut tells me that Harbaugh will go back to Alex Smith. If he does, it will be quite interesting.
I feel the same. And ck doesn’t get carried by this defense like smith did last season. The pick six helped no doubt, but he Didnt have any of those against the shalacking he put down on a very good defense who looked very good yesterday I might add. From every game I’ve seen from smith and his style and can safely say IF he was playing yesterday and they won it would have been a grind it out win or a double digit loss. Smith hasn’t proven he can convert those important 3rd downs ck did yesterday. Those wee bigger than Smithers think.
MD,
The defense had two pick sixes, not one.
I’d be somewhat surprised if Harbaugh goes back to Smith. I think it’s Kaep all the way, unless he craps the bed for 2 games in a row.
It’s easier for him to go with the hot rookie, and return to Smith if need be.
Of course, I have no idea of what the locker room dynamic is. I’d think that is more of a factor in these types of decisions than many think.
Hope you’re right Angus, but my gut is also leaning towards JH sticking with Smith.
It’s not a terrible thing, but it sure isn’t as exciting as the possibilities that Kaep brings to the team.
Nice Post Jack. JH might go back to Alex to keep the team together. However with Cks performance Alex will be feeling the pressure and he must step up and play football!
Grant,
After the 49ers big win against the Bears, B. Urlacher came up to CK and it looked like he was saying “where the $@# did you come from.”
Do you think if asked, that CK could confirm if those were in fact BU’ words?
The reason I ask this is simple: I wonder who the Bears or Saints would rather face if they had a choice between CK or AS.
I had the same thought. The next opponent – the Rams – would rather play against AS because he’s easier to defend, rattle, and take advantage of. CK7 is dynamic, dangerous, and explosive. If I were the Rams D Coordinator, I ‘d be praying for JH to start AS.
Such a fragile ego? C’mon, now! If Eric and Kevin can take it and recognize the whiff, why can’t you? Am I going to be banned now? LOL
If JH starts CK, then he can’t go back to AS. And if CK hits a slump, we’re screwed.
If JH starts AS, then he can go to CK if AS stinks it up.
Figure it out.
Not quite. One detail most forget about Brady taking over for Bledsoe is that Brady got knocked out early in the AFC Championship game, and Bledsoe came back in to help the Patriots win the game.
None of what is happening here is unprecedented.
Last time I checked a coach can do whatever he wants.
Free Alex !!
Alex Smith has used all of his 9 lives, the food bowl is out, he has run out of catnip, the litter box is full of poop. The only chance in hell if he ever comes back playing for the Niners is if Kaep gets hurt, but the way things are going he might back up Tolzein. He will be a one or two yr stop gate where ever he goes. Their will always be a QB of the future behind his back in any team he goes. He is one lucky son of a gun !!!
for just one reason, to break the 2W-1L pattern which has been established since the season began. Let’s see if CK can get a 3W streak!
I have read all the comments here and many others elsewhere on this subject, and after thinking about this for a bit rather than just going with my gut (which tells me the 49ers should start Kaep), I think Alex Smith should start against St. Louis. First, it would be interesting to see how he responds to the challenge that Kaep now represents to him. Second, he has unfinished business against the Rams, and I think that additional motivation might bring him out of his conservative mode. And finally, although this is the least persuasive reason in my mind, I am sympathetic to the idea that Smith has earned the chance to come back and reclaim his position as starting QB.
This is certainly not a knock against Kaep. He has surpassed my expectations of him in both games he has started (as well as in the second half of the Rams game). He has added to the already impressive skill set he brought from college, and I am optimistic (rather than cautiously optimistic, as I was before his first start) that he will be the long-term QB for the 49ers.
I agree, J, and would add that I’d like to see Alex start for the additional reason that I’d like to see if he’s finally pissed off at the treatment he’s been getting (from the media, some fans, and Harbaugh) enough for it to show in his game. Let’s see a little fire in your eyes, Alex!
Alex is just ok. My proof is in the fact that Alex was let to become a FA by the 49ers and had zero offers after winning 13 games. He was only looked at by Miami. Kap avoids sacks and makes stick throws down the field. AS can’t or won’t throw down field. GR or JH turn won’t turn back to calling a qb draw or run on third down to protect the qb. ( think Seattle game hard to watch)
49ers are the best team in the league with Kap and luckily the coaching staff knows it.
Alex gone by April 1 to avoid 7.5 million in cap space.