Steve Young just spoke on KNBR. Here’s what he said about Colin Kaepernick, Alex Smith and Jim Harbaugh.
YOUNG: I played a long time, and this is a big boy league, and it’s a tough league, and you get paid a lot of money, and there are huge expectations, and nothing is easy and nothing is guaranteed.
So, in those terms, the basic fundamentals here are: “We’ve got this young kid. We think he’s the star. We think the locker room will rally around him. We think he’s going to be able to handle it. We’ve got a great team that will support him, so that he can make mistakes and still win enough games. We believe he can go the distance, and you’re benched.” That’s what this is all about. This is the big boy stuff.
Alex is going to man up. It’s going to be brutal – I’m sure these are some of the most brutal days of his career. Despite all the things that he’s seen, this is a hard, hard time. To walk into work and see that your job is gone and still stay strong, do the work, be ready to play, not let the resentment get to you, not let the double talk that you’re getting from the building get to you – because they don’t know how to say it. They don’t know how to tell him. You set the record for most consecutive passes without an interception in franchise history, you ran up the most yards the offense has ever had in 49ers history this year, you were 18-of-19 – the best completion percentage in the history of the 49ers this year, we’re 7-2 and running away with the division, but you’re benched. That’s a tough one.
For Colin, can you imagine how much you must mean to this coach and to these guys and to this team? Despite all of that context, you’re the man. Go get it done. We believe in you. Go win a Super Bowl.
Because in many ways, if they go to the playoffs and they lose, they’re going to be in a tough spot, but there’s no turning back. Colin Kaepernick is the quarterback for the 49ers barring him imploding.
They’ll protect him enough him with a great running game, a phenomenal defense, everything about this team that’s going to protect him, put a cocoon around this kid.
And they believe he’s up to being able to get through that and go the distance. Because if they don’t go the distance, there’s going to be a ton of blowback, but I don’t think they care. I think they think: “Here’s the kid that’s going to do it. If we get blowback, we’re going go to the offseason and he’ll get better and better, and off we go.”
And that’s the tough reality for Alex right now. It’s over. It might not be over day to day, and it might not be over game to game, but unless Kaepernick implodes, they’ve made the decision, and it’s a big one, and it’s a precipitous one, and it’s a meaningful one, and it’s a painful one. I’ve been through enough to know that that’s the facts.
Obviously, for Colin, this is unbelievable, and a wonderful opportunity. And for Alex, a bitter, bitter pill. I can promise you that despite all the struggles Alex has had through his career – not many of them his own making – this is by far the most bitter and difficult thing he’s been through.
I thought to myself, “Is Jim up to this?” Bill Walsh was…you have to be very dynamic, very savvy to actually pull it off with your players, to actually maintain that authority that you want to have with your guys.
The players have watched him pounds Alex’s pads before games and develop a relationship with him. Players watch closely. Most coaches lose the respect of their players because at some point they see that it’s not authentic. And the one thing Jim has with them is he’s completely authentic.
And so this one’s a tough one. It’s going to test Jim to see if he can maintain that same authenticity.
Bill Walsh had a really sharp knife. You’d go meet with him, and you’d think things were going pretty good, and you’d leave and blood is dripping down your side. You guys know Bill’s history – he was the one that always got rid of people a year before they were ready. You do that enough, you build up a lot of resentment. But because he was so successful and so sure about it and so consistent – he would look you in the eye and say, “I know you don’t think you’re done, but you’re done.” And then off you’d go bleeding.
Bill was phenomenal, if that’s the word, at dealing with these difficult situations, and I’ve seen a lot of guys fail miserably when they’ve got to these white hot tough spots. It takes away from their authenticity. Jim can’t just go, “Gobble gobble turkey” on this one. He’ll have to work through it, but the good thing is he has a phenomenal locker room. A lot of mature, great young leaders that are going to be around a long time, and they truly do believe in him. He has a lot of built up equity with the guys in the locker room. That’s what he really has going for him.
49ers RSS feed
Loading ...
that 2nd TD pass by ATL was taken directly from the kap to DW passs this past weekend
Lance Moore is killing the Falcons now. Didn’t Goldson break Moore’s spine last week? Dude is a fast healer.
Too bad Brees can’t manage the clock. I wonder if they finish out the half better with Payton on the sideline.
Did Andy Reid guest coach that 2 minute drive?
Ha! I thought it was Les Miles.
So that was a fumble by Michael Turner but Ahmad Bradshaw’s forward progress had been stopped?
*grumble grumble*
(this seems to be the game thread)
Mayock just called Mike Nolan the MVP of the game. My liver jumped out of my throat, ran to Atlanta and slapped the feces out of Mayock.
I was hoping the Saints would win(homefield purposes), but Brees was terrible. I switched to the Warriors/Nuggets game.
now that i have read that article….as i mentioned there are a lot of leaders on this team that will governor CK….
Jim can handle it, that’s not the concern. My concern is his health, and that he does not burn himself out in 3 or 4 years. I’d like to see him coach for the 49ers a long time. He has made the right decision, and at the right time. I could be wrong, but deep down I think every player on this team is excited to see this kid take the keys and drive them to New Orleans. The 49ers do have a history of Super Bowl winning there.
+1
What an amazing speaker!!!
Just a one-and-done winner though.
If Garrison Hearst does not break his leg in Atlanta, Young would have two rings. Even so, the dude is in Canton, so he is not just a ‘one and done’ QB!
Yep Chewie…
SCOREBOARD…Young is a HOF’er
Look up at it Cave Man
Chewie: I agree that the Niners probably would have won that game if Hearst hadn’t gotten hurt. However, in the second half, the Niners have an open receiver heading into the endzone along the left hash (JJ Stokes?). There are two defenders to the receiver’s right, so he breaks left. Young throws inside. The resulting pick is returned deep into SF territory. ATL gets a FG that turns out to be the winning margin in the game.
Steve Young, HOFer indeed, but not a great playoff QB.
you are a clown!!!!
All this for Alex Smith? Really?
I have had enough of the second guessing. This offense has looked the BEST IT EVER HAS UNDER HARBAUGH in the two games under Kaepernick.
We aren’t losing ANYTHING, because Kaepernick already does the things Alex is good at as well as or better than Alex does. And he does a ton more.
Alex, he will get you wins over the Bills and Cardinals.
But he isn’t going to beat the Giants. He isn’t going to beat Atlanta. I don’t think he beats New Orleans on Sunday.
Sorry to say it. LOVE THE MOVE by Harbs. Folks, get off his back. If you don’t like him, go root for the Raiders.
Ray,
Amen!
Best the offense has looked over the past two games is a bit much. I agree with everything Steve said.
Alex would have beat the Bears and Saints too, in fact the offense wasn’t as impressive as almost every team that the Saints defense has faced this year.
I know that their are the Alex haters out there, but lets be real this team wins regardless of which one is QB’ing.
49ers are playing ultimate team football right now!
whatever, I like you predication that we would have won both games with Alex! how do you know!
This!
Kinda like, when Alex Smith was our quarterback, if you didn’t like him you should go support another team, like the Raiders? The hypocrisy is amazing…”Pot…It’s Kettle…You’re black.”
Alex, ” I know you don’t think you’re done in San Francisco, But you’re DONE! Here’s a bandage, wrap this around your side. Go get stitched up!”
” You still caddying for me in February right?”
Yeah bold moves require bold results. If Harbaugh thinks he can just move on without winning a SB after this decision without any scrutiny, well welcome to the NFL Jim. The media will hound his players daily and if he thinks he can fortify his lockerroom from it, he is dreaming.
I love Harbaugh but this is a decision he is gonna have to live with and own up to it. There is no way he can keep brushing off the media. It’s not college football anymore. Every decision in the NFL is magnified to the 100th degree.
Prime,
Please give me one reason Harbaugh has given you or anyone else to doubt him since he took over as HC of the 49ers.
Jack,
It’s not about questioning his moves, it’s about how he articulates his moves.
He is not God Jack. He can be questioned and this was not a simple decision. It’s controversial and deserves skepticism because your pinning your SB hopes on an unknown.
I get that he has all the physical tools everyone is enamoured over. This does not guarantee anything, just like it wouldn’t with Alex as a starter.
My point is, there is plenty of reason to questioning it because we have not seen enough of Kaepernick.
Hofer,
How he articulates his moves to anyone outside that building means nothing to those inside it, and means nothing when it comes to winning football games.
Listen to the players. Jennings this morning was very blunt about thinking the media are trying to break them apart. Harbaugh has built an “us against them” mentality in that building.
The reporters might not like it, you might not like it, and I might not like it, but Harbaugh could give a damn what any of us thinks, and he won’t change.
Jack,
Perhaps but we really don’t know do we? He said MC had the best hands he’s ever seen and he may be on his way out after his contract is up. We just don’t know.
He also said Alex was AELIATAE. A probowler, maybe he meant bowling?? He also said Alex was a master of this offense, knowing it, not executing it. He also said he was “Evaluating” Manning. I guess you want to believe what you want to believe now. Bwahahahaha
Prime,
Where has he missed since coming here?
You say he is pinning his hopes on an unknown, but Kaep is not unknown to Harbaugh. They spend hours around each day almost every day. He scouted him before drafting him. Harbaugh knows exactly what he is getting in Kaepernick.
Yes the physical tools are there, but you are missing the intangibles, the pocket presence, the leadership, the “run that motherf—–ers!”, that he is bringing with him.
Harbaugh has seen enough to know, and so have many others. You are fine to have doubts, but they will be proven wrong in time.
***ELITE!!
Hofer,
We really don’t know what?
Jack,
You’re having trouble following me for some reason. We don’t know because we’re not in the locker room are we? You can guess, as you often do, but it doesn’t mean that the players are still buying his platitudes.
You are asking me to not question Harbaugh because every move he has made has worked? Yes but Jack, this is a huge move he made. The entire country is questioning it and deservedly so.
Some of you are acting like CK has arrived, he is the real deal, a gifted winner. Sorry but like I told NO, 2.5 games for a fan like me is not enough. Maybe for JH it is. But don’t tell me not to question it, it deserves a wait and let’s see approach.
Hofer
Platitudes?
n.
1. A trite or banal remark or statement, especially one expressed as if it were original or significant.
Pardon my sniggers, Hofer, but do you mean to say that Harbaugh is unoriginal and insignificant? Is that how he turned an underachieving team of all-stars into a 22-6-1 juggernaut and a total bust QB into a competent manager of games?
Hofer,
True, we don’t know the conversations that take place in the building. I have never said as much. We do know an awful lot by actions however.
As for Crabtree, he may very well be gone when his contract expires, but we also know that Harbaugh and Roman have backed up their words regarding Crabtree by giving him the most targets of any player on the team.
Prime,
If you read my last comment to you, you will notice that I said that you are free to have doubts.
Over time they will be proven wrong, but you can have your own opinion.
“Please give me one reason Harbaugh has given you or anyone else to doubt him…”
You don’t seriously believe a word this guy says do you?
He’s a great tactician but beyond that… meh.
I’ll give him this and it’s as charitable as I can be: I think the reason this is hard for him may be because Harbaugh was Alex Smith. He saw himself a few years ago.
I don’t think there’s anything to feel bad about if you’re Smith – not really. Like ESPN was reporting all day, he’ll be THE hot prospect in free agency. Zilch in the draft and no one else any good? He’s actually set himself up pretty well. Whether it’s Kansas City or Oakland, he’ll be playing next season. If the Niners were smart about it, they’d sign him and trade him. Just not to the Jets, wouldn’t wish that mess on anyone.
Jack
Everybody in every job in every part of the world should be questioned. Nobody is God. And even if they were, there may be another God with an opposing view.
Questioning does not = being a asshole. There is a right way and a wrong way to question. Many here don’t do it the right way.
Adam, very true.
They don’t need to sign him though just pay his bonus by the deadline and then trade him. I think they’ll give him the respect he deserves by just releasing him. As you noted, he will be the hot QB free agent.
“You don’t seriously believe a word this guy says do you?”
Adam,
I have said many times that I don’t listen to Harbaugh. He doesn’t really say anything anyway. I am talking about his football coaching ability.
I could give a rats behind what he says to the media, but he has been nearly flawless on the coaching side since coming to the Bay Area. For crying out loud, he built Stanford into a national power, and in 1 season here, with no offseason took the 49ers to a level they had not seen for almost 15 years.
As for what they do with Smith, they own his rights for 2 more years if they choose. They hold all the cards.
Hey, Hofer and I were the two guys here on this blog screaming for Harbs to come here.
Some of these other jokers had all kinds of names they were throwing out.
I totally agree with his football acumen. Strategy is why I love football. You can have a QB who doesn’t look like much physically (Montana, Brady) that will tear you in two every Sunday with the right strategy.
Aren’t you the one starting up a new blog? I would think you’d care (at least a bit) about what Harbs says. No? I mean you need some things to write about.
Personally, I’d take Roman’s presser style any day of the week.
You are a smart guy Adam. There really should have been no one else mentioned.
Roman says about as much as Harbaugh, he is just smoother in blowing off the questions.
As for my blog, I spend more time on the strategy side of things. I might get into other stuff from time to time, but I enjoy breaking down film, watching the game that way is way more fun for me because the film allows you to see everything you miss on the little box the TV provides. In fact I am working on some stuff drsgrosse asked me about this morning. Should have it up later.
Jack,
What’s a day without a snide comment from you?
It’s unfortunate no one mentions you in their comments. You tend to be condescending and self serving. Maybe you should try a different approach?
Where is the snide comment Hofer?
Jack,
Excuse me if I misread your first line of your last repsonse to Adam. It can be taken two different ways!
No worries Hofer. Carry on…
I notice this. The smith backers are the only ones questioning Harbaugh now. Before it was “in Harbaugh I trust” “don’t question the coach”, “Harbaugh picked Alex so roll with it” these statement’ should have read “in Harbaugh we trust as long as he picks Alex” get real! The sad thing is Smith really does t know why he was benched. He truly believes his game managing and poor field vision and pocket awareness wasn’t the reason for him being benched. Like I said earlier in the year. The first time they tried to get him to stretch the field was against the Giants. He failed! In all honesty I think THAT was the game where Harbaugh knew Smith wasn’t anything more than a game manager that dinks and dunks.
Remember this is the coach who turned smith into a decent player last season. Whata les you think he can’t do the same with a better athlete. CK will be fine. Again the defense runs this show. Without them. Montana or Young wouldn’t win a Superbowl these days.
Well said MD.
Slime ,
4949 centennial.
SANTA CLARA CA.
Write him a letter. Remember, ” your- shows posession.” You’re, means you are!” Got it? Now off you go.
Yes lets questions the coach for his decision to start CK! I could care less if who starts as long as this coaching staff can win us a championship! All i can say i trust JH more than any fan on this blog. GO NINERS
Thumb wrestle you for that title…
Why is it ok for the anti-Smith camp to spend the last year and a half questioning JH’s decision to roll with AS, a player that despite his faults, had a ton a game tape and we all knew exactly what we had in him? But it’s not ok to be a little skeptical of this move when we’ve all only seen pre-season games and the recent two and a half games? Yes, he’s shown great things in these recent games, but he’s young and teams are just now starting to be able to game plan for him. Just look at RGIII this year: his first few games were lights out, but once teams began to game plan for him he became less effective for several games until he adjusted.
The point is that yes, we’re all excited about what we’ve seen from CK, but some of us are choosing to temper that excitement with a dose of reality. SY brings up a lot of good points. If CK is everything we hope he is then JH will be the genius, but if we come up short of the Super Bowl, or god forbid, not make it to the NFC championship, then there will be questions abound since helped get us there last year and was getting on a roll when he got hurt and eventually replaced.
Red,
I told you Alex wasnt the answer bro.
Uh, you also said during preseason that CK wasn’t either.
Calistoga,
I keep hearing this adjustment argument. What type of adjustments do you think teams will make to stop Kaepernick?
Jack – Keep him in the pocket by keeping your outside pass rushers from over persuing giving him holes to run through in the sides and front. Drop the DB’s back to take away the deep ball and make him play AS’s game of dinking and dunking. Do more to disguise the blitz schemes, he’s got great talent but he’s still green and could be prone to mistakes like his interception and near interception that Moss broke up. We just don’t know. That’s why coaches like JH, Fisher and Belichik get the big bucks, they know how to push the right buttons to make you do what they want you to do.
>>I keep hearing this adjustment argument. What type of adjustments do you think teams will make to stop Kaepernick?
If teams can make adjustments to limit Brady, Rodgers and Brees, why would you think Kaepernick is exempt?
Ribico,
I didn’t say he is. I would like to know the types of adjustments that those who bring that argument up would make.
Jack, I have no idea, I’m not a football mastermind. Neither are any of us here, thats why we are blogging schmoes.
But are there in the NFL? Yes, there are and I’m sure they are working on it this very moment. Coughlin has made both Rodgers and Brady look very ordinary lately. Belechick’s no slouch either – that Pats game will be the next big test for our young QB.
Harbaugh’s system mostly relies on pre-snap reads. Harbaugh’s offensive formations many times create mismatches.
That leaves the QB with the ability to go through his reads and deliver the ball.
Regardless. Once CK becomes seasoned all the game planning in the world isn’t going to contain a player with that much ability. Especially when you mix in the fact that he can extend plays with his legs or just take off and run.
I’m excited at the thought of it!!!!!!!!!!!!
Bay,
I asked the question, because frankly I see know weakness yet. Someone will slow him down, but I agree that he brings a lot of problems for coordinators to deal with.
If you try to contain him in the pocket, and slow down your rush, he will carve you up. If you come after him, you are forced to play man, and if you don’t get him he is running free with DB’s chasing receivers around the field. If you blitz him with a spy you lose a potential cover guy or rusher.
He has shown the ability to push the ball downfield, or check down underneath when needed. Now as a secondary you are forced to cover the entire field.
Add in the threat of the running game with Gore, Dixon, and Co, and it could make for a long day.
Sounds like we’ve got some Harbaugh ‘haters’ now. That was so predictable.
There always have been, the dynamic has just changed from the anti-Smith camp questioning his decision to run with AS to the pro-Smith and “realist” camp wondering if this is the right move.
I say the “realist” camp as I tend to look at myself as a realist: was AS perfect? No, he certainly had his flaws. Does CK present an exciting option with a lot of potential upside? Yes, but I for one tend to take a measured approach to it all. There is risk to a move like this, we (the fans) just haven’t seen enough overall production to be 100% convinced that he is the second coming of Montana or Young. The way I look at it, if CK is taking over for AS, he must show that he’s better than him, therefore we all need to hold him to the same standard as we held AS to. If we were going to pick at AS’s every move, missed pass, missed open receiver, etc, then we have to do the same with CK. As SY said, this is a big boy league and if CK is going to step in on this championship caliber team, he’s not going to get the benefit of the doubt if he makes mistakes due to his inexperience, this team can’t afford to have him have growing pains that cost games. Hopefully he continues his rise and I will root for him as he does, he’s just going to get a critical eye from me and many out there.
@ Calistoga Red
+1
@ Calistoga Red:
The way I look at it, if CK is taking over for AS, he must show that he’s better than him, therefore we all need to hold him to the same standard as we held AS to. If we were going to pick at AS’s every move, missed pass, missed open receiver, etc, then we have to do the same with CK.
Good comment in calling for a consistent standard of measurement. The way I look at it, however, is that it was b/s to pick at Smith’s every move, missed pass, missed open receiver, etc., and it would be b/s to do the same with Kaepernick. That said, I will not at all be surprised if many of those who picked at Smith apply a different standard to Kaepernick.
Calistoga,
CK gets a free pass his first year. While he won’t get the benefit of 8 years like Smith got, he does get the benefit of 1 year in my book.
The Smithers were wrong and continue to be wrong about this kid. Here is what I’ve heard about Kaepernick from the time we drafted him until now.
1. He’s too tall. QB’s 6’5 don’t thrive in this system.
( sure looks good so far to me )
2. He’s a running QB. Those don’t do well in the NFL.
( See Steve Young. Although CK hasn’t run much in his starts)
3. QB’s that are 2nd round picks don’t amount to much. ( don’t know how to answer that except to say he just supplanted a top ten QB on a super bowl ready team )
4. He’s not ready. ( See answer for #3)
5. He can’t pass from the pocket. ( Also see answer for #3)
6. His throwing motion is too long. ( Yeah so?)
7. He throws too hard. ( Randy Moss might agree with you lol )
8. His legs are too skinny. ( Whatever )
9. They wanted Dalton instead. ( Hmmm did Harbaugh fly out to visit Dalton like he did with CK )
Funny part is, most of these baseless criticisms and remarks came from the Smither camp.
Red,
CK already is better. And yes, he deserves to be scrutinized as well.
Primate
These are your own words from back in July
Piss and vinegar
… think the 49ers org is reading all you haters comments?
No one – except your mama – cares what you say. Your hero is on the bench. Deal with it.
If all that Steve says is true then Harbaugh would have lost the team after the Peyton Manning pursuit.
The off season showed where there team planned to go. The players aren’t dumb, they know that.
MSC,
That is a poor example. You should listen to the SYoung show and maybe you will comprehend the situation in a better light.
The 49ers left Smith dangling in free agency while they pursued Manning. I think that is comparable to benching Smith for a better player.
MSC,
The FO was pissed AS didn’t sign his contract. In the meantime, they went and looked at PM. After all the dust settled, AS signed his contract. There was no way in hell they could cover dollar wise what PM was asking and keep the elite D intact.
That’s a revision I hadn’t heard yet.
Really? It was common knowledge!!
Hofe – I listened to it in my car. Young’s tone sounded bitter to me. I think he’s still steamed that Harbaugh’s decision didn’t go his way.
Tolbert asked great questions…. I went to school with Tolbert 1 year in 1985 (Cerritos Jr. College), never talked to him but he stood out on campus. I still remember seeing Tolbert playing pick up basketball game in gym with Jack Del Rio (linebacker at USC at time).
Wait,
stop the presses. Now Hofer you are admitting they looked at Manning?
Because for months you fought and said it couldn’t be proven…..
Do you just say what comes to mind to protect your agendas at the time?
Crab, that’s the way I heard it also. JH has done well by us so I’ll roll with his decision.
Hofe – Right on……Harbaugh is an “odd bird” but he’s a damn good coach.
I’d rather have an “oddball” winner than a “normal” loser.
Hofer,
“It was only an evaluation!” They were doing their jobs. Just looking.
Crab,
Good point!!
kaepernick is simply better than alex smith. period. competition rules and harbs has been completely authentic on that front. locker room still united.
alex, he owes harbaugh his career. jim rescued alex. period. 5 years ago, alex is out of the league and working in finance somewhere.
let’s remember smith’s real low point…and that’s any time pre-2011
Steve hit it perfectly. Any good-will will be gone should CK not lead the team to the Super Bowl win they seek right now.
Things to keep in mind about CK:
Teams will have lots more film of him now. His weaknesses will be found, and teams will exploit them. If CK doesn’t resolve them, we won’t win. Up till now, CK has had the advantage. He knows the opponent better than they know im. That advantage is gone now.
The thing is with AS, he is consistent. You can’t defend against consistent. You can defend against excitement. See the Greatest Show on Turf. Once they didn’t score 21 in the first quarter or so, they didn’t know what to do when the Pats beat them. Then the same happened to the Pats as well in the Super Bowl with the same QB leading them!
See how Cam Newton went from exciting last year to…what he is now. Same with Stafford. All of them were exciting, all of them were figured out by teams. And not winning a lot, nor are they quite so exciting losing.
JH had best be sure he thought this thru, because he can’t be hitting pads anymore and think that will mean anything from here till his retirement.
In Harbaugh I Trust!
Isn’t that what you parroted all off season DS. What changed?
The limited body of work Kap has produced. That’s what changed. Would you be as confident in our running game with LMJ minus Frank Gore?
You probably would say yes but for the knowledgeable fan, no, because we have not seen enough of LMJ.
Jack,
what changed is that the 49er fan smoke screen that some of these fools hid behind has blown away. Exposing what we always knew.
#11 AS fans.
Even Prime-welch said he would back whatever QB was starting for the Niners.
See Jack, comments like that were made because they never fathomed that Jim would make a bold move and bench AS for a better QB.
I back it, but now Kap has to prove it. I need to see more to be convinced Bay. You have a problem with that? No matter what the Niners do decision wise a fan should back their every move?
Now careful how you answer that? There is a considerable body of work in comments you have made regarding this exact issue.
Jack
I do. But this move is do or die.
PS You’re posts to me lately have gone back to the Jack which I skipped. Please discuss football, or I’ll just skip your stuff again. You’re just getting confrontational because you’re bored. Watch some of that 22 Film stuff.
Dennis/Darren/DSL
This move isn’t do or die. Did you read/hear what Young said? Harbaugh doesn’t give two sh*ts about blow back. If the Niners don’t win the SB this year, he’ll continue to coach the team and help CK in his development.
It’s obvious that the coach didn’t think Alex had it in him to win it, or he wouldn’t have made this move. Alex is done.
Prime,
I haven’t questioned your football knowledge in any post tonight. I am questioning your opinion. Would I feel confident in our running game with James over Gore? No. James has yet to suit up for a game and was unimpressive during the preseason.
Kaepernick on the other hand played very well in the preseason, and has backed that up during his chances in the regular season. It really isn’t that hard to notice the things he does better that allowed him to win the job.
I am discussing football with you DS. How was asking you why your stance on Harbaugh appears to have changed not about football?
“This move isn’t do or die.”
Young isn’t the only one saying that. ESPN radio is like old-timey soap operas lately and it’s all about the Niners. And all about this drama. All about this is a single shot. Through no fault of his own, CK is now under the microscope. Pressure will break him or make him a diamond, right?
The consensus seems to be that the move is bold, most agree that CK looks good so far and that he’s an upgrade so far, but that if CK doesn’t go that one extra step in the post season, Harbaugh’s leverage is gone.
By leverage I mean buy-in from the team (to a lesser extent) and the front office (to a greater extent). Right now the thought is that the suits are buying “all-in” but that could change if this science experiment fails. From listening and watching the so-called “experts” this has never been done before, so… one thing I can say is that if it’s new and never been done before, it’s Niner football and it’s only weird if it doesn’t work. We set records, bring home the big shiny football and send guys with gold coats to Canton.
For the sake of my poor beat up remote control and my sanity, Harbs better be right. I still won’t believe a word he says but I do like most of his on-the-field decisions and strategy.
I wish he’d be more straight up about this stuff but like I posted before, it could be that he sees himself in Smith, he knows the back-story here – that and he’s invested a ton of personal stock in Smith.
It’s going to be interesting, to say the least.
Jack
You claim to be a coach. I can care less if you were/are or not.
But as somebody who played sports, I can tell you as a FACT players will detect BS from their coach. And they can detect it as early as the age of 5. Now they’ll still play for them, but you do lose that magic if you BS as a HC.
JH has said a lot which is now siding on the part of BS. This move makes that a reality.
If you were a coach, would you have done what JH did in how he did it? I say No. A lot of ex-players who don’t like AS a great deal have more or less said the same thing. That isn’t a good thing.
BS,
You mean JH would’ve sided with you? I don’t think so BS!
DS,
Former coach. As for how Harbaugh handled the situation, I think he made the right move for the team, and also would have made the switch.
Everything Harbaugh tells the media is BS, but none of that really matters. The only thing that matters is what he says to his guys when the media is not around. Make no mistake, he is the leader in that locker room, and they are following him.
“JH has said a lot which is now siding on the part of BS.”
He has always done that, he was just BS’ing about how Alex was elite before. He was BS’ing about evaluating Manning. You ignored the BS because it fit your agenda. When people said his actions speak louder then his words, you said things like “Do you know more about football then Jim Harbaugh?” or “Are you all in?” Now that his actions have spoken louder then his words, you are acting like you know more about football then Harbaugh. Are you still all in?
“I can tell you as a FACT players will detect BS from their coach.”
You absolutely see right through it.
I had a track coach in high school, a thousand years ago, that used to promise scholarships. The whole thing was bogus.
One kid in particular had a ton of talent, he was a pentathlete and was very-good-to-excellent in all the events he was in. Anyway, this coach used to put this guy on a pedestal, pampered him, held him up for all to see, bragged about how he was going to get him to Cal (I think, I don’t remember for sure now) and all that.
Turns out the kid turns an ankle, can’t do much other than shot. Coach turned the other cheek on this guy so fast it would make your head spin. The kid was a senior and needless to say, end of that year, no scholarship, no college meetings, no letter to a school – zip.
I had one OC that was like that, used to spout a bunch of BS. No one took him seriously.
What ends up happening is you do what you do for the love of it and to support the other guys on the team and that’s it. In pro sports of course there’s the pay check and free agency (so you’re always auditioning for somebody) but most do it because they love the game, love the team bond, etc.
@ Adam ” From listening and watching the so-called “experts” this has never been done before”
Actually the experts are wrong. It has been done before. 7 times the SB winning QB was the backup to start the season.
Doug Williams only started two games in 1987 and lost them both. Joe Gibbs made him the starter in the playoffs and he ended up winning the superbowl.
Jeff Hostetler took over for an injured Phil Sims in week 15.
Trent Dilfer took over week 5.
Jim Plunkett in week 6.
Bradshaw in week 7.
Brady in week 3.
Staubach in week 8.
.
You mean like how the Giants were beaten by Smith three games ago. Then they game planned against him and have kicked the crap out of him every since. Is that what you mean Dennis?
AS won against the NYG during the season in 2011. Yes he lost this year with three terrible picks, but AR looked just as bad. The NYG are the real deal and CK’s elusiveness may be the difference.
And the NFC championship Hofer. Don’t forget 1 completion all afternoon to wide receivers for 6 yards and 1-13 on third down conversions.
Hofer,
lets not start this again. Regardless of the Alexcuses, Harbaugh looked at those two games and they loomed large.
He stopped believing Smith could beat the Giants. Period. Or should I say that he believed Kaep gave them a better chance to beat the Giants.
Bay, I guess we’ll find out!
Hofer ,
You forgot, TBD! You’re so pathetic!
The Giants have the 49ers, Packers, and Patriots number. Last I checked, Brady and Rodgers are elite quarterbacks. So, the fact the Alex hasn’t played well doesn’t hold a lot of merit. The Giants are a team that gives it their all againts the elite teams and lays an eggin games they should easily win. It has been working for them, but probably not a great approach.
He wont need to hit pads anymore. He was helping Smith with his lack of confidence.Kap plays and reeks with confidence. He wont need his pads slapped. Besides, if JH slapped RoboKaps pads, that would hurt Alex’s feelings. In smiths words, “That would Suck!” Bwahahahaha
Smith is consistently mediocre. His college coach called him non-functional. He was bad against good teams, but good against bad teams. He was never great. He played within a great system and for a great coach.
As a Niner, Smith is part of history.
Why were you banned? It must have been better material than this nonsense!!
Yeah, Hofer. It was very, um, colorful, and at the time, JordyJordyJordy referred to me as a Smither.
He was banned because he is what he is. A guy who tags after those he said should be banned, and then thibks he isn’t insulting others when he is.
If he’s an Ambassador, we’re all in trouble.
Nea,
As you can see, you weren’t the only one addicted at some point. These two above me have some real issues!
Jordo
Smith deserved a year with a good coach. But not another 6. I was never a Sniffer/Fluffer, but neither was I as agro as you. Which is fine.
DSL
You are so non-functional, one might think you are Alex Smith. Why are you addressing me? You said you were done with me.
Nea,
I saw every year of Smith. Every play except when he was so bad, I left early. I didn’t hate the dude. I just knew he wasn’t the guy. When you’ve seen Montana and Young, it’s hard to watch Smith!
Smith is consistently mediocre. His college coach called him non-functional
Until he learned it. After that he said there was nobody better. Don’t use half a quote Pork Bun.
DS,
AS is not consistent he had 4 miserable to below average games this year, we know that your idol is hurt, but get over it. You don’t trust JH anymore. Is jimbo now considered a hater?
Whatever
DS – Harbaugh is no Ron Rivera (Cam’s coach).
Harbaugh/Roman/Fangio have well-designed game plans and they make halftime adjustments that actually work.
They are always a step ahead of most coaches. They will counter attack any new scheme that is used against Kap.
Harbaugh is no dummy.
If our opponents coach uses a knife, Harbaugh uses a machete.
If our opponents coach uses a bb-gun, Harbaugh uses an AK-47.
DS……..RoboKap will make you proud one day…….Sooner not later.
Hang in there.
C15
I am.
My spouse who isn’t a Niner fan hopes we’ll lose Sunday. That has never been said before.
There is only 1 way this works out. And
infinity-1 that it doesn’t. Not good odds.
Consistency is the easiest to game plan against because they already know what’s coming.
The Greatest Show on Turf and the Patriot team that lost to the Giants both had bad defenses. Are those really the examples you want to use to prove a point that explosive offenses don’t work?
An exciting, explosive offense combined with a top defense is a potent combination that is hard plan for. There is a reason ESPN’s most recent poll declared the 49ers “The scariest team heading into December”, which was taken after CK started at NO.
DS – Your spouse is not a Niner fan but why root against them?
Is it personal? The Alex thing?
You said there’s only one way this thing works out. Does RoboKap have to win Super Bowl or just advance further than Alex did (get to Super Bowl), for you to be satisfied?
Crabs they made the switch because they think CK gives them a better chance to go further in the playoffs than Alex. That means then CK has to get to the NFC Champinship game and win it does it not?
Prime – Yes it does……Looking way ahead, looks like we’ll need either GB or NYG to win in Atlanta for us to host the NFC Championship. We will have to beat 2 of those 3 teams to get to Super Bowl. TBD (for Hofer) :-)
The Smithers’ rationale is completely asinine.
It’s about upgrading a single position, one that was not the team’s strength last year, or this year.
When you looked at the Alex-led 49ers, no one, absolutely no one, ever went as far to say this team was built around Alex Smith.
The changing of the guard is an attempt to get better at the QB position, hopefully enough so that our defense does not need to absolutely dominate for us to even have a chance at winning the game.
The hope is that Kaep can provide some more production from the QB position that we did not get from Alex.
Bottom line, how far they advance this year is dependent on a lot of factors. Certainly, if Kaep throws 3 INTs and doesn’t do much in a playoff game, you can argue whether it was a wise choice.
But don’t sit there and say not getting to the Super Bowl is a failure at the QB position. There is no way in hell you can know that until the games are played.
Fourth,
I disagree. JH made a QB change to win games both during the regular season and the playoffs. If the 9ers don’t do well in the playoffs, there will be vociferous rumblings, but mainly about the HC. Expectations are high plain and simple.
C15
Yes.
Last year, AS got to OT in the title game. He is better in every way this year and he’s been replaced. You don’t replace a player to get the same or worse result. That makes no sense. Right? Only acceptable result is to win the Super Bowl. Losing it won’t count as a better result.
Every year is different DS.
Does anyone think this team was going to win a SuperBowl with Alex Smith? Did you watch the NY Giants game? Did you watch the Seahawks game?
Harbaugh has been a miracle worker for 2 years, putting this team into position to win despite his quarterbacks myriad of limitations. But folks: It isn’t last year anymore. Harbaugh’s a great coach who “schemed” Alex into advantageous positions last year, and teams have taken those away. They have taken away the wheel routes (Alex got several tds and chunk plays on that last year), the Vernon seam, and the checkdown. THAT’S ALL HE CAN DO.
Added to which Alex has regressed from last year in his ability to feel pressure and slide to buy time. Last year was the first time I have ever seen Alex be competent in his pocket mobility. That has gone away this year.
Kaepernick has better pocket mobility NOW. He is better at extending plays NOW. He is more accurate than Alex Smith on any route over 10 yards NOW. He has a better arm that Alex NOW.
@DS94everXev
Actually you can gameplan for consistently mediocre, which is what Alex is.
If you couldn’t gameplan for Alex Smith, then how come the Giants, Seahawks, VIkings, and Jets rendered him an incompetent NFL quarterback this year?
By incompetent, I mean Alex couldn’t function at a passable NFL qb level. He was awful in all of those games.
Alex is easy to gameplan against. Defend 20 yards of the field. Take away the Vernon seam. Take away the checkdown. You do those 3 things and Alex has no chance to hurt you.
This is only Alex Smith, the Niner players want to win a Super Bowl, and they believe in Jim, if CK is the QB, you got to go with it, but got to give Jim props the better player is playing.
This idea that JH will lose the locker room support is ridiculous. The players supported AS, but they’re outright giddy about CK starting. Did you not read VD’s comments? How about what Gore said? CK energizes his teammates. That quality is rare. I expect the Niners to keep winning and this transition will be a non-issue shortly.
Neal,
The comment above ended up in the wrong place. Have you noticed these JH haters of late? It’s kind of funny how they’ve turned on JH all of a sudden.
Can someone tell me why are we discussing the 2ND string QB? Why are we discussing a man that wont start another football game for this team unless our new starter gets hurt? Alex Smith is history, done finito!!! Who cares how the Smithers feel? I darn sure don’t!
It’s hard to accept that you can’t fix stupid.
23J – The future doesn’t look so bright to this guy.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xWBlKdCu8To
Crabs, you kill me bro. You kill me man!
“Can someone tell me why are we discussing the 2ND string QB?”
Because you did it all season long complaining about AS.
yep…23 jordan is a clown…”Josh Johnson is better then Kap”..what a idiot
So, I’ve just recalled an historical context that almost matches. Any dinosaurs out there remember rookie phenom Roger Staubach overtaking and replacing as starter the Dallas Heir Apparant, Craig Morton? It wasn’T easy or pleasant for Morton.
Guess what other ‘ruthless moments” weren’t: Jerry Rice, Roger Craig, Ronnie Lott, Joe freaking Montana,……………
Seamless!
and there was the ahmad brooks interception of brees courtesy of alanta
Screw Brees is a lesser QB without Sean Payton. The Aints better pray he doesn’t leave next year.
i am kind of interested in what is going on in the RB group…..who really is going to spell gore
Jewel is a Frank Gore clone. That’s not to say he will play this week, but lots of teams liked his game but were scared by his two knee injuries in college. Frank had two ACLs in college, too.
Yeah, don’t sleep on Hampton. He may be interesting to watch. Sing missed out on a big time UDFA a couple years ago so you never can tell with some of these guys.
Not too worried about it. Jacobs is coming back healthy at the right time, we still have Dixon (who always gives 110% even if he dances a bit) and Hampton (like Tolzien) was an interesting pick up. You never know, we may see LaMike finally get some action one of these weekends – probably a long shot but still, could happen.
guess that is why practices are secret…..the next great secret weapon may be comeing out of the back field
are run option reads being practiced a bit more
It will be interesting which team AS ends up with next year. The Cards would be intriguing. He would have the best WR he’s ever played with and I’m sure he wouldn’t be concerned about throwing it in small windows to LF. The OL there is terrible, so he would still take his share of sacks. It’s also not a bad thing for AS to see JH twice a year. Yes, it will be interesting. It could be a godsend for him.
Are you off to Arizona then? Who’s their blogger? Have you made contact?
Thanks. I’ve been here as long if not longer than most, so I’m not going anywhere. How about you?
Would you mind maybe talking about our QB then? His name is Colin Kaepernick. He wears number 7. And his future is bright. Also, his coach thinks he gives the team the best chance to win the championship this year, which is why he got the job this week.
There are lots of reserve players on the roster. Not sure why you were talking about a reserve player. Say, do you know where Darcel McBath might play next year?
Matrix,
That’s gemius bro, hilarious!
I vote for releasing you and him from your contracts so he can finish out the season there. We’d sack him 18 times !
Jordo, this isn’t a time warp. Yesterday is over and your 15 minutes of fame in your mind went with it. Now off you go…
Hofer,
I can assure you, you’ll be leaving long before I will. I’ve got nowhere to go. Alex Smith is history. Just like I’ve been telling you he would be. No I think you should run along. I’m gonna be in your hip pocket for a while, so get used to seeing me Hofer. I’m gonna ride you like a pony son!
Jordo,
If you do stay, I would hope that with the AS nonsense behind us, you can now post some good reads. Otherwise, I won’t waste my time with you!
Dont leave me Hofer! I need you! C MON MAN!
Jordo, you have already have been crowned the linger king. Now post something worth reading for a change!
I’m still leaning Oakland or KC.
I truly think Whisenhunt could build something around Kolb or Skelton if he can do something about that O-line. So he needs to blow that up and start over. Fitz won’t be around forever.
The defense has a few nice pieces.
KC though? Hmm… some offensive pieces, some defensive pieces, they like to run the ball. Oakland could also be very attractive.
Dunno.
Hate to see good men go to the Dark Side.
To get revenge on the fan base…Oakland.
To get revenge on JH…AZ. If I were AS.
Lmao bs says to get revenge on the fan base smith goes to Oakland. Lmao!!! Oooooo go to a losing franchise and show us Alex. Wow what a stupid comment. Deeeer!!!!
Hoferfan67 says:
November 29, 2012 at 7:58 pm
It will be interesting which team AS ends up with next year. The Cards would be intriguing. He would have the best WR he’s ever played with and I’m sure he wouldn’t be concerned about throwing it in small windows to LF. The OL there is terrible, so he would still take his share of sacks. It’s also not a bad thing for AS to see JH twice a year. Yes, it will be interesting. It could be a godsend for him.
@Hofe
This would seem like an interesting scenario for AS. But my only pause is that Fitz may not be very excited with the prospects of having AS as his QB.
Fitz knows AS somewhat well having been in the same division and playing against the 49ers twice a year. I don’t know of to many teams that would take a chance on a QB who only seems to operate with a ‘manager’s mindset.’
AS’ penchent for not taking a risk or trusting his arm with the deep shot certainly would not be a WR’ best option.
But we’ll see.
JG,
Jacobs and Boobie! We’re about to play some maul ball. Along with Kap throwing Lasers!!
Do people really dont like ck7 cause he has tattos? well this writer does. http://aol.sportingnews.com/nfl/story/2012-11-28/colin-kaepernick-tattoos-49ers-qb-start-alex-smith-stats-contract-draft ^^^this is sad
@hov Thanks for the post that writer is a clown.
Gruden is going to be the Head Coach in Philly next year, and Monte Kiffin will be on his staff.
Fact or prognostication?
Prognostication. Monte Kiffin resigned today from USC to pursue NFL opportunities.
If Norv Turner is fired watch Gruden get the Chargers job.
See if you like my prediction:
49ers meet the Patriots in the Superbowl. Colin Kaepernick wins, preventing Tom Brady from surpassing Joe Montana as the greatest QB in the history of football, and creating the most interesting QB connection of legends in one organization, from one generation to the next.
By winning, the 49ers now have as many Lombardi Trophies as the Steelers, and Kaepernick is well on his way to Canton.
I hate it. Pats won’t get passed HOU and if one SB loss wasn’t enogh to deter people from thinking Brady and Montana belong in the same sentence then TWO SB losses sure as sh!t DO!!!
Sorry, I hate the patsies more than GB, DAL, AZ, & NO COMBINED!
Harbowl or 49ers vs Houston would my bet.
SF vs Den
It’s a tad bit soon to put Kaep in Canton.
Brady is not very close to Joe in the all-time QB rankings.
Joe, my personal favorite, is not the greatest QB in NFL history.
Yes he is.
There is no way you can examine QB records and make a case for that position…I’ve tried…he’s #2.
@ drsgrosse:
Out of curiosity, whom do you rate as # 1?
There were a couple commenters on this blog on Sunday night who chastised Kaepernick for not lighting up the Saints 32nd-ranked defense. How about the 289 yards total offense the Falcons racked up vs NO tonight? Or the 165 yards/5 ypa aerial assault launched by Matt Ryan? Or the 15 incompletions? Kaepernick outplayed Ryan against a defense that has been buying into–and performing better in–a fairly detailed Spagnuolo defense.
Not only that but the niners were in the superdome. I think most people outside of Atlanta think the Falcons are overrated. Brees had 5 ints and ATL only put up 23 points at home.
I agree–highly overrated. They’ve barely escaped in several games this year. I’m highly skeptical of teams that can’t really run the ball or stop the run. If it somehow comes down to us and them in playoffs, I feel supremely confident in our chances, regardless of location.
ATL also scored 5 picks. Does your comparative logic mean their defense is far superior to ours?
Is Jim up to it? The take away from the past two weeks has been that football is not about emotion but rather, winning. JH is all about winning and not at all about loyalty or emotions or motivation. He is about preparation, scheming, and execution. He won’t ask for quarter (mercy) nor will he accept any. The military or war mentality pervades in JH’s thoughts and actions. Will a General ever utter the words “acceptable losses”? Heck no. Neither will JH. A soldier is just a tool put to use for effective execution of the plan to get the victory. No more, no less. If you have two cars in the garage and one is short on gas for the long trip; you take the one with the full tank. No emotions. Just plain pragmatism. A car has no emotions and won’t feel jilted, gypped, or passed over. Those seeking humanity in JH’s decision making should look elsewhere as that is not in his fiber. We are getting to know JH with more data points as time goes by. He is winning the battles and we hope he will put the 53 to best use to win the title. And, with our same humanity as JH’s, we could care less if his ticker goes out after the victory or during it. He would expect no less of us. No humanity. Just victory. Competition will go on. JH will not be the last coach of the Niners. Don’t need to give a quarter because he isn’t asking for any and if offered, won’t take it
nice editorial from a commoner ….rivals cohn and ratton imho
When I was a kid it was fashionable to wonder about perpetual motion machines. If trite bickering could be harnessed, then this perpetually pointless blog would provide limitless motion.
After Grant went to the trouble to transcribe Steve Young’s comments, our bickering bumbling bloggers basically ignored it.
Enjoy.
DRSGROSSE, Here are those pictures you requested showing the drops.
http://ninerchatter.blogspot.com/2012/11/drops-and-west-coast-offense.html
Very nice. Coaches will start attempting time load a side and blitz a db to get to him.
I really don’t think the additional yard is responsible for the extra second he’s holding the ball. I think that he’s staying tough in the pocket and stepping up.
Bay,
I agree. The extra second that Sando noted comes from 2 things, more downfield throws and extending the play. The deeper throws take just a tad longer to develop, and as we’ve seen Kaep is taking the high read more often. His pocket presence leads to his ability to avoid the rush and make a play. Less sacks, more positive plays are a good thing.
Thanks, Jack…I’ll take a look after work. In the meantime, I will say that the deeper drop is part of why he has more time…as his hanging tough, looking downfield, stepping up, etc. It seems that in almost every facet of playing QB there is an obvious difference between Kaep and Alex that we all can see. Just watch his eyes reading the D!!
If he keeps it up as the D’s change to try to stop him, we’re in awfully good shape. We were the best team in the league with Alex, but our least dominant area was passing efficiency (net yards minus 50 per pick divided by dropbacks) where we ranked 10th. With Kaep we rank first so far. Cool!
I can honestly say I like 49er football much less overall now. “The win, the win, the win.” How are you going to hack a guy up for being darn near perfect? Ask Jim Harbaugh. Alex Smith has a better answer now when Jim spouts out his juvenile “Who’s got it better than us?” Alex will think, “Colin.”
Jim is obviously a huge phony and I would never trust him again if I worked with him. The team may win the Super Bowl with either QB. I really doubt anyone can know Kaepernick is the guy who has the edge with such a small amount of games under his belt. If Colin settles in to just as effective as Alex Smith, this was a huge blunder. After the Peyton Manning BS, Alex should walk away after all this.
You can always go cheer for the Raiders if it makes you that angry. Harbaugh is no phonier now then he was when he called Smith elite or said Crabtree has the greatest hands he’s ever seen.
You can always go watch soccer if you’re offended by my anger. Smith played elite this year and last and Crabtree does have incredible hands. I have seen some horrible stuff this last decade with this team, but this is a classless move. Jim’s definitely not Bill Walsh. He should have grown a pair and replaced Alex when he was still healthy, not slither in a roster change while his starter is injured. If you can be a fan of that move without any anger just because yourself a fan of team sports and the 49ers, you are definitely anyone who has an opinion I care about.
Big P this is onelame again. With one of his hand me down names. Notice every time you see a plain Ol first name it’s the same thing. Alex smith blah blah blah. Whoever Didnt know onelame would turn on Harbaugh or any other player that spike out against his precious Alex smith is downright dumb. It’s the same act from this clown. He did the same years ago. He is a smith fan. Not a 49er fan. You aren’t fooling anyone onelame.
So… Gollum must have the precious, then?
Does this make JH Frodo? :)
Some people have a hard time separating emotion from logic. This was the logical move by JH. Emotionally, this sucks for Alex, his family, and HIS fans.
I – as a Niner fan – could care less if AS is benched. He’s still pulling a check and has the rare opportunity to be called an NFL QB. He hasn’t lost a job. His income is still there. Ask the guy in the unemployment line about losing a job.
At least Joe Montana won a bunch of rings before Steve was given the job. Montana was older than Alex too. Montana was still good, but Steve was the future. Jim is trying to play college with a grow professional athletes. This is business. Alex isn’t sticking around either way to finish his degree… this move just stinks. Dishonest, brutal and clumsy way to handle it Harbaugh.
Joe led the team to those rings with near perfect play in four Superbowls.
*Boob*
I can understand all the adjectives except dishonest. From the start, Harbaugh has claimed the best player will play.
Has anyone considered the reverse. If after two weeks of Kaep, Harbaugh goes back to Alex and there is a simmering resentment amongst the players that the offense is being held back (note – not my opinion, just another point of view what could happen in the locker room). Maybe Harbaugh senses that as well (and the fact that he thinks Kaep gives him the best chance to win now).
The media and fans are jumping on Harbs case without knowing the full extent of his thoughts.
IMG,
Harbaugh is smarter than that. The back and forth thing is what can kill a locker room.
Harbaugh has made a choice. His hand picked drafted QB has marinated for a season and a half. He’s deemed him ready and he is going with him.
You guys with this theory remind me of a girl who’s been broken up with. Your old boyfriend has been spotted with a new girl, but you continue to sit by the window staring at the front door wondering he he’s coming back.
Just a great inside the locker room perspective from a player who has been involved in the situation during his playing days.
Alex Smith deserved better than losing his job due to injury. His numbers did not warrant this transition and treatment.
But on the other hand, Harbaugh feels that this was the time to make a move in a different direction for a reason. The only direction that makes sense is that CK was pushing AS in practice and when giving the chance in real game time, he more then shined.
I caught myself wondering what we are going to do at running back. LaMichael James? Not realistic. If he wasn’t good enough all season, what makes us think he’s good enough now?
I wondered what type of shape Rock was in. I’ve seen him have good games for the Redskins and he looked good in preseason.
I know we just signed an UDFA, but then I wondered about Boobie. Dixon continues to make this team. Does that mean that his value is only as a special team guy? Or does he have value running the ball? I remember against the Giants ( the 1-13 game ) he was a shoestring tackle from breaking a huge one. I wonder if Boobie warrants any attention. Say to the tune of 8 carries a game.
@Bay it was’nt the case that LMJ was’nt good enough all season. It was a case of he was’nt better than KH, now that KH is gone for the year i do’nt expect LMJ to be as good or better than KH just that he will be good. Anyways Jacobs will take most of KH’s touchs and if he looks as good as he did in the preseason things will be more than fine.
Anyone here ever seen Twighlight Zone episode where dude named Franklin gets “slot fever” in Vegas? He believes the slot machine is calling his name. He starts to lose it, then the slot machine is following him and repeating his name over and over, “Franklin, Franklin, Franklin!”
A similar thing is happening to me now, my computer and smart phone are fricking stalking me and saying, “Grants blog, Grants blog, Grants blog!”
There is a fifth dimension, beyond that which is known to man.
It is a dimension as vast as space and as timeless as infinity. It is the middle ground between light and shadow, between science and superstition. And, it lies between the pit of man’s fears and the summit of his knowledge. This is the dimension of imagination. It is an area which we call Grant’s Blog.
It was do or die with AS too, whatever the Smithers wany to say. If they don’t win, the coach will be fired , CK will be benched,tomorrow will never come. The future is bright 49er fans whatever happens this season.
Neal i agree i believe we are in good hands with CK and if he fails or is injured I believe AS will step back in an do at least as well as he did last year which would put us in the NFC championship game and possibly better. GO NINERS
In the everyday work-a-day corporate world, the world that is not published in newspapers, not published on the net, hardly ever talked about around the water cooler or the dinner table is a common, frequent happening.
A cute little book was written a few years ago about this life changing, life altering event. The title of the book is: Who Moved My Cheese?
The message is: Your job has changed, your job is gone, your job has moved. Deal with it.
Happens everyday in the dark shadows of the big corporations.
Alex Smith is dealing with it in the glare of ESPN, Grant’s column, et al.
“Yes, he’s shown great things in these recent games, but he’s young and teams are just now starting to be able to game plan for him.”
This has been a take that keeps being brought up. Of course teams are going to game plan for Kaepernick, they did for Smith too. Why is this such a concern? The offense has remained almost exactly what it was last year and through the first 8 games. You can see on the film that the concepts are the same week in and week out. The only change has been the quarterback taking the deeper read more often, and taking less sacks by extending the play.
My questions to those who continue to bring this up are: How do you expect defensive coordinators to adjust? What are they going to try and take away?
contain the corners and push the middle…niners middle can be pushed or had been quite a bit earlier in the season….it is pretty amazing how well the OL played in the bears game…..CK has a bit of height so that is an advantage (not as many tipped balls will occur)…and CK has longer leg/stride so his drops are just a bit further back than AS and so the push up the middle might not be as effective and with that stronger arm the deeper drop back is not a prolem….these are the strengths of CK that probably makes him superior to AS….not the defenses are going to have to disguise what they do pre-snap and post-snap…..this may take opposing defenses time to implement so advantage is probably still in CK’s court for now….
so in the rams game i would contain the corners and stunt the middle as a first derivative along to having a spy….defensive coordinators down the road would probably want to see this first and then defenses vs CK would evolve from there
If I am a defensive coordinator, I am going to force Kaepernick to be one dimensional. That means I am either going to make him play exclusively in the pocket, or make him take off with it and run so I can spy him and force turnovers.
Right now, no team knows which one he does best becasue there is not enough film on him to say either or. He has a weakness and right now it might be handling pressure from the edge. He wants to get outside the pocket and run, so I’m gonna force him inside and up the middle.
After that, lets play some zone and see if he can make throws in complex coverages. There is no way he has seen enough defenses in 2 years so lets see how smart he is. I think the overall way to beat Kap is confuse him. Mix it up and test his decision making because there is no way he has prepared or seen it all.
Now he has the physical tools to overcome some of it. But experience will play a factor down the road. As much as he plays and gains more experience in the next 5 games and his confidence grows, so does the pressure and the stakes get higher. Lets not forget, this team has to make it to the superbowl. That was the goal all year regardless of the QB.
Now Im not hating on Kap. This is just how I think the situation evolves. Can he handle the prerssure of a superbowl expectation? Its on him now. There is NO turning back and going to Alex. He is done in SF. JH made that clear when he decided on Kap. Its his team now and he has to deliver. Its a big task but not unachievable by any means.
FDM,
Kaepernick so far has shown that he is quite comfortable sitting in the pocket, and I don’t think you want him running around. This is one problem he presents that teams did not have to account for previously.
I expected the use of a spy to come up, but that creates other problems for the defense. Now they are down a man essentially, because the spy can’t rush or cover. Advantage offense.
He proved the last 2 weeks he can break you down regardless of zone or man. The Bears tried both and failed, so did New Orleans.
Im sure Fisher will have a plan to confuse the 2nd year QB. Like I said, we still dont know how teams will attack Kap because he has not played enough. Once we see more of him I am sure we will identify more strengths as well as weaknesses.They are there, we just to see them in the more games he plays.
Jack
I’m sure you didn’t actually mean “sitting” in the pocket, but just in case you did, I will point out that Colin can launch it farther and with more zip and accuracy from his rear end than a number of (to remain nameless) quarterbacks in the league could from their feet.
That is all.
OM,
Touché! LoL!
I’m not all that worried about Kap being confused by DC’s of other teams. The beauty of this offense is the answers that are built in for any situation as they described it last year. They run the same offense with Kap under center as they did with Smith. The keys to Kaps success are the same as they were for Smith: the running game and Oline protection. Of course Kap can escape pressure better than Smith but if the offense is functioning the way the Coaches want it to, Kap will beat teams with his arm, not his legs.
On the $$$ as usual.
@ Jack:
While I cannot speak for those who have raised this concern, I don’t think it is an unreasonable one. I think a rational person would acknowledge that part (note, I didn’t say “all” or “most” or even “a significant part”) of Kaepernick’s success to date has been due to the fact that he is an unknown quantity on whom there is little film. That will change as teams get more film on him. I expect teams to study Kaepernick’s tendencies and to tailor defensive game plans specifically to what they learn from their film study. Surely, you don’t expect every team to play him the way Chicago played him or the way New Orleans played him. Hell, if the 49ers play Chicago again, the Bears are definitely bringing a different game plan.
Moreover, unless Kaepernick is already better than every other QB who ever played the game, he is likely to face schemes and adjustments with which he is unfamiliar and to struggle, initially at least. As well as he has played thus far, Kaepernick is not yet the QB he is going to be. I hope not, anyway.
Look at how the league adjusted to Cam Newton after his first 4-5 games and how Newton has struggled/been less effective in the face of those adjustments. (To those looking for irrelevant reasons to object to this comment, please note that I am not comparing Kaepernick to Newton other than to note that both took the league by storm when they first started playing. I prefer Kaepernick to Newton because I think that Kaep has worked harder to get where he is and doesn’t over rely on his physical gifts.)
Whether or not the 49ers can successfully make counter adjustments remains to be seen, but I have a lot of confidence in Harbaugh, Roman, Chryst, and Kaepernick to do so. And none of what I am writing should be taken as a prediction that the 49ers will not succeed this year. I am only noting that there are likely to be a bump or two in the road as the team goes forward.
As for specifically predicting what defenses will do to adjust to Kaep, I doubt any of us are qualified to do that. I certainly am not. If I could, I’d try my hand at coaching in the NFL.
You probably won’t see teams play man coverage on CK. And you will see a LB or safety spy him specifically so you take away his running ability.
I see teams making it more difficult on our offensive line by overloading blitzes. This is something they have struggled with in the past.
Without Hunter and a winding down Gore, Kap will need to extend plays and he can make something out of nothing. But once teams account for that, he will need help from the run game and those WR reading him and making plays when break downs occur. That takes time to build and continuity between WR and QB. Does he have that down with Crabs, MM, DW and Moss. TBA.
Claude,
I expect adjustments as well. I also know that a big part of the success for this offense, regardless of who is playing QB, has been their ability to dictate to the defense.
It really is, pick your poison and Kaepernick puts additional pressure on the defense with his added ability to go down the field, and extend plays with his pocket presence.
This is why I am asking the question. If someone is going to make that statement shouldn’t they be able to back it up with examples?
You have some examples now Jack.
@ Jack:
If NFL history is littered with examples of it happening, I think one can have a legitimate concern about it happening here without being able to predict the specific adjustment(s). Unless I am mistaken, none of us are NFL coordinators. Just because we cannot devise a gameplan to counter Kaepernick doesn’t mean the professionals can’t. They have done it with every young QB to date.
Again, none of this is meant to state that the Kaepernick and the 49ers won’t be able to counter adjust.
Do what NO did. And they aren’t good defensively. They held CK to 2 TD’s. If a team can hold an offense to 2 TD’s, they’ll be in it till the end.
And NO defense is bad. CHI defense looked old and slow and the Rams held their own. Fisher is a good coach and he is gonna have a good game plan against CK and Roman. This wont be an easy game, especially with the Rams playing at home and having their top corner back in the lineup.
FDM
I think the Bears D just sucked that game. Simple as that. No pressure, every WR was open by 3 yards, they played like our D did against the Vikings. FG pushed their All-Pro LB back creating more of a pocket on a blitz. That should be impossible.
Why can’t that be possible? Or is our D the only in the universe that can hsve bad days?
I said all off-season our division would be the toughest. And it is.
This game Sunday is tough, MIA is a joke, then two tough road games against SEA & NE, then another easy one against a Cards team that will have given up by then.
Do these next 5 give Kap enough time to settle in and get ready for the playoffs?
The NO defense that just held Atlanta to only 283 yards of total offense, 159 yards passing, 4.7 yards per passing attempt on the road and has been much improved after taking a while to figure out the schemes of it’s new defensive coordinator.
That game was over before half. Once they jumped out to 17-0, it was pretty much over. Drew Brees has looked terrible. Also, not putting any stock on Thursday night games. The home team has the clear advantage and the NFL needs to rethink playing games on that night.
FDM,
Yes it does. The 9ers D could win 3 of those without the offense (jk)! The 9ers should be at least 11-4-1 by the playoffs. This give CK plenty of time to be battle tested and ready to roll.
CK will have to win 8 straight in order to not hear any cries for AS after a loss. An 8 game winning streak is hard for any QB. JH has really pinned himself into a corner here.
JH says he’ll play the hot hand. What if that hand is losing in the 4th or a game? Then you can’t remotely stay with him then. So AS comes in till he isn’t hot. Seems a disaster unless CK wins out.
“Once they jumped out to 17-0, it was pretty much over.” Same thing with the 49ers game. Once they got up 28-14, it was time to milk the clock and get out of town.
For some reason folks will use that to knock Kaepernick’s performance. Interesting.
Jack
Atlanta hasn’t been so hot this past month. Consider that. And we came in after dominating the Bears. Our offense was much less dominating against a much worse D. 2 TD’s. You know had AS done that we’d be hearing how he sucks.
DS, no way JH can go back to Alex this year or ever. Even if CK implodes, he has to stick with him this year and beyond.
Lets say he does implode, you pull him and then what? What does that do for his confidence? Then you put in Alex and if he has lost all confidence and plays poorly, then what Tolzien?
No, the decision has handcuffed Harbaugh as saying Kap gives us the better chance to win it all. Its do or die with Kap. Going back and forth confusse each player, the lockerroom and the future at the position.
Jack no one is knocking CK’s performance. I thought we were talking about the ATL/NO game? You cannot compare the NO/SF game to last nights game because one it was a THR night game and two,ATL offense is nothing compared to our offense. overall, NO defense is not very good and Brees played terribly.
FDM
I know. That is why I wish he hadn’t said that.
He isn’t garnering any love from CK either. Why not name him the new starter here on out?
This predicament makes JH into a liar. Something ever FA will keep in mind.
DS,
Stop being a hater, breaking up is hard to do, and their is a new biactch who will take us for Lombardi Trophy number six. Start being a Niner fan instead of a hater.
Once they got up 28-14, it was time to milk the clock and get out of town.
Exactly. That’s the same approach the 49ers used in Arizona as well.
“In Harbaugh I trust, until he replaces Smith. Now he is a liar and no one will want to play for him.”
Jim Harbaugh is many things, the most important of which is “Winning Head Coach”
Free agents that don’t put winning above all else might not come here. That’s fine.
DS,
Your take is too simplistic. The Niners moved the ball on the Saints, in fact they put together one drive that last over 10 mins. Because they only scored 17 points doesn’t mean the Saints did a good job of stopping them. Two FG attempts were missed, penalites erased some big plays and put the offense behind the down and distance. The offense didn’t have any issues with the Saint defense and if they didn’t get the defensive TD’s you would have seen more scoring from the offense.
FDM,
I have to disagree with you on going back to Smith. If Kap falters they can go back to him and it’s not going to be that difficult. Smith is not going to fall apart because he lost his job. He feels he played well and his confidence is fine. If anything he’s ticked off and will want to show Harbaugh he made a mistake if he gets another chance.
rocket
Simple works
The purpose of the offense is to score and the purpose of the QB is to manage the game. If not for the D 2 TD’s, CK didn’t manage it. We were losing. And our D kicked butt. CK faced the weaker unit of the Saints and lost that battle.
Not good. The Giants have a lot better D.
New Orleans had a good plan against the 9ers offense. They stopped the run and disguised pass coverages. They got to CK in the pocket a few times, but his quick feet and elusiveness was the difference. I wouldn’t change much from what the Saints did other than understand you can’t rush CK at full speed because he will make you miss. I’m looking forward to how JFish plans for CK. He had his own elusive QB with the Titans, so he knows how they can beat you with their feet, both running and extending plays for long passes.
hof
The Saints D sucks. Allowing every team to get over 400 yards till ours. And our D took the crowd out of it with 2 pick 6′s. Teams almost always win if the D does that. No matter the QB.
Good post. Nice acknowledgment of New Orleans’ solid defensive play. They followed it up yesterday by holding Atlanta to 289 total yards and 23 points in their own dome.
New Orleans is not a bad defense, they were just getting accustomed to a new scheme, and were missing their leader in the middle. Now they are back, they were back when they played the Niners, and Kaepernick made them look pretty bad.
I wouldn’t compare Kaepernick to Newton. Their personalities are completely different, and Kaepernick is more gifted athletically, running and throwing, than Newton. He is hungrier and less of a showboat. He is more team-oriented and less me-oriented.
The Niners are headed in a great direction. The team just upped its chances of winning the Superbowl significantly.
Hof, you are right. Fisher is the second best coach in the division. I really like him and he will be ready with one of his quirky game plans. He had to battle Manning all those years so he knows how to scheme against certain QB’s.
Good reply Hofer. It will be interesting to see what adjustments the Rams make. The 49ers line had a difficult time in the first game. The right side of the line in particular struggled blocking Langford and Long.
Jenkins also did not play so that will provide a challenge that they did not face the first time around.
“The Saints D sucks. Allowing every team to get over 400 yards till ours.” And now the Falcons…
At O/M
So much for reading carefully.
C/B
Does it look like I was replying to you?
Sorry, my bad. I have no problem reading, but you must admit that when you hold up two things next to each other and say look at #1 and look at #2, the natural inclination is to compare. You held them up next to each other, then said, “I don’t mean to compare,” which is fine, but by holding them up, you got me thinking.
So again, sorry to give you the impression that my sole purpose is to reply to your comments. Not my intention. If it were my intention, I would have posted it under your comment. Capiche?
Jack
If our offense was humming along perfectly why were we yhe ones unable to continue the string?
We played Buffalo earlier this year. They sucked. AS led the offense to a Niners franchise record of 600+ yards of offense. Same offense. Why can’t CK do the same against an equally bad D?
DS I don’t think that is a fair comparison. Kap deserves more time in determining what he is capable of. My point is let’s not act like he has arrived or is better after 2 and a half games.
@ DS:
The 49ers did the same thing against the Saints that they did against the Cardinals. They got up big early in the 3rd Q, and shut down the offense.
No Claude
1 AZ has a legit D. Biggest difference between us is our Offense.
2. 2 TD’s. We weren’t in control of the NO game till the 2 pick 6′s. We were actually losing. We kicked AZ’s butt the whole game. Complete control from the start.
Not remotely the same Claude. Not even close to far off the same game. Did you feel the same watching it?
“If our offense was humming along perfectly why were we yhe ones unable to continue the string?”
They committed a lot of offensive penalties that erased big plays. Then after coming out and going 80 yards on 6 plays to start the second half, the defense scored a TD to put them up by 14. Then following a Saints TD to come within 7 they put together an 85 yard drive that was the 4th longest in the NFL this season, 9:28 and went up 10. The following 2 possessions ended with a missed FG and a blocked FG.
They also lost 2 possessions on offense due to the interceptions being returned for touchdowns.
Even with all those things the 49ers still put up 375 yards. And they won. Isn’t that the most important stat, as you were always quite fond of saying while Smith was the QB?
Prime
We are a Super Bowl team. The time you speak of is minimal. AS led this team to quite a bit of hard to come by records. Supposedly CK is better at doing the same things (yards, points) but there is no evidence of that. His red zone performance isn’t better either.
I agree with DS in that the NO game was not a situation where the offense shut itself down in the 2nd half. Those pick 6′s changed the game but the offense struggled before the half and late in the game.
The long drive in the 3rd was all based on exceptional playcalling. You cannot say that CK showed his explosiveness in that game outside of two plays, both throws to Delanie Walker. Those throws were great but did not change the game. The defensive INT’s did so lets give the defense credit for that win.
Jack
Did you actually see the Buffalo game? We lost WAY more yards and points via penalty in that game than we did this one. We may have ended up with 800 yards in that game.
We were lucky a few times. RM offensive PI in the endzone not being called. Had he not, that was an INT. Maybe a Pick 6 if RM doesn’t slow him down.
Here is a better option FDM. How about we recognize that both the offense and defense contributed to the win?
@ DS:
Did you feel the same watching it?
Once the 49ers went up 28-14, I felt that the offense would become more conservative and that the 49ers would spend the rest of the game milking the clock.
DS,
We are talking about the New Orleans game. If you want to turn this into an Alex Smith/Colin Kaepernick debate then just say it. I am discussing the entire offensive performance in the Saints game which you are mistankingly discarding.
I would agree with that Jack cause thats how the 49ers have won all their games, by committee, offense, defense, special teams and coaching all playingg a factor one way or the other.
But, in the NO game, how does Kap fair without a special defensive performance? This is what concerns me moving forward.
“in the NO game, how does Kap fair without a special defensive performance?”
FDM,
If you want to take away the turnovers from both teams in this game the 49ers still win, 17-14.
The offense lost 3 possessions in the game. First on the Ginn return fumble, and the 2 interceptions that went back for touchdown’s. Unless you have a crystal ball there is no way to definitively say how the drives may have turned out for the offense had the interceptors been tackled immediately.
Quite honestly, the whole argument against the 49ers offensive performance sounds very similar to what the “haters” used to say with Smith at quarterback. An interesting role reversal to say the least.
@ FDM,
you said regarding the N.O. game,
“You cannot say that CK showed his explosiveness in that game outside of two plays, both throws to Delanie Walker. Those throws were great but did not change the game. The defensive INT’s did so lets give the defense credit for that win.”
FDM, do you know how many times the “haters” said the defense was responsible for wins last year only to have the “Smithers” respond that it’s a team game. And gave full credit to Smith?
You said the throws to Delanie were good, but not game changers. What about the Frank Gore TD that scored and was taken back on a pentalty? How about the 25 yard strike that hit Vernon on the chest and he dropped it? Or the play where CK eluded several rushers and threw the strike to Crabs on the sideline that was called back?
While penalties happen, it doesn’t take away the fact that CK made those plays in only his second start. Game changing effort. He passes the “eye” test big time. Something the other guy never did. And before you argue, lets remember one guy has the job now and the other guy doesn’t.
In each of the two wins under Kap, the defense has played probably its best football of the year. In order for me to say Kap can win it all, I will need to see the kid lead them on his back. Is that fair?
Fair. But do you think the defensive effort had anything to do with Kaep scoring more in the first quarter?
This year Smith’s average 1st quarter scoring is 3.2 where Colin’s after two games is 8.5
“In order for me to say Kap can win it all, I will need to see the kid lead them on his back. Is that fair?”
Sure FDM, but this conversation was about you and some others discarding the offensive performance in NO, not winning it all.
Bay you are right, you cannot say why we won, only that we did and thats all that matters. The defense is the driver of this bus regardless of who plays QB.
My point, and not to discount CK’s potential is that to say he has arrived and gives us the best chance to win is inaccuarate. How can anyone say that after two games?
You say ” He passes the “eye” test big time. I am not familiar with this test. I know JH’s eye ball test is what matters and he has decided to go with CK because he gives us the best chance to win. Now the kid needs to deliver. What if he does not? What if he implodes after the Seahawks game and Patriots game and loses confidence? A very distinct possibility. If this happens, I dont think you can go back to Alex for reasons I explained earlier.
Now all of this is very hypothetical. But this is a decision by JH that has huge implications no one wants to talk about because they are all so blinded by the “eye test” and his physical capabilties . There is equal doubt to go with equal excitement.
Fair….
Jack wether any of you big believers want to admit it or not, this decision to go with CK boils down to him giving the 49ers a better chance to win a SB.
Anything lead up to it means nothing when we look back in February and say, was the decision the right one? Bottom line, CK now has to win it all, just like Alex had to for this season to be a success.
Cruel, unforgiving, high expectations is the NFL business.
Kap is in a difficult position for a 2nd year QB. This could affect his development or enhance it.
Good point Prime. A big expectation put on the young QB but obviously his head coach believes he has the support of the players around him to help him out.
At some point he will have to demonstrate an ability to lead and carry the team, like Alex did in the last 2 drives against the Sainst last year. Those are defining moments and Kap has it all available to him over the next 5 games and playoffs.
Prime,
I am fine with that. When was winning the Super Bowl not the necessary end game here?
Like Brady and Roethlisberger before him, Kaep will be fine.
Jack,
Are you actually comparing CK to TBrady and BRoeth? Really after just two starts?!! =)
The end goal was always SB Jack. But now the 49ers have declared CK is the best option to deliver that. Some think he can, others think Alex was a better option. Who knows, I’m worried.
Yes Hofer, I am comparing a 2nd year CK to a 2nd year Brady and Roethlisberger. Brady won the SB, Roethlisberger lost the AFC Championship game. Kaepernick, TBD ; )
Jack is losing in the Championship game a success for CK?
No
You guys are being very short sided with your thinking.
If you send Smith into the playoffs regardless of how far he takes you, you are still left with a QB that has shown you his ceiling. Long term you are still stuck with that and faced with that reality.
Send CK into the playoffs and you now have an explosive player that will gain both game experience and playoff experience now. Very valuable for a player that is labeled Harbaughs guy. The Niners will be in a better position because of it.
I think Harbaugh believing CK gives him a better chance to beat the Giants has chosen to get CK all the playing experience he can leading up to that meeting with the Giants.
If he rolled with Smith and lost to the Giants again, then he is faced with handing the team to CK next year without benefit of experience in games or playoffs. Basically he would be taking his lumps and learning possibly for 2014. What Harbaugh is doing is accelerating that process thus building the offensive foundation of the team now.
Bay,
That is true. As I stated here before, as good as PM is with all of his winning, he only has one SB. Last year GB and NO were the SB favorites based on record and QB play, they watched from home as well. It’s not that easy to win a SB. There are no absolutes.
I understand not wanting to put all your eggs into Kaps basket after two games, but you also have to trust what you see and so far so good. I want to see how he does leading a comeback too, but because he hasn’t done it yet doesn’t mean he can’t. It means he and the team have played well enough that it wasn’t needed.
What you see from Kap right away is the ability to extend a play that Alex doesn’t have. It’s a great tool to have in the box and I’m guessing it’s a major reason Kap is now starting. He’s done nothing to lead me to believe he wouldn’t be as good facing a deficit as he has been with a lead.
“I want to see how he does leading a comeback too,”
He did it against the Rams twice in regulation, and then had them in position for a FG to win in OT against the Rams.
CK still has to deliver a SB. This team was primed to win it all with Alex and according to you guys who say CK has a higher ceiling, the expectation does not change.
This is not the time to be developing a QB and getting him playoff expereince. This is why I question the decision. This is the time to get a championship. There is no grace period for CK. They have placed the burden on him with a team ready to contend and win a superbowl. Sorry Bay, it sounds cruel and unfair to a 2nd year QB, but it was Harbaugh’s choice. I doubt this move was made to prepare the team to win in 2014.
“CK still has to deliver a SB.”
Cool. Let’s roll! The next step in that direction is 2 days away.
Exactly Jack! But no crying and or excuses about the decision or his inexperience when it’s all said and done.
Jack,
It’s not a QB comeback unless they win. Like I said, when it’s a team sport, you can’t control all aspects of the game. His fault or not, a tie is what it was. There are no absolutes. So yes, we are still waiting for a CK winning QB comeback! I’m sure we’ll see at least at one in the next 5 games. His elusiveness in the pocket is nasty!
Hofer,
Pro Football Reference disagree’s with you.
http://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/K/KaepCo00.htm
Quick question. Why do you keep yelling!!!!!
“But no crying and or excuses about the decision or his inexperience when it’s all said and done.”
Why would I? I will treat Kaep the same way I did Smith. When he plays well I will praise him and show why, and when he plays poorly I will knock him and show why then also.
From what I have seen of him this year, since week 1 of the preseason until now, there is little doubt in my mind this guy is going to make fans in the Bay Area stop wishing the 49ers could have drafted Andrew Luck.
Jack: If those of us who watch games on TV could figure out what the DC’s will do to try to stop Kaep, imagine the field day Roman would have!!!
However, since you asked, I would think that adjustments would include trying to give him false reads.
drs,
I agree with the pre snap looks. Kaepernick has done well so far with breaking down the coverages, but if you can disguise it could work.
One of the best ways to break that down offensively is through motions and shifts. Fortuntely the 49ers do a pretty good job of this. It will be interesting watching it play out each week.
The thing that some of u guys are not getting is this. If we played a game and if I was better then u who should start. The better player right. AS was playing the best ball of his life! And as much as it sucks there was kap still playing better in practice. Now what do u tell the team if u don’t win the SB and u had kap there the hole time. Playing better then AS! If we don’t win the SB then I would feel a lot better knowing we had are best team on the field. Then thinking about not having the best we have to offer! Come on AS has won 1 playoff win that’s not nothing. So I know it hard right now. But kap is the best thing for the team. And yes we could win with AS he has played really good lately but JH has to put the best we have on the field! That’s his job and let the cards fall where they may! That’s why we brought him in to do get the players ready then play them. Well it’s kaps time now! So lets just sit back and see what JH is seeing in this kid. And I bet its going to be good. And so far it has been.
except gore said CK wasn’t a good practice player…but that may neither be here or there….same thing was said about jeff garcia as well….
and if true…AS being a good practice player allowed the rest of the team to practice effectively…..maybe this couldn’t happen with CK especially after what we heard about CK being a wild in the beginning…so this ends up being that AS basically polishes the car during practice and now half way thru the season CK gets to drive that car….
Kyle Williams and Kendal Hunter must be anguishing in the training room. Watching AS lose his job that began with an injury. Both of these players must realize that they could possible lose their starting jobs due to their injury. Injuries open the door for other players and thats just a fact of life. Its possible for Jenikins/LaMic to shine if given the chance. If they shine its their jobs if they dont then they go back to Williams and Hunter.
Is it unfair to lose your job to an injury – yup, but that is the way the NFL works, always has always will.
Oh Grant new topic – seems to be the hot one right now – Kaps tattoos. Man thats just taking it to a new level. Personaly I dont like tats, but that is just a personal like/dislike it is totally irrelevant to his performance and its just dont define Kap football abilities on his tats.
“Lose their starting jobs – they werent starters, my bad, better said playing time”
I don’t care if Kaep has a freaking bone in his nose as long as he converts on third down and wins games.
Seriously!!! Since when did tattoo’s become an issue in professional sports? I thought it was a requirement.
I’m not too worried about K.Hunter losing a roster spot.
+ 1
Mighty Mouse
Here are some interesting views on Harbaugh regarding this situation. He won’t “peel back the layers of the onion” but his former teammates will.
http://sports.yahoo.com/news/nfl–ex-teammates-doubt-jim-harbaugh-would-have-gracefully-accepted-demotion-if-in-alex-smith-s-position-102728138.html
Adios y’all!
It’s been fake …