Greg Cosell spoke on KNBR Monday afternoon. Here’s what he said about Colin Kaepernick.
COSELL: “One of the things that really stood out is how much shifting and motion the 49ers offenses uses. With Kaepernick, now they’ve got the pistol element with the shifting and the motion. When they did it with Alex Smith, they ended up with more base formations. Now they have the pistol element built in. It’s more information that the defense has to decipher and digest in a short period of time.
“The other thing that speaks to Kaepernick is very often when you have a young quarterback, you don’t do the shifting and motion. Don’t forget, every time you move, the defense moves too. The quarterback has to be aware of that. Without mentioning names, there are plenty of quarterbacks in this league who became very good quarterbacks, but early in their careers their offensive coaches did not want to use shifting and motion because the quarterback couldn’t handle it. It’s not that he couldn’t handle his own shifting and motion, he couldn’t handle the defense moving within the five, six seconds before the ball was snapped.
“Obviously, for the 49ers with Kaepernick, there are a ton plays where there is shifting and motion, the defense changes and Kaepernick is under control. It doesn’t seem to bother him.
“He did throw the pick, and that was a pick he’ll learn from. That was a shot play, he came off the play action and in his mind it was going to be wide open. He just didn’t read the back-side safety. He’ll learn from that. When you throw the ball in the middle of the field, it’s the back-side safety you have to read, not the front-side safety. He’ll learn that. That’s not a big deal. For the most part he’s seems to me to be a pretty aware kid who has a very good understanding of what’s going on on the field.”
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Kaep is a bright, young man. His pressers are interesting. He speaks in short, sharp sentences, none of the trite cliches that tired players mouth after an exhausting game. He considers all of the questions that reporters ask, even the silly ones. Someone asked why he threw to Crabs on the last TD drive. His reply: “he was open”!
Mr. Obvious does not add any observation in the above excerpt. But if readers here had a chance to see the play from the QB camera angle where Kaep throws the TD pass to Delanie, Kaep had Vernon open in the flat in line with Delanie and could have thrown to either. Alex (and I continue to be a fan of Smith) would have thrown to Davis for a first down and maybe a TD, but Kaep took the chance with the deeper throw. Gotta love that!
Another thing I occasionally noted on TV in various Kaep’s games is that he is often around defensive players (or the other way) after a good defensive stop or after the Niners score a TD. He really gets the entire team fired up. He’ll be a team captain in a couple of seasons.
Yeah, Mood
He’s always in the guys’ faces. He’s a leader. The definition of “It.” The complete opposite of Sanchez. And while Alex tried to be that guy, he always looked kind of unnatural doing so, probably because his prior coaches had ripped his confidence so consistently.
Mood,
That was excellent!
During the game Michaels/Collinsworth commented CK needs to put “loft” on his passes in certain instances. There were two sure TD’s – first to Vernon Davis and another Moss which were overthrown .
and… ?
What is your point, Rollotomassi ?
Yet, he lofted the first TD pass to Randy Moss perfectly. That pass was all touch. His 1st TD to Crabtree was almost from the same spot on the field but exactly the opposite: he put that one on a rope (and it was clocked at 60.5 MPH). So he has shown he has both passes he may have had reasons why the other ones were thrown hard vs. lofted.
I think the point is Kaep will learn as he evolves when to put a little air under it when he sees those passes might have had a better chance had he done so.
The Offense can be explosive IF the coaches trust the players and accept with more risks come more turnovers, but also more touchdowns. It would appear they are willing to let Kap throw it down the field more than they were with Alex.
I would like to see them come out this week and run a hurry upoffense (using hand siginals because of the noise),mixing passes with some runs just to se how Seattle handles a more aggresive offensive approach.
very interesting comments, thanks Grant/G. Cosell.
i’ve been watching the tape of the New England game, and two things stand out upon review:
1. Kaep completely outplays Brady. I think Brady is Montana-like, but he threw a bunch of bad balls. I had thot that the Niners offense benefited from a bunch of short fields, but not only were those earned, but Brady often had a hand in them. Kaep on the other hand had an excellent passing game except for 2-3 ill considered throws (1 int, 1-2 which could have been). Kaep was the hands down winner.
2. Aldon Smith almost disappears in the third and fourth quarter. as someone on ESPN said today, i’m a bit worried he got dinged up. I had initially thought that NE had changed the blocking scheme, and they did, but on tape AS just looks like he’s operating at only 80% of capacity. had thot it might be mental, but fear it was physical. Grant, any color on AS’s health? i’m sure the answer is “fine”, but hey, you’re Grant Cohn, and you get color where everyone else fails :-)
corrrection: had thot it was mental/scheme, not mental as in “he quit”.
Aldon was tired. the pats ran like 65 plays in the second half. That hurry-up wears defenses down, which is why I’ve been saying the 9ers should use some tempo.
Also Cowboy was out the game. He draws a lot of attention.
I saw Aldon take a play off on the sideline and looked like he was uncomfortable. Arm or shoulder or wrist maybe. I can’t remember now for sure as there was a lot going on at the time (late). He may have been dinged and lost some effectiveness towards the end. Fatigue is definitely a factor too
He’s had a hurt shoulder for a while I think.
fesnyc,
3 reasons.
1.No Justin Smith.
2. He had the flu.
3. He was gassed. N.E. ran 1,000 plays in the 2nd half.
I blame it more on the coaching. The guy was DONE, why not put Bahktiari in for a few plays to spell Aldon? We really desperately needed pressure and Aldon just standing there wasn’t helping anyone.
EB
Bahktiari was in for a few plays. I didn’t recognize his #96 and looked it up. To your point, maybe not often enough.
Ahh, thanks for the keen eye. I did see Aldon resting for a play or two…but yes, not often enough.
Aldon did not stop playing he is dealing with a bad shoulder right now!!!
CK wins NFC Offensive Player of the Week
http://www.csnbayarea.com/blog/matt-maiocco/kaepernick-wins-nfc-offensive-player-week
LMJ is nominated for rookie of the week on NFL.COM. Stuff the ballot box.
http://www.nfl.com/voting/rookies/2012/REG/15?module=HP11_content_stream_voting_pepsi
The Kid is true and he is going to be a star in this league. NFL player of the week after 5 starts. You can’t knock this kid. And about those fumbled snaps… This kid is too smart not to get that figured out this week. More importantly, coach JH will demand it.
True dat true dat…… To me a very big piece going forward it La Michael James. He makes our edge run game dangerous again and our kickoff returns dangerous once again.
I’m not trying to pick on Ginn, but when is the last time he had a decent return?
Ginn is done. 9ers should draft Tavon Austin from WVU.
Bay,
We are headed to the super bowl. The only player on this team that can stop us is Akers. The guy is going to have to make some kicks. If he was doing his job, Kap would be undefeated in all his games including the 1st Ram game.
I did wonder however, why the fumbling didn’t ever seem to get fixed. I never saw a spotlight of them on the sidelines working on it. Seems like a pretty basic thing and if he cant’Center his hands enough…what’s the deal?
Hopefully, as you say, it will get fixed because it appears everything else is pretty much smelling like roses!
Bay
My memory is spotty sometimes but I cant remember anything positive from Ginn since the punt return in the lions game last year. Its possible he had one I just cant think of one off the tp of my head. He should be gone next year, just takes up a roster spot at WR and we cant even trust him to be surehanded and fair catch kicks anymore
Ginn has had a few good returns this year. Nothing crazy like last year’s 2TD game. But I believe against seattle this year he had a ~30-40 yd punt return. He’s struggled lately though. I’d love for someone like LMJ to replace him… as long as he’s learned how to catch punts since those preseason debacles.
A nice stat comparison of Wilson and Kap.
http://espn.go.com/blog/statsinfo/post/_/id/58240/best-nfc-west-qb-wilson-or-kaepernick
Why do I hear all the pundits saying Kaep missed the back side safety and that was the only problem on his int? True though that may be, the pass was late and well short. The front side safety had the pick if the back side didn’t get it!
It was a bad read AND a bad throw. If he had thrown it earlier and longer Moss would have been alone in the end zone celebrating.
I am not saying Kaep sucks or anything, he’s the man, I’m just saying there was more wrong with that one play than I keep hearing.
He certainly had a short memory to come back and thread the needle to Crabs the next series!
I remember that play well, and you’re right, the other defender got robbed of an int by the backside safety coming across. Terrible throw in what was otherwise a pretty awesome performance.
Potential good news…Cowboy was saddled up for the morning walk through today.
“he’s walking through something”
Very funny, Brotha!
Lol classic B tuna
As much as i’d love to give cowboy the week (and maybe 2) off. We need him against beastmode. With JS in there lynch beasted us last game and not having him in there would seem to spell trouble. Having said that we need to have him as healthy as possible in the playoffs so it’l be a tough call.
I guess it also depends on whether its a “pain mamagement” issue or if he can do further damage to his existing injury
He can take a week off with a first round bye. Not that he would.
maybe they will consider rotating JS out on passing downs. I agree that he is needed to stop Lynch. But overall, it seems that the philosophy of the defense this year has been to stop the pass first, and allow the other team to rush for 3 yrds twice and then try to stop the pass on 3rd and 4.
Did Prime & DS get banned ? Haven’t seem them lately ..:)
Bay,Your post with old quotes was so funny, I couldn’t help but to post one myself. They are not all my posts but I find them quite entertaining.
23jordan/ Smith’s days are numbered!! says:
October 25, 2012 at 4:56 pm
AES,(Talking about Alex)
I don’t knock him for that. He doesn’t make excuses. He just continue to say that he left a lot out there and that on all the throws that he misses, he’s gotta hit those throws. Unfortunately, he continues to miss those handfull of throws every game. I realize that every QB missed throws every game. He just seems to miss more often (maybe because he throws less) and he just seems to miss the ones that hurt( Like6 -9touchdowns this year). Also, his are not just the bad throws, its also the throws that he does not make.(See Claude, I’m not always wrong!)
23jordan/ Smith’s days are numbered!! says:
October 25, 2012 at 6:44 pm
MD, ( Jim Trotters article on Smith after the Seattle game)
Another national indictment of our lack of a QB. Saying what we’ve aseen for years. there will be no super bowl with this guy. What a waste of a defense!(I guess we won’t get a chance to find out.)
FDM says:
October 26, 2012 at 10:48 am
Big P, why do the haters keep bringing up the offseason free agency thing over and over again? Have we not established on the blog that no one was willing to take a look at Smith because everyone and their dog knew he would end up in SF? If you know otherwise or have some literature to support your arguement, please provide the link. Otherwise its just hearsay.
http://espn.go.com/nfl/story/_/id/7715336/2012-nfl-free-agency-san-francisco-49ers-alex-smith-agree-new-contract-sources-say
(I guess this was a dummy contract after all!)
See Im not saying the entire NFL, Im going off what was reported, insted you make claims that the NFL says this. Do you work for the NFL?
You haters need to start supporting your arguments with facts or simply state, this is what you think. These claims that you make are just hot air out of your 2 hole.
FDM says:
October 26, 2012 at 12:49 pm
23welcher, all I hear is tears. The Manning thing never happened cause the organization was smart enough to not give up all its depth and pay a now 36 yearold “average” QB 90 million. How much better is DEN. Are they SB bound, not right now they are not.
Alex Smuith is here, he is JH’s guy, deal with it or go find another team. 31 other flavors to chose from. Buy now!(AH,was Harbaugh’s guy!)
DS94everXev says:
October 26, 2012 at 1:15 pm
FDM
I don’t think Denver has even beaten a team that they couldn’t beat last year yet. So how much better is Denver? And how much more money will those extra 1 or 2 wins cost them compared to an “average” QB?
joke.(Uh, 9 game winning streak????)
Nick says:
October 26, 2012 at 10:47 am
Hey Smithers, I have a question for you. How much better would this team be if it got consistent, above average play at QB?
I’ve said this before. The Niners are a hard team to beat because of defense, running game, special teams, and solid coaching. AS is the weak link on offense and is being managed by the coaching staff not to make mistakes.(Nice Nick, we just beat the Pats, Seattle is next. We’re seeing how much better right now.)
rocket says:
October 26, 2012 at 9:21 am
Bay,
So then what do you propose they do about it? That’s what leaves me smh when I read the Alex Smith sucks comments. Jordan has gone full Kap after ripping him in preseason, you don’t think it’s time for Kap yet but continue to complain every week about Smith. What do you want them to do? Whether you like it or not, this is what they have. Smith is the best option on the roster. No amount of whining and complaining will make Kap magically acquire the wisdom of a 5 year vet. Smith has had ups and downs this season, but the team is 5-2. The passing yards won’t be what you want them to be because that is not how this team plays. They win ugly. That’s just the way it is. (Rocket the genius, I guess JH gave Kap 5 years of wisdom. To Kap 1 week= 1 year!)
23Jordan/ We Need a QB! says:
October 26, 2012 at 9:31 am
Rocket,
I never ripped Ck. I may have felt like Josh was better, still do. But I wasn’t high on Kap until I saw him play. Saw his composure in real games. Saw his speed and a more accurate arm on most of the throws he’s had. Keep cheering for Smith and getting the same minimal results from a declining player. Ill be here to remind you again how bad he is on Tuesday.
(Tuesday was the day after the Monday night Seattle game)(Damn, Im good)
Hoferfan67 says:
October 26, 2012 at 9:35 am
AS has been both good and bad. Let’s just see if his last couple of weeks was more injured finger or if he actually has regressed. There are 9 games left with a bye week thrown in so plenty of time to continue this QB analysis. He can go either north or south. I know the blamers don’t want to hear this, but I tend to believe he will be more north with his healed digit out of the way. TBD.(TBD???? Hofer, we’ve determined. And the verdict is NOT!!)
DS94everXev says:
October 26, 2012 at 9:52 am
hof
If AS “sucks” and we still make the playoffs and then he is great in them and we win, nobody will care about the regular season. (Much like they won’t and have never cared about you BS!)
Spitblood says:
October 17, 2012 at 2:12 pm
After the 49er / Giant game Jimmy Johnson said, “Harbaugh is clearly getting Kaep ready to start.” If you had a guy like Rogers you don’t expedite the backup’s growth process. But when your qb is Smith, you get your backup ready. People keep saying, “Kaep’s not ready.” Horse cookies. Alex Smith’s not ready. Never has been. ( Very good Spit)
bayareafanatic says:
October 17, 2012 at 2:36 pm
Listen we all know what HaBaugh is doing. The ones that are in denial just don’t want to see it happen.( Bay, yes we did, Yes JH did! Yes we can win a super bowl now!)
txtree49er says:
October 17, 2012 at 4:20 pm
Did not Miami start this wildcat offense, this is a trending scheme, much like the jumbo packages. you seem so desperate to read into every play a problem, let the season play out. If you are correct, the you will get your way, and Alex Smith is gone. But do not say that the rest of us are not fans if we do agree with you. I have been following the niners all of my life.
lol ( Txtree has apparently stopped following the Niners since Kap got the job. Where are you Txtree?)
49erman says:
October 17, 2012 at 6:16 pm
We all can see, what harbaugh is planning. Just a matter of time when his plan back fires on his face ( The CK experiments ) And we can all see where the 49ers gonna be heading too, but downward if he continues too.
downward if he continues too.( Another Smither (non Niner fan)that has disappeared since Smith lost his job)
Nick says:
October 18, 2012 at 6:22 am
Holy cow, don’t let your love of Alex cloud your judgement. Are you rooting against the 49ers? Or you must know more about football and evaluating talent than JH and Trent Baalke. I know you feel threatened about CK replacing your hero. But, relax and let things play out. (Nick, in the famous words of Eddie Debartolo Jr, “HE GONE!)( Both 49erman and Smith)
49erman says:
October 18, 2012 at 12:53 pm
Nick, threatened by CK? Not worried about CK , I more worried about the 49ers if Ck is the starting Qb..Because he hasen’t showed anything with his arm. Only thing he showed is his running ability and arm strenght that is not proven. (Offensive player of the eek my friends)
Hoferfan67 says:
October 17, 2012 at 4:39 pm
bayareafanatic says:
October 16, 2012 at 9:41 am
“I also hope that they do not bring in CK for any wild cat or to change pace. At this point, lets Smith sink or swim. If you are going to bring in CK at this point, do it because we are blowing someone out, or because he is your starter. Bringing him in to spot play is not fair to him or Smith.”
Bay, it seems you may be talking out of both sides of your mouth. SMH(Hofer is a genius. Watch out for that tree Hofer! lol)
Jack Hammer says:
October 18, 2012 at 10:57 am
Rocket,
At what point do you look to make a switch? Hypothetical situation: They struggle through this series of games and find themselves at 4-5, you stick with the status quo? (Try concussion Jack. Lol)
Grant Cohn says:
October 18, 2012 at 11:05 am
If the 49ers lose these next three games in a row and Alex Smith plays poorly, Kaepernick will probably take his job.(We KNEW Grant would be wrong! lol Hes always wrong!)
rocket says:
October 18, 2012 at 11:16 am
Jack,
If they go on a losing streak and Smith is struggling throughout, then they have to do something because status quo isn’t working. The bye week would be the most sensible time to make a QB switch if they feel that is necessary. (Rocket the genius, NOT so much. JH doesnt suscribe to the status quo!)
And last but not least!!!
23Jordan/ NO MORE GAME MANAGERS !! says:
October 17, 2012 at 6:23 pm
Bay,
There is no question in my mind that Alex Smith is about to crap all over the field today just like he did last Sunday. The good QBs look forward to big tests. This kid shrinks from them. We are lacking at QB. We have been for a long time. I’m so thankful that this experiment with Smith is almost over. JH is not stupid enough to continue to hang his hat on Smith for another year. I think Smith gets benched before seasons end. Not because of bad play.
I feel like he’ll get benched because he limits what this offense can do. We can’t even effectively use all of our weapons at WR because Smith can’t get the ball to them at any point and time. Those limitations make us predictable. Good defensive teams know exactly what Smith can’t or won’t do. The giants have Smiths number. Seattle does too. (Damn I’m good)
See Claude, cut N paste can make anyone look good on this blog, even me!
Cut and paste this: http://49ers.pressdemocrat.com/2012/11/inside-the-49ers/is-this-the-end-of-alex-smith/
Ooh, Grant getting in on the scrum!
Have to admit (though I didn’t at the time), you were right GC. Must be the proximity vibrations you pick up.
Thanks, Ribico.
@ ribico:
Grant and Jack can both take a lot of credit for seeing this coming. Some serious prescience on their part.
Note: Those looking to cut and paste any comments where I was dead wrong about something (I know you have been trying) need look no further than the page to which Grant linked.
I fully expect that bay, jordan, and ninermd will need to change their shorts.
Harbaugh certainly does things his way. Recognizing, developing and then starting a raw 2nd year talent over a .800 winning QB – unprecedented to say the very least. If it works out to the Superbowl level, JH deserves a 2nd consecutive Coach Of the Year.
Grant,
Heres one for you.
makes most sense. Not sure who posted that but I agree with it.
23Jordan/ Claude is a Clown says:
November 13, 2012 at 1:08 pm
AES,
Stand by. If Kap gets the chance to play this Monday (against the Bears), you may never see Smith play for the Niners again. Kap is going to shock you AES.
Grant, that was an entertaining read.
Grant,
SMH. Would have been more impressive if you’d accurately predicted the “Alex is our starting QB…bla. bla bla….but, CK is a starter, so we have two starters on our team.” angle that JH took after the game.
:-)
Grant,
I sent out enough smoke signals back then for you to pick one up huh? LOL.
ribico says:
November 13, 2012 at 11:31 am
Don’t worry Neal. Smithers will still let you post here when you retrun. As long as you and Grant worship at our feet when both your predictions go completely haywire.
Lol good one. Mr. Everything. Actually not going to rub it, that my prediction is correct and Rib sounds like a hater, he hates to be wrong. lol
Good post 23J. It looks like a hand me down, check down king isn’t what JH wanted after all and THAT’s good news for Niner fans. The future looks bright.
Nick,
We are about to win the Super Bowl!
LOL Jordan, you still don’t look good. Seriously man you are either delusional or have the shortest attention span imaginable.
You said Kap wasn’t the answer and should be traded. The fact you then jumped to the next guy in line when the QB you liked didn’t make the team is irrelevant. You have supported pretty much every QB on the roster not named Smith for years now. If I had a dollar for everytime you predicted “Smith would crap the bed” I’d be retired on an island somewhere.
As I’ve said repeatedly, feel free to be happy that you finally got your wish for Smith to be replaced, but don’t pretend that somehow you predicted this and have been in Kaps corner all along. You’ve been supporting losers and making bad predictions for years. It just so happens Kap finally made your dream come true.
Here’s a venomous interaction between some incredibly smart guy named Neanderthal and a total simpleton from the day before Grants post above:
Neanderthal Offense says:
November 12, 2012 at 9:12 pm
Kaepernick is a FAR superior quarterback. The announcers on the Fox broadcast stated unequivocally that he stays in the pocket in the face of oncoming rushers and fires darts, specifically and most emphatically on the Vernon completion. That is a pass that Alex couldn’t complete, and therefore wouldn’t (and shouldn’t) attempt. But that gives Alex more credit than he deserves, because he wouldn’t be looking downfield at all if rushers were bearing down on him; he’d be hot-footing it out of the pocket and getting dragged down for yet another 4 second sack. Alex is just so limited. It’s unbelievable that his supporters will not admit that. Yes, he’s an efficient manager when he keeps his attempts under 25, and yes, he has really played marvelous ball over the last 25 games or so, but is he a quarterback with “it”? NO, and he never will be. That’s just too plain for words, and those who argue otherwise are beating the drum of some goofball agenda. And NO, that doesn’t include Harbaugh, who tried for Peyton and has kept 2 young prospects on the roster while paying Alex next to nothing with no guarantees.
–
Prime Time says:
November 12, 2012 at 9:23 pm
Facts not your simple eyeball test which probably has never worked in the NFL, or has it?
–
Neanderthal Offense says:
November 12, 2012 at 9:27 pm
Speak-a engrish plime?
Montana stands in the pocket, wins 4 SBs.
Young gets happy feet, dances, gets scared, finally learns to be a man and take a hit, finally wins 1 SB.
These are facts.
–
Prime Time says:
November 12, 2012 at 9:34 pm
So now we are talking about Montana and Young? You write a long winded brain fart anout Kap and come back with Montana and Young? Grab a brain cave man!
–
Neanderthal Offense says:
November 12, 2012 at 9:45 pm
Prime, metaphor is lost on your kind. it is because you are stupid. Make the most of it. Tell your parents that you can’t hack it. Take handouts from the government.
Did you not trust your eyes when you watched Young?! Did you not see Young dancing for years upon years? Do you not see Smith NEVER with with his eyes downfield? It’s called calm in the pocket. Montana had it. Ben has it. Young never really had it til the end. Smith has never even come close.
Prime, don’t project your ignorance onto the rest of the world. Either you get it or you don’t. If you saw Montana and Young and still don’t get it, you’re less than ignorant. If you’ve watched Smith and think he has it, again, you’re less than ignorant.
Take a deep breath and respect those who can teach you something, son.