Niner Noise » Tom Brady

Why Kaepernick Is Thriving In Second Year

Ryan Sakamoto — Wed, 23 Jan 2013 17:54:17 +0000

Jan 12, 2013; San Francisco, CA, USA; San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick (7) looks to throw a pass against the Green Bay Packers during the first quarter of the NFC divisional round playoff game at Candlestick Park. The 49ers defeated the Packers 45-31. Mandatory Credit: Cary Edmondson-USA TODAY Sports

Some people are starting to question why 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick wasn’t inserted into the starting lineup last year, after seeing him flourish in his sophomore season. The answer is plain and simple, he wasn’t ready! The quarterback position is by far the most important position in football, and to just hand over the duties to a rookie quarterback, can be both physically tough and mentally draining.

If you look back in history, it’s very hard to find a rookie quarterback who has had instant success. And how does one define success? Is it based on wins, stats, or a combination of the two? Over the course of the last 15 years, I only found three quarterbacks that have had continuous success as a rookie starter. Those quarterbacks include future Hall of Famer Peyton Manning (1998), Steelers Ben Roethlisberger (2004) and Falcons Matt Ryan (2008). The verdict is still out on Andy Dalton (2011), Robert Griffin III (2012), and Andrew Luck (2012), but so far, so good.

So why is Colin Kaepernick thriving in his second year? It goes back to the old saying, “patience is a virtue.”

December 30, 2012; San Francisco, CA, USA; San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick (7) jogs onto the field before the start of the game against the Arizona Cardinals at Candlestick Park. The 49ers defeated the Cardinals 27-13. Mandatory Credit: Cary Edmondson-USA TODAY Sports

Take for example, the top three quarterbacks today: Tom Brady, Drew Brees, and Aaron Rodgers. All three of these quarterbacks have one common denominator- they were all groomed into the position. They each had at least a year of experience, on how to run the quarterback position from an NFL standpoint, before taking the reigns. From dissecting game film, to performing on Sundays, they became familiar with the process, and had an idea of what to expect. And Kaep was no exception.

Coming in as a rookie quarterback, I knew the kid could play. He passed for well over 10,000 yards and rushed for 4,000 more, which set an NCAA record. There was no doubting his potential. However, despite those eye-popping stats, he wasn’t NFL ready, in my opinion. He was very raw, his side-arm release was questionable, and his ability to run a pro-style offense was debatable.

Those are huge question marks for a rookie quarterback to be named the starter. Apparently Harbaugh thought the same. Plus, the 49ers already had a proven winner in Alex Smith, who they hadn’t given up on, so it was wise for Kaep to sit out, at least his rookie year, and learn from a veteran like Smith.

Jan 12, 2013; San Francisco, CA, USA; San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick (7) runs the ball against the Green Bay Packers during the first quarter of the NFC divisional round playoff game at Candlestick Park. The 49ers defeated the Packers 45-31. Mandatory Credit: Cary Edmondson-USA TODAY Sports

Fast forward a year later, and Kaepernick and the 49ers now find themselves in uncharted territory, as they will be representing the NFC in Super Bowl XLVII. The player known for his “Kaepernicking” celebration and pistol offense, is now the unquestioned leader, of a 49ers team, destined for stardom.

His cannon for an arm, and ability to run Jim Harbaugh’s complex West Coast Offense calmly put doubters to rest. The player that found his very own fan base torn between him and his teammate Alex Smith, was another obstacle for the young promising quarterback to overcome. His combination of poise, leadership, and athletic ability is what separates him from his peers. He’s a very unique quarterback and one that seems to have that “it” factor.

With the Super Bowl only 11 days away, look for Kaepernick to prove to the world, he is right where he belongs.

49ers Alex Smith Now Thriving Under Pressure

Matt Hamm — Fri, 07 Oct 2011 02:29:38 +0000

Coming into the 2011 season nobody and I mean nobody would have told you Alex Smith is great under pressure. One of the huge knocks on Smith coming into this season was his inability to beat the blitz. With a young (but talented) Offensive Line and a new offensive system paired with Smith’s reputation for folding under pressure it didn’t take a rocket scientist to know teams were going to send the house early and often against the 49ers this season.

Only this season Smith has been a master under pressure. In fact Smith ranks 2nd to only Tom Brady with a 132.1 Quarter Back rating against the blitz. Alex has completed 18 of 24 passes for 229 yards with two touchdowns and no interceptions against the blitz this season. Now compare that to last year’s paltry 78.7 rating against the blitz. In all he completed 64 of 106 passes for 828 yards with three TDs and four INTs.

So what’s changed? Has Smith suddenly morphed into “Alex Cool” all of the sudden here? Is this a Rich Gannon like resurrection we’re witnessing? Let’s not get ahead of ourselves just yet 49er fans. While Smith has improved especially his foot work and getting rid of the football he isn’t the main reason for this turnaround at all.

Jim Harbaugh is and here’s why…..
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Shaun Hill vs Alex Smith

Eric Melendez — Fri, 08 May 2009 21:16:11 +0000

Last year’s man under center Shaun Hill has to be wondering what he has to prove to be named the starter outright. In 2007 after Alex Smith and Trent Dilfer went down with injuries the next man on the roster was Hill. In a December 2007 game against the Vikings Hill came in to replace Dilfer who was knocked out with a concussion. At that point in the game the 49ers offense was non-existent. I attended the game and I remember being more worried about how I was going to get my next beer the outcome of the game. Then a man named Shaun Hill entered the game wearing lucky number 13. I thought Shaun who? Nevertheless I didn’t care who he was because he got the 49ers offense kick started. Hill finished the game going 22 of 27 pass attempts for 181 yards and one touchdown as the 49ers lost the game. The 49ers won the next two games Hill started and he missed the last game of the season because of an injury. Going into the 2008 season the 49ers resigned Hill to a three year contract but he was not named the starter. Someone named J.T. Duh! Sullivan was named the starter because he had been with Mike Martz in Detroit. Apparently Hill is bad at practicing which is another reason why O’Sullivan was named the starter. If it wasn’t for Alex Smith re-injuring his shoulder in training camp Hill would have been number three on the QB depth chart. We all know how the rest of 2008 went with O’Sullivan and the man who made him the starter Mike Nolan getting the boot. After that with Hill as the starter and effective the 49ers finished the rest of the season 5-3. Hill is 7-3as a starter. How has Smith done as a starter? He has an 11-19 record.

To Smith’s credit he dealt with Nolan and his lack of coaching leadership especially when Nolan called out Smith saying he was not hurt as bad as he was saying. Also Smith restructured his contract to stay with the 49ers. A wise move on his part because no other team wanted to pay the remaining portion of his contract and San Francisco is the only place he has a realistic although small chance of competing and winning a starting job. If the 49ers released him he would probably still be a free-agent as there are still plenty of QB’s on the market that have proven at the very least to be more effective as a starter than Smith. I think GM Scot McCloughan still believes in Smith and his potential. But the 49ers don’t have the time for him to continue to develop. The Red and Gold need a proven QB as a starter.

In the end Hill will be named the starter. He doesn’t have the prettiest footwork for a QB and may not be good at practicing but he leads the 49ers to wins. He is at his best with the short routes which makes the selection of WR Michael Crabtree all the more better. Crabtree is at his best running the short routes in tight coverage where he can make a move around defenders. He is not known for his speed (which is why Al Davis passed up on him) but Hill is not known for his deep throwing arm, so a perfect match? In the end whether it is a big name starter like Tom Brady or a lesser know starter like Dilfer leading your team to the playoffs and the Super Bowl is all that matters, right?