San Francisco 49ers: Predicting Risers & Fallers in Chip Kelly’s Offense
By Peter Panacy
Question Marks: Quarterbacks Colin Kaepernick and Blaine Gabbert
The biggest wonder surround head coach Chip Kelly and the future of the 49ers offense will revolve around the quarterback position. It’s no surprise, really.
But will quarterbacks Colin Kaepernick and/or Blaine Gabbert be risers or fallers in Kelly’s offense?
Speculation goes in both directions. Many feel as if Kelly is the one coach who could resurrect Kaepernick’s career. Some, like NFL.com’s Chris Wesseling, feel as if Kelly could maximize Kap’s skill set and turn him back into one of the more dynamic performers at the position.
Yet NFL Films senior producer Greg Cosell isn’t so sure (h/t Matt Barrows of the Sacramento Bee):
"Because ultimately in the NFL your quarterback still has to be able to make different kinds of throws and make quick decisions and throw it accurately. Those are not Colin Kaepernick’s strengths. … The one thing I can tell you, every time Chip Kelly talked about quarterbacks in Philadelphia, he used the same phrase, “repetitive accuracy.”"
Cosell also noted in the same article he felt Gabbert might actually be the better fit in Kelly’s system.
Interesting. Gabbert certainly possessed stronger pocket poise than Kaepernick last season, but that doesn’t necessarily translate over to immediate success under Kelly.
And it’s also understandable to suggest Gabbert “is who he is” at this stage of his career. Kelly might make a slight difference with either quarterback. Or it could be major. It’s hard to say at this point.
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Regardless, either quarterback will have a stronger offensive presence than what was seen in 2015. This is certainly an improvement over the efforts led by former offensive coordinator Geep Chryst, so at least signs may be pointing in the right direction.
But that’s all that can be promised at this point.
Next: 49ers Primer for 2016 Free Agency
All statistics, records and accolades courtesy of Pro-Football-Reference.com unless otherwise indicated.