San Francisco 49ers: Expectations for the 5 Worst Players in 2016 Season
By Peter Panacy
Quarterback Colin Kaepernick
2015 PFF Grades:
- Overall: minus-15.6
- Passing: minus-15.6
- Rushing: plus-0.4
- Penalty: minus-0.5
Yes, embattled quarterback Colin Kaepernick was ranked by PFF as one of the worst 49ers players in 2015.
And anyone who watched Kap’s efforts over the first half of the season would likely be able to tell you this. Remember his disastrous performance against the Arizona Cardinals in Week 3 last year — the same game in which Kaepernick registered a ghastly 16.7 passer rating with four interceptions against zero touchdown passes?
Yeah, that was ugly. Most of his 2015 efforts were.
We can blame front-office mismanagement, poor coaching and a lack of talent around Kaepernick all we want. But we cannot overlook Kaepernick’s regression from one of the NFL’s most-impressive up-and-coming stars to a mere afterthought.
Forget all about Kap’s trade request and subsequent reports of him being dealt to the Denver Broncos. Kaepernick is here now, and he’ll have at least one more chance to prove himself under head coach Chip Kelly.
Kaepernick won’t simply be handed the starting job in 2016 — a position he assumed each year between 2013 and last season. Kap has fellow QB Blaine Gabbert looking over his shoulder now, and it’s worth arguing the latter may wind up being a better fit under Kelly.
"Colin Kaepernick in 2015: 78.5 passer rating Blaine Gabbert in 2015: 86.2 passer rating"
Call it a hunch, but Kaepernick may wind up getting the edge over Gabbert to, at least, start in Week 1 of the regular season. If this happens, Kap will still have to prove he belongs there and doesn’t merit a switch under center.
His efforts, or failures, will be an ultimate telling point of what the quarterback’s future holds.
Next: ILB Michael Wilhoite