Why Starting 49ers QB Colin Kaepernick Now Doesn’t Make Sense
By Rob Lawrence
‘The Blaine Game.’ Some 49ers fans are still looking at Colin Kaepernick to bring a rhythm to the struggling offense.
But you can’t put all the blame on Blaine Gabbert for the Niners offensive struggles
The offensive inefficiency is across the board, from the offensive line to the receiving core. The San Francisco 49ers have yet to find their breakout possession receiver. Torrey Smith and Jeremy Kerley are the only receivers (not including tight ends) to score a touchdown in four games.
In the pass heavy NFL that’s pretty pitiful.
Having more consistency out of the receivers would not only give quarterback Blaine Gabbert more weapons but would also open up the field for the TEs and running backs in the flat.
The San Francisco 49ers took on the Dallas Cowboys in Week 4. Gabbert and the Niners offense started out on fire but by the second half that fire cooled to a lukewarm stew.
Spoiler alert — The score was 21-17 with the Cowboys leading in the fourth. The 49ers had the ball with great field position. This was a perfect opportunity for the Niners offense to march it down and regain the lead. But on the opening play, Gabbert fluttered a pass to Torrey Smith that was intercepted (insert eye roll here).
Immediately after, the Cowboys ate the clock and kicked a field goal making it a seven-point deficit. With two minutes left in the game, Gabbert and the 49ers offense had one last opportunity to even the score. Instead the offense turned the ball over on downs, resulting in another heartbreaking loss.
Winning Quarterbacks wanted for hire…
After another 49er defeat, it’s understandable why people seek change. Especially when you have the likes of Colin Kaepernick standing on the sidelines watching.
Putting Kaepernick into an offense that’s already struggling could result in even more confusion. Not only does the cadence change from QB to QB but also so does the timing. Sure, Kaepernick has all the intangibles necessary to be the starter, but is he the same guy he once was?
Kaepernick came onto the scene like a sports car in a bicycle race
As the starting quarterback, Kaepernick carried his team to Super Bowl XLVII only to lose by three points late in the fourth quarter.
The following year, Kaepernick and the 49ers battled against the Seattle Seahawks in the NFC Championship game. Their fate was decided by a last second interception in the end zone, causing them to lose 23-17.
For a young quarterback that’s quite the resume in a two-year span. Many Niner fans expected continued success in the seasons to follow.
However, after a mass exodus of retirements, trades, and a coaching change, it appeared that the “Kaepernick sports car” had accumulated flat tires. Somewhere along the way Kap lost his mojo. The bruised and battered quarterback of the 2015 San Francisco 49ers was finally relieved of his duties. The keys to the starting offense were then handed to Gabbert and have remained in his hands ever since.
During the offseason it was revealed Kaepernick had been hampered by several injuries. In the 2015 season that may have played part in his struggles. Kap underwent surgeries to his right thumb, his left knee and left shoulder. Now, after months of rehabilitation Kaepernick is working to get back to the physique he once was.
On Wednesday, 49ers head coach Chip Kelly was questioned about starting Kaepernick (h/t Jacob Palmer of the San Francisco Examiner). He answered:
"He has a chance every single day. But, if you ask me where he is, he’s not where he was in 2013. He’s 100-percent healed from those injuries. But is he the same player that he was when he was running 4.5 and throwing the ball all over the place? That doesn’t mean he can’t be the same guy, he’s working as hard as anybody I’ve ever been around to get back to be that right now."
So until Kelly feels like Kaepernick is 100 percent, we are stuck with Gabbert.
But we can’t give up on Gabbert just yet, and here’s why
Although the 49ers lost another game, there were some bright spots for the Niner offense. In the first half, Gabbert and the Niners offense had five consecutive first downs and two touchdowns! One through the air from Gabbert to Jeremy Kerley for 33 yards and the other on the ground with Carlos Hyde for a three-yard run.
Then, looking back to Week 1 against the Los Angeles Rams, the 49ers had 28 first downs, with 320 yards of total offense and were 4-of-4 in the red zone. The O-line gave up zero sacks and Gabbert was 22-of-35 with zero interceptions.
It appears they just need to become more consistent.
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When and if Kaepernick gets back into the physical form he once was, it will be interesting to see if he challenges Gabbert for the starting spot. Especially if Gabbert and the offense continue to struggle.
But for right now, it’s Gabbert’s offense. What he does with it in the coming weeks may determine Kaepernick’s outcome.
Next: 2016 Rookie QB Success May Force 49ers Regret from NFL Draft
All statistics, records and accolades courtesy of ESPN.com, Pro-Football-Reference.com and Sports-Reference.com unless otherwise indicated.