Niner Noise
FanSided

5 Most Disappointing 49ers So Far in 2016

By Robert Smith

Aug 20, 2016; Denver, CO, USA; San Francisco 49ers head coach Chip Kelly looks on in the second quarter against the Denver Broncos at Sports Authority Field at Mile High. Mandatory Credit: Isaiah J. Downing-USA TODAY Sports
Aug 20, 2016; Denver, CO, USA; San Francisco 49ers head coach Chip Kelly looks on in the second quarter against the Denver Broncos at Sports Authority Field at Mile High. Mandatory Credit: Isaiah J. Downing-USA TODAY Sports /
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Sep 25, 2016; Seattle, WA, USA; San Francisco 49ers quarterback Blaine Gabbert (2) scrambles from pressure against the Seattle Seahawks during the third quarter at CenturyLink Field. Seattle defeated San Francisco, 37-18. Mandatory Credit: Joe Nicholson-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 25, 2016; Seattle, WA, USA; San Francisco 49ers quarterback Blaine Gabbert (2) scrambles from pressure against the Seattle Seahawks during the third quarter at CenturyLink Field. Seattle defeated San Francisco, 37-18. Mandatory Credit: Joe Nicholson-USA TODAY Sports /

No. 1: Blaine Gabbert

Come on. Face it. This cannot co

me as a surprise to you. Blaine Gabbert has fallen well short of expectations we all hoped he could meet coming into the 2016 season.

Gabbert was solid, if not spectacular, in his eight games, amassing 10 touchdowns against seven interceptions while completing over 63 percent of his attempts a year ago.

With Kelly coming in to light a fire under the offense, many though Gabbert’s accuracy and solid  athleticism and mobility would complement the system well.

Boy, were they wrong. We all were. Gabbert has been terrible, regressing to a point where he looked more like the Jacksonville Jaguars Gabbert than the QB that played some solid football to close out 2015.

He has not been accurate, completing just 58 percent of his passes with just five touchdowns and six interceptions. His wild inaccuracy has cost the team dearly, as passes to wide open receivers in consecutive weeks that could have been touchdowns fell five yards out of reach.

The 49ers are painfully thin at petty much every skill position but running back. But there have been plays for him to make and he simply has not done so this year.

The final straw was broken this past week against the Cardinals, as the offense went 4-of-14 on third down. Gabbert struggled throughout, and could not sustain drives during large portions of the third quarter.

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Enter Colin Kaepernick. With athleticism off the charts and the capability of improvising, the Niners need playmakers wherever they can find them. Kaepernick’s struggles are well documented.

His accuracy and decision making have been questioned ad nauseam. But perhaps the team is hoping he can provide a much-needed spark in a season that seems to be quickly headed in the wrong direction.

Let’s hope that this is the case, and the team responds and starts playing good football. As the 49er faithful, it’s all we got right now.

Next: Kaepernick Starting Is A Strike Against Baalke

All statistics, records, and accolades courtesy of ESPN.com, Pro-Football-Reference.com and Sports-Reference.com unless otherwise indicated.