Like It or Not, Kaepernick Should Come Back For One More Season.
By Eric Gamboa
Niner Noise points out why much-maligned quarterback Colin Kaepernick should come back to play for the 49ers for one more season.
As was noted by First Take’s Max Kellerman who stated, “Right now, in many ways, the quarterback is a tackling dummy,” and then followed up his comments with, “Colin Kaepernick was one Richard Sherman-batted pass away from going to back-to-back Super Bowl appearances.”
Nonetheless, it must be said right up front — Colin Kaepernick is not the answer.
Kaepernick is not the 49ers’ quarterback of the future, and he is certainly not the QB fans were hoping he would become when he took over as the starter back in 2012.
Yet, he may still be the best QB available heading into 2017.
Last year, Kaepernick performed similarly to his 2012 season. Again, it is that same season in which Kaepernick led the 49ers to the Super Bowl and was one throw away from winning it all.
This past season, many overlooked the fact Colin Kaepernick actually improved his play from the previous two seasons. His play, while not elite, was also not terrible.
Especially when you consider his threat as a runner and how well he protected the ball:
Year GS Cmp Att Cmp% Yds TD Int Lng Y/A Y/C Y/G Rate Sk Yds NY/A
2012 7 136 218 62.4 1814 10 3 57 8.3 13.3 139.5 98.3 16 112 7.27
2016 11 196 331 59.2 2241 16 4 65 6.8 11.4 186.8 90.7 36 207 5.54
Provided by Pro-Football-Reference.com
Generated 3/2/2017.
What most do not want to accept, when it comes to Kaepernick, is what type of QB he is.
No, he is not Tom Brady. Yes, he is a running QB. He was one pass away before, and last year, he played like he did in 2012. He just needs a good cast around him again.
At this point in time, aside from Tony Romo, no other QB is entering free agency with a better resume.
Quarterbacks often mentioned as trade targets, such as Washington’s Kirk Cousins (a marginally better pocket passer) or New England’s Jimmy Garoppolo (whom has started one and a half games), would hinder the rebuild of the 49ers due to cost and loss in draft capital.
In addition, this year’s draft is providing underwhelming QB draft prospects. The best of the bunch, (by this writer’s own evaluation) is Clemson’s Deshaun Watson. Yet, Watson is knocked for having some of the same flaws that some analysts have attributed to Kaepernick.
Both are spread offense QBs who rely to much on their running ability and are not asked to win from the pocket.
In truth, the college game is, and has been, changing for a long time. In college, spread offenses dominate the scene. The NFL needs to adjust to this new reality.
So why not keep the “spread, dual-threat QB” who has already played and won at a high level in the NFL? Who has already played multiple games in the playoffs? At least, until the next young gun is ready to take over.
As First Take’s Max Kellerman pointed out, next year’s QB will be a tackling dummy. Kaepernick is already adjusted to it and as our very own Niner Noise sportswriter Nicholas McGee acknowledged the biggest source of malcontent between Kaepernick and the 49ers was former GM Trent Baalke — whom is no longer employed by the red and gold.
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Draft a QB this year and develop him. Let Kaepernick take the reins for one more year at a lower cost while the Niners sign better players through free agency. Use the Denver model like they are doing with Paxton Lynch. Denver is in no hurry to start Lynch when they have Trevor Siemian right now.
The 49ers shouldn’t rush either.
The team should use Bill Walsh’ philosophy and draft a QB every year because the position is simply that important. The 49ers should draft a QB this year, next year and another the year after that. Let them all compete and then choose the best of the bunch.
While John Lynch and Kyle Shanahan find their QB gem, Kaepernick can hold it down until the next field general is ready to take command. Because why invest in a QB and then let them get their soul crushed on a team that can’t protect them nor is ready to compete?
For more 49ers commentary, follow me on Twitter at @EricGamboa01 or on Facebook at @EricGamboaNinerNoise.
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Next: San Francisco 49ers: List of Quarterbacks in Play for the 2017 Season
And, of course, GO NINERS!!!