Is Colin Kaepernick ready?

[clyde_carbon]

In terms of experience the guy started 51 games in college. His final season he completed 64% of his passes. First QB in college football history to throw for 10,000+ yards and rush for 4,000+ yards. His final year he rushed for 1,183 yards and 16 TDs.

Two biggest things working against him were the competition and type of offense he came from. But Harbaugh/Baalke thought enough of him to trade up in the second to draft him.

Yes? No? If not when do you think he'll be ready?

 

[mysfit]

Against what kind of competition?

I am still firmly in the camp he isn't going to find sustained success in the NFL.

 

[Yadahell]

I don't feel he's quite ready now. I think he needs one more year of backup duty (unless Smith gets injured) and then you split reps 50/50 with he and Smith during training camp (next year) and let them each get the same amount of time with the 1st team in the preseason. His ceiling is higher than Smith's, but the team was a couple plays away from going to the Super Bowl last year with Smith at the helm and basically the same team is returning. I wouldn't risk screwing things up at this point. He's too much of an unknown NFL commodity. Smith had his best year as a 49er and its quite possible he will have an even better season this year with a better understanding of the offense, offensive coordinator continuity, a couple better WR's, and valuable playoff experience.

Kaep did look good in "garbage time" during the Tampa Bay game. I was at that game. That's very little evidence to use to say he's ready though. Maybe we could have this debate at the end of the preseason (still doubt it), but I just don't see it now.

 

[Crimsoncrew]

I'd prefer he sits for another year, at least a good chunk of it. With the short offseason last year, he probably didn't grow as much as he could/should have last year. There's a pretty good chance Smith won't take every snap (effectively) again this year, so we continue easing Kaepernick in. He'll have some growing pains regardless, but fewer if he's had a chance to get on the field in live action.

If the question is simply whether he is capable of playing at this point, I think he'd struggle a bit. It's hard to say having seen so little of him, though. Either way, I give him lots of PT in the preseason.

 

[CalamityX11]

If Kap gets in there, I expect to see more aggressive actions from the QB spot(whether it be for good or for worse)

If Alex remains with us as starter, I wouldn't be upset(this time he earned another shot).

If Harbs rolls with Kap, I'll shut my mouth and go with it. Good things will come and hopefully not too many bad(not sayin he's prone to be bad but its essentially his rookie year then, expect some hiccups)

I feel he could come in and contribute but anticipating some bumps as he gets a feel. Both he and Alex have the same amount of time learning the playbook but its the experience and maybe patience? that seperates Alex from Kap(good or worse).

Just hope Kap paid attention and learned from the sidelines and stay on top in film room. You hear Harbs constantly support Alex but not as much(not public at least) about Kap(could be image move)

Also, what would the vets think?

 

[Flyingiguana]

ready? i'd rather bring him along slowly like green bay did with rodgers.

to add, i would also like to bring in another guy to develop, either this year or next year.

 

[BINGO]

ready? i'd rather bring him along slowly like green bay did with rodgers.

Rodgers benefited from learning/watching from one of the best who had ever done it.

You want Kaep to sit learn from Smith? Really?

 

[CalamityX11]

ready? i'd rather bring him along slowly like green bay did with rodgers.

to add, i would also like to bring in another guy to develop, either this year or next year.

TBH, Rodgers was sitting behind a HOF where as Alex is just Alex lol...(being honest)

 

[Flyingiguana]

TBH, Rodgers was sitting behind a HOF where as Alex is just Alex lol...(being honest)

point is to develop him before we throw him to the sharks

 

[BINGO]

point is to develop him before we throw him to the sharks

Who is/was considered more raw as a passer?
Cam Newton 2011 straight out of Auburn
Colin Kaepernick 2012 one year under his belt and Harbaugh at the helm.

 

[Dodub]

I would say no. Kaep has little to no NFL experience and we have a Superbowl caliber team. I'm not willing to roll the dice on that.

 

[BINGO]

I would say no. Kaep has little to no NFL experience and we have a Superbowl caliber team. I'm not willing to roll the dice on that.

I still don't believe we have a top 3 team in the conference:

1.) Green Bay
2.) Philadelphia (not sure how they self destruct last year)
3.) New Orleans (moved down to #3 because they will lose 1-2 marquee FA this year)
4.) San Francisco

 

[Flyingiguana]

Who is/was considered more raw as a passer?
Cam Newton 2011 straight out of Auburn
Colin Kaepernick 2012 one year under his belt and Harbaugh at the helm.

cam newton is an exceptional talent that rarely comes along. throwin kap out there before he's ready just because cam newton did it is asking for trouble.

 

[Flyingiguana]

I still don't believe we have a top 3 team in the conference:

1.) Green Bay
2.) Philadelphia (not sure how they self destruct last year)
3.) New Orleans (moved down to #3 because they will lose 1-2 marquee FA this year)
4.) San Francisco

we punched two of those teams in the mouth and they went crying home to mommy...

and williams didn't even give us money for doing it

 

[numone9er]

I'd prefer he sits for another year, at least a good chunk of it. With the short offseason last year, he probably didn't grow as much as he could/should have last year. There's a pretty good chance Smith won't take every snap (effectively) again this year, so we continue easing Kaepernick in. He'll have some growing pains regardless, but fewer if he's had a chance to get on the field in live action.

If the question is simply whether he is capable of playing at this point, I think he'd struggle a bit. It's hard to say having seen so little of him, though. Either way, I give him lots of PT in the preseason.

I agree with this assessment. His mechanics still look very raw to me. However, i do have more faith in Harbaugh and the coaching staff to coach him up and develop him. In no way do i expect him to be ready to start this year. He needs another year at least.

 

[I_am_1z]

I agree with this assessment. His mechanics still look very raw to me. However, i do have more faith in Harbaugh and the coaching staff to coach him up and develop him. In no way do i expect him to be ready to start this year. He needs another year at least.

Last we've seen Kaepernick throw was in the Bucs blow out (correct me if I'm wrong). Harbaugh needs to keep an open mind -- he seems to have gotten too attached to Smith. I hope it just seems that way to bolster his confidence, because if Kaepernick tears it up in the preseason and mini camps then he needs to be the starting QB.

 

[maniax]

I still don't believe we have a top 3 team in the conference:

1.) Green Bay
2.) Philadelphia (not sure how they self destruct last year)
3.) New Orleans (moved down to #3 because they will lose 1-2 marquee FA this year)
4.) San Francisco

Those 3 other teams' defense sucks.

 

[Jikkle]

I would like to see him and I think he would be better served sitting one more season.

But if you define "ready" as being able to go in and start and have some measure of success than I would say he's ready and can handle the starting job.

But I still believe Smith gives us a better chance to win the CK those at this point which is why I say sit CK one more season and give him a very serious look in 2013.

 

[Ray_Dogg]

Last I read he was still trying to figure out there is something called a touch pass. He was slinging fast balls on every throw.

 

[BINGO]

cam newton is an exceptional talent that rarely comes along. throwin kap out there before he's ready just because cam newton did it is asking for trouble.

Christian Ponder and Andy Dalton are also two great exceptional talent that rarely comes along.