Is Colin Kaepernick ready?

[clyde_carbon]

I agree. If nothing else, the injuries are likely to spike next year. We lost a lot of WRs, but were very healthy pretty much everywhere else. Especially the defensive starters. I'd trade a few turnovers for more offensive production, but either way, it's likely that number will spike.

Let's see what the buzz is out of workouts. Hopefully reporters will actually be allowed in. If Kaepernick looks great, I certainly think it bears considering that he be our starter. As I've argued elsewhere (and in this thread? can't recall), I think Kaepernick was Harbaugh's guy all along. He may be acting like he's very loyal to Smith right now, but if CK looks great in camp and the preseason, I think he'll get a shot.

Agreed.

Honestly, if a person can guarantee me that Alex will maintain a very low turnover ratio I'd advocate bringing him back. However, the team (and especially Alex) were historically great are limiting turnovers last year, and I really don't see them replicating that performance. I think INTs are going up whether it's Alex or Colin in the lineup. Alex something like 8-10 INTs and Colin with something like 12-14.

That's why I'm advocating Colin. There's no doubt he'll commit more turnovers, but we're gonna need to make more plays next year, and I think he provides that. He has one of the top-5 or 7 strongest arms in the NFL. That alone will make defenses respect the deep ball and get one of the 8 defenders out of the box, freeing Gore and Hunter to make more plays. At Nevada his last three years he ran for 1,130, 1,183, and 1,203 yards for 17, 16, and 20 TDs. Those are tremendous running numbers and he provides a completely different dimension to the offense than Alex in that regard.

Plus, we'll get to find out if Kap has the stuff or not a year early.

 

[Crimsoncrew]

Agreed.

Honestly, if a person can guarantee me that Alex will maintain a very low turnover ratio I'd advocate bringing him back. However, the team (and especially Alex) were historically great are limiting turnovers last year, and I really don't see them replicating that performance. I think INTs are going up whether it's Alex or Colin in the lineup. Alex something like 8-10 INTs and Colin with something like 12-14.

That's why I'm advocating Colin. There's no doubt he'll commit more turnovers, but we're gonna need to make more plays next year, and I think he provides that. He has one of the top-5 or 7 strongest arms in the NFL. That alone will make defenses respect the deep ball and get one of the 8 defenders out of the box, freeing Gore and Hunter to make more plays. At Nevada his last three years he ran for 1,130, 1,183, and 1,203 yards for 17, 16, and 20 TDs. Those are tremendous running numbers and he provides a completely different dimension to the offense than Alex in that regard.

Plus, we'll get to find out if Kap has the stuff or not a year early.

Obviously Kaepernick is the better runner, but Smith did run for 631 yards and 10 TDs his senior year. Hopefully we won't need Kaepernick to make too many plays with his legs, though it is nice to have the threat. Gives defenses one more thing to think about.

 

[threelittleturds]

I don't have any doubt CK will know a very large part, if not the whole playbook. Think about the games this year, he wasn't sitting around on the bench or joking or staring off into the clouds... everytime I saw him he was in the discussion with Harbaugh and Smith, and often had his helmet on so he could hear the plays and all that stuff.

*edit*
I'd just really like to see this team get some quality WRs, thats one of the better ways to get a young QB up to speed quickly. I believe one of the things that continues to hold Smith back is that the team never found a good unit of WRs... and why his better years came when VD was having good seasons

 

[Mozart'sGhost]

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?

In my opinion, not ready. How could he be with the background he has? The bush league offense he played in and the bush league talent he played against in college really work against him. Not getting any reps at all during the season didn't help his progress either. As for when he'll be ready; to play, probably two years from now. To be be a star, probably never.

 

[clyde_carbon]

Obviously Kaepernick is the better runner, but Smith did run for 631 yards and 10 TDs his senior year. Hopefully we won't need Kaepernick to make too many plays with his legs, though it is nice to have the threat. Gives defenses one more thing to think about.

There's no question that Alex can make things happen with his feet if things break down, but I wouldn't categorize him as a threat in that area. Part of the reason why the Panthers were hard to stop in the redzone this was Newton ability as a runner. Now Newton is a stronger and more physical runner than CK, but CK is just as athletic. CK ran a better 40 (4.53), a better shuttle, and a better 3-cone all at 6'5" 235 lbs. He's not gonna be as big of a threat running the ball as Cam, but he is gonna be a threat, and that's gonna huge in the redzone and designed runs.

 

[deep9er]

Agreed.

Honestly, if a person can guarantee me that Alex will maintain a very low turnover ratio I'd advocate bringing him back. However, the team (and especially Alex) were historically great are limiting turnovers last year, and I really don't see them replicating that performance. I think INTs are going up whether it's Alex or Colin in the lineup. Alex something like 8-10 INTs and Colin with something like 12-14.

That's why I'm advocating Colin. There's no doubt he'll commit more turnovers, but we're gonna need to make more plays next year, and I think he provides that. He has one of the top-5 or 7 strongest arms in the NFL. That alone will make defenses respect the deep ball and get one of the 8 defenders out of the box, freeing Gore and Hunter to make more plays. At Nevada his last three years he ran for 1,130, 1,183, and 1,203 yards for 17, 16, and 20 TDs. Those are tremendous running numbers and he provides a completely different dimension to the offense than Alex in that regard.

Plus, we'll get to find out if Kap has the stuff or not a year early.

we re-sign Alex with the hometown discount, then let them compete for the job, fair enough?

 

[clyde_carbon]

In my opinion, not ready. How could he be with the background he has? The bush league offense he played in and the bush league talent he played against in college really work against him. Not getting any reps at all during the season didn't help his progress either. As for when he'll be ready; to play, probably two years from now. To be be a star, probably never.

No doubt he played in a gimmick offense, but he's had a year to catch up on the playbook and absorb the NFL environment. But all accounts he's real smart and a hard worker.

As for the competition, ya he played in a sub-par conference, but it's not like he was surrounded by SEC talent, either.

I'm not saying he's gonna be a star, but he has intriguing talent that we should check out sooner rather than later.

 

[clyde_carbon]

we re-sign Alex with the hometown discount, then let them compete for the job, fair enough?

Absolutely. I said plenty of times that I wouldn't have a problem with Alex if he came at a very reasonable contract. I have more of an issue with the length of the contract than the money.

 

[deep9er]

Absolutely. I said plenty of times that I wouldn't have a problem with Alex if he came at a very reasonable contract. I have more of an issue with the length of the contract than the money.

ok good.

i won't ask you whats "very reasonable contract", cause main thing is you're ok letting them compete. cause if you're pushing to NOT re-sign Alex and annoint CK now, that wouldn't work.

 

[clyde_carbon]

ok good.

i won't ask you whats "very reasonable contract", cause main thing is you're ok letting them compete. cause if you're pushing to NOT re-sign Alex and annoint CK now, that wouldn't work.

I wouldn't mind giving him good QB money if it's just a 1-year deal.

1 year, 9 or 10mil is good for me, and I'd be happy to bring him back and compete.

 

[MHSL82]

Can we win a Super Bowl with Alex Smith? I don't think we can, because to date he hasn't been willing to risk anything. We have to get more out of the QB than Alex Smith gives us. I'd rather gamble on Kaepernick, than continue not winning Super Bowls. Don't get me wrong, the 13 win season was nice, but I'd rather go 10-6 and lock up a Lombardi.

I don't think 13-3 and an NFCC game or 10-6 and a Lombardi is our options, per se. It's not that easy, Kaep will struggle this first year IMO more than Smith would this next year. I think that effectively takes us out of the 10-6 Superbowl year. In 2013, I think Kaep could get us the Lombardi, whether ornot he plays this year. I think he'll have learned enough to swim pretty fast by then.

I think that Smith is gun shy mostly with new things, this next year it won't be new as he's learned it all and so have the receivers, who should be upgraded by then btw. He won't be Favreing it, but he'll be better with that, plus he knows he needs to. He'll have a slightly longer leash, too.

We have to get more out of the QB position than Alex gave us (past-tense) because next year's going to be harder and he wasn't good enough to overcome the first KW fumble (and not even Montana could overcome the second since he never got the ball back). (Yes, there was plenty he could have done prior to either of those.) But Alex may be able to give us (present/future tense) more this next year and I think that'll be enough to overcome the worse luck we'll get with fumbles, etc. But it's just my opinion, we'll see next year.

 

[MHSL82]

i get the gist so not totally disagreeing on Alex Smith, don't think he has "it" either.

however don't like the other options worse, one of which is starting CK. IF "starting CK.." means deciding now and not signing Alex, don't like it. we'd look real "non-footballish" should we pass on Alex and this team struggles. why take this chance if we don't have to?[/B]

Absolutely love this sentence. I think it encapsulates the feeling we most have.

Most agree that it's a chance that he's great or bad.
Most agree that if Kaep outshines Alex in TC he should take over.
Most agree that Smith should not get a loooong or hiiigh paying contract.
And most should be able to see if the contract fits, we don't have to choose one over the other. So why make that choice now?

Things will play out and the best will be out there. Under Singletary or Nolan I couldn't say that because there were too many mind-games, too many salary-related decisions, etc.

 

[BINGO]

Can Smith "Carry This Team"? Or was the Saints game a Fluke?


Ernie Accorsi
Former New York Giants GM Ernie Accorsi talks about his decision to trade for Eli Manning at the 2004 NFL draft. Accorsi says there isn't a price that's too high for a franchise QB if he delivers. If he's a bust, then it sets a franchise back for many years. He also shares his thoughts on the 2012 NFL draft.

Ernie Accorsi - ESPN

 

[EKmane]

I remember when people were saying that Willis needed to sit. He's not ready as a rookie, then he played and we all know how that turned out.

The point is that we won't know until he's in there. Last preseason was kind of strange in the respect that CK looked real good on everything except for those picks. It seemed like every pass was a good pass except for those 7 picks or whatever. The way he was firing in those slants was a thing of beauty. I think it came down to that wind up throwing motion that fucked pff his deep throws.

I would love for us to just put it in his hands this season, he's way more dynamic.

 

[NinerSickness]

I remember when people were saying that Willis needed to sit.

I don't.

 

[clyde_carbon]

I don't.

I don't either.

But I do remember when everyone thought Cam Newton should sit.

 

[Bemular]

Here is my take on what will happen in 2012.

If, IF Baalke, Harbaugh & Roman see Kaepernick as the future of this franchise then Harbaugh & Roman will create an offense designed to take advantage of Colin's strengths, not Alex's. And, as long as Alex can win in that system he will remain the starter. The moment he falters he will be replaced.

That could be in TC, pre-season or regular season but I do not for a moment believe Harbaugh want's a conservative offense in 2012 and I do not for a moment believe our FO is yet convinced that Smith is our future.

 

[h0ckeysk83r]

Are we for sure cetain CK is the guy they wanted? I thought i headr many things about how we were interested in Dalton? Maybe we tried to trade ahead of Cinci to grab him but failed. CK and mallet were the only 2 left after Dalton projected around that round.
Quite possible they felt they needed a QB and CK was the better option there.

I think if Harbaugh was certain CK could get the job done they wouldnt of advocated to sign smith last year and this year again. Dalton and Newton started from the get go with the same shortened offseason as CK. I still think CK could sit a little while and learn some more as i think Harbaugh is thinking too unless he wouldnt advocate for smith again this year. If CK were to start though then i would be open to it as clyde said it lets us a know sooner rather than later.

 

[Flyingiguana]

Are we for sure cetain CK is the guy they wanted? I thought i headr many things about how we were interested in Dalton? Maybe we tried to trade ahead of Cinci to grab him but failed. CK and mallet were the only 2 left after Dalton projected around that round.
Quite possible they felt they needed a QB and CK was the better option there.

I think if Harbaugh was certain CK could get the job done they wouldnt of advocated to sign smith last year and this year again. Dalton and Newton started from the get go with the same shortened offseason as CK. I still think CK could sit a little while and learn some more as i think Harbaugh is thinking too unless he wouldnt advocate for smith again this year. If CK were to start though then i would be open to it as clyde said it lets us a know sooner rather than later.

that's something i was thinking but i didn't watch the 2nd round. it seemed like a reach for me on a project qb. kyle rudolph was the guy i wanted.

 

[BINGO]

Are we for sure cetain CK is the guy they wanted? I thought i headr many things about how we were interested in Dalton? Maybe we tried to trade ahead of Cinci to grab him but failed. CK and mallet were the only 2 left after Dalton projected around that round.
Quite possible they felt they needed a QB and CK was the better option there.

I think if Harbaugh was certain CK could get the job done they wouldnt of advocated to sign smith last year and this year again. Dalton and Newton started from the get go with the same shortened offseason as CK. I still think CK could sit a little while and learn some more as i think Harbaugh is thinking too unless he wouldnt advocate for smith again this year. If CK were to start though then i would be open to it as clyde said it lets us a know sooner rather than later.

After selecting Aldon Smith, they were trying to get back to the late 20s to snatch Dalton. The draft ended and teams were discussing trades. I believe NE Patriots (I hate them) wanted a ransom to move up to their spot which would enable us to select Dalton. Cincy made the move and drafted Andy Dalton...fine. Dalton is off the board. So why trade up when you know the player you wanted is gone? Easy, because you had to have had the belief in that either QB were potential stars in the making if you can develop them your way. Knowing that Dalton is gone, they still traded up - that's the answer to your question showing proof that Dalton and CK were thought of highly by our front office people.