NFL Start Of Season

[Steve williams]

Anyone watch the 49ers destroy the Bears last night. SF looked absolutely unbeatable and Kaepernick starting at QB showed him to be nothing short of exceptional. If they keep playing likre that I still believe they will represent the NFC in the Super Bowl and I still feel that they are good enough to win it all

 

[Steve williams]

It remains to be seen if quarterback Colin Kaepernick won the starting job for the San Francisco 49ers on Monday night. We do know the quarterback sent a loud message to coach Jim Harbaugh.




In an interesting -- and surprising -- twist, Harbaugh chose not to make a definitive statement on his future plans at quarterback. Instead, the coach said he "usually tend(s) to go with the hot hand."

"We really have two quarterbacks with a hot hand," he said. "We'll make that decision as we go forward."

Kaepernick stood tall against pressure, made all the big throws, and protected the football in a near-flawless performance. While Bears backup Jason Campbell was bullied by Aldon Smith & Co. all night, Kaepernick stayed clean and played like an All-Pro.

Harbaugh's postgame statements will only amplify the "Smith or Kaepernick?" debate, which becomes a running subplot for the rest of the week.

Even if Smith retains his job, Kaepernick is in his rearview mirror now. This is a Super Bowl-or-bust season for the 49ers, and Kaepernick won't waste away on the bench if Smith begins to struggle. Smith has won 20 of his 26 last starts, but he faces the very real prospect of a quick hook.

The plot thickens by the bay

 

[audioguy]

If I were the Bears quarterback, I would walk out. ZERO ZERO ZERO offensive line to keep him from getting pummeled. It was hard to watch. And the SF quarterback was amazing.

 

[mdkim]

Kap was VERY impressive in his first career start. Interesting to think how much better he may have been if he took all of the first team reps leading up to the game. CHI does have a very good defense; Kap's ability to function within the gameplan with such poise surprised a lot of people. He can make throws that Alex cannot.

That the next game is in NO will keep Harbaugh's cards held tight throughout the week. It will be fun to watch how this plays out. And I agree, SF does have the ability to go all the way.

 

[Steve williams]

He can make throws that Alex cannot.

I agree. In fact Smith's high percentage of completed passes all seem to be 20 yards or less

 

[jadis]

I'm very pleased to see the highlights of the Niners game against the Bears with their new found wonder back up quarterback sizzling throughout the game. Shades of Montana and back up Steve Young. I wonder though, why head coaches don't use 2 quarterbacks interchangeably in a game just like other players. Why stick to the starting quarterback even though he's having a bad quarter or bad half?

 

[FrantzM]

I'm very pleased to see the highlights of the Niners game against the Bears with their new found wonder back up quarterback sizzling throughout the game. Shades of Montana and back up Steve Young. I wonder though, why head coaches don't use 2 quarterbacks interchangeably in a game just like other players. Why stick to the starting quarterback even though he's having a bad quarter or bad half?

Wouldn't work with the NFL where timing is everything .. but This is not shades of Montana and Young .. Not by any shot .. Wrong comparison ... Blasphemy!!! Joe Montana was Joe Cool the best QB ever ... "Alex Smith" and "Joe Montana" don't belong in the same sentence (I just did and will never again except to say they played for the niners ... and Young became a Hall of Fame QB after backing Montana for years, yet, never replaced Montana ... Now if it works out as well as it did in New England where Tom Brady displaced an injured but, nevertheless very good QB (Drew Bledsoe), well yes and The Brady may well become the best QB ever if he continues to play at this level so even there, one has to be careful... moreover one game doesn't make a season and in these days of video and computer defense quickly figure players out if they are one-trick ponies .. We'll see.. I didn't see the game though but I saw him during once and he looked good ...
One team that is under the radar is green Bay don't ever count them out and there are my Jints... I am somewhat afraid of the Manning Broncos .. subtly they are winning games consistently and the defense is looking more solid each week ... Great season ..

 

[jadis]

Wouldn't work with the NFL where timing is everything .. but This is not shades of Montana and Young .. Not by any shot .. Wrong comparison ... Blasphemy!!! Joe Montana was Joe Cool the best QB ever ... "Alex Smith" and "Joe Montana" don't belong in the same sentence (I just did and will never again except to say they played for the niners ... and Young became a Hall of Fame QB after backing Montana for years, yet, never replaced Montana ... Now if it works out as well as it did in New England where Tom Brady displaced an injured but, nevertheless very good QB (Drew Bledsoe), well yes and The Brady may well become the best QB ever if he continues to play at this level so even there, one has to be careful... moreover one game doesn't make a season and in these days of video and computer defense quickly figure players out if they are one-trick ponies .. We'll see.. I didn't see the game though but I saw him during once and he looked good ...
One team that is under the radar is green Bay don't ever count them out and there are my Jints... I am somewhat afraid of the Manning Broncos .. subtly they are winning games consistently and the defense is looking more solid each week ... Great season ..

Ok Frantz, yes bad example and I know your point. I was trying to loosely make that point bec I forgot that instance where a Redskin backup qback (now I recall it was Doug Williams) became a star. There's really no comparison between Smith and Montana.

 

[mdkim]

So much of playing QB is getting a feel for what the defense is trying to do - what they're trying to take away and how they're disguising coverages/blitzes. Yanking a guy after two or three series (typical quarter) disrupts this process. As a fan - myself included - it's easy to jump up and down and scream for the hook when a QB is playing poorly but thankfully, coaches are more level headed.

Plus, as pointed out (Doug Williams a good example), how many back ups have stepped up to shine in one, or even a handful, of games only to falter once they become a starting QB. l am amazed, however, at the number of young starting QBs in the league this season. College programs are definitely getting more complex and prepping their kids well for the pros.

 

[jadis]

So much of playing QB is getting a feel for what the defense is trying to do - what they're trying to take away and how they're disguising coverages/blitzes. Yanking a guy after two or three series (typical quarter) disrupts this process. As a fan - myself included - it's easy to jump up and down and scream for the hook when a QB is playing poorly but thankfully, coaches are more level headed.

Plus, as pointed out (Doug Williams a good example), how many back ups have stepped up to shine in one, or even a handful, of games only to falter once they become a starting QB. l am amazed, however, at the number of young starting QBs in the league this season. College programs are definitely getting more complex and prepping their kids well for the pros.

thanks, mdkim. that's a good explanation on the starting quarterback's role. makes sense to me.

 

[Steve williams]

Here's a flash

Colin Kaepernick gets the nod to start for the 49ers this Sunday vs The Saints

 

[mdkim]

All I can is wow! I suppose it makes sense to make the decision now if Kap was seriously being considered to get him all the first team reps and to minimize locker room shock closer to game day. Still...whoa. I'm really looking forward to playing the Aints!

 

[Steve williams]

All I can is wow! I suppose it makes sense to make the decision now if Kap was seriously being considered to get him all the first team reps and to minimize locker room shock closer to game day. Still...whoa. I'm really looking forward to playing the Aints!

Interesting decision especially since Smith beat the Saints last year

 

[mdkim]

Interesting decision especially since Smith beat the Saints last year

A good point. Hope Alex gives Kap his insight from last year.

Unlikely, but, I wouldn't put it past Harbaugh to find out that he was just screwing with the Saints' staff. He so rarely tells the media what he is truly thinking.

 

[Steve williams]

A good point. Hope Alex gives Kap his insight from last year.

Unlikely, but, I wouldn't put it past Harbaugh to find out that he was just screwing with the Saints' staff. He so rarely tells the media what he is truly thinking.

I wondered the same as well Michael

 

[Steve williams]

How quickly things can change.......

Alex Smith to play in San Francisco or elsewhere in '13?

By Marc Sessler

Yesterday at this time, Alex Smith was the No. 1 quarterback for the San Francisco 49ers. That all changed Wednesday night with the report that Colin Kaepernick will start Sunday against the New Orleans Saints -- and possibly for the long haul.


NFL.com's Albert Breer pointed out this week that the 49ers face a pivotal decision with Smith in March, when the quarterback is due a $1 million roster bonus. If the 49ers choose to pay the bonus, it speaks volumes about Smith's status for 2013. If Smith is on the roster April 1, the team is on the hook to pay his $7.5 million salary, which includes another potential $3 million in incentives.

The 49ers drafted Kaepernick to play. Coach Jim Harbaugh has sprinkled the young passer into game action all season, and Kaepernick appears to be the quarterback of the future in San Francisco. Harbaugh has stood by Smith early in his regime, but the picture is clear: The 49ers have been looking to replace the veteran all along.


We don't know where this team will be after the season, but the 49ers aren't about to pay Smith $10 million-plus to hang around as Kaepernick's backup. The general feeling about Smith is that he's not a quarterback who terrifies you with his arm or athleticism -- Kaepernick has more of those qualities -- but plenty of teams would consider him an upgrade at the position.

Smith has completed 70 percent of his passes this season -- remarkable numbers in the NFL. Maybe not good enough for Harbaugh, who's hell-bent on tweaking this roster into Super Bowl material, but Smith wouldn't have a problem finding work in 2013. If, of course, the 49ers move on.

 

[Steve williams]

Kaepernick looked terrific once again and handily beat Drew Brees and the Saints yesterday as Alex Smith watched from the sideline

I am betting that Smith won't be with the team next year as Kaepernick rises to the helm. In a way I feel bad for Smith because I always thought there was an unwritten rule that a QB won't lose his starting role based on an injury but this kid can do it all

 

[mdkim]

Agreed. Kap's mobility and arm give the 9ers the ability to pick up chunk yards; something they could not do with Smith's frequent check downs and often taking only what defenses gave him. With the 9ers defensive play, however, I don't think the result would have changed had Alex played.

Although Kap has the higher ceiling and starting him is the right decision, I can't help but feel for Alex a little bit. He has been the consummate soldier. Hope he moves on to a productive career.

 

[Steve williams]

Agreed. Kap's mobility and arm give the 9ers the ability to pick up chunk yards; something they could not do with Smith's frequent check downs and often taking only what defenses gave him. With the 9ers defensive play, however, I don't think the result would have changed had Alex played.

Although Kap has the higher ceiling and starting him is the right decision, I can't help but feel for Alex a little bit. He has been the consummate soldier. Hope he moves on to a productive career.

Even Troy Aikman commented about Smith yesterday and how he has kept mum about this whole thing and that he expected Smith to move on next year

 

[audioguy]

The 49ers gave Brees no time to throw the ball.

I hope that if the Falcons get through a round or two of the playoffs, that someone else faces and eliminates the 49ers or it could get ugly.

The 49ers look amazing and the new QB is quite the athlete. Someone will pick up Alex Smith next year and he will be OK.