Posted on 11/21/2012 11:05:16 PM PST by nickcarraway
Colin Kaepernick will start Sunday's game against the New Orleans Saints over Alex Smith, according to a report.
San Diego-based Sports Illustrated writer Jim Trotter tweeted Wednesday evening that Jim Harbaugh informed Smith of his decision and that it was not due to the former No. 1 overall pick's recent concussion.
Just over an hour after Trotter's tweet, a producer with ESPN followed up with a tweet that complicates matters:
Trotter Tweet:
BREAKING: Jim Harbaugh has informed Alex Smith that Colin Kaepernick will start Sunday, per source. Said decision not based on health.
Seth Markman:
Alex Smith just told @TDESPN that Harbaugh told him Kaepernick would get 1st team reps but door open to start game based on practice
Trotter:
i have great respect for @TDESPN and alex smith, and stand behind my report. harbaugh to alex: "I'm going with Kaepernick. Alex, I'm sorry."
In his first career NFL start last Monday, Kaepernick passed for 243 yards and threw two touchdowns and no interceptions in the 49ers' blowout win over the Bears. Smith has passed for 1,731 yards and put together a 13/5 TD/INT ratio before sustaining a concussion in the 49ers' tie with the Rams on Nov. 11.
i heard it on the radio today, and i read it here: http://bayarea.sbnation.com/49ers/2012/11/22/3680600/49ers-vs-saints-alex-smith-colin-kaepernick
the article is from this afternoon and does say that Smith has not been cleared, and that a decision has not been made...
i heard it on the radio today, and i read it here: http://bayarea.sbnation.com/49ers/2012/11/22/3680600/49ers-vs-saints-alex-smith-colin-kaepernick
the article is from this afternoon and does say that Smith has not been cleared, and that a decision has not been made...
What’s your evaluation of Kaepernick after he’s had a few starts?
aside from his skill and his high-level of spatial awareness, Kaepernick has something extra... it’s something that i have seen personally in only a handful of people in my lifetime... and that is fearlessness... he has NO FEAR... fearlessness is different from confidence... and the few people i have known who demonstrate “no fear,” all have gone on to do great things... in my opinion, he has that... so with that, and his natural abilities and his potential, i say Harbaugh made the tough choice... the best choice... what is your opinion?
so what do you think they should do about David Akers? if anything...
Since then, not so great. I have a friend who has been complaining since early in the season about Akers. I guess I figure he'll come back around at some point. I tend to not expect kickers to do well anyway. And having a good team and a bad kicker reminds me of the good days.
I guess if the can find a better replacement, they could bring him on. Based on Akers entire career, I imagine he'll be back to form next year.
Bottom line: They should never put their fate in the hands of a kicker.
I think they have bigger problems at this point. Both their defense and offense are not consistent and can disappear at times. They have trouble hanging onto the ball on returns. In the last 4 weeks their pass rush went away. If those problems are fixed, they won't have to rely on Akers. What do you think they should do?
at this point, i don’t think they should do anything about Akers... i don’t think they will... i don’t believe they have anyone to replace him... you are right... they should never put their fate in the hands of a kicker... as a fan, it’s just so annoying to watch those missed field goals... especially the standard ones... it’s his job!
I wouldn’t go back to Mike Cofer.
ha! don’t remind me! at this point i would prefer Ray Wersching... :)
The 49ers signed Billy Cundiff and are having Akers and him compete. I’d rather use that roster spot for another football player.
hmmm... i am really surprised by this... i didn’t get a chance to listen to KNBR today... i really thought they would do nothing about the kicker this season... thanks for the update...
did you catch the game today? what did you think? any surprises?
The biggest surprise is that Roman/Harbaugh let Kap run free. It seemed like the trend was they didn't want him to run. 183 yards? That was the playoff record and overall record for a QB. The most postseason yards by any 49er. Amazing. And all, after he started off throwing an interception.
I did say before the game if they were going to win, Gore had to have a game like their first game. He had a few more yards than last time. Which is amazing, considering Kap ran for so many yards. 323 rushing yards? Yeah, that's what they can do, and they can strive for. 43 rushes? Yeah, they should be shooting for that. Harbaugh and Roman should remember they are a rushing team, and they win when they hand off the ball. I worry that Harbaugh doesn't get that.
Playcalling was the best today in a long time. Some amazing passes and amazing catches.
Defense much better with Justim Smith, even with an injured wing. Pass rush was better than recent games, but still needs to be better. If I am not mistaken, they blitzed more tonight than they did all season.
one last surprise--i was surprised at how much Crabtree looks like Lenny Kravitz...
btw--what do you think is better for the Niners? facing the Falcons in Atlanta or the Seahawks at Candlestick?
Go NINERS!
I’m not sure who is better for them, but part of me would love to see the Seahawks again to settle up that series.
Yes, I saw Crabtree in the post game, and thought he looked more like a musician than a football player.
you are right about that! and that's what made it more surprising and exciting... i love when QB and WR are able to do this... such expertise... beautiful to watch... (like Montana to Taylor in that SB winning TD against the Bengals in '89)...
so... what are your thoughts on the upcoming NFC Championship? any expectations?
They played so well against the Packers. The only hesitancy I have is that this season, sometimes they just don't show up. Hopefully that won't happen here.
As always, Harbaugh/Roman just need to sure they run the ball. If they establish the run in the first half, they always seem to win.
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