Is this as good as Kaepernick is going to get?

[CrimsonCrew]

Kap is smart it's just that making quick decisions on the fly isn't a strong suit of his.

It's something that he may never excel at but it's something that can be improved on by drilling the information into his head until it becomes automatic.

You really don't need to think about 2 + 2 = 4 not because the equation is easy but it's one of the most popular equations and it's been drilled into our heads so the answer is automatic without having to really think about it.

He not going to be Peyton Manning out there but studying film and having someone go over it with him is only going to make him a better player next season.

Football intelligence is about seeing where 6 or 7 different things are at the same time, remembering where receivers are going to be, having a mental clock in your head, special / peripheral awareness, instant decision making and so on. Most of that is as good as it's ever going to get. And it's really, really bad right now. Better isn't going to cut it. Even if he got a little better he'd still be a bad QB.

And not just that but I don't buy that he's all that smart. He got good grades and worked hard, but I don't buy that he knows what's going on all the time. He seems singularly focused. I'm sort of the same way. That doesn't translate well to something like football or working great with other people or leading. He's just really, really, really stupid and incompetent as a QB, and that's not going to change by working with Kurt Warner. He needs to go. Great players have made a bad QB look average so far. Continuing on that path is insanity.

I don't disagree strongly with that sentiment, but practically speaking he is almost certainly going to be our QB next year. He may be the QB for longer than that. Given that, I'd rather see him working to improve the mental aspect of his game than maintaining that he doesn't need to. In the meantime, we absolutely have to think about finding a replacement.

I also agree that it's unlikely we'll see dramatic change. He is not smart on the football field. He is completely oblivious to the play clock, he doesn't read the defense well pre-snap or post-snap, he has bad footwork and mechanics, his pocket awareness is poor, he takes sacks when he should get rid of the ball, he has poor awareness, he makes the same mistakes repeatedly, and his ability to adjust his play to different game situations is poor at best. Those are HUGE problems. And that's not even getting into his physical struggles like consistent accuracy and touch. However, even with those problems, he has been a good QB at times (e.g., 2012 playoff run). He doesn't have to solve everything this next year to have a future with the franchise. If he can show a small amount of improvement in a few of those areas, he could be a top-15 QB. If he can show marked improvement in one or two of those areas, he could be top-10. So let him work on it and we can re-assess next year as he tries to hold off a challenger.

[NinerSickness]

It is beyond me how almost everyone believes that Kaepernick is going to be back with the 49ers next year. Could Baalke really be that stupid? It hasn't been that long since the Niners' last few games. Has everyone already forgotten what a turd this guy is?

[B-King]

Like others, I have some issue with Kaepernick's throwing mechanics. He throws using a 3/4 side arm that just kind of rises a lot of times. He has such a gun and seems to rely on throwing it in there with heat. I think it was the Ram game where he threw a great touch pass to the end zone, but other than that it has been all fastballs. To me it was weird that Harbaugh didn't really call out much on what he was working on with Kaep for his continued development.

As far as his potential improvement, I think it would benefit him if the Niners do 2 things. One is to simplify the offensive. It seems to me he was so caught up in getting to the line, making the right call and then getting the play off in time that executing the actual play was always a crap shoot. Two is to run more plays where they have a safety receiver for a dump pass when the primary and secondary options are covered. There were a ton of plays were the receivers were all congregating on one side or another with the other side of the field wide open. Not sure if they were designed this way to let Kaep run to the open side, but with the offensive line in such disarray they needed more safety valves as Kaep would get sacked before he could get to open field.

The West Coast offense was about creating mismatches, finding open receivers and gaining yards after the catch. We seemed to have gotten away from that to run on first and second down and then go third and long hoping Kaep can bail us out.

[DoobieKeebler]

It is beyond me how almost everyone believes that Kaepernick is going to be back with the 49ers next year. Could Baalke really be that stupid? It hasn't been that long since the Niners' last few games. Has everyone already forgotten what a turd this guy is?

"Stupid" is a relative term.

I know Kaep feels like food stuck between your teeth, but trading Kaep would be waaaay too reactionary. I just don't see Kaep as the Niners #1 problem right now.

That being said, which team would SF trade Kaepernick to? And for what player(s)/pick(s)? Can't imagine you actually want to cut him outright.

[MHSL82]

It is beyond me how almost everyone believes that Kaepernick is going to be back with the 49ers next year. Could Baalke really be that stupid? It hasn't been that long since the Niners' last few games. Has everyone already forgotten what a turd this guy is?

I think you mean "It is beyond me that Baalke will keep Kaepernick this year." Because regardless of what any of us think about him, it seems almost assured that he would be back this year. That's not even endorsing him, that's just being realistic. Or for you, pessimistic.

[CrimsonCrew]

It is beyond me how almost everyone believes that Kaepernick is going to be back with the 49ers next year. Could Baalke really be that stupid? It hasn't been that long since the Niners' last few games. Has everyone already forgotten what a turd this guy is?

Of course he's going to be back this year. There is almost no chance that we part ways with Kap. If we were going to make a move, we probably would have done it already.

[Pattersonca65]

There has been no indication from the team that he won't be back. In fact, judging the comments of management, it sounds like they are committed to him at least through next season. It seems moves were made this season with Kaepernick in mind. If people hate that Kaepernick is going to be back and think the season is doomed because of it, then just turn off your TV, forget the games, and find another hobby.

[NinerSickness]

If people hate that Kaepernick is going to be back and think the season is doomed because of it, then just turn off your TV, forget the games, and find another hobby.

I'm not a fair-weather fan. If I can survive Tim Rattay, JT O'Sullivan, Troy Smith and Alex, I'm not gonna stop watching 'cause of 1 more bad-to-mediocre QB.

[-AC-]

Looking forward to seeing Kaepernick work with a staff that will run him through the ringer... Harbaugh babied the s**t out of Kaepernick, repeatedly blowing smoke about how great Kaepernick is and taking the blame himself when critism arose... I honestly think Harbaugh stunted the growth of Kaepernick while he was HC, by trying to be his buddy of sorts instead of the guy that would push him to constantly better himself... Funny how the minute Harbaugh leaves, Kaepernick has his @ss parked in Arizona trying to learn how to be a better QB instead of just a workout warrior... Why wasn't Harbaugh pushing for this the last 3 seasons? And before anyone answers "well maybe he was, we don't know what happens behind the scenes" actions speak louder than words... Harbaugh has been gone for two months, and we have already seen Kaepernick take more of a step to try and become a better QB in that time than we did the last 3 offseasons combined...

Sick, I know you can't stand Kaepernick and pretty much never have... But at least give this coming off-season and season a chance to see if Kaepernick can improve under a new staff and mentors before writing him off completely...

[generaldreedle]

I think kaepernick has the tools to get better in every phase, I still remember Joe Staley saying after the Atlanta playoff game that kaepernick had them in the right play every time and actually changed it pre snap almost 50% of the time. He had a bad year but he can get better.

[MHSL82]

Looking forward to seeing Kaepernick work with a staff that will run him through the ringer... Harbaugh babied the s**t out of Kaepernick, repeatedly blowing smoke about how great Kaepernick is and taking the blame himself when critism arose... I honestly think Harbaugh stunted the growth of Kaepernick while he was HC, by trying to be his buddy of sorts instead of the guy that would push him to constantly better himself... Funny how the minute Harbaugh leaves, Kaepernick has his @ss parked in Arizona trying to learn how to be a better QB instead of just a workout warrior... Why wasn't Harbaugh pushing for this the last 3 seasons? And before anyone answers "well maybe he was, we don't know what happens behind the scenes" actions speak louder than words... Harbaugh has been gone for two months, and we have already seen Kaepernick take more of a step to try and become a better QB in that time than we did the last 3 offseasons combined...

Sick, I know you can't stand Kaepernick and pretty much never have... But at least give this coming off-season and season a chance to see if Kaepernick can improve under a new staff and mentors before writing him off completely...

I see you're point against people hypothetically saying that, but maybe Kaepernick thought he was fine and this season told him he wasn't, so he finally listened? I could see it your way, that he was babied, and thought that Harbaugh would keep him, but now he doesn't know about Tomsula, etc. But that would be him deciding, not being told to do it or not being told to do it under Harbaugh. Maybe Harbaugh did tell him but it took last season's performance (though not all on him) to listen? Maybe he felt he could have saved Harbaugh's job had he done it earlier and now he's playing to save his own job?

[-AC-]

Looking forward to seeing Kaepernick work with a staff that will run him through the ringer... Harbaugh babied the s**t out of Kaepernick, repeatedly blowing smoke about how great Kaepernick is and taking the blame himself when critism arose... I honestly think Harbaugh stunted the growth of Kaepernick while he was HC, by trying to be his buddy of sorts instead of the guy that would push him to constantly better himself... Funny how the minute Harbaugh leaves, Kaepernick has his @ss parked in Arizona trying to learn how to be a better QB instead of just a workout warrior... Why wasn't Harbaugh pushing for this the last 3 seasons? And before anyone answers "well maybe he was, we don't know what happens behind the scenes" actions speak louder than words... Harbaugh has been gone for two months, and we have already seen Kaepernick take more of a step to try and become a better QB in that time than we did the last 3 offseasons combined...

Sick, I know you can't stand Kaepernick and pretty much never have... But at least give this coming off-season and season a chance to see if Kaepernick can improve under a new staff and mentors before writing him off completely...

I see you're point against people hypothetically saying that, but maybe Kaepernick thought he was fine and this season told him he wasn't, so he finally listened? I could see it your way, that he was babied, and thought that Harbaugh would keep him, but now he doesn't know about Tomsula, etc. But that would be him deciding, not being told to do it or not being told to do it under Harbaugh. Maybe Harbaugh did tell him but it took last season's performance (though not all on him) to listen? Maybe he felt he could have saved Harbaugh's job had he done it earlier and now he's playing to save his own job?

Either way, the safety net appears to be gone...

[Pattersonca65]

If people hate that Kaepernick is going to be back and think the season is doomed because of it, then just turn off your TV, forget the games, and find another hobby.

I'm not a fair-weather fan. If I can survive Tim Rattay, JT O'Sullivan, Troy Smith and Alex, I'm not gonna stop watching 'cause of 1 more bad-to-mediocre QB.

I understand that. I can deal with losing. What is hard for me to deal with is when management doesn't give a crap and just keep doing dumb things. There were times during the Cohan era I just couldn't follow the Warriors due to Cohan and his front office mgmt.

[NinerSickness]

Sick, I know you can't stand Kaepernick and pretty much never have... But at least give this coming off-season and season a chance to see if Kaepernick can improve under a new staff and mentors before writing him off completely...

I wrote him off in Seattle for the NFCCG. He's had plenty of time to improve. What you see is what you get.

[CrimsonCrew]

Sick, I know you can't stand Kaepernick and pretty much never have... But at least give this coming off-season and season a chance to see if Kaepernick can improve under a new staff and mentors before writing him off completely...

I wrote him off in Seattle for the NFCCG. He's had plenty of time to improve. What you see is what you get.

I don't know. Early in the season he was showing development in going through his progressions, at least. Eventually he started to really struggle with that, but I don't think it's fair to write off any growth at this point.

It's worth noting, since they get compared frequently, that Russell Wilson looked bad in the playoffs. Particularly the last two games.

[Pattersonca65]

Sick, I know you can't stand Kaepernick and pretty much never have... But at least give this coming off-season and season a chance to see if Kaepernick can improve under a new staff and mentors before writing him off completely...

I wrote him off in Seattle for the NFCCG. He's had plenty of time to improve. What you see is what you get.

I don't know. Early in the season he was showing development in going through his progressions, at least. Eventually he started to really struggle with that, but I don't think it's fair to write off any growth at this point.

It's worth noting, since they get compared frequently, that Russell Wilson looked bad in the playoffs. Particularly the last two games.

Russell Wilson does his Houdini act out of the pocket. But frequently is just a one read QB. He sees the matchup he wants presnap and then just throws up a jump ball. Often I see his receivers have to stop and jump back for underthrown balls. Their receivers seem to be much better at winning the jump ball battles than ours.

[bbms]

Russell Wilson does his Houdini act out of the pocket. But frequently is just a one read QB. He sees the matchup he wants presnap and then just throws up a jump ball. Often I see his receivers have to stop and jump back for underthrown balls. Their receivers seem to be much better at winning the jump ball battles than ours.

That's just not true. The one thing Russell Wilson does not do is one read plays. This is exactly why he has a low interception rate. He doesn't trust his first reads and this is exactly why he tends to hold the ball way to much waiting for guys to get open downfield. This was even a subject of discussion in Seatle this season, where Pete pushed Wilson to throw the ball quickly.

The issue is that this season the Seahawks receiving corp is much worse than the previous seasons, with losses of Tate, Rice and Miller for the season, and the current receivers for Seattle fails hard at getting quick separation, so, a quick throw by Wilson is always a 50-50 ball. They are competitors and play hard, and those are great traits to have, but no QB should have qualitative labels when they are throwing to a group consisting of 3# and 4# receiver caliber guys (Baldwin, who is the best of the bunch, would be above average as a 2# and that's about it. Paul Richardson started to look good by the end of the season but still managed to have one of those ugly ACL injuries in the post-season). Wilson did a much better job this year than Brady did last year with a similar group of receivers (if you don't remember Gronk and Amendolas injuries).


The fact hat Kaepernick didn't make good use of the two possession receivers he got in Boldin and Crabtree along with Davis is quite a red flag on his potential as a pocket passer, but still, he is a young guy and has great arm talent. He just don't go through his progressions. I expect him to look worse by the time SanFran has to say goodbye to some of that good offensive linemen.