APIn news that everyone saw coming but 49ers coach Jim Harbaugh tried to keep secret anyway, Colin Kaepernick is the San Francisco 49ers’ starting quarterback.
Kaepernick took the field with the 49ers’ offense on Sunday in New Orleans, just as everyone with half a brain has been expecting since Kaepernick’s outstanding performance on Monday night against the Bears. Alex Smith, who missed Monday night’s game with a concussion, is active as the No. 2 quarterback, and is on the sideline wearing his uniform and a baseball cap.
Unfortunately for the 49ers, Kaepernick and the starting offense didn’t do much on their opening possession, going three-and-out with Frank Gore two-yard run, a Kendall Hunter four-yard run and a Kaepernick three-yard pass to Mario Manningham.
Whatever advantage Harbaugh thought he was creating by keeping the starting quarterback secret, the Saints’ defense looked ready.
UPDATE 4:45 p.m. ET: On the second possession Kaepernick was excellent, hitting Manningham on a 40-yard pass and then running for a seven-yard touchdown.
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Here’s what it would have looked like if Alex Smith started-
Frank Gore two-yard run, a Kendall Hunter four-yard run and a Kaepernick two-yard pass to Mario Manningham.
You were saying?
Not.
If Alex Smith throws a behind the line dump-off, that the receivers runs for 40, everyone says he’s a game manager. When the rookie does the same thing, he’s the greatest thing since sliced bread.
It can be hard watching a football game hearing the word kaepernick all came long !
Colin Kaepernick starts, scores touchdown on second possession, freaks out about crowd noise in third possession.
Ted Ginn, Jr. gags punt on fourth possession.
I think people get too wrapped up on how athletic the Kaepernick is. He will probably be a very good QB one day, but right now he’s just being an athlete back there. This team was 2 fumbles away from the SB and the QB wasn’t the problem.
As the saying goes: “If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.”
Especially Week 12 of the season with a 1st round Bye on the line.
Kap is flat out just more dynamic then smith point blank period. He can make plays alex can’t. And when u go 1 for 13 on third down in the NFC title game the QB is part of the problem @sourdoughsam
Kapernick is officially the most tattooed quarterback in nfl history.
Looks like the officials are cheating for the Saints again.
A QB started and scored…ground breaking
A QB started and won on the road in a tough place to play. Not earth shattering but good nonetheless.