For the first time in recent memory, Colin Kaepernick is making the news for something other than kneeling during the National Anthem. Well, sort of. The majority of questions in his post-game interview were about the cause he is standing (actually it should be kneeling, technically) for. But now, we have something to talk about with his play on the field too.
49ers head coach Chip Kelly named Kaepernick the starting quarterback this week after five weeks of watching Blaine Gabbert struggle. Coming into Week 6, the 49ers passing attack was averaging a league-worst 5.9 yards per attempt and a pathetic 170.0 yards per game passing, which was good for second-to-last in the league. Gabbert has thrown 5 touchdowns to 6 interceptions and has yet to make a case for staying the starting quarterback.
It was obvious that a change needed to be made, so Kaepernick got a chance to make his case for being the starting quarterback going forward. What was less obvious was whether Blaine Gabbert or Chip Kelly’s offense was to blame for the offensive struggles. Only 29% of people were convinced that the 49ers would be better under Kaepernick.
Would the #GoNiners be a better team with Colin Kaepernick at quarterback? #AZvsSF #TNF
— Best NFL Polls (@Best_NFL_Polls) October 7, 2016
According to our voters, the Niners’ problems were a lot deeper and more widespread than just at the quarterback position.
Colin Kaepernick named the starter for #GoNiners in #SFvsBUF this week. Can Kaep turn around the 1-4 Niners & lead them to a winning season?
— Best NFL Polls (@Best_NFL_Polls) October 11, 2016
Today, we saw that our voters were absolutely right. The defense looked terrible and uninterested as they gave up 45 points to the Buffalo Bills. The offense was so predictable that Bills head coach Rex Ryan said in his post-game press conference that they didn’t have to make any second half adjustments on defense.
Despite the hard-to-watch overall team performance, Kaepernick did look better than Gabbert has so far this season. Although he isn’t the same player that took the 49ers to the Super Bowl in 2012, he did provide a spark for the offense as he knocked off the rust. Kaepernick made some plays with his legs and ended the day with 66 yards on eight carries. As a passer, Kaepernick can obviously still use some work after completing less than 50% of his passes on the day. Kap finished the game 13-for-29 for 187 yards and this touchdown:
Colin Kaepernick throws for his first TD of the season!
49ers lead 10-7 pic.twitter.com/J6IXkhSjik
— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) October 16, 2016
Now that we’ve seen what the Colin Kaepernick of 2016 is capable of on the field, coach Chip Kelly and the 49ers need to figure out whether having Kap at quarterback going forward gives them the best chance of winning. So that is our question for you. What do you think? Vote below!
(Photo Credit: Bill Wippert/AP)
(Photo Credit: Bill Wippert/AP)