Quite the game by Colin Kaepernick yesterday. On national TV, and in front of the guy whose job he wants, Cappy came into the game throwing darts all over the field. 16-23 for 243, 2 TDs sounds very Smith-like (esp with the 123 yards on the ground), but it sure looked different. Particularly sweet was the bomb to Kyle Williams on his 2nd drive. He couldn’t have handed the ball to him any cleaner as Cappy hit KW in stride for a 57 yard strike to set up a TD on the next play, a nice play action pass to VD for Cappy’s 1st TD as a pro. The next drive featured a 32 yard strike to VD and was capped by a 14 yard run up the middle by Kendall (end zone) Hunter. Drive #4 was puctuated by a 20 yard pass and run by Michael Crabtree, with some touogh running form Frank Gore. All in all, 4 possessions, 4 scores, and a 20 point lead going into the half. For all intents and purposes, the game was over. Not bad for the gangly kid from Turlock.
Leading off the 3rd quarter, Cappy his Mario Manningham on a nice slant that MM took up the field for a 37 yard gain. On 3rd and gola from the 6, Cappy dropped back to pass and looked right for VD dragging across the back of the end zone. he was covered, and Cappy rolled left to buy time, and Crabs read this and cut to the left corner of the end zone. Cappy hit him easily for his 2nd TD pass of the game for a 27-0 lead.
The rest of the game was just handoffs for the most part as the defense laid to waste the Bear offensive line. Aldon Smith had 5.5 sacks by himself, and really, the Niners should have pitched a shutout as Aldon Smith was penalized for trying to get to a fumble on 3rd and 19 after yet another sack by the Niner defense. Jason Campbell, the erstwhile vet, didn’t stand a chance against the Niners intense pass rush. They [pretty much were forced to abandon the run due to the instant deficit, and Campbell rarely had a clean pocket to throw from.
So, what now? I don’t listen to KNBR much, nor do I spent too much time reading other blogs and such, but I’m sure the airwaves are sizzling with conjecture regarding who starts next week. Add to the firestorm the fact that Harbaugh didn’t douse any fires by saying “I have 2 hot-handed QBs” and the controversy begins. Frankly, with Alex Smith not even cleared to play, I don’t see too much reason to take anything from Harbaugh’s comments yesterday. They were made right after the game, and Harbaugh always seems to be struggling with the come-down from his hypersonic adrenaline-fueled coaching high. Until Smith gets cleared, everything WILL be conjecture and innuendo.
I’m fairly certain Harbaugh reinstates Alex Smith as the starter going forward if he is cleared to play. Cappy played as near-perfect a game that anyone could have expected, but one game does not make a ginormous decision like this cone to pass. Although the pressure to perform is ratched up a little bit under Alex Smith’s ass.
Forty Niners Forever 
I fully expected Alex to start again even after watching CK’s great game. Harbaugh’s post game comments coupled with the effusive comments of some of the players makes me wonder though. It really is a tricky situation. If you truly believe that Alex can take us to (and win) the SB, then starting CK is a gamble. May work out, may give us some losses that hurt playoff chances, etc. If you think that last year was a perfect storm opportunity for Alex to lead to a SB win (on the strong back of the D, S, turnovers and Akers leg) and don’t believe that history will repeat itself, then the higher upside and potential to win — this year — may be CK.
I have to admit that I lean toward the latter. But I also have to acknowledge that this really was just ONE game. And I most certainly do NOT want to see yo-yo back and forth switching of QBs. The perfect scenario right now would be to rest Alex another week and see if any modicum of history can repeat itself in NO.
BTW — our pass blocking was the best in a very long time. No small thing, that. I recognize that CK’s movement and ability to throw — accurately — on the run made them look better too.
Upon further review: The concussion protocol is flawed in that it doesn’t require the final clearance be made by the neurologist. There are two sepeate issues with that: it allows for monkey business by the team when the final yea or nay is by their doctor. More importantly, while any doctor is qualified to *not* clear a player ( even an intern or nurse knows how to conduct simple neurological tests that could rule a player out) only a neurologist is qualified to clear a player who has suffered a concussion.
Actually, there’s a third issue that the league has fought-an independent neurologist on every sideline. Smith was examined for concussion symptoms after the first quarter but allowed to return.Those sideline exams should be conducted by a neurologist- the stakes are too high, the player’s long term brain health, to have this done by team medical staffs. There’s definitewly progress in protecting player safety- but more needs to be done.
I said as much on Flav’s blog. I was under the impression that the independent nuerologist did the final impact test, as was reported all week. It isn’t. It is done by the team. These protocols are in place as a CYA gesture by the league to say ‘look, we followed the protocol’ even though guys get back in, as both Cutler and Smith did, to be further subject to injury. As they both were.
And left to the machinations of the Niners, there’s no clear understanding if Smith didn’t pass the test, was ruled out by their own doctor, or took himself out due to post concussion symptoms.
So thanks, Twin. You were right.
There is also, though, the fact that we are hearing his symptoms apparently returned over the weekend, after he had seemed to be doing better. that is not something that sounds good. Whatever happens with the 49ers, I hope the kid is okay. If not this Sunday, then by the following week.
I’d rather have two good QBs going into the playoffs, than one who got the position by default.
I thought that was the purpose of the ImPACT assessment tests and comparisons to baselines.
Since Alex wasn’t cleared to play it seems you’d be satisfied the protocols were serving their intended purpose.
I’m happy he wasn’t cleared if it was prompted by symptoms- as I’ve said- even a nurse is qualified to rule a player out based on neurological symptons.Pay attention to this next part:: the team doctor, an orthopedic surgeon is NOT qualified to clear him. And if Dr.Dan the Foot Man had cleared Smith, I would be hopping mad. As I said, that’s a serious flaw in the protocols. Only an independent neurolgist is qualfied to clear a player for contact and game play.
Yeah, I though 2 weeks ago that Chicago was overrated. This game did nothing to dispell that notion. I think Harbaugh WAS just still coming down off the high of coaching when he said what he said. He more than anyone understands what can be misconstrued when you are the starting QB and something is brewing having been there himself.
That being said, if Cappy starts and wins in NO (by whatever machinations), then there’s little reason to go back to Alex.
You were on the money about the Bears. I was concerned for Kap to start against that D, the kid shredded it.
My best guess is Harbs uses the concussion and short week as the reason (real or otherwise) to play Kap. If the kid comes up good Alex is on the bench, if he stinks Alex was the guy all along.
Truth is Alex is doing a solid job and if he gets the gig back we are no worse off and now know Kap is capable.
If Kap does get the second game nod and lights it up again Alex is a heck of an insurance policy.
Great position to be in for the coaching staff.
I like Tolzein too.
Well, if Jim is like B Walsh, he will use this to motivate Alex, if you don’t think Bill played Steve off of Joe then think again. What I will be looking for is that deep pass from Alex and his accuracy with it. Has Harbaugh been holding back on pass plays of 10 yards or greater cause he does not have faith in Alex’s arm. This will be interesting as it unflolds.
If Alex is cleared soon and ready to go, he starts in NO. All pro players of any sport get this. You don’t lose you job because you’re injured for a game or two. This is important for team morale, IMO, because the next guy to get hurt and out for a game or two may be “me”, and I want to know that my assistant coach and my HC have my back during the season. If Alex is out for a long period due to the concussion, then this unwritten rule wanes in strength, especially if Kaeppy does well. NO is not an EZ place to play, either QB is in for a tough game, because the NO offense is in gear now. The SF offense will have to score more than a TD and a coupla field goals. Fortunately, the NO defense is weak, but if the Niners get behind early, even a weak defense stiffens when it knows what’s coming…
Harbaugh’s press conferences are fascinating to me. When one of the reporter raised the QB situation yet again Harbaugh’s response was something like “I don’t know if you just got here but we covered that”. He seemed to want to avoid the QB questions all around but kept getting pulled back to it.
and he often says things that don’t really even make sense—or maybe they’re just so tangential that I don’t follow it.
Yes, he definately does ramble about nonsense. I don’t think it is going over anyone’s head dude is just kooky.
If even getting Smith cleared drags out, I can see Harbaugh going all-in with Cappy this week. Mainly because of the reps. After that game? Well, if he lights it up like yesterday, it’d be a tough call.
After reading what I’ve read this morning, I have no clue who can clear Smith anyway. Do they start the tests over since he wasn’t cleared last Sunday? The Niner doc can’t apparently clear him, he can only not clear him. Who even made the call to sit Smith? Smith? The doctor? The team?
I’m as sold on NO as I was on the Bears. In other words, not very much. They’ve beaten TB, Philly, Atl, and Oaktown. Atl being the only quality team they’ve beaten. And who the fuck has Atl beaten? A whole bunch of stiffs, and Denver.
This is a crazy year so far. A lot of teams are getting fat on the shitty teams.
Both guys have tangibles that the other does not. Both have strenghts and weaknesses. I am not sure how I feel about who should start in New Orleans. The feelings are really mixed.
On one hand, Alex lead the team during some really tough games in the playoffs last year. On the other hand, you cannot discount the positives that Kap brings to the table (mobility, speed, stronger arm and more accurate on longer passes, etc.).
Brian Murphy on KNBR this morning (if I am in my truck, I listen to KNBR for my morning drive) was talking how he would be good with either scenario. And to be honest, I feel the same way, too. Both scenarios are intriguing in their own way. Regardless of whether or not Alex is cleared to play this week, I hope Harbaugh keeps it close to his vest in announcing his starter…make the Aints guess a little.
And as I posted on the previous thread, I have thought for some time that the Bears were over-rated. They have won against one team with a winning record. Sure, their defense may be better than exhibited last night, but I do not think they are among the elite in the NFL. So, last night was a good win against a team I felt the Niners “should have” beat.
Did you think so even with Kap in his first start?
I’d say Smith gets a different game plan then Kaepernick. Given the short week and lingering questions about Smith’s availability it makes sense to install a Kaepernick game plan, give Kaep all the reps and have Kaep start one more game before trying to make any further decisions on which guy gives us the better chance of winning. If Kaep plays again like he did against the Bears, it’s a no-brainer.
That’s how I think they will play it but I really think, and obviously I could be wrong, that the die is cast.
I agree with NoFear on all counts except the last. New Orleans defense SUCKS. The are dead last in yards allowed, last in yards against the rush, 31st (out of 32) against the pass (yards allowed), and 27th in points allowed (27.x per game). Even in the raucous confines of the Superdome, I think with the right game plan, Kap has every chance to succeed. Agree…give him another week, and this also gives another week to make sure that Alex is 100% OK (his health should be paramount in all discussions and decisions).
Where I disagree with NoFear is that even if Kap has a great game, I am not so certain it is a slam-dunk decision on who starts rest of the year.
You’re right, chipower9. The decision is not that easy for those who coach and play this game for real. I indulged in a bit of hyperbole there because that’s what I’d like to see happen. And to tweak my bud Twinfan who’s given me a large ration of shit over the years about Alex.
Jason Whitlock has Kap as the new starting QB for what it’s worth. Item 9 on his list:
http://msn.foxsports.com/nfl/story/baltimore-ravens-ed-reed-fine-suspension-do-not-add-up-112012
NO’s defense may suck but they’ve gotten a little better. Philly couldn’t score on it, but it appears Philly couldn’t score in a Sparks whore house.
I sadi the same earlier. If Cappy kicks ass in NO, then it’s likely Cappy rides the rest of the way as the starter. With Smith ready to step in if he falters. A total nightmare for Smith, but he ain’t making the call.
Yeah a tough deal for Alex if it plays out that way, he has endured a lot with the Niners and was having a career year, but at the end of the day the best players play and if the coaches say that’s Kap so be it.
*IF* Smith is healthy and cleared by someone other than a team employee, Harbaugh would be foolish to go with antybody else. He knows they can go the playoffs with Smith-gushing and google-eying and one fine performance aside- he does not know that about Kappy-even with the lead they have. Smith has no guarantee past this year- the sensible move is to let Smith take as far as he can.. Believe me on this- if he does have to make a change this year, it’s going to go a hell of a lot better if Kappy takes over rather bringing Alex back in as Mr.Good Ole Shoe…
If Smith originally was free from symptoms, allowing the neurologist to clear him for practice, and then symptoms recurred prompting Garza to rule him out, the issue should no longer be who’s under center this week, but whether Smith should play at all this year. Since he’s had previous concussions, ,and suffered two blows that contributed to this one : “Athletes with recurrent concussions take longer to recover and are at risk for more severe on-field presentation of symptoms with subsequent concussions. Recent research has also revealed that returning athletes to play based on athletes being “asymptomatic” may not be good practice. Objective measurement tools may be a better indicator of healing than subjective reporting of symptoms”
In other words, in athetes with recurrent concusions, becoming asymptomatic is not a measure that the brain has healed..*If* Smith indeed had symptoms return, he needs to be carefully monitored. Need I say- by a neurolgist.
I think your point about how unclear the procedures are and the lack of independent neurologists on the sidelines is a serious concern. 3 starting QB’s were knocked out of games in one week, 2 of which were ruled out almost immediately and from what I can gather Alex was still likely to play even up till Saturday morning. We should adopt mandatory time away from playing whatever that ends up being (a week?) so the player can’t try to con the doctors to get back on the field too early.
Well, neurology is not an exact science. That’s why you should always err on the side of caution.
Alex should be talking with his own doctors at this point. He should also talk to Steve Young and Troy Aikman. Not that I think Alex is done like they were, but he needs to understand the full range of possibilities. This is not something to screw around with.
Well, yeah, there’s that. But he’s been relatively concussion free. I mean look at Cutler. He’s had 6 in a couple years. Smith? This is his 2nd in 3 years.
It doesn’t matter really when it comes down to it, because everyone heals differently, but he hasn’t had as many dings as a lot of other guys.
I’m assuming he comes back relatively soon but that very well may not be the case.
If he never plays another down, Smith should be remembered for two of the great 4th quarter comeback drives in playoff history. Here’s the final drive. his dude was cooler than the proverbial other side of the piliow.The extra bonus- the ‘Aints had been been trash talking all day. Alex gives ’em a calm, in essence, “You talkin’ to ME?” as he walks off the field.
This one has all the NO game highlights. The pass at 4:20 is the best one of the game. Blitz in his face, Alex hits VD on a deep sideline route. It set up the bootleg . . .
I’ll tell you this, I think there is almost NO chance that Smith plays this week. JH can get a free look at Kap again vs New Orleans (and you KNOW he wants to) if they just take the cautious route with Smith and let him sit another week. Who knows, maybe Kap takes it up another notch in his second start.
But Alex is the team’s QB. He’s been very, very good this year and shouldn’t lose his job because of 1 spectacular game from Kap. I agree with Twin, go as far as Smith will take you this year. It’s entirely possible though that these concussion symptoms keep recurring. Right when you think a concussed brain is improving you get vertigo or whatever. Kap could easily get a lot more playing time this year just because Alex can’t go. And I firmly believe that JH will start Kap this week just because he’ll think he can get away with it by saying they want to take it slow with Smith.
Things could get real interested though if Smith says he’s good to go and they get a doctor to clear him……
Agree:
“…I firmly believe that JH will start Kap this week just because he’ll think he can get away with it by saying they want to take it slow with Smith.
“…I think there is almost NO chance that Smith plays this week. JH can get a free look at Kap again vs New Orleans (and you KNOW he wants to) if they just take the cautious route with Smith and let him sit another week.”
I just don’t see any downside to letting Alex chill for another week.
Lack of balance is but one of what can be very long term symptoms of a concussion-or any brain “illness”. As I said earlier- or maybe I just thought I said it- if Smith’s symptoms have worsened, who is under center this week is less of an issue than whether he should play at all this year. I’m not saying that should or will be the case, but we’ve seen with boxers that a seemingly minor punch can cause serious damage- the after effect of a more serious blow from a prior fight.Again, I’m not trying to be alarmist, it’s most likely that he’ll be fine…but once retired we hear very little of the effects of post concussion syndrome. Many ex-players have died violently and autopsies have shown their brains were “gummed up with destructive, protein-filled neural tangles – a dementia-causing condition called chronic traumatic encephalopathy, or CTE, that many researchers believe is a consequence of being repeatedly bashed in the head.” QBs are not the players most affected by this but many are among the thousands of ex-players suffering from the long term effects of concussions. It’s nothing to be taken lightly- here’s one of the most infamous-where McCoy was actually allowed to continue- a big reason we have the protocols.”McCoy lay flat on his back for minutes after the play, occasionally flailing his arms and legs in either pain or confusion. Harrison, who’d been leading with his helmet, was flagged for a personal foul”.Three plays later, McCoy returned to the game.
One shot, late in the video, could make you ill.
Well, it just seems like Smith wouldn’t be a candidate for someone who has recurring problems. Mike Vick has had numerous concussions in recent memory. As has Cutler, and countless others. Then again, everyone reacts differently to these types of injuries. I’ve had a couple concussions over the years, and I didn’t get secondary post-injury issues with either, but they were about 12 years apart. Merrill Hoge was forced to retire and he did it pretty much on his own, as did Steve Young.
Time will tell with this. As many have noted, this is more about Smith getting his head straight rather than worry about who gets playing time.
I don’t think he would be a guy likely to have long term problems, but as you say, we’re all different. And a factor that makes his injury bear extra watching is that any of two hits could have contributed to the outcome.The brain takes a violent little trip with each hit.-bouncing against the skull and back.He most likely will be fine, but everyone is in agreement that it’s not to be taken lightly.
The real problem and concern is that every time this happens, it seems to make the next one happen that much easier. I’m not thinking his career is over right now…. but if this keeps up, he could find himself in trouble.
True.
http://www.health.harvard.edu/fhg/updates/update0903b.shtml