Cue the Star Wars music. This, I suppose is the official game 1 of the Colin Kaepernick era. If you don’t know the story, it’s a pretty good one of a kid born in Milwaukee, adopted and raised in Turlock, CA. He was a phenomenal athlete no matter what he did, and was an outstanding pitcher and all-league basketball player at Pitman High in Turlock. He was recruited by a bunch of colleges for baseball and basketball, but only University of Nevada Reno offered him a football scholarship. After a stellar college career, he ended up as the only guy to evern throw for over 10,000 yards, and rush for over 4,000 yards in a college career.
I’m going to be out of town for the next few days, and I’m leaving this to you guys. Please try to keep it clean. Or at least civil. Ahhhh fuck it, you’re on your own. See ya Sunday night.
Forty Niners Forever 
Chuck, where are you? I am in Sacramento, and Chi is up El Dorado I want to say.
Auburn area. . .
Worst reverse I ever saw was Niners/Raiders in 1988. Niners were down 9-3 in the 4th quarter in a downpour. 4th and 2 from the Raiders 34 yard line. Walsh calls a reverse to Rice that loses 8 yards. Game over. The girl I went with ditched me midway through the 3rd quarter (haven’t seen her since) so I had to find someone to give me a ride back to Belmont. In the pouring rain. Never even found out why she ditched me.
Supposedly that was the game the decided Walsh’s fate. Eddie D came down on Walsh so hard that game that he nearly fired Walsh on the spot. This was of course after the disastrous playoff loss to Minnesota in 1987. After the loss, the Niners were 6-5, and looked to be dead in the water. When Walsh told the team what had happened with Eddie, he then told the team he was thinking about quitting. They they rallied around Walsh and ended up going all the way. Walsh retired after that Super Bowl.
Double bummer but looks like it worked out ok fer everyone in the long term
The spread for the Rams game ranges from 7 (twin) to 21 (RT and Grumpy). Keep an eye on RT- he won last weeks contest
Only fair since the UFO Coyotes got knocked out this week by 5 points. Already lost one by 0.84 on a Thursday Yahoo correction after the W was already posted.
Always next year, but they’ll be the Roadrunners.
Check out Silvers’ column today, Phil. Great stuff.
“Let’s be honest,” said Harrison, an analyst on NBC’s Football Night In America. “The fact that he’s doing this, he’s getting national attention for his team. That’s what he wants. If he’d just announced the switch and left it at that, it wouldn’t be as big a story. Now, people care, and we’re all talking about the San Francisco 49ers.
“Now that I’m in the media, I know the tricks of the trade. That’s what this is about. He’s playing with [the media]. It’s a game. And he’s winning.”
-Former teammate Rodney Harrison
Here’s the article:
http://tinyurl.com/boj5p54
Some interesting stuff from his former teammates. Notably, like stuff I’ve (and others) have said regarding the differences between what the press hears and what the team hears . . .
Here’s a link to more on Smith/kaepernick from Sports Illustrated:
http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2012/writers/don_banks/11/27/colin-kaepernick-49ers-super-bowl/index.html
“This one’s totally different, because Alex Smith was playing well,” said Billick, now an analyst for both FOX and the NFL Network. “It’s a bold move on Jim’s part, but there’s something special about this kid [Kaepernick]. Forget about this guy’s ability to make plays with his legs. His throwing motion and his accuracy are eye-popping to me. The delivery of his ball reminds me a little bit of Warren Moon. Remember how effortless his throwing action was, no matter what body position he was in, and how accurate he could be? And this kid, the game’s not too big for him.”
Great article, Phil.
-Brian Billick SB Champion
Ever ridden a great horse after he’s been foaming at the mouth and off his feed because you just can’t ride him until the snow is cleared?
I’m convinced now about Alex. He’ll be ready if Kappy gets concussed running.
QBs are just like great horses. Brilliant in some ways, stupid as shit in others.
8-2-1 and on the fast track for the Division Title.
Jed I owe Trent and Paraag a formal apology.
I still wish you’d picked up Jake Plummer. Think this whole thing could’ve been prevented.
But laugh your butt off at me after you earn your First Ring.
The QB deal has to have been a distraction but the two leads in Harbaugh’s soap opera have kept the team together. As far as we know Colin hasn’t been moonwalking through the clubhouse since getting the good news; and Smith, while noticably disappointed, hasn’t been seen keying Jimbo’s car.
I’d rather be the Niners with a 2-headed quarterback than any other team in the league. The trick of course is only 1 can play at a time and who can beat the Gints in January right now?
That was a rhetorical question. RG III will show the Niners how to smack the Gints in the playoffs. On Monday night. This guy is seriously good.
The Niners can beat the Skins in the playoffs, this year. But they need more firepower.
Next year the Skins aren’t going to be a joke.
I’m serious that I think Colin and Alex have diffused what could have a major problem. Colin is obviously happy and Alex bunmed, but they’ve both been as low profile as possible and Kaepernick has been very respectful of Smith, A lot was made about Alex appearing unhappy on the sidelines last week, but my God, what could anyone expect? He was 35-38 5 TDs 1 INT since halftime of the Seattle game. He forgot the pom-poms, I guess. I knocked him for not tearing into Harbaugh, but that’s just not his style-for better or worse.. anyway, I commend them both for how they’ve handled this.
Kappy’s only had 2 starts and done brilliantly. I just think Harbaugh is going with the hot hand. I predicted it last week only because I heard him saying that was what he was going to do.
I’d still rather have RG III and make this a real controversy. Only it that case there wouldn’t be any.
GNight.
And good morning…usually when the starting QB falters, is injured,or is named Alex Smith; there’s a huge groundswell of support for the backup. With AS now the backup, it falls on Tolzien to be that guy. Our real 3 is the 2 in the hearts and minds of the faithful. It’s a bummer for Nate Davis who could have a career of being “anybody but Alex” if he’d ust kept his nose to the grindstone instead of looking for chicks with his “I’m not Alex” T-Shirt.
But I digress. The problem with chanting for “Tolzie” is that he’s really the FOURTH string QB. Despite a horrendo final preseason game and a great one for Josh Johson, they kept him because they thought he’d be better running the “look” team than Josh.
So the well documented “Back Up QB” syndrome has taken a big hit with AS number 2 and the real number 3 out of football when the UFL folded up for the year. There’s a rumor that Cody Pickett will agree to work for food as the honorary Number 2…
Twin, you do know that pre-season game 4 is worthless right? Tolzein 2 pre-seasons in a row showed himself to be a competent decision maker, an accurate passer and a gamer. He beat out the guy Harbaugh called “a son” because he was better. Where do you come up with these ideas?
Prediction for next year: Kap starts, Tolzein #2 and drafting a #3 mid to late rounds.
Obviously it was a tongue in cheek post but the idea about Tolzien-Johnson and why “Tollzie” was kept came from Matt Barrows.His Email address for your bitching and moaning pleasure is mbarrows@sacbee.com
As Barrows pointed out, a lot of teams don’t keep 3 QBs, and even though his *full* preseason was spotty- 41.9 rating to Johnson’s 115.3, Tolzien was kept, as Barrows said, for his scout team work.
With a number 3 QB never expected to take a snap, his familarity and excellence at that job won him the spot, not because he was better than Josh,
yup I remember that play, nice 30 yd in the air throw, one of 6 30+ in his last 276 attempts as opposed to the 6 30+ throws Kap made in 74 attempts. See the difference?
Oh well why didn’t you say Barrows said it first? That makes all the difference. It means you copied his B.S. and it wasn’t your own authentic B.S. Still B.S. however.
You do love this stats thing Twin. Have you ever tried to formulate opinions based on what you see with your own eyes?
I need to add a tag line “There are lies, damn lies and statistics” Benjamin Disraeli
And dude, when your picking through an obviousy tongue-in-cheek post for something to kvetch at me about, and it’s “Who’s number 3?” at that… well, you’re digging deep. Chill out. BTW, Colin’s 2 30+ air yards *completions*, were the one to Kyle in the Bear game and one to Mario in the NYG game.
You do realize that Cody isn’t really the honorary two, don’t you? BTW, here’s one of the throws that only Kap can make…now chill out, I know Kap is the one for now and I’m ready to to cheer on him tomorrow while you watch Alex to see if he’s frowning …
http://tinyurl.com/cw7b7cc
yup I remember that play, nice 30 yd in the air throw, one of 6 30+ in his last 276 attempts as opposed to the 6 30+ throws Kap made in 74 attempts. See the difference?
But it’s a throw the dunderhaeds claim he can’t make-ever.
And Kap has not made 6 30+ air throws,he’s had 2 30+ yard air throws completed,
Your wrong Twin.
Sorry, but I’m not wrong. I even checked the play by play for each of Kap’s games. Whoever made the original claim just just counted all 30+ yards pass plays. But this is strictly FYI, I don’t penalize the guy for four 30+ pass plays just because YAC contributed to the yardage.That’s strictly Smater BS.
Stanford wins the Pac-12 Championship and not a goddamn peep.
“Everything’s coming up roses…”
Yay. It’s about time they made it back. I guess I am a little old school but I think the Rose Bowl should be a Pack 10 and Big Ten thing again. “F” the BCS
“Jimbo knows Best” kinda stole the show this week, Denny.Even at the game, fans could be heard asking “Huh? Where’s Kappy?” After the game Barry Tompkins asked Shaw “OK, where’s the *real* coach?”
Where’s Kappy? Better question. Where’s Alex?
http://www.printactivities.com/ColoringPages/Football/Sitting-on-bench.html
Very few people, outside of alumni and Palo Alto natives, like the Cardinal. I get that they don’t like them, probably because they think it’s a privileged school, but their success is undeniable and really something to be honored. They have turned the program into an elite football program–3 different BCS games in three years is proof of that—and building it all the while having to deal with the strict admissions requirements as well as the workload that the student athletes have to deal with over the course of a season is really unbelievable……..
Neither Tiger Woods, Condie Rice, Chelsea Clinton or Michelle Wie post here.
I went to a different college so I could care less what Stanford does.
So Del Mar Dennis is a Stanford Indian?
Flavor is right, and Stanford alumni might be the epitome of what Right Coasters and Red Staters think of when they characterize Giants’ fans as Chardonnay sippiing effete dweebs noshing on Tofu dogs…another problem those folks have is that Pac-12 games are actually EXCITING on occasion, no at all like those 9-6 Alabama-LSU REAL games..
I’m a USC fan, not much to crow about this year but have to tip my hat to Stanford. That program was looking a little flash in the pan to me but turns out it was built right and is sustainable. See ya next year.
USC? University of Spoiled Children
School of Cheaters.
With Lane Kiffen as their coach USC isn’t going anywhere.
I gotta admit that is funny
Yes Bullit USC.
12th Man, on the Amendola defense strategy;
The nickel, or slot, corner replacing a backer or lineman has run responsibility, too. Could be Amendola wins the jam with our corners more often than not. Culliver’s losing the jam resulted in their wideout running free for a TD catch.
They line Amendola up at different spots trying to gain an advantage. They don’t mind taking what the defense gives. They are, or were last time anyway, winning a lot of their blocks on our front seven for Jackson. They double Sopoaga in base or Justin in nickel and they get on our ILBs run blocking. Making Rogers more important in his run duties.
I’d think we’ll try to man Amendola and play some zone with the ILBs and the safeties to bracket him. If we do it’ll take two deep coverage and one less in the box so we couldn’t make a steady diet of it.
We like to put Willis on a RB or TE if they’re big threats. But Willis had a guard on him a lot the last time we played.
There’s no doubt we have a much better team but their play calling and schemes can make us show up, stay focused and work hard.
They know us and our tendencies as well as any team, Kaepernick could be an advantage if rookie mistakes don’t hurt his game. He should present preparation problems.
Speaking of which, I was surprised when the Saints DE Will Smith was so completely fooled on Kaep’s read option TD. I thought everyone had that play in the Kaep package.
Rookie mistakes by Kaepernick?
Is he getting a do over? Colin Kaepernick is not a rookie.
Tommy, there is a dream world wherein Colin steps in for a 19-5 Smith (games started and finished) and “rookie” mistakes and puddinghead decisions are forgiven because he’s just learning. If he plays as he has, that won’t be an issue.but taking over, say, a 5-11 team with a struggling QB gives the new QB a lotta slack. On a good team expecting to once again go deep in the playoffs, no such slack exists.
Meanwhile, loved another piece about AS, where his play against the Saints in the playoffs last year is trashed. The story begins…:”without the last two drives”.
Sorta like “If not for the “Catch”…
Cox is behind Ginn in the return game depth chart.
Guess we should talk to the Jets about how to beat the Rams.
Serious and tragic news:
“Kansas City Chiefs linebacker Jovan Belcher committed suicide in front of the team’s coach and general manager at the Chiefs’ training facility Saturday after killing his girlfriend in a seperate shooting, Kansas City Police spokesman Darin Snapp said”
http://tinyurl.com/d2msr4t
Yeah absolutely tragic.
It’s too bad he got the order of the killings wrong.
The headlines give short shrift to the fact that he murdered a young woman and orphaned his baby.
Well, to this day the “Donnie Moore tragedy” pays short shrift to the fact that he shot his wife 3 times, leaving her for dead, before killing himself.
One of his 3 children, who witnessed tjhe shootings, drove his wife to the hospital. Tonya Moore survived and last I’ve seen is a nurse in Huntington Beach. She’s always blamed the fans for the trajedy, saying their jeering led to the shootings. She’s also said he’d previously beaten her and hit her the night that he gave up the HR to Henderson. Classic abused wife behavior and quite sad.