After taking over as the starting quarterback for the San Francisco 49ers, Colin Kaepernick has become a human-like Cinderella story, but after ending the last two seasons without a Super Bowl win Kaepernick feels as if he still has something to prove.
The 26 year old from Milwaukee, Wisconsin was drafted by the San Francisco 49ers in 2011 as a backup quarterback to Alex Smith. Kaepernick’s first professional play came during week 4 against the Philadelphia Eagles. During his first season he only completed 24 of 50 passes for 257 yards and 5 interceptions. But had a great around season with scoring his first touchdown against the New York Jets in the 2012 season.
In week 10 against the St. Louis Rams, Kaepernick replaced starter Alex Smith after Smith suffered a concussion. Which ended in a rare 24-24 tie. The next week Kaepernick made his official debut as the starting quarterback during a Monday Night Football game against the Chicago Bears in Chicago. Kaepernick completed 16 of 23 for 246 yards, two touchdowns and no interceptions with a 32-7 win against a highly ranked Bears defense. After his win against New Orleans, Harbaugh stated that Kaepernick’s assignment was week-to-week, and nothing permanent but he would start against St. Louis although Smith was cleared to play.
Kaepernick had his first postseason start, against the Green Bay with a 45-31 win and also set a NFL single-game record for most rushing yards by a quarterback with 181, breaking the record previously held by Michael Vick. He also broke the 49ers postseason rushing record, regardless of position. Kaepernick then helped score his team a way to the Superbowl after defeating the Atlanta Falcons 28-24 with completing 16 of 21 passes for 233 yards and one touchdown in the NFC Championship.
Kaepernick’s performance in SuperBowl XLVII in New Orleans against the Baltimore Ravens started off slow giving Baltimore an advantage of 28-6 advantage at the beginning of the 3rd quarter after a kickoff return from Jacoby Jones. After a slight delay because of a power outage Kaepernick got his team focused and clawed themselves back into the game. With two great catches to Vernon Davis and then to Micheal Crabtree for the first San Francisco touchdown of the night. After Kaepernick led comeback the 49ers ended the game with a lost of 34-31.
In the 2013 season opener against the Green Bay Packers, Kaepernick threw for a career-high 412 yards and 3 touchdowns, he also recorded the first 400-yard game by a 49ers quarterback since Tim Rattay and also marked the first 400-yard passing with touchdowns performance by a 49ers quarterback since Jeff Garcia. Kaepernick led his team into another postseason in two consecutive seasons and into the NFC Championship once again this time against the Seattle Seahawks. Kaepernick rushed for 130 yards, including a 58-yard run and also 153 yards passing. After two turnovers by Kaepernick the Seahawks took a 23-17 lead with a few minutes left in the game. Kaepernick ended the last season with a pass intended for Crabtree was tipped by Seattle’s Richard Sherman and intercepted my Malcolm Smith. Kaepernick ended the season with 3,197 yards passing, 21 touchdowns, and only 8 interceptions. And he also finished with 524 yards rushing yards and 4 rushing touchdowns
With the 2014 season setting way to start Kaepernick started the 2014 season with signing a six-year extension, worth $126 million, including $61 million guaranteed. Although this is only Kaepernick’s second full season as the starting quarterback he has plenty of experience under his belt. Going deep into the playoffs twice, going to the SuperBowl and NFC Championship and losing both within the final seconds. Kaepernick has a sour taste in his mouth and feels as if his time is now.
Offensive coordinator Greg Roman letting Kaepernick take matters into his own hands and letting him “unleash the beast” according to Niner Talk “Kaepernick is hungrier than ever and is ready to take his team back to the promise land and win it all”. During minicamp and OTA’s Kaepernick has taken everyone by storm, and is looking like he can be the next great San Francisco 49ers quarterback.
This season Kaepernick has depth in every position on the offensive side of the ball. Although the 49ers will be in the division of the NFC West with teams such as St. Louis Rams, Arizona Cardinals, and the defending champions Seattle Seahawks, the 49ers could still have possibility the best offense in the NFL especially with players such as Anquan Boldin, Michael Crabtree, Vernon Davis, Frank Gore, and Stevie Johnson. With this much offensive power it will be hard to keep your eyes on just one player.
Kaepernick has kept busy during the offseason making sure his fans are able to keep up with him with his constant tweets. He wanted to make sure he let everyone know that he is always focus no matter what part of the year it is.
There is no offseason; I’m always #InFocus @FansAuthentic #FAexclusive pic.twitter.com/pk1BZsPjjx
— Colin Kaepernick (@Kaepernick7) June 22, 2014
