Despite not matching his stellar performances of the past two weeks, Colin Kaepernick will get the start next game against the Miami Dolphins.
Every season in every sport with every team, there is that one anomaly game that just doesn’t fit in. This year, San Francisco has taken down championship-caliber teams like the Packers, Bears, and Saints… but somehow have not technically beaten the 5-6-1 St. Louis Rams.
Just like the game that ended in a tie a few weeks ago, this game was full of mistakes and sloppy play from a team that usually executes very well. Kaepernick was not his “usual” self, throwing for only 208 yards with no touchdowns (and no picks).
He made a few mistakes that showed his inexperience. Late in the 4th quarter, deep in their own territory, Kaepernick pitched the ball too high for WR Ted Ginn Jr on an option play which resulted in the Rams recovering the ball in the endzone for a touchdown, and St. Louis tied the game with the two-point conversion.
While some of the playcalling was questionable, Kaepernick blamed it all on himself.
“It’s my fault all the way,” he said of the play. “I was trying to make a play. I should have played it safe. I should have just kept it, let the clock run, let our punter get on the field, let our defense play.
“[I have to] be smart with the ball. Our defense played a great game. I gave up those points that were on the scoreboard for the Rams. That’s 100% my fault.”
However, coach Jim Harbaugh saw it differently.
“That was on us, that was the wrong play to call at that time,” Harbaugh said. “I would love to have that one back. Don’t blame the players on that one. It was too risky of a play to call at the time.”
“When we called it, we really thought it was a safe play but then we got the edge pressure and Colin pulled and was forced to pitch right away and it threw the rhythm and timing off.”
Maybe now that there’s a few more games of footage on him, teams are adjusting to his style.
Nevertheless, Harbaugh is still sticking to Kaepernick for next week’s game against the Dolphins, stating, “Right now I think the field will be the same as it was this week.”
Can’t feel good to be Alex Smith right about now.
