Conventional thought was that players do not lose their starting job because of injury. But in today’s world, in this ‘what have you done for me lately’ mentality, coaches perhaps can’t afford to abide by that, especially when that back up player comes in and seems to ignite.
That appears to be what is unfolding in San Francisco.
When 49ers quarterback Alex Smith went down a couple of weeks ago, back up Colin Kaepernick came in to fill the void and lead San Francisco through what looked like a grueling two-game stretch against some of the best in the NFC in Chicago and New Orleans
But Kaepernick led the 49ers to a blowout win over the Bears two weekends ago. Then this past Sunday, he might have orchestrated an even more impressive victory on the road over New Orleans, 31-21.
Kaepernick completed 16 of 25 passes for 231 yards, one touchdown and an interception.
New Orleans might be the most difficult place to go in and get a win over the last couple of seasons. Sure, the Saints aren’t exactly clicking like they have been, but over the course of the last month New Orleans really appeared to be on a roll. Not to mention the fact that the Saints really needed to win this one.
But Kaepernick and the 49ers were too much for New Orleans to overcome. Now, head coach Jim Harbaugh might have a very difficult decision. Who does he start?
Smith is back to normal and healthy as San Francisco will play St. Louis in Week 13 of the season, but let’s face it, he wasn’t exactly lighting up the box score. Smith had that dreaded quarterback label that we know they all hate as an effective ‘game manager.’
Harbaugh is going to have to make a decision about this situation soon though, as we are approaching the home stretch of the season with the playoffs for San Francisco on the horizon. And you want to go into the postseason with as few distractions as possible.
I’ve never been a fan of labeling this type of issue as a quarterback controversy though. I prefer the term quarterback competition.
But if Kaepernick keeps playing like he has, the 49ers look like one of the teams to beat in the NFC and for the Super Bowl. Combine the offense with that stout defense, they are are tough out.