Looks like the current big story in the NFL involves my team, the San Francisco 49ers. With the postseason looming, coach Jim Harbaugh still remains ambiguous as to who his starting quarterback is going to be. While it is reported that Colin Kaepernick will get the start against the St. Louis Rams, one has to wonder if Alex Smith will return under center.
In just two games as a starter, Kaepernick has already given a new dynamic to the 49er offense. He can run, he has accuracy with his throws, and is not afraid to throw the deep ball. He demonstrated all of that against a highly touted Chicago Bears defense and then the next week went into one of the most difficult places to play in the NFL (the New Orleans Superdome) and led his team to victory over the Saints. As a 49er fan, I cannot help but get excited and have hope in the potential that Kaepernick brings onto the field that it can make the 49ers a dangerous team offensively as it is defensively for years to come. (And Kaepernick is only in is 2nd year as a player!)
On the other side, Alex Smith has done nothing other than get injured to deserve losing his starting spot. Up until last season, Smith has largely been an underachiever who never showed the potential he had coming out of the University of Utah. And yet last year he led his team to the NFC Championship game in thrilling fashion. While not a disappointment this season, Smith still hasn't shown he can be a great quarterback which is what is needed to lead a championship caliber team.
With all this said, I only hope that the Colin Kaepernick experiment works. As much as I dislike Alex Smith, I did root for him and wanted him to succeed (and in some ways, still do). But if what I am seeing as a fan what Kaepernick has done is only the tip of the iceberg, then I will have no problem with seeing the 49ers bid adieu to Alex Smith. If there is something Smith can take away from this, his career did get a boost from Jim Harbaugh and he does make himself attractive to teams next year who will need a quarterback (Cardinals, Bills, Cowboys just to name a few).