Quarterback Colin Kaepernick brought newfound hope and swagger to a San Francisco 49ers team that had languished in the first decade of the century. Big, strong and agile, the 230-pound Kaepernick stole the starting spot from Alex Smith in 2012 and led the Niners straight to the Super Bowl, nearly capping the season with a monstrous second half comeback that eventually fell short of Baltimore 34-31. Despite the loss, the sky was the limit, it seemed, for this new 49ers team with Kaepernick taking snaps. But time flies.
In week 3 of NFL 2015 Kaepernick threw four interceptions, two of which were returned for touchdowns, in a punishing 47-7 loss to the Arizona Cardinals. The 49ers are stating resolutely that Kaepernick’s job is safe, but how could it be? Reporters, fans, and even Kaepernick himself are wondering what, if any, 49ers’ options could be worse right now than Kaepernick behind center. Kaepernick, for his part, took his share of the blame and more, saying “I nullified all the efforts of ever player on that field today.”
