Whitner doesn’t think ‘second guessers’ will question switch to Kaepernick anymore

Bay Area Sports Guy January 14, 2013

*Be sure to answer the poll question later in this post for a chance to win a free large pizza from Amici’s East Coast Pizzeria.*

Everyone is talking about the guy who made it all look so easy on Saturday — after the first drive, anyway — a guy named Colin Kaepernick. Since Kaepernick doesn’t say a lot about himself, let’s check out what Donte Whitner had to say after the 49ers’ 45-31 win.

“Everybody that was second guessing the decision to move from [QB] Alex [Smith] to him, I don’t think they’ll be questioning it anymore. He’s that new style quarterback in the National Football League that can run the read option, that can pull the ball down run it and take it the distance from anywhere on the football field, extremely strong armed, accurate. He’s our quarterback, he’s our leader and he did a great job out there today.”

While almost everyone in Santa Clara treats personnel moves like military secrets, Whitner is unique in that he sees no reason to avoid candor. In the week leading up to the New Orleans game, Whitner was the one who went on The Dan Patrick Show and told Mike Florio how it was common knowledge among the players that Kaepernick would start … even though the coaches were busy pretending everything was still up in the air.

This time, Whitner threw a dart at all the naysayers (and there were many, including several readers/commenters on this site) who thought Jim Harbaugh made the wrong decision in replacing Alex Smith with Colin Kaepernick. It’s not like fans were booing Kaepernick, and I doubt the quarterback “controversy” drove a wedge between teammates at any point this season.

But these guys do read, watch and listen. Especially a guy like Whitner, who goes on national radio shows and seems fairly interested in pursuing a career in the media after he retires from the NFL. As a player who has faced both quarterbacks in practice, Whitner probably laughed at anyone who called for the 49ers to reconsider and give Smith his old job back. In his mind everyone should have already moved on.

“He’s our quarterback, he’s our leader.”

Whitner sounds like he’s been on board from the start, and now (almost) everyone else has followed suit.

***

Last week’s contest winners

Congrats to Devnull and Rant Bot (who is an actual person, I assume), who both won 10-person pizza parties from Amici’s from last week’s contest posts, which got some great comments. B.A. Rich came closest to predicting the score of the 49ers/Packers game (he said the 49ers would win 27-17, which came closest in terms of margin of victory), so he gets two BASG koozies.

Want another chance to win free pizza?

Today’s contest question:

At what point did you stop “second guessing the decision” to move from Alex Smith to Colin Kaepernick?

A. When the 49ers took a 20-0 lead into halftime on MNF against the Chicago Bears.

B. After Kaepernick led the 49ers to a 31-21 win over the Saints on the road.

C. Following Kaepernick’s 4-TD performance during the 49ers’ 41-34 win at New England.

D. Not until Kaepernick set a record for rushing yards by a QB in a single game to propel San Francisco to the NFC Championship.

E. I still think Alex Smith would be the better choice.

I’ll randomly select someone who answers this multiple-choice question in the comments section to win one large pizza (any toppings) from Amici’s. Comments close at the end of Tuesday, Jan. 15.

Speaking of free pizza, thanks to all of you who came out to our event on Saturday at Northstar Cafe. The turnout was huge (and loud), and the pizza Amici’s vanished in record time — a dozen large pizzas were devoured in less than 10 minutes.

For a look at the photo album we created from Saturday evening, check out our Facebook page. Here’s my favorite: an unidentified (ecstatic) 49ers fan celebrating Kaepernick’s 56-yard TD run.

About the Author

Otherwise known as Steve Berman (no, not the guy from the Eminem skits), BASG started Bay Area Sports Guy in January of 2008 with the help of his then-girlfriend (now wife). Since then he's covered college football for CSN Bay Area, gained media access to the Giants, Warriors and 49ers, and built Bay Area Sports Guy into the No. 1 independent Bay Area sports blog. Follow him on Twitter and Facebook.

28 comments

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The Sports Leader

The answer to your question: B. After Kaepernick led the 49ers to a 31-21 win over the Saints on the road.

Tourgon

D. Since before his draft we have been hearing about Kap...from then till now we have seen a few hints of his brilliance...but this game is like they finally unleashed the beast...and Rocked the NFL world...!

Jason McClain

While I noticed with the first game he started the difference in throws over 20+ yards between the two QBs, and I trust the coach to know more than I do and see more than I see, so I trusted the change, but still had lingering doubts. I was not convinced until: C. Following Kaepernick’s 4-TD performance during the 49ers’ 41-34 win at New England. And here is why: Many backups can come in and play great for 3 games. Maybe four. And then they play like backups--not very well. I was waiting to make sure he played well over at least 4 games. On the road at Gillette Stadium in December? And his 5th game starting? Yeah. That sealed the deal for me. And I still hope we keep Alex Smith on the roster as a competent backup [with a pay cut].

Jason Williams

I am going with C

B.A. Rich

D. This move was made for the single purpose of advancing in the post season. I felt it should only be judged in the post season. I understood that Kaepernick would eventually be the QB going forward. i originally disagreed with the move but I'm just a fan and Harbaugh is a professional coach so, rationally, I deferred to his judgement. During the season, it was clear to me Kaepernick is capable of doing more than Smith but it only mattered what he was able to do in the playoffs. For him to comeback and have that amazing of a game after throwing that Pick Six was very, very impressive.

dogface

a. don't remember a sunday or monday night game against a good opponent that was just so dominated from the git go. you could just tell that there was something there that might take us a long way.

Sunset Boy

C. The Chicago game was, I thought at the time, an exciting preview of the future, but I was certain that Harbaugh would bring Alex back. It was the safe move. After all, maybe it was just the novelty of a new QB that Chicago wasn't prepared to deal with. And I wanted to see Alex take the team to the super bowl, to put a bow on his comeback story. I was pulling for the guy. But Harbaugh has some serious onions. He gambled and went for it. And he was right. That New England game was the proof for me. No visiting team had won at NE in December in 10 YEARS! Taking on golden boy Tom Brady, Bellichick the genius, hostile NE crowd, bad weather -- everyone was predicting disaster. But Kap was brilliant that night. No way Alex would have made those throws, as good as he's been this year. I was all in at that point.

Bay Area Cholo Guy

Not to be the contrarian, but I will take E. Let me explain: Alex Smith NFC Divisional Playoffs 2012 against the Saints: 24/42 299 yards 7.1 3 touchdowns 0 interceptions 4-35 83.6 103.2 rating This is the EXACT place Alex Smith brought the 49ers last year. IF Colin Kaepernick wins his next game, then E. is eliminated and I'll choose one of the other answers because Kaepernick would have brought the 49ers farther than Alex Smith did last year. It's an Even Heat right now for me.

Bay Area Cholo Guy

Haha I never knew that this blog post entry had an 'exclusivity' clause for Non-49ers fans. ;)

B.A. Rich

I don't think it has anything to do with 'exclusivity'. I think it's more that your unable to separate yourself from your fandom and anti-49er bias to give a fair, logical opinion. Because if you still think Smith would be the better choice, that goes against logic.

B.A. Rich

Feel free to comment on whatever you want but if it's an irrational opinion, you might get called on it. I doubt your offending anyone, certainly not me. Your just some random 'cholo' commenting on a blog. No big deal.

Bay Area Cholo Guy

OH B.A. Rich get off your High Horse.. I predicted a 3-13 record on the Cardinals Blog Post before the season started. Fans over there blasted me for being a "Fringe" Cardinals fan. NOT being a 49ers fan doesn't mean ANY and all predictions I make concerning the 49ers are 'biased'. Brutally Inept: Perhaps... Biased: No. But SINCE you guys are gonna be real d.ouchy about it (Notice I Apologized WHEN I accused staff of writing overwhelmingly Niners stories WITHOUT realizing BASG was out of town). I'll stick with commenting stories of Bay Area teams I openly root for: Raiders (AFC), Warriors (NBA), Spartans (College), Earthquake (MLS), Giants (MLB), Athletics (MLB) and I'll ensure I won't 'offend' the sensibilities of 49ers and/or Sharks fans (since I don't root for them). P.S. Its a Pizza Contest.

BASG

Bay Area Cholo Guy (January 11, 2013 at 3:58 pm): "42-14 Packers… 49ers will be UNABLE to generate a decent pass rush. Packers (with a healthy Woodson) will stop the 49ers run game, and Cobb will have a MONSTER game by exploiting all the underneath stuff." But there's good news, since BACG is a Cardinals fan (http://www.bayareasportsguy.com/more-photos-of-the-grass-david-akers-will-kick-from-on-saturday-contest-post/#comment-137135): there's a very good chance Alex will end up in Arizona next season.

B.A. Rich

Hahaha. Ownage.

topraman

The day they drafted CK I knew Harbaugh was on. Liked the kid back then and knew it was only a matter of time we would be seeing him in action. The cryptic messages about where he was in development also affirmed he was coming fast. Lets review Harbaugh's qb card. Josh Johnson, Andrew Luck, Alex Smith, and now CK. Tolzien is loving being around Harbaugh. That must mean Pete Carroll is chomping at the bit to trade for Tolzien and pay him millions to sit on the bench

Beaver

Bring back Alex! Signed, The Packer's Defense

JayT

After the Saints game for me, but I was still really nervous about it, and continued to be after that opening interception against the Packers. Needless to say I'm no longer nervous about it.

Dave

Before A... I've watched and re-watched every play of the last several years and what Alex Smith can & can't do. I thought he and Harbaugh have done an excellent job working with his limitations and refining his game over the season and a half Alex played under coach Harbs. When Alex got hurt and Kaepernick came in against the Rams I felt like he was unpolished and was hoping Alex would be back soon. I was hoping they'd clear Alex from his concussion so he could start the Bears game. During the hours leading up to it, we found Kaep would start. That night we were at the Monday Night Football game. I thought we'd come out with a heavy dose of the run and not let Kaep do too much. But then... it happened... That first drive when he came on the field he showed so much poise and that the moment was not even close to being big enough for him. That strike to Kyle Williams is what sealed it for me. We haven't had a QB who has been able to make those kind of throws (and do everything else) since Steve Young.

devnull

I was _really_ nervous after the INT-->TD in the 1st quarter, but after the kid settled down I did too. As others have mentioned, it almost looked like Rogers was more out of sorts than Kaepernick as the game went on. The only thing I might caution against is Whitner's observation: "He’s that new style quarterback in the National Football League that can run the read option". That's certainly true right now, and I fully expect to see imitators next season; the NFL is, if nothing else, a league of copycats. But with every new offensive innovation comes a defensive counter-measure. The NFL is also an arms race. That said, I suspect Kaepernick has the physical talents, and is getting the experience and savvy, to run whatever offense the Niners need to deploy.

Fitz's Future Unemployment Check

I think there will be a massive rush towards it, and then defenses will counter adjust and the majority will move on to the next fad. However, I think it is here to stay to a certain extent, as this wave of QBs can run it, but they can also sit in the pocket and deliver as well.

paperback writer

Certainly, Kap is faster and stronger than most QB's, but the reason it hasn't caught on for any length of time is the PAIN inflicted, this is more cumultive and the type of successive hits which invite and cause injury. This is nothing new, old 49er Billy Kilmer ran it when he first came into the leauge, but turned more pocket friendly with Redskins. Steve Young, same thing. Roger Staubach, Randall Cunningham, FranTarkenton, et all. More recently, Mike Vick, RG3, get the picture? (And they're hurt). I really think, for the Pistol, run-option QB to do well, the SMALLER he is, the less of a target he provides - see Russel Wilson, he's more flexible and elusive. Kap DEFINITELY did not like getting sandwiched the other night, but when your a big target, out of the pocket..... Shame, Doug Flutie didn't get the chance to bring his full college skills to the NFL because of the old-fashioned mindset - you saw what he did in Canada? (Where TEBOW will be next year)

SantaCruzSpike

D. I really thought he would have 3-4 turnovers in his first playoff game. I was wrong. He's a great football player. I've never wanted to root for a running QB but if you have to...it might as well be the best in league history, lol.

3rdKing

and he turned Alex Smith into GOLD

3rdKing

harbaugh recruited RG3 and LUCK and now WE HAVE KAPERNICK holy F#@@$ng S##t

Dave

3rdKing: He also tried to recruit Manning. The last 4 QBs that Harbaugh has tried to go after? Luck, RGIII, Kaepernick & Manning. I'd say that's pretty good company.

paperback writer

To be fair, selective memory can be deciving. I'm thinking that the Ram game and Seahawks disaster were fair game in the "When is he ready?" calculations. Since the play-offs have started and there is no turning back, it's a moot point. Personally, for me, my conversion started when he settled-in after the 6-pick and personal foul spike blip and established a cadence and rythym that showed control, poise and cohesion - rather than some of the past (even when successful) "helter skelter" pace. Now, a winning performance on Sunday will REALLY seal the deal. LOL

Fitz's Future Unemployment Check

Option A, sort of. I thought at that point a switch could happen if harbaugh felt it was the right move. I never questioned the move because of what I saw and the fact that I trust harbaugh.

Tod

I'll take A. I was desperate for a new QB before the switch, but like most fans, I didn't know much about CK. Nothing against AS, but I was really, really tired of poor downfield passes and an otherwise vanilla passing game.