We all know how bad it was in the first half of the season. The seven-game losing streak, the unwatchable performances, the massive letdowns from high draft picks, just to mention a few of the team’s problems. Now 49ers fans have to suffer through a second half of what appears to be a dismal season. Will there be anything to look forward to down the stretch? The Niner Report examines eight storylines to keep an eye on during the final weeks of the season:
Kaepernick surging
Can Colin Kaepernick be the quarterback of the 49ers future? His first two starts were underwhelming to say the least as he failed to complete more than 50 percent of his passes. His fortunes changed against the Saints when he compiled a decent line: 24-for-28, 398 yards, two touchdowns and one interception. In that game, Kaepernick threw some noteworthy blitz-beating passes including one to running back DuJuan Harris that went for a 47-yard touchdown.
What’ has partially changed is Kaepernick isn’t making his patented panicked flees from the pocket. He is hanging in there, delivering the ball and withstanding punishment.
Also against the Saints, coach Chip Kelly and offensive coordinator Curtis Modkins seemed more comfortable crafting a game plan for the multi-talented Kaepernick. There were plenty of planned rollouts off play-action fakes.
Kaepernick might also be feeling more comfortable with his receivers. For the last few years, Kaepernick’s practice chemistry with wide receiver Quinton Patton was often on display, against New Orleans it leaked into the game with Patton eclipsing 100 yards receiving for the first time in his career.
Now, Kaepernick needs to replicate those numbers against better defenses, particularly those within the NFC West. Last year, he was benched for not seeing the field and failing to stay in the pocket. This year, he’s doing both, the question is, can his accuracy improve while he continues to get comfortable with Kelly’s scheme and his receivers?
More to come from Kelly
This story is from the December 2016 edition of Niner Report.
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This story is from the December 2016 edition of Niner Report.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
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In the weeks that follow after you read this — and perhaps sometime even sooner than that — Kyle Shanahan and the rest of the 49ers organization will make a titanic decision that will have present, future and perhaps even everlasting implications for the franchise. It will chart the course for the team’s pivotal 2021 season while determining whether San Francisco really does have the juice to return to powerhouse status and again be considered a legitimate contender to get back to the Super Bowl.
TOP 10 Linebacker seasons
Fred Warner vaulted to stardom with a spectacular 2020 season — and the 49ers rewarded him this summer with a $95.225 million deal that makes him the highest-paid inside linebacker in NFL history. By today’s standards, Warner’s performance last year was worth the money as he posted an Approximate Value of 19 — matching the highest score ever recorded by a San Francisco defender according to a Pro Football Reference formula that puts a single number on each player-season across all positions since 1960. Patrick Willis and NaVorro Bowman (twice) also had seasons with an AV of 19 as they dominate this list of the greatest individual seasons by a linebacker in 49ers history.
