and in 49ers news…

49ers: Breaking down where Kaepernick, Gabbert QB race stands

http://www.mercurynews.com/49ers/ci_30040933/49ers-breaking-down-where-kaepernick-gabbert-qb-race?source=rss

SANTA CLARA — Blaine Gabbert finished the 49ers’ offseason program the same way he did last season: unchallenged as their starting quarterback.

Colin Kaepernick, after six months of health issues and trade chatter, has ground to make up this summer to win back a job he famously debuted in during the 2012 glory days.

“I’m in a situation where I’m a little bit behind,” Kaepernick acknowledged, “because I am rehabbing to get back to 100 percent where I can start training. So, at this point, there’s a lot of work to be done.”

A lot of areas must be studied once the 49ers report for training camp July 30, kicking off the latest quarterback controversy in a franchise built on them. Here’s a look at the key categories that coach Chip Kelly will be sizing up:

San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick throws during an NFL football practice Thursday, June 9, 2016, in Santa Clara, Calif.
San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick throws during an NFL football practice Thursday, June 9, 2016, in Santa Clara, Calif. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez)
HEALTH

First and foremost, Kaepernick must gain medical clearance to fully participate. He did not have that through the offseason, though he did make enough progress from his multiple surgeries (left shoulder, left knee, right thumb) that he debuted in 7-on-7 drills at minicamp before summer break.

Kaepernick expects he’ll get the green light from the team’s medical staff, and Kelly echoed that belief. But Kaepernick’s body won’t take it easy until then. He will spend the next six weeks regaining muscle mass he lost during this year’s rehabilitiation stints.

Gabbert’s own 6-foot-4, athletic frame has been a picture of health. He was the first-string quarterback throughout the offseason, surprising coaches in the process with his mobility.

MENTAL GRASP

Kelly and his offensive assistants talked up the intellect of both Kaepernick and Gabbert. It’s not that they expected them to be dumb jocks. Rather, the quarterbacks showed an ability in the classroom to grasp the new, fast-paced system.

Quarterbacks coach Ryan Day said of Gabbert: “When he comes into a meeting room, you better buckle up, because he knows what he’s talking about. He’s really sharp. … He knows what’s clinic talk and what isn’t.”

Kaepernick likely took more mental reps than anyone in NFL history during the offseason program. Because he wasn’t physically allowed to partake in drills, he instead lined up about 5 to 10 yards behind whichever quarterback — Gabbert, Thad Lewis or Jeff Driskel — took a snap, and Kaepernick then simulated the needed footwork and throwing motion.

Kelly commended Kaepernick’s decision-making ability, which is the No. 1 job requirement in a system described by Torrey Smith as “organized chaos.”

In the 2015 offseason, Kaepernick diligently worked on improving his on-field, visual discipline. But when the season unfolded, that education was offset by an offense that fell apart around him.

LEADERSHIP

Gabbert is thought of much higher inside the locker room than in most fans’ perception. Yes, he bombed with the Jacksonville Jaguars as a first-round draft pick. But he’s never come across as entitled brat. He admirably connected well with his linemen and teammates as last season progressed as the starter, even giving them holiday gifts (preferred bottle of liquor, Carhartt vests) and hosting dinners.

Kaepernick must overcome the perception he prefers being “on an island,” as a Fox Sports report alleged following a leak some believe came from the front office. Players and coaches will be looking to see if he’d rather isolate himself inside his headphones.

During offseason practices, Kaepernick was so busy mimicking plays that he didn’t have much down time for playful banter with teammates. He must regain trust with his linemen and teammates, and establish open communication in the process.

Regardless of depth-chart status, Gabbert said a quarterback must be “the leader and single voice on the field. You’re the guy everyone looks to. You’re the voice. You’re the one that gets people lined up, tells people what to do if they have questions.”

PHYSICAL SKILLS

When Kelly got hired, national media immediately assumed Kaepernick’s career would be rejuvenated in a fast-paced offense that could thrive with a mobile quarterback. Look, Kelly got hired to revive one of the league’s worst offenses, not quarterbacks.

Production should improve no matter who is taking snaps, and handing off the ball. In a league reliant on quarterbacks, the 49ers prefer their quarterback to key a rushing attack, rather than an air assault.

“I think Chip’s system is great for me,” Kaepernick said. “I think it’s very similar to what I’ve done in college. More detailed and more complex but I think it’s something that I’ll be able to thrive in and I’m excited to be a part of and really get on the field.”

Kaepernick’s dual-threat skills as a passer and runner indeed could flourish, if he’s healthy enough to do so, and if he gets the chance.

Coaches have constantly praised Gabbert’s mobility, too, and it was best on display when he ran for a tying touchdown in last season’s eventual overtime win at Chicago.

“I didn’t know he’s as athletic as he is,” Day said. “He can make all the throws you need. He has a really good skillset and we’re excited about that moving forward.”

Kelly downplayed a quarterback controversy in mid-May, saying the “race” hadn’t started so Kaepernick wasn’t falling behind in it. A month later, Kaepernick said himself he was trailing.

“It’s a competition,” Kaepernick said. “There’s always someone trying to be that starter, trying to make that step. And this year’s no different. To me, I’m going to go out, compete and do everything I can do go out and start.”

Agamemnon wrote:

SF says they are fine at QB and they wouldn’t have drafted Goff, anyway.

Yeah that’s like me. If someone offered me a million dollars with no catch, I would turn them down. Not everyone wants to be rich. People don’t need to be rich. So I am actually glad that has never happened.

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NFC West Q&A: Which quarterback gives the 49ers a better chance to win?

http://espn.go.com/blog/san-francisco-49ers/post/_/id/17816/nfc-west-qa-which-quarterback-gives-the-49ers-a-better-chance-to-win

Today’s question: Which quarterback gives the San Francisco 49ers a better chance to win: Colin Kaepernick or Blaine Gabbert?

Josh Weinfuss, Arizona Cardinals reporter: In Chip Kelly’s system, this answer is almost obvious: It’s Kaepernick. Gabbert is a fine pocket passer who can manage an offense and a game, but to run Kelly’s up-tempo offense, someone with Kaepernick’s athleticism is ideal. But Kaepernick is going to have to get used to Kelly’s pace. With Kaepernick on the field for nine games last season, the 49ers averaged 37.9 real seconds per play, compared to the Eagles’ 30.4, according to ESPN Stats & Information. Without Kaepernick, the Niners averaged 34.2 real seconds per play. Granted, San Francisco wasn’t running an up-tempo offense, but the difference can be telling. Kaepernick’s quickness and athleticism, as well as the ability to get back to the line and keep the offense moving, will give the Niners a better chance than they’d have with Gabbert.

Nick Wagoner, Los Angeles Rams reporter: The Rams played against both QBs in 2015. They won by three touchdowns when Kaepernick was at the helm and lost by a field goal when Gabbert was the man. Gabbert threw for 354 yards in that season-ending victory, though of course, success against the Rams doesn’t equal long-term production as a starter against the entire league. There seems to be a faction of people who believe Chip Kelly can right the Kaepernick ship, and there’s little doubt that he is an intriguing fit in Kelly’s offense. But I think it has been underrated how Gabbert could fit in that offense too. He’s a pretty good athlete in his own right, and he proved to be a more accurate passer last season. Learning a sixth offensive scheme won’t make Gabbert’s life any easier, and the 49ers probably still need to find a long-term solution, but for now, Gabbert seems like the better bet to give San Francisco a chance in 2016.

Sheil Kapadia, Seattle Seahawks reporter: If the 49ers believe in their coaches’ ability to maximize talent on the roster, it’s Kaepernick. Chip Kelly has said in the past that the two qualities he values most in quarterbacks are decision-making and repetitive accuracy. From 2012 to 2014, Kaepernick’s interception rate of 1.9 percent was fourth-lowest in the NFL, behind only Aaron Rodgers, Alex Smith and Tom Brady. What doomed Kelly’s offenses in Philadelphia? A big issue was turnovers. The Eagles gave the ball away 65 times the past two seasons, more than any other team in the NFL. Kaepernick looked like a broken quarterback last season, but we’ve seen him be a good player at this level, which cannot be said for Gabbert. On many of Kelly’s run plays, the quarterback is responsible for accounting for an unblocked defender. But other than Michael Vick, Kelly never had a QB in Philadelphia who was a threat as a runner. Given how much trouble he had finding a quarterback in his first NFL stop, it would make sense for Kelly to see if he can resurrect Kaepernick’s career in 2016.