Well I can put aside the fact the Thursday/Sunday/Monday Night games have been snoozefests, for a game anyways.....
By the score, it would seem it was a snoozefest as the 49ers easily beat the Rams by 14 points. I'd like to update an old sports cliche....'thats why they play the games'. Well, 'thats why they watch the games'. You don't necessarily get a lot out of looking at a score and/or watching a highlight pack on TV. The local news sports highlights often do NOT do a Lions game justice and even the various sports networks RECAPS are often lacking in terms of key plays/stories/issues.
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So, the Rams started Austin Davis and quickly got out to a 14-0 lead. Near halftime the 49ers still trailed by eleven (14-3) but Kaepernick was able to complete a long TD pass to narrow the gap. There IS NO WAY Kaepernick should have been able to complete that pass.
So, instead of having a big lead going into halftime, the Rams led by four. The second half was all 49ers but the Rams still were within a touchdown until Davis tossed a pickSIX late.
One big problem, IMO, was a phantom call of offensive pass interference on the Rams. Snuffed out a big gain and solid drive. Without that call at that point (Rams were still up 14-0, IIRC) maybe the 49ers would have been in even deeper. I know pass interference is always a debatable thing but of all the times to call one on an offensive player?
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I freely admit, I'm NOT a Kaepernick fan but he played well. I will never have the LOVE-IN many announcers seem to have with Kaepernick though. Last night was probably, IMO, one of the best games I've seen him play AND he still make BIG MISTAKES, IMO. Not as many as usual. Kaepernick is, IMO, a below average passer with an awesome stable of recievers and SOLID run game and he uses those assets to his big strength HIS MOBILITY. Does he deserve to start? Of course. I just don't see him getting that elite money based on the body of work done so far (yes, I know, a Superbowl appearance, 2 NFC Championship games).
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IMO, the 49ers time is NOW. Frank Gore is nearing the end of his fine career. Rumours keep bubbling away about problems in the lockerroom. Is this their long term Coach? Results say HELL YEAH but the chatter continues. So much money is invested in Kaepernick, you'd have to wonder how the other pieces get paid for.