Colin Kaepernick: Why Terrell Suggs' Praise of 49ers Quarterback Is Spot on

Colin Kaepernick had a stellar season for the San Francisco 49ers, and while Baltimore Ravens linebacker Terrell Suggs wasn't sure of Kaepernick's skills going into Super Bowl XLVII, he seems certain now.

In an interview with Jim Rome of CBS Sports, Suggs called Kaepernick "the truth" and clearly appreciates what the 49ers signal-caller can do on the field:

"

Going into the game, I thought it was all hype. He’s only had nine starts and then I’m going down the line at the teams he’s playing and I’m like "OK, alright, he’s got some good stats, but we will see."

When you go in there and you’re playing a guy like that, I hate quarterbacks, but that kid is the truth and I have the upmost respect for him.

I don’t think he needs to hold his head down at all because he’s going to play in a few [Super Bowls].

"

That's pretty high praise coming from one of the best defensive players in the NFL today. Kaepernick is even winning over some of his fiercest competition with his play on the field—Suggs included.

Kaepernick had a great Super Bowl showing for the Niners. In just his 10th career start, the second-year quarterback looked like a veteran after bouncing back from a poor first half to finish with 302 yards through the air and 62 on the ground en route to two total touchdowns.

More importantly, his recovery in the second half helped erase a 22-point San Fran deficit to make the game close. Suggs saw first hand just how poised and explosive Kaepernick can be when the chips are down.

But it wasn't just Kaepernick's success in the Super Bowl that is turning heads; it's his ability to affect the game in different ways, and that is something he has proven countless times since he became a starter.

The first thing people will notice about Kaepernick is his size and athleticism.

He's a huge specimen (6'4'', 230 lbs) that can run as fast and as strong as any player on the field. Just when opposing defenses think they have Kaepernick trapped and in trouble, he breaks free to turn a negative play into a positive one.

Not only does Kaepernick pick up those little yards that can turn a sack into a first down, but he also has the ability to break big plays that can often change a game.

Kaepernick posted three carries of 20 or more yards (two were 50-yard runs) during the regular season and did it twice during the playoffs—one of which was an epic 56-yard touchdown run against the Green Bay Packers in the NFC divisional game.

Helping complete Kaepernick's dual-threat style, the 25-year-old throws a great ball from the pocket and while in motion.

Kaepernick completed 62.4 percent of his passes during the regular season and 61.3 percent during the playoffs—including a 16-of-21 performance against the Atlanta Falcons in the NFC Championship Game (76.2 percent).

The scary thing about Kaepernick is that he's so early into his career, there's so much time for him to improve even further. The read-option will no doubt be an offensive approach the Niners use in the future, but Kaepernick can be a very successful pocket passer on a more regular basis if needed.

The versatility of this talented quarterback has been on full display during his short time as the 49ers starter. Kaepernick looks to be the real deal, and if you don't believe me, just ask Terrell Suggs.