Colin Kaepernick Should Start for the San Francisco 49ers in 2011

The more time that goes by and the closer we get to the hopeful 2011 NFL football season, the more I think about our quarterback situation in San Francisco. 

If you know anything about me, you know I am less than thrilled about an Alex Smith return. So I was encouraged when reading Colin Kaepernick's recent comments.

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“I’m going to be going for that starting spot, and he’s going to be doing the same thing. May the best man win. When we’re on the field it’s going to be a competition, and we’re both there to win it.”

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But what is the one thing people say in regards to starting Colin Kaepernick?

Starting rookies is bad. You saw what happened to Alex Smith. Let him sit for a year or two and watch. Statistics show blah, blah, blah.

First of all, watch what? Alex Smith is no example.

Secondly, that statement simply contradicts the facts. 

Time to get my Anderson Cooper on, I'm keeping em' honest.

Let’s look at the quarterbacks for the teams that made the playoffs last year:

"New Orleans Saints | Drew Brees | Rookie Starter

Philadelphia Eagles | Michael Vick | Rookie Starter

New York Jets | Mark Sanchez | Rookie Starter

Indianapolis Colts | Peyton Manning | Rookie Starter

Baltimore Ravens | Joe Flacco | Rookie Starter

Pittsburgh Steelers | Ben Roethlisberger | Rookie Starter

Atlanta Falcons | Matt Ryan | Rookie Starter

Chicago Bears | Jay Cutler | Rookie Starter

Seattle Seahawks | Matt Hasselback | Sat behind Brett Favre 

Green Bay Packers | Aaron Rodgers | Sat behind Brett Favre 

New England Patriots | Tom Brady | Sat behind Drew Bledsoe

Kansas City Chiefs | Matt Cassel | Sat behind Tom Brady

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Eight out of the 12 teams that made the playoffs last year, got there with a quarterback who started as a rookie. The other four sat behind Super Bowl-winning quarterbacks, one of which was a rookie starter himself (Drew Bledsoe).

This should end the myth about starting rookie quarterbacks. You're welcome.

The fact is, we don’t have a Super Bowl winning quarterback for Colin to sit behind. Alex Smith is no Tom Brady, he is no Brett Favre, he's not even Drew Bledsoe. Not even close. So what is the hold-up?

We have a tradition in San Francisco of elite quarterbacking. We should maintain that standard and never settle for less.

Is Colin Kaepernick the elite franchise quarterback we have been waiting for?

Well, we know Alex isn't, and there is only one way to find out if Colin is.

Thanks for reading!

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