2011 San Francisco 49ers Quarterback Controversy! Oh, Boy!

Great news!  San Francisco 49er fans can now bask in the glory of a genuine quarterback controversy!  Every NFL boy and girl of fall knows that great times are here when they can spend hours arguing about the relative merits of the number one quarterback and his number two. 

There is, for the true NFL fan, no better way to spend the hours between live games or during the commercials. Pontificating on one’s views of the relative merits of two quarterbacks is entertaining and sure to give rise to arguments from everyone in the room.

It is also rightfully guaranteed to elicit vociferous and often bogus arguments in counter-point.  Therefore, long hours can be passed in engaging discussions, often with raised voices and subtly hidden hints about the parentage or relationship capabilities of those with an the opposing position.

Unlike the merits of the offensive guard or tackle, for instance, all of us are expert on the subject of quarterbacks.  We all know who can throw quickest, farthest, most accurately and with the best judgment.  We all have cogent advise for the seemingly sometimes clueless coach on which quarterback should be in the game.

And we all have no problem yelling this directly to the coach during games.

So the San Francisco 49ers have an six-season old quarterback, mired in much controversy and some disappointment.  And they have a new quarterback, mostly untried except during the first preseason game of 2011.

The old quarterback, Alex Smith, had 2 receptions for 7 attempts in the first few three and out drives.  Smith passed for 10 yards during the first quarter.  His first play was an incomplete pass, as could have been expected.  The third pay of the game was a sack of Smith, a fumble and a recovery by the Saints for a touchdown.  This is an example of automatic controversy fodder.

The new quarterback, Colin Kaepernick (who badly needs a nickname), had nine receptions for nineteen attempts and two interceptions.  He passed for 117 yards during about three quarters.

Neither quarterback passed for a touchdown.

Alex spent as much time prone as he did upright because of sacks.  Kaepernick also was sacked, but he did scramble a few times for a team leading 47 yards.

Now for a reality check:  This game was only the thirteenth time the team played or practiced this season, so the first preseason game is not really indicative of anything that is provable. But those are the facts.  Fans arguing controversies are not always restricted to the facts.

And the arguments have already begun. 

This is really going to be a fun season, whether the 49ers fix their obvious problems or not.

After all, we have a doggone, no holds barred, real and pleasantly anxious quarterback controversy.