So much to be encouraged about Kaepernick

A first impression is a must. It’s where everyone formulates an opinion. Colin Kaepernick had something to prove in his first postseason start as the 49ers quarterback. It did not matter what he did in the regular season. He was going to be judged on what he can do in the postseason. Last night was a test Kaepernick had to pass for him and the 49ers to play in the NFC Championship Game next Sunday, and he did great by throwing two touchdowns and 263  yards and rushing for two touchdowns and a quarterback-record 181 yards in the team’s 45-31 victory over the Packers in the divisional playoff game at Candlestick Park. Last night was encouraging in so many ways. It shuts the critics up after questioning 49ers head coach Jim Harbuagh for changing quarterbacks after Alex Smith was on the injured list for a concussion. It shows Kaepernick has what it takes to be a difference maker in the postseason, and that boost the 49ers’ chances of winning a championship. The 49ers won last night’s divisional playoff game as a result of Kaepernick’s play instead of winning in spite of him. That’s important in a sense they can’t afford their quarterback to play the role of a game manager. They went that route with Smith, and it did not work out after they failed to win late in the NFC Championship Game last year. Kaepernick was effective as a pocket passer early on. He hit his targets well, and he was able to go long by throwing as far as he could to his receivers. He was comfortable throwing the ball . The 49ers quarterback knew how to find a balance between throwing the football and running the ball. Kapernick improvised when he was in danger of being sacked or tackled. The Packers had a hard time tackling him when he was running, and he was able to make plays at any time. He was brilliant on the line of scrimmage. The truth of the matter is Kaepernick knew what he was doing. He was in control of the game. He knew no one was going to stop him on this night. Not even his first interception of his first series was going to daunt him. If anything, he flourished after responding with an interception by throwing a touchdown. From there, he did not look back. No one should be surprised at what Kaepernick did last night.  He has done this all year. The 49ers expected him to play well in his first postseason game. They know how good their quarterback is. They know he is a dynamic playmaker that can beat a team with his arm and his leg, which is why Harbaugh made the quarterback change. What is impressive about Kaepernick is he knows what he is doing. He makes smart decisions. He has a good vision of knowing how to target his receivers and how to create first down with his mobility. He applies his intelligence well when he has the football. He certainly displayed all that against the Packers. Kaepernick has that “it” factor when he is out on the field. He has a flair for the dynamic. In big games, he responds well by having great performances. He has natural leader skills that can’t be taught. He has that video game mentality where he can dominate every game. It’s like other teams are helpless to stop him. Kaepernick’s skills help the 49ers’ chances of winning a championship, and that’s why they have to feel good about last night. The quarterback is no longer an issue anymore for the 49ers. They have a keeper in Kaepernick right now and for years to come. They have to be fortunate after realizing how hard it is it to find a quarterback like that. The 49ers have said all the right things about Kaepernick all season long, but no one knows what he can do in a postseason game until he played in one. That’s why last night is important. The team needed to know how he would respond in a setting like this. Postseason football is where action picks up, and it can be overwhelming. In his first postseason start, Kaepernick answered so many questions by playing great. There should not be questions about what the second-year quarterback can do anymore. Instead, it’s time to appreciate what he can do. The post So much to be encouraged about Kaepernick appeared first on Bay Area Sports Nut.