NINEster":nawi5d18 said:
Some (most?) of Kaepernick's most impressive deep throws of his career have been to Davis (AZ game 1, Tampa last year). When Davis is used in the game plan properly, he is a force with any QB.
As far as Wilson vs. Kaepernick in this "clutch" gene aspect, the only thing I'm willing to concede at this point is that Wilson plays the risk averse role better than Kaepernick (as did Alex Smith). But a lot of this is timing also, as those two strip sack fumbles by Bowman and Aldon Smith at the end of a game (as opposed to the very first set of downs) would have been disastrous. They were every bit as bone headed and unclutch as Kaepernick's turnovers prior to the game ending INT in the NFCC.
The quick take argument that Wilson > Kaepernick is that he has a better mix of talent/risk aversion than CK. If I want a truly superior passer in the pocket and on the run than CK, I'd look to Aaron Rodgers way before Wilson. It took how many games for Wilson to be recognized as a good QB? As opposed to how many starts for Kaepernick?
Additionally when FORCED to make something happen with the game on the line in the final drive, Wilson hasn't exactly been Montana like in every game he's played:
vs. 49ers 2012 Candlestick final drive - turnover on downs/safety
vs. 49ers 2013 Candlestick final drive - interception
vs. Cardinals 2013 Century Link final drive - interception
Then there are other games that are worthy of comment:
vs. Cardinals first career game - if this was Kaepernick, the QB not the WR would be blamed for the incomplete pass.
vs. Packers - lucky
vs. Falcons 2012 playoffs (before halftime) - time expiring like a boss
Wilson has had his fair share of disappointing ends to games but Kaepernick has had two games end in disappointing fashion on a grand, grand stage and is unfairly depicted as not clutch. In both games he was moving the ball best at the very end compared to earlier in the games.
The story on these two will continue to be told, and maybe in a few years we'll have a better idea. Homerism aside, there will never be a clear answer as many NFL fans are still divided on Peyton Manning vs. Tom Brady.
So yeah, 49er fans aren't exactly clamoring for Wilson. Maybe what we are clamoring for is for our OC to maximize our offense's talent more and our secondary to not have to put our QB in precarious situations.
Hi NINEster,
You knew this was coming when you made this post.
First, let's talk about Russell. Yes, he's not been perfect. Although his receivers had three terrible drops that kept the Hawks from having a multi score lead in the 2012 Candlestick game, Russell should've been better in those last 20 minutes.
As you knew when you were typing it, pretty misleading to include the 2013 Candlestick game as "not being Montana clutch". Yeah, he threw a pick, because he got the ball at his 16 yard line with 26 seconds left. And no timeouts to stop the clock after a first down. Like any QB in that spot, he can only chuck it down field and hope he gets lucky.
Regarding your comments about Russell's several late game disappointments, vs. what you seem to suggest are only two by Colin, let's give Colin the same scrutiny you're giving Russell.
Neither game in St. Louis was a picnic for Russell, but I don't think you'll ever see a performance like Colin's 2012 Rams game, where he was a deer in headlights. Not just one shockingly dumb play (the safety), no, it was topped by an even more stupid play (the option pitch). You'll probably never see anything this bad from Russell, ever.
Nor will Russell ever give off the scared little boy in need of his mommy vibe that Colin did in his first two games in Seattle. And if we're talking about non-clutch games, how about Colin's 91 yards passing in his loss to the Panthers? Tough defense, yes, If you had to bring up Russell's Candlestick pick, how about Colin's game ender against the Panthers? Same field position, but Colin had a full minute to work with. Definitely some non-clutch play by Colin in this game.
Tough to blame Colin for the end of the Super Bowl against Baltimore. That said, if not for a power outage, you might've been looking at a 30 point loss to the Ravens. He deserves some blame for that.
If Colin were in Russell's shoes for game 1, 2012 at Glendale, no one would blame him for the end if he gave not just one, but two wideouts the chance to win the game, as Russell did with Baldwin and Edwards.
But we all enjoy that Colin still hasn't figured out that no matter who his receiver is, throwing a fade against Richard Sherman to try to win a game is never the right answer....except for the Seahawks.
