The Mobile QB Dilemma

[Mitch]

Packers' DC Dom Capers should have known better---

You can't play strict man-to-man versus a running-threat QB.

You have to keep a spy on Kaepernick...

Which means, if you rush 4, keep a spy in the middle and cover with 5, you can't play 2 deep at safety.

If you play zone, you'd better get consistent pressure on the QB because it's easier for a QB to throw against. You have to hope that your linemen get a fair share of tipped balls and you have to count on the fact that the zone gets tougher to pass against when the field gets squashed.

Or---and this is why I love having Ray Horton on our side---you run a variety of blitz packages at a Kaepernick to force him to make quick passing decisions---and to hem him in the pocket.

Capers? Man---what was he thinking?

 

[binkar]

Don Capers has obviously had an incredible career as a defensive coordinator and is a great coach, but I agree there were a couple thing last night that I was scratching my head at. In addition to the QB things you mentioned, there was multiple times where Vernon Davis got one on one with AJ Hawk. You're going to lose that matchup about every time.

Granted I know about 1/100th as much about football as Capers, but I was surprised to see his defense get trumped schematically so many times last night.

On a related note, I'd really like to see Greg Roman get an interview, though I know that's not going to happen.

 

[JeffGollin]

Let's put it this way: If there was a spy on Kaepernick, he was operating (pardon the pun) under deep cover.

 

[RugbyMuffin]

Let's put it this way: If there was a spy on Kaepernick, he was operating (pardon the pun) under deep cover.

Speed.

Washington and Rhodes.

Two guys that are fast enough and big enough to spy a guy like Kapernick

 

[perivolaki]

Speed.

Washington and Rhodes.

Two guys that are fast enough and big enough to spy a guy like Kapernick

I was thinking the same thing but with a twist.

If we can develop Flemming and Tolar comes along I wouldn't mind seeing Patrick Peterson spy him once in a while to keep them off balance.

Peterson closes fast and if he got to him it could keep the Niners guessing.

But I agree the more guys that can close and tackle the less effective his running will be.

 

[desertdawg]

Geno or Beano

 

[Cbus cardsfan]

Watch how Atl play Wilson. I've noticed the last 3 games, starting with the Rams, teams are rushing their ends upfield to try and keep Wilson in the pocket. He's still been able to make some plays but it's been more difficult for him.

 

[WisconsinCard]

I think the lanscape for quaterbacking is a changin...and I think we'll all see it in this years draft. Might as well welcome Collin Klein to the first round.

 

[Mitch]

I think the lanscape for quaterbacking is a changin...and I think we'll all see it in this years draft. Might as well welcome Collin Klein to the first round.

What's very interesting, WisconsinCard, is that Tajh Boyd of Clemson was given a 3rd round grade by the NFL Scouting Committee, so Boyd decided 3 days ago to return to Clemson.

I would take Boyd at #7---and I think if he were to enter the draft he might even go earlier than #7...especially after watching a healthy RGIII, Kaepernick and Wilson.

Geno Smith---has running ability but he looks reluctant to run.

As for Collin Klein, I guarantee you someone will draft him higher than anyone would expect. Perhaps as early as the middle-to-late second round.

 

[Cbus cardsfan]

What's very interesting, WisconsinCard, is that Tajh Boyd of Clemson was given a 3rd round grade by the NFL Scouting Committee, so Boyd decided 3 days ago to return to Clemson.

I would take Boyd at #7---and I think if he were to enter the draft he might even go earlier than #7...especially after watching a healthy RGIII, Kaepernick and Wilson.

Geno Smith---has running ability but he looks reluctant to run.

As for Collin Klein, I guarantee you someone will draft him higher than anyone would expect. Perhaps as early as the middle-to-late second round.

I'm very surprised Boyd went back to Clemson. I think the top of next year's QB class is much better than this year's. If Bridgewater comes out, he'll be #1. Then you have Murray, McCarron, Logan Thomas(if he can turn it around), and a guy the scouts seem to love even though I have never seen any glimpses, Zach Mettenberger from Lsu. Plus, there's always seems to be a guy emerge from off that radar.

 

[Mitch]

I'm very surprised Boyd went back to Clemson. I think the top of next year's QB class is much better than this year's. If Bridgewater comes out, he'll be #1. Then you have Murray, McCarron, Logan Thomas(if he can turn it around), and a guy the scouts seem to love even though I have never seen any glimpses, Zach Mettenberger from Lsu. Plus, there's always seems to be a guy emerge from off that radar.

Plus---maybe the best prospect of them all, Marcus Mariota, Oregon---I believe he was a redshirt freshman this year, which after next year gives him 3 years in the program.

 

[john h]

Packers' DC Dom Capers should have known better---

You can't play strict man-to-man versus a running-threat QB.

You have to keep a spy on Kaepernick...

Which means, if you rush 4, keep a spy in the middle and cover with 5, you can't play 2 deep at safety.

If you play zone, you'd better get consistent pressure on the QB because it's easier for a QB to throw against. You have to hope that your linemen get a fair share of tipped balls and you have to count on the fact that the zone gets tougher to pass against when the field gets squashed.

Or---and this is why I love having Ray Horton on our side---you run a variety of blitz packages at a Kaepernick to force him to make quick passing decisions---and to hem him in the pocket.

Capers? Man---what was he thinking?

Mobile QBs are great if they can stay healthy or are as big as Big Ben. Unfortunately many of them are oft injured.

 

[Southpaw]

What's very interesting, WisconsinCard, is that Tajh Boyd of Clemson was given a 3rd round grade by the NFL Scouting Committee, so Boyd decided 3 days ago to return to Clemson.

Boyd has not recognized the concept of going through progressions. Looks for first read, throws or runs. Never has seen his 2nd read.

 

[Lefty]

Take Matt Scott in the later rounds.

 

[Lefty]

http://www.cbssports.com/nfl/draft/prospectrankings/2013/QB

 

[JeffGollin]

Part of containing a mobile QB is going after him with arms outstretched to block his passing lanes so he has to either throw off his back foot or throw it away. (Hands up on defense!!!)

Campbell and Acho are prototypical in tha respect, but we need to get everyone to do it.

 

[CardsFan88]

The problem with mobile QB's is that so far they get injured before winning it all. At some point that will change, but still hasn't yet.

In the NFL, championships is what it's about. I think it was horrible what they did to Alex Smith, but Kap is making Harbaugh look like a genius. I don't know how long he'll last in the NFL, but until his body fails he does give them the best chance to win.

Maybe Kap can't do it long term, or maybe he can, but right now it doesn't matter. Year in and year out doesn't matter when you're in the playoffs.

He's healthy and two wins away from being a superbowl champion QB. At that point, if it were to happen, the rest of his career is gravy. So I think Harbaugh played it right, got lucky, and has his mobile QB peaking right at the perfect time.

One of the knocks on Vick is that he was so good the first half of the season, but by the end he was all used up every season. Kap seems just to have been inserted (luckily by injury) at just the right time. Good oline and his freakish quickness have limited his hits, and so far he goes into the NFC championship game almost unscathed.

Seems like a perfect melding of luck, talent, coaching, etc.

If Kap was to get a ring, it doesn't change the fact the mobile QB's are still prone to injury, but that he would have survived just enough games to win a championship. Still two games to go though. Anything can happen.

So if we were ever to try to get one of these new breed QB's, I'd still like to have a more traditional one as well. 49ers currently have that flexibility. But it goes to show you how bare we are at the most important position. Some teams have a traditional one and have been trying to add a new breed like Kap to the mix. We don't have either. Most teams added these guys during years our front office has been looking but been clueless in finding these QB's.

Overall while I would love to have one of these new breed QB's, I'm not going to be swayed off my long term position that it isn't enough. Though what is enough if you can win a championship?

Teams should be wary though. If Kap does win one, the copycat league will get some coach/gm's fired by thinking they can replicate it, when one should look around and realize that the 49ers had the stars fall just right for them so far.

All the 49ers have done is show a mobile QB as talented as Kap is can get the job done for half a season and so far in the playoffs, they haven't proven Kap is a long term (decade or so) starter in the NFL. Hell it might come back to bite them as soon as the first season they let Smith go. But for now, none of that matters, and a superbowl is in reach and very legitimate.

Hopefully the Cardinals understand this. We did just see RGIII go down recently. We need a franchise QB AND a new breed QB.

Now watch Kap be durable for a decade rofl.

As for how to defend them I completely agree. Kap was free to run at will against Dom Capers. Very bad and very weird when you consider how great of a secondary the Pack have. If you can't trust your secondary when you have what the Pack have there, you are just asking for trouble.