By Morris Phillips
SANTA CLARA–Colin Kaepernick’s big shot—and likely his only opportunity—to be named the 49ers’ starting quarterback came and went with a whimper.
The 28-year old who spent the off-season recuperating from thumb, knee and shoulder surgeries, then experienced arm fatigue in training camp, made his 2016 debut on Friday against the Packers, and he didn’t do much to impress in slightly less than a quarter of action.
After watching Kaepernick complete two of six passes, two of which were batted at the line of scrimmage, along with some nifty scrambling on broken plays, only one conclusion could be drawn: maybe Kaepernick’s ability to unseat Blaine Gabbert as the starter may have been too much to ask.
According to Kaepernick, the starting job remains up for grabs. Afterwards, he was plotting his gameplan for the final exhibition.
“I think next game we have to be more productive, put points on the board,” Kaepernick said. “Ultimately, that’s what you want to do as an offense and as a quarterback.”
The 49ers’ ran seven plays on Kaepernick’s first possession, then went three and out twice. The quick, fruitless possessions put pressure on the 49ers’ defense, who allowed Green Bay to score early in the second quarter. The Pack would go on to add two more touchdowns in the second half, and win 21-10, to improve to 3-0 in the pre-season.
The 49ers possessed the ball 20 minutes, 31 seconds, losing the time of possession battle nearly two-to-one, and threw for just 61 yards while falling to 1-2 with one final exhibition on Thursday at San Diego.
While many teams use the third pre-season game as their regular season dress rehearsal, Coach Chip Kelly elected to sit several of his defensive stars, while limiting the time for both Gabbert and Kaepernick.
The Packers held 13 players out, most notably receiver Jordy Nelson, safety Morgan Burnett, and backup quarterback Brett Hundley. Aaron Rodgers played two series in the first half, his pre-season debut and likely his conclusion as well. Rodgers finished six of nine for 60 yards, leading the Pack on a 14-play drive that tied the score at 7 in the second quarter.
Gabbert started for the 49ers and led the team to a touchdown given a short field on their second possession. But Gabbert wasn’t much on the wow meter either, finishing two of three for 14 yards passing.
“Had some good drives, had some bad drives,” Gabbert said. “Shot ourselves in the foot a couple times and when you’re inconsistent on the offensive side of the ball, you don’t execute at a high level. It shows when you don’t move the ball, you don’t score points, drives stall. We put our defense in some tough positions and ultimately you lose the game.”
If any San Francisco unit bore watching on Friday, it was the offensive line where both guard spots appear to be still up for grabs with the September 12th season opener looming. Andrew Tiller had held the starting spot at right guard through camp, but was replaced in the starting lineup on Friday by Anthony Davis. Center Daniel Kilgore and right tackle Trent Brown flanked Davis, opposite left tackle Joe Staley and left guard Zane Beedles. Rookie first round pick Joshua Garnett played extensively, but may not be far enough along to unseat Beedles for the opener against the Rams.
Carlos Hyde saw his most extensive pre-season action but was removed when he exhibited concussion symptoms in the second quarter. Hyde finished with 30 yards rushing on four carries, including a 27-yard jaunt in the first quarter.
Bruce Ellington started in the slot receiver spot but was felled by a hamstring injury while fielding a punt, leaving his availability for the opener up in the air. If Ellington can’t go, DeAndrew White could be the starter at that critical spot.
“I don’t know what the medical diagnosis is nor am I going to talk about one of my friend’s injuries, who knows how severe it is. But I know DeAndrew and Bruce have been working their tails off all throughout the summer and training camp learning that position in the slot,” Gabbert said.
Veteran defensive starters NaVorro Bowman, Ahmad Brooks and Antoine Bethea watched the game in street clothes, as did lineman Arik Armstead and Glenn Dorsey. First round pick DeForrest Buckner got the start at defensive tackle, but has yet to be teamed with former college teammate Armstead along the defensive front.
No timetable was given by Kelly, but the 49ers appear set in the secondary with Eric Reid and Bethea at the safeties, along with corners Tramaine Brock and first-time starter Jimmy Ward.
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