Colin Kaepernick disagrees with benching, but 'I'll support Blaine'
— -- SANTA CLARA, Calif. - Speaking publicly for the first time since being benched as the San Francisco 49ers starting quarterback, a somewhat defiant Colin Kaepernick did not agree with the team's decision to sit him and go with Blaine Gabbert, but Kaepernick said he was not going to complain.
He did, however, take issue with some of the ways he has been characterized by coach Jim Tomsula and offensive coordinator Geep Chryst.
When asked if he agreed with Tomsula's assessment that Kaepernick needed to "step back and breathe," Kaepernick said, "I'm not out of breath, so I don't understand that reference."
"I don't believe in pressure," he said. "Pressure is not being prepared for what you want to do. To me, I've played full seasons and had success. Mentally, I've been through it before. I'm not incapable of going through this."
When told of Chryst saying Kaepernick had been playing cautiously since his four-interception game at the Arizona Cardinals in Week 3, Kaepernick blanched.
"I don't believe that's accurate," he said. "Every time I step on the field, I step on the field to make plays, so that's just a matter of opinion."
Kaepernick is enduring his worst year since taking over from the concussed Alex Smith in Week 9 of the 2012 season, posting a Total QBR of 47.6, 6.7 yards per attempt, a 6-to-5 touchdown-to-interception ratio and a completion rate of 59.3 percent.
The 49ers have the worst-rated offense in the NFL, with 282.2 yards per game, nearly 30 yards less than the No. 31 Tennessee Titans, and the fewest points scored in the league, 109, the fourth-fewest in franchise history through the first eight games. Taken together, you get a sense why a change was needed under center.
Chryst is among those who have been quick to point out that Kaepernick's supporting cast is not the same as it was when the Niners went to the Super Bowl three seasons ago. Only three players from that team remain in their same starting positions: left tackle Joe Staley, outside linebacker Ahmad Brooks and inside linebacker NaVorro Bowman.
"They told me they were going to sit me, and that was the extent of the conversation," Kaepernick said. "That decision is out of my control, and I respect their authority."
Still, despite his shortcomings, many of his supporters wonder if Kaepernick is being made a scapegoat by the organization in the wake of a messy divorce with former coach Jim Harbaugh, who handpicked Kaepernick as his quarterback over Smith, a former No. 1 overall draft pick.
When Kaepernick signed his $126 million contract extension in the summer of 2014, which is actually a team-friendly deal that allows the Niners to get out with relatively minimal salary cap damage should they cut him by April 1, about a $7.5 million hit, he asked if the savings in money would help the team build.
Now, he would not say if he felt the team has held up its end of the bargain.
"That's not something for me to say," Kaepernick said. "I just try to do my part to try to help this organization, help this team, and do everything I can to try to help us be successful."
Asked if he is indeed being made a scapegoat, Kaepernick said, "I don't pass judgment on that. I do everything I can to try to help this team win, try to support my teammates and try to go out and get a 'W' on Sunday."
Kaepernick has passed for 1,615 yards with six touchdown passes and five interceptions in eight games and has been sacked 28 times. He said his new role as Gabbert's backup will not change his preparation. He is, he said, just as focused and locked in.
"To me, that's selfish to (make it about) myself and take away from my teammates and take away from Blaine," Kaepernick said. "I'll support my teammates; I'll support Blaine because they've been good to me.
"There's always times you think you can play better. ... I haven't seen a quarterback play a perfect game yet. I'm very critical of myself."
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