A Tale of Two Quarterbacks

It was the best of games; it was the worst of games. For Colin Kaepernick, Monday, November 19, 2012, his first NFL start, was the best. For Alex Smith, it was the worst. I was at Candlestick that night watching the Niners’ future franchise QB in awe. After suffering a concussion the week before, Smith was also watching as his back up lit up the field with his arms and his legs – as his starting job was intercepted. But Smith is a class act and a team player, so he didn’t allow it to become a distraction for the team. Yesterday, Kaepernick told reporters, “The way he handled things — he didn’t turn it into a controversy in the locker room and that just shows the character he has, not just as a player but as a man.” The 49ers went to the Super Bowl that year – I had to leave before the final four plays of the game. Anyone know who won?? – and to the NFC Championship the next season with Kaepernick at the helm. Meanwhile, Smith was traded to the Kansas City Chiefs where he led his team to a record of 11-5 and to a wild card playoff spot. I like Alex Smith. I always did. I want him to do well – I mean, not this Sunday, but usually. I appreciated his loyalty to the team that drafted him, but it was time for a change, and it seems that even Smith understood that. “I feel like it was complete, I felt like we rebounded,” Smith said. “It took a lot longer than I would’ve thought, but we got the organization back to where it needed to be and better than when I came in. So yeah, in a sense, I didn’t have any regrets when I left.” It’s definitely a story this week – the return of Alex Smith. But really, it’s a great media story and it’s a fun story for us fans. But the real story this week, the one the players are focusing on (I hope), the one that begins at 1:25 pm on Sunday, is two teams that are 2-2, who are coming off big wins, and who need to continue winning. For the 49ers, it is especially important as they are in arguably the toughest division in the NFL. For all the hype and the build up, I just wish for this story to end with a 49er happy ending. Go Niners!