Daily Madden: Kaepernick Needs A Confidence Boost
SAN FRANCISCO (KCBS) - After managing only three points against the Seahawks last week, the 49ers are looking for answers on offense as they get ready to play the Raiders Sunday.
"You have to be able to push the ball up the field," John Madden told the KCBS Radio morning crew. "What teams are doing to the 49ers now is they're playing them pretty tight. They're pretty close to the line of scrimmage, and that kind of takes away running... Then you go pass, and if it's incomplete it's second and long. Then you have to pass again. It was just one of those things that one thing was beginning another thing and neither of them were any good."
49er quarterback Colin Kaepernick struggled throughout.
"I saw a guy that didn't have any confidence or didn't have all his confidence," Madden said. "It looks like he's lost a little of his swagger and he's lost his confidence. Some of those throws -- those interceptions -- those weren't great interceptions, those were just bad throws."
On the coaching side, ESPN reported that the Raiders and Jets are interested in talking about a trade for 49ers coach Jim Harbaugh.
"I don't know if the 49ers would trade him (and) I don't know if the Raiders and Jets would be interested in a trade, but it is a possibility," Madden said, noting the continuing reports of discontent between Harbaugh and the front office. "Maybe there is something to this." (6:55)
(Listen to the John Madden segment live weekday mornings at 8:15 and Monday and Friday mornings at 9:15 on KCBS All News 740 AM/106.9 FM.)