Daily Madden: 49ers Fortunate To Have Kaepernick As Back-Up
SAN FRANCISCO (KCBS) - After suffering a concussion in last Sunday's tie game with the Rams, 49ers quarterback Alex Smith may be ready to play against the Bears on Monday night. If not, Colin Kaepernick will get the start.
John Madden told the KCBS morning crew that Kaepernick is an excellent backup.
"He can run with the ball. A play can break down, and he can make a touchdown out of it. And that's the threat. That's the thing that holds the pass rush down, and it really affects the defense, because they like to go all out. They like to do what they call spot rush on a pass rush to a spot where the quarterback is going to be. And when you have a guy like Kaepernick, you really don't know where that spot is."
The former coach said back-up quarterbacks should get more attention in practice.
"The way football is today, the backup quarterback doesn't get any reps with the offense," he said. "So he has to come in not only cold, but he has to come in with not having practiced with them. And I think there's something wrong with that program." (7:20)
Listen to the John Madden segment live weekday mornings at 8:15 on KCBS All News 740 AM/106.9 FM. And catch John's extra report at 9:15 a.m. Mondays and Fridays during the NFL season.
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