Colin Kaepernick has fallen under plenty of criticism this year simply because he is not wowing people week in and week out. The San Francisco 49ers are still putting together a season that willing likely keep them in contention for postseason play. It is clear the quarterback is struggling in a sophomore slump, but head coach Jim Harbaugh does not believe he deserves the criticism being handed down upon him.
The 49ers are in the midst of a two-game losing streak that saw Kaepernick throw just 218 yards total. His rushing yards are down from last year and he is completing just over 50 percent of his pass attempts. Despite the slump in numbers, Harbaugh believes his third-year quarterback is doing a better job than people give him credit for.
"I think he's doing a heck of a job," Harbaugh said, via the team website. "I guess I'd be puzzled to why people would think that. What's most important is what we see. I'm puzzled to why you or anybody else thinks that."
Kaepernick has become of a pocket-passing quarterback this season instead of escaping and running the read option. Through 10 games, the 49ers rank 29th in passing yards per game with 309. Last season, they finished 11th with 361.8 yards per game. Their points per game has decreased from last season, leaving Kaepernick to continue defending his play at this point in the year.
"I don't think there's any concern on this team," Kaepernick said. "I was trying to be a perfectionist last year, the same way I am this year."
Both Kaepernick and Harbaugh are defending the quarterback play after analysts like Trent Dilfer have been tough on the lack of development being displayed in the offense. Dilfer credited Kaepernick as an incredible player and athlete, but said he had plateaued as a passer this season and his progress should not be acceptable.
"I didn't hear what he had to say, but he's not in the building with us," Kaepernick said. "So what he's saying really doesn't affect me at all. I'm worried about what this team thinks and what I'm doing in here with my teammates."
Kaepernick could be poised for a big game against the weaker Washington Redskins defense. The team is allowing over 100 yards rushing per game so if Kaepernick reverts back to his old, athletic ways, the 49ers should see the break in the losing streak.
