As could be expected, Colin Kaepernick dazzled in the San Francisco 49ers’ three-day minicamp.
That said, is it merely a continuation of his awesome 2012 campaign? Or does this offseason performance indicate something different or more significant?
Yes, yes and, well, yes.
Despite losing in the Super Bowl, second-year quarterbacks who even reach that hallowed game could conceivably rest on their laurels as über successful 20-something-year-olds. Why not spend a month or two gallivanting around town pursuing nothing by hedonistic interests? Not Kaepernick, he would be simply offended at such an idea.
Kaepernick immediately went into film study and berserk workout mode the day after the Super Bowl. He continued his strenuous offseason program up until minicamp, in which he proceeded to do nothing but impress for three consecutive days.
Day 1 included prolific work out of the read option during 11-on-11 drills against the 49ers' No. 1 defense. He ran in a touchdown after splitting defenders in the red zone and later threw a nice TD pass to rookie Quinton Patton.
An accurate intermediate pass to tight end Vance McDonald and another TD throw to Patton provided the excitement on the second day of minicamp. In the final practice, Kaepernick produced a veritable highlight reel with five tremendous downfield throws to five different receivers. A 25-yard pass over the deep middle on a crossing route to Marlon Moore was particularly noteworthy.
Kaepernick’s impressive work during these practices reveals a sense of elevated maturity, commitment, focus and continuous progression.
Yes, these are non-contact drills and we must take things with a grain of salt. But that also doesn’t discount Kap’s fantastic performance and how it bodes well for him and the 49ers moving forward.
Simply put, expect steadfast discipline from Kaepernick until training camp, and yet another big-time showcase during the final practices before preseason action.
It just remains to be seen if fans themselves can maintain any patience until then.
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