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Can Colin Kaepernick return to superstar form in 2015?

By Daniel

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In 2012, San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick exploded onto the NFL scene. He led the ‘Niners to the playoffs as he started the final seven games (5-2). That year he looked like one of the most dangerous quarterbacks in the league. In fact, he even led San Francisco to the Super Bowl, but came up just short as his team fell to the Baltimore Ravens. Although he hasn’t returned to that great level of play in the last two seasons.

Kaepernick’s passing statistics haven’t dramatically fell over the last two years, but his overall explosiveness has steadily dwindled. However, he is only 27 years old and definitely has a chance to get back to his former glory.

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If he would have started the entire 2012 season he would have thrown for nearly 23 touchdowns and less than seven interceptions (based on his average statistics that year). In 2013 he threw for 21 touchdowns and eight interceptions; now that’s not very different. In 2014 he threw 19 touchdowns and 10 interceptions — there the decline is somewhat apparent.

Although it’s not just the passing statistics that have demonstrated his relative decline; it’s his rushing statistics that have dropped that has his overall explosiveness way down.

In 2012 ‘Kap’ ran for five touchdowns in just seven games, but in 2013 he ran four just four all season. In 2014 he managed to score just once on the ground in 16 games. This means that he’s scored as many rushing touchdowns in his last two full seasons as he did in his first seven starts in the NFL.

When Kaepernick was at his best throwing and running with equal dominance (in 2012) he was quite an intimidating threat to defend. Yet last year he didn’t scare many people with his legs and that made him less efficient through the air because defenses didn’t respect his athleticism as much. Because of this, among other reasons, the ‘Niners finished 8-8 and looked like half the team they were in 2012.

Unfortunately for the San Francisco 49ers, the team has gone through a lot of changes this offseason. Linebackers Patrick Willis and Chris Borland have both retired and running back Frank Gore has moved on to Indianapolis. Although Kaepernick still has a chance to regain his former explosiveness in the 2015 season.

I believe that the 49ers’ new regime, led by head coach Jim Tomsula, will allow Kaepernick to capitalize on his rare athletic ability in 2015. He’s their leader and the team will fail or succeed because of him. If the new coaches design plays to get ‘Kap’ running down field with the ball in his hands the entire offense will change. Defensive backs will have to cheat up to defend him like they did in 2012 and that will give him the ability to hit wide receivers over the top in single coverage.

If defenses begin to respect Kaepernick’s full offensive onslaught once more he again can be looked at as a superstar. Tomsula has been the defensive line coach in San Fran since 2007, so he saw first hand how dangerous Kaepernick can be if given the freedom to be a playmaker. In other words, offensive coordinator Geep Chryst won’t limit No. 7 next fall.

So can Kaepernick be a superstar again in 2015?

Yes, I believe Kaepernick can be, but only if Tomsula and Chryst allow him to be fully himself — legs and all. I’m not saying that he will return to superstar status this year, but I am saying it’s possible.

When he is a threat to run defenders are looking over their shoulders and that gives his receivers an edge. Which means, if he takes off with success then the next time cornerbacks might hesitate in coverage. Not to mention, safeties should creep up especially in third down situations. That opens up the middle of the field to hit his targets in a less congested area and that will help his completion percentage greatly (which was his all-time low in 2014).

With Kaepernick, it’s all about the balance of run and pass and that balance creates an uneasiness in defenses. In the NFL, a split-second hesitation can be the difference in forcing an incomplete pass and being burned for a touchdown.

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I believe that, with all of the turnover in San Fran, that these coaches will put everything into Kaepernick and his athletic ability. They won’t force him into a box (otherwise known as the pocket) because they know their success relies on his production. This focus on his raw ability should raise the level of his overall game, much like how he played in his first year as the starter.

In 2015, look for the 49ers’ offense to be a little more simple than in past years. ‘Kap’ will think less and simply be more of an athlete that isn’t afraid to make plays.

Even if it isn’t in this upcoming season that ‘Kap’ returns to being the feared signal caller that he was he could get back there in the future. The ‘Niners have had a rough offseason and the NFC West is an incredibly stacked division, so it might be a long year in the Bay Area, but he is still a very talented quarterback.

Kaepernick has the tools to be great again and if he becomes the true dual threat that he was in 2012, then this team could again be competing for the Super Bowl again under his lead.

Next: Will the 49ers Rely on a Run-Heavy Offense in 2015?

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