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| 49ers coach Jim Harbaugh will officially decide between Colin Kaepernick and Alex Smith on Wednesday. (US Presswire) |
A day after QB Colin Kaepernick played well in his second start for the San Francisco 49ers, coach Jim Harbaugh did nothing to clear up the team's plans for the position moving forward. If anything, he might have made things more confusing.
When asked what will ultimately go into the decision when choosing between Kaepernick or Alex Smith, Harbaugh's response showed support for both guys.
"Fair question to ask, what goes into it? And my answer is this: Alex Smith is our starting quarterback," Harbaugh said. "He has not done anything to lose that job. In fact, he's playing at a very high level."
So it's settled then, right? Well, not really.
Harbaugh went on: "Also Colin Kaepernick, you can't categorize him as a backup quarterback, because he's started games and played very well in those games.
"So in a unique situation, you have two quarterbacks that are playing at a very high level. One's your captain, your starting quarterback. The other has played great football the last three football games."
Harbaugh likened the situation to running back, where Frank Gore and Kendall Hunter share responsibilities, and to last year's rotation at OLB between Parys Haralson and Aldon Smith.
"This season, the quarterback position has been shared, Harbaugh said. "And at the end of the season, you look back on it, say, that was shared. So I think the thing that's best for us, we've got two good guys."
Last week, Smith acknowledged the uniqueness of these situation, but insinuated a rotation a quarterback would be a lot different to the situations Harbaugh alluded to.
“If this were any other position, it’s a great thing. Now, does it complicate things for me and Colin? I mean yeah, the quarterback position gets a lot of attention," Smith said. "A lot’s going to get written and talked about and this guy or that. There’s only ball, there’s only one guy who can be under center."
An official decision is expected to come on Wednesday, according to Harbaugh, who indicated a primary reason for naming a starter would be to take pressure off his players, who have been repeatedly asked to speculate on the situation.
Through what has understandably been an awkward two weeks for Smith, Harbaugh marveled at his handling of the situation.
"He’s a class act all the way – team player, that’s why he has been voted captain by our players."
Getting to Brees: The 49ers sacked Saints QB Drew Brees five times on Sunday, an impressive number before factoring in he had been sacked just 16 times all season coming into the game.
"Heard some statistics, and only a handful of times has he been sacked five times in a game," Harbaugh said. "Everybody, Ray McDonald getting pushed, Justin Smith getting pushed, Aldon (Smith), Ahmad (Brooks), again the two inside linebackers played extremely well."
Jacobs active: RB Brandon Jacobs was active for the second time this season Sunday and received his first career carry outside a New York Giants uniform.
"He had two carries, one where he really worked his way for a three- or four-yard first down and we had a penalty on that play as well," harbaugh said. "Yeah, he’s been doing some good things and showing some good things.”
With an ankle injury to Hunter, it wouldn't come as a surprise if Jacobs played again this week at St. Louis.
Aldon Smith approaching history: LB Aldon Smith needs one more sack to set the new NFL record for sacks over a player's first two seasons. Through 27 career games, Smith has 30.5 sacks and with his next full sack will pass Reggie White (1985-86) for the record. With 1.5 sacks against New Orleans he passed Derrick Thomas, who had 30 from 1989-90 with Kansas City.
"You’re talking about great players who accomplished great things," Harbaugh said. "It’s great to be mentioned with that, but I think I can speak for Aldon for a minute: Statistics aren’t what motivate him, it’s winning games."
Follow 49ers reporter Kyle Bonagura on Twitter @CBS49ers and @KyleBonagura.
