Golden Nuggets: Colin Kaepernick named starter against Saints

Happy Thanksgiving. There. I got that out of the way, because, let's face it, who wants to talk about Thanksgiving when you have the most ground-shakingest news on the planet emanating from Santa Clara. For those of you that live under rocks, or have lives, and haven't heard, Colin Kaepernick has been named the starter against the New Orleans Saints this Sunday. Reports have it that it will be regardless of whether Alex Smith is healthy which is the big qualifier, isn't it? If that's true, then we have a QB change. If Kaep is starting because it's a short week and Smith is still not cleared medically at this point (though it's anticipated that he will be) then it leaves the door open for Alex.

I've actually got to be brief today, a most dreadful fate on a big news day, because it's already Thanksgiving here in Australia. I made a nice dinner for my household and now have about an hour to get all these links to you. I'm still soaking in the news and am not sure how I feel about it. I think that Smith has played exceptional, and considering he's 25 of 27 with 4 touchdowns in his last 2 outings, it's hard to bench him. On the other hand, I do think the team is way more dynamic with a QB that can get the ball down the field. They've drafted Kaepernick to do just that and have acquired players to fit scheme. Mario Manningham, Vernon Davis, not to mention plain-clothes rookies, should all benefit. Conflicted. But, oh, what a sweet conflict to have.

On to the links...

Colin Kaepernick Named Week 11 Starter

This isn't even an article about CK7 being named the starter, but I think it shows a lot of what influenced the coaches decision-making process. It gives a lot of snapshots from the game showing Kaepernick's reads but more importantly, shows how flawless the pocket was on those plays. O-line deserves a game ball, as well. | The unsung heroes in Kaepernick's coming out party (BASG)

I think this is another article that sums things up well. The weight of the franchise is on our QB and it's Super Bowl or bust from now until who knows when. I hope Mr Kaepernick has strong shoulders because that's a big burden. | Kaepernick inherits expectation of Super Bowl (Maiocco)

And...I'm sorry, there are a ton of links about the news being broken, and I'm not linking to them all. Simply too many. There were also pieces from before the news was broken / leaked and I didn't include them unless they had relevant info. There may be some oversights, but, like I said, I'm still full from Aussie Thanksgiving.

Jim Trotter says Colin Kaepernick will start vs Saints (Trent Dilfer says otherwise) (BASG)

Colin Kaepernick will reportedly start for 49ers over Alex Smith (Bay Area SB Nation)

Report on Kaepernick starting stirs fans (Sando)

QBR ranks: Revisiting Kaepernick's night (Sando)

Alex Smith: If you can't be happy for your teammate's success, you're playing the wrong sport (Barrows)

Alex Smith Q&A: This is a good problem for the 49ers (Branch)

Q&A with QB of few words: Colin Kaepernick (Branch)

Harbaugh makes the right call (ProFootballTalk)

A two-headed 49ers quarterback? (Scout.com)

Colin Kaepernick is right QB for 49ers (NFL.com)

Harbaugh wades out of QB quagmire (SF Gate)

Week 10: 49ers 32, Bears 7

Hey, this is my article on the 49ers - Bears game. | Colin Kaepernick, Aldon Smith too much for Bears (Malone)

49ers vs Bears rewind: Five things we learned (Gin)

Week 11: 49ers at Saints

49ers vs Saints preview: Sack differential matters (Faaborg)

Roman Harper: Saints unaffected by 49ers QB flap (Barrows)

Assorted 49ers News

Lost in all the QB hubbub was the fact that Aldon Smith destroyed the Chicago Bears. OK, it wasn't completely lost. But, he did have 4 stories written about him while Colin Kaepernick had something like 400. Cam Inman is talking Defensive Player of the Year! The one about the tweets from the Chicago reporter is great as well (Branch). He notes there were 3 sacks on three-step drops. You should never have a sack on a three-step drop! Never!

Aldon Smith named Defensive Player of the Week (Bay Area SB Nation)

Could Player-of-Week honor launch Aldon Smith's Player-of-Year bid? (Inman)

Tweets tell tale: Award winning Aldon Smith left Bears' line in tatters (Branch)

Aldon Smith stays hungry and humble (49ers.com)

Frank Gore getting better with age (CBS Sports)

Randy Moss: The story behind the story (Maiocco)

Coach's notebook: Nov 21 (49ers.com)

Alex Smith, three DBs limited at practice (Maiocco)

Videos / Assorted Media

There are actually two separate Jim Harbaugh interviews...just in case you were wondering.

The remix: 49ers vs Bears (49ers.com)

Press pass: Jim Harbaugh (49ers.com)

Press pass: Jim Harbaugh (49ers.com)

Press pass: Colin Kaepernick (49ers.com)

Press pass: Alex Smith (49ers.com)

Conference call: Saints HC Joe Vitt (49ers.com)

Conference call: Saints S Roman Harper (49ers.com)

49ers talk QB situation (49ers.com)

Total access: Show #14 (49ers.com)

Again, sorry. It was a bit of a mess and I left myself with little time on this massive news day. Sigh. Happy Turkey Day, folks. Enjoy your triple header. Enjoy your turkey. Enjoy your family. I'll have more thoughts on all of this in my weekly This Week in Niners Nation post that hits newsstands Friday evenings. Check it out if you haven't.

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