Former Rams and Cardinals QB Kurt Warner sat down with 49ers QB Colin Kaepernick and the interview has aired (and likely will continue to air) on NFL Network. If you don't get NFL Network, you can check out the entire interview on NFL.com.
The NFL sent along a few of the quotations from the game. It includes some discussion about his insertion into the starting line and handling the pressure of stepping in for Smith and making a playoff start. My favorite line was this: "It is not pressure unless you are not prepared." Kaepernick has proven to be a very level-headed quarterback. It can be seen in the fact that each time he has turned over the ball via interception or fumble, he has bounced back on his next offensive possession and put together very solid drives.
And of course, he is fired up to take any remaining doubts out of people's minds. January and February is when a quarterback can do that. And considering he is squaring off against arguably the best quarterback in the NFL later today, it's safe to say the opportunity will present itself.
On if ever envisioned him being the playoff starter at the start of the season
- "I was just hoping for an opportunity to get on the field at that point. I thought I could perform well, I thought I could help this offense; it was when I was going to get an opportunity to try to show everybody I could do that."
On him becoming a starter due to an injury to Alex Smith
- "It is part of football, it happens quite a bit. Me and Alex have a great relationship; I wish him nothing but the best. At the same time, when you have the opportunity - you might only get one chance - you have to take full advantage of it."
On if he feels pressure going into his first playoff game as a starter
- "It is not pressure unless you are not prepared. I feel like I was prepared to step in and prepared to play. At that point it is about going out and performing well."
On if he still has to prove he should be the starting quarterback
- "I feel like I have a lot to prove. There are people that still doubt me. Going through the playoffs, through this next game, I really want to take all that doubt out of [their] mind."