Golden Nuggets: Does Colin Kaepernick need to be more open with the media?

Good morning everyone. It has been a depressing week for 49ers fans, but I'm happy to say that there is good news. The 49ers face the Raiders on Sunday. Yup, the same Raiders that are 1-11 and just lost to the Rams 52-0. So naturally, the biggest news of the day is... you guessed it, Colin Kaepernick barely speaking in his weekly press conference. The official count was 32 questions and 83 words total. That is a little over two words per answer, and when you think about it, it's actually kind of amazing.

Personally, I could not care less whether athletes speak to the media or not in most instances. I do find the whole process a little silly, and fining them if they refuse is incredibly corrupt. But a lot of the time, they really don't have a ton to say. And when they do, its usually somebody like Russell Wilson, who has mastered the method of stretching out nothing into a 20 minute press conference. Another thing, players aren't always good analysts, not even the ones on TV are good across the board. Are they really offering anything we need to know on a consistent basis?

But, there is a but. I want the quarterback of this team to take responsibility for the miserable offense in front the media. I don't need him to spill any game plan secrets, or get on his knees and beg for forgiveness. I just think the leader of a football team needs to take his share, if not all of the blame. In the case of the offense this season, that leader is absolutely Colin Kaepernick. He could be the greatest leader in the NFL behind closed doors for all anyone knows. I have my doubts about that, but I am positive that the other players in the locker room would respond if their leader acted like a leader in public as well. To the links!

Edit: My link feed was down last night so I was forced to collect links the old fashioned way. Unfortunately, I've never done it the old fashioned way before. So today more so than ever, feel free to link anything I missed.

Colin Kaepernick transcript: ‘Yep’ (Branch)

Kaepernick briefs media during his weekly session (Maiocco)

49ers practice report: Anthony Davis still waiting to return (Gin)

Cowboy’s last ride? Justin Smith unsure about 2015 season (Barrows)

Bulked-up police presence at Sunday’s 49ers-Raiders game (Barrows)

49ers injuries: Anthony Davis inching back; Staley absent (Barrows)

Former 49er on Jim Harbaugh: ‘The players love him’ (Barrows)

49ers injury report: Crabtree limited with knee ailment (Maiocco)

49ers RT Anthony Davis makes progress in concussion protocol (Maiocco)

Book: Parcells was Baalke's first choice as 49ers coach (Maiocco)

What 49ers owner Jed York was really saying in that Tweet last week, other than "Don’t blame me for this!" (Kawakami)

Justin Smith says 49ers are ‘right where we need to be’ (Inman)

Practice report: Harbaugh and Baalke appear cordial; Anthony Davis on mend; Joe Staley absent (Inman)

Time to go? Justin Smith noncommital about 2015 (Branch)

Tuna Talk: Parcells was Baalke’s first choice in 2011 (Branch)