Golden Tate on Colin Kaepernick: 'I think the best is still yet to come'

A former rival of the San Francisco 49ers had some positive comments to make about Colin Kaepernick recently. Detroit Lions wide receiver Golden Tate was on NFL's Total Access talking about a variety of topics, and had a chance to touch on Colin Kaepernick. You can watch the full video HERE. The panel includes Tate, Heath Evans and Willie McGinest. I generally don't pay too much attention to Evans, as he makes my head hurt.

They got into a discussion about Kap, and Tate had the following to say:

"I think the best is still yet to come. I think this is a guy who is athletic, very strong arm. And you gotta remember, this is a guy who took a team midseason to a Super Bowl. Took a team to the NFC Championship. So he still has it. He didn't have his best year, but he's only in year five, going into year six I believe (Kap is going into his fifth year). I think he's going to hit the ceiling."

He also mentioned working out with Kap last offseason, and that he thinks Kap is mentally prepared to take the next step as a quarterback. I'd say Tate has no reason to hold back on his opinion since the 49ers don't play the Lions, but Tate has never struck me as a guy who would go on a program like this to blast an opposing quarterback. He will talk smack on the field and immediately after the game, but in a setting like this, I would only expect positive comments.

Nonetheless, it is always nice to hear a little respect from other NFL players. There is no doubt that Kap is entering a huge year. He spent the last ten weeks working on his mechanics and film study with a variety of people, including Kurt Warner. The 49ers have added a deep threat in Torrey Smith, and very well could add another wide receiver to the mix. Add in what will hopefully be a healthy and productive Vernon Davis, and it is reasonable to boost offensive expectations heading into 2015.