Exactly zero 49ers-related articles (outside of NN) has been produced in the past 24 hours. Exactly one loosely-49ers-related article (outside of NN) was produced: a human interest piece on ex-49er QB Colin Kaepernick. It was relatively simple coverage of the embattled quarterback’s Independence Day getaway, sandwiched between an attention-grabbing assertion and a brief overview of QB’s offseason timeline thus far.
The assertion itself was nothing new; a common Kaepernick storyline for some time now has been the question of whether or not he still has the overwhelming desire to play football at the highest level. Noel Harris of the Sac Bee opines that the QB seems mighty nonchalant about his status as an unrestricted free agent. He went as far as making a tenuous-at-best link between a recent John Lynch statement (see below) and the Africa trip, insinuating that the vacation flew in the face of such:
“I think the way you could best help yourself is not to have someone talk for you, not have statements, but go sit down and do an interview and let people know where you stand because he makes a compelling case as to how bad he wants to be in the league when you talk to him.”
“You could’ve been writing love letters to GMs like John Lynch said in a press conference in which he was not speaking directly to you, but instead you went jetsetting, you clearly don’t care about football”
I’ve long held the belief that you can form an opinion on a person’s intentions through their actions, but knowing exactly what they’re thinking is the definition of impossible. Jason Pierre-Paul mangled his hand in an unfortunate fireworks incident. An unbelievably stupid mistake? Yes. Proof that he doesn’t care about football? I don’t believe so. Aldon Smith can’t put down the doobers or the bottle. Proof that he doesn’t care about football? I’d be inclined to say yes, by way of improper prioritizing, especially considering the effects thereof on physical well-being, which is a little bit important when you’re an athlete. Colin Kaepernick went on vacation. Proof he doesn’t care about football? C’mon man. Even I’m not buying this one.
Here’s the link I promised:
On Kaepernick, seeming nonchalance this offseason | Harris, Sac Bee