Kaepernick ready for the call

If Alex Smith reported his concussion when it occurred during the second quarter of the 49ers' game Sunday against the Dallas Cowboys, he would've been required to leave the game.And rookie Colin Kaepernick would've made his NFL debut.Sooner or later, its bound to happen. Only 12 quarterbacks in the NFL started every game last season. And only Joe Flacco, Matt Schaub, Peyton Manning, Eli Manning and Sam Bradford attempted every quarterback pass from their respective teams a year ago.
The percentages say at some point the 49ers will need Kaepernick to perform. That point was driven home when Smith sustained a concussion and finally reported it to the teams medical staff after the game. Kaepernick remains one snap away from being called upon.And he said hes ready for that chance."The more you practice it, the better you feel with it," Kaepernick said. "I'm very confident in everything we're doing."Kaepernick, whom the 49ers traded up to select with the No. 36 overall pick, has remained on the sideline through the first two games while Smith took every snap. After his record-setting career at Nevada, Kaepernick has found it difficult to adjust to his role as a spectator."It's definitely tough to sit there and watch your team play and not being able to contribute in any way," he said. "Right now, I'm still trying to work hard and make sure I'm ready if my time does come. "Smith beat out Kaepernick for the starting job this summer. Kaepernick completed 24 of 50 passes (48 percent) with no touchdowns and five interceptions in the exhibition season. His passer rating was 23.9.Offensive coordinator Greg Roman said he is confident Kaepernick would play well if he's given a chance in a regular-season game."I think Colin is ready to go," Roman said. "He is on top of his assignments and just like any rookie quarterback, there's going to be a curve there. It's just a fact. He's getting tons of work in practice and really improving all the time. Very much on top of the game plan."Kaepernick is not getting as much practice time with the 49ers' offense as he did in training camp. But he is also taking the bulk of his snaps with the scout team, running the opposition's plays against the 49ers' first-team defense.Meanwhile, the third quarterback is Scott Tolzien, a rookie from Wisconsin the 49ers claimed off waivers from the San Diego Chargers after final cuts.Tolzien completed 25 of 40 attempts (62.5 percent) with one touchdown and one interception in the exhibition season for an 83.5 passer rating. Tolzien has been inactive for the 49ers' first two games. His only practice snaps have been with the scout team. He is still cramming to learn the basics of the offense, he said.And hes spending plenty of time on the job. Tolzien has put off his apartment hunting until after the team returns from their Cincinnati-Youngstown-Philadelphia trip. He is literally living at the 49ers practice facility, as he spends his nights in the players lounge.