49ers key matchup No. 1: Kaepernick vs. Fisher

Share

This is the final part in a series that spotlights three 49ers-Rams matchups to watch Sunday, 10 a.m. (FOX), at the Edward Jones Dome.49ers QB Colin Kaepernick vs. Rams coach Jeff FisherTale of the tape
Kaepernick (7): 6-foot-4, 230 pounds, second season, Nevada
Fisher: 17th NFL season as head coach, first with RamsIn baseball terms, this is the equivalent to the second time through the lineup for a pitcher.It was just three weeks ago that 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick was pressed into action for his first taste of extended NFL playing time following Alex Smith's concussion.The St. Louis Rams had game film of Kaepernick's brief forays in the 49ers' offense as a change-of-pace quarterback who mostly ran the zone-read plays. But in a game that ended in a 24-24 tie on Nov. 11, Kaepernick took over. And he has not left the field since. He completed 11 of 17 passes for 117 yards. He also rushed eight times for 66 yards.After two winning starts against the Chicago Bears and New Orleans Saints, 49ers coach Jim Harbaugh anointed Kaepernick as the team's starting quarterback ahead of Smith.
The Rams had an opportunity to watch that film -- as well as Kaepernick's two other starting assignments -- to prepare for facing him a second time. So Sunday's game could provide Kaepernick with a strong indication of what he can expect for the remainder of the season. The Rams are the first team to face him twice, and the book on Kaepernick is in its early chapters.Fisher is considered one of the best coaches in the business. He spent 16 seasons as head coach of the Tennessee Titans after previously serving five seasons as defensive coordinator of the Philadelphia Eagles, St. Louis Rams and Houston Oilers. Fisher was also 49ers defensive backs coach in 1992 and '93."You got the added dimension of Colin's legs," Fisher said last week on a conference call with Bay Area reporters. "That's the biggest concern defensively. A couple weeks ago, he kept that game alive and gave them an opportunity with his legs in the two-minute drill."Greg Roman, the 49ers' offensive coordinator, is in a similar situation. He knows there will be no element of surprise this time with Kaepernick. The Rams will be well-prepared. So does Roman attempt to predict what adjustments the Rams will make when they see Kaepernick again?"Well, you can do that . . . I know that they know, that we know, that they know," Roman said. "It's like being in a room of never-ending mirrors. You've just got to go out and play, come up with a plan. I think it works both ways. They've seen Kap for a game or three quarters of a game. Kap's seen them. So I think it works both ways."

Contact Us