Kaepernick's ‘hot hand' tipped scales, Harbaugh says

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SANTA CLARA -- Jim Harbaugh made the announcement Wednesday to go with the "hot hand" of second-year quarterback Colin Kaepernick as the 49ers' starter over Alex Smith.

NEWS: Harbaugh going with Kaepernick
Here is some of what Harbaugh had to say about making the decision:Do you have a quarterback announcement?
"Yes, Colin Kaepernick, It's our plan to start Colin, and we're preparing him to make that start this week against the Rams."What's the rationale behind that?
"Well, the rationale is you got two quarterbacks that we feel great about as the starting quarterback. Both have earned it. Both deserve it, and, uh, Alex over a long period of time, Colin by virtue of the last two games. What tips the scales is Colin we believe has the hot hand, and we'll go with Colin. . . And we'll go with Alex. Both are our guys."Do you seek input from the veteran players or was this your decision?
"First of all, I talk to players all the time -- every day, all players, whoever wants to talk with me on any topic. But, yeah, this is one of those decisions you make as the head coach."When you have two guys very capable, would you consider having a bullpen situation, a guy having a bad half or is struggling . .
"No. (I'm not) going to start talking about speculation or every permutation that you could get into. We're not going to speculate on it. We'll worry about everything and fear nothing."Just to clarify, you're saying Colin Kaepernick is the starting quarterback moving forward. It's not a one week thing. . .
"I wouldn't assume anything. I know you probably will, but I'd assume nothing."With a young quarterback like Colin, do you have to be prepared for some bumps in the road?
"Like I said, we worry about everything as a coach. That's a part of my job. But as a coach and as a team, we don't fear any moment or circumstance or other man."Emotionally for you, how difficult was it to make this decision?
"All these decisions are difficult. And you think through them the best you possibly can."How did Alex handle the news?
"Alex is a class act all the way. He'll prepare as he is the starter. And that's what we'd expect, and be ready to go in and play and contribute to this football team."Is it something you see from practice or games from Kaepernick?
"I've seen it both in practice and in games that Colin is playing good. I've seen it both in practice and in games that Alex is a very good player."How did Colin get to become a more accurate passer?
"Like any football player, practice. You don't get to Carnegie Hall without practicing."Have you seen that, too, that his accuracy has improved even since training camp?
"Yeah, he's been improving. He's getting better every single day."How much of that is related to knowing the offense better and just going out and playing without thinking?
"He does a great job studying. It's both. It's physical and it's mental. He does a great job studying."

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