Kaepernick Retools His Game

The 49ers-Seahawks rivalry was the league’s hottest heading into last season, with the division rivals having met in the NFC Championship Game the season prior. Adding fuel to the fire was the fact that both teams were built from a similar mold, with run-heavy offenses and swarming defenses. But something significant happened last season that sent both teams in opposite directions: Russell Wilson kept getting better and Colin Kaepernick began to backslide.

Looking to reverse that trend, Kaepernick has spent his offseason training with Kurt Warner, who has become something of a career defibrulator for flailing quarterbacks. Warner was in the news a couple weeks back when another of his prodigals (Jason Campbell) found his way back into the league with the Miami Dolphins. With Kaepernick, it is not about getting back into the league, but simply getting back on track.

“I just want to do everything I can to get better and do what I can to help this team win,” Kaepernick said.

Kaepernick finished last season with the worst passer rating of his career (86.4). He absorbed 52 sacks, often because he held the ball too long, and averaged only 7.0 yards per attempt. He also had nearly as many turnovers (15) as TD passes (19).

One might think Kaepernick would benefit more from studying under a former quarterback more similar in style, such as Jeff Garcia, but Kaep’s problems are mostly mental. He needs to develop more patience in the pocket and learn to read coverages, go through his progressions and anticipate throwing windows. He also needs to improve his touch and accuracy, which will allow his receivers to do more damage after the catch.

It’s a lengthy list of things to work on, but the early results are apparently promising. Said TE Vernon Davis: “You guys are in for a treat. He looks like a totally different guy.”

It will take a massive step forward by Kaepernick to keep the 49ers in contention in the toughest division in the NFL. San Francisco has already endured several tough losses this offseason, from head coach Jim Harbaugh to key contributors like Patrick Willis, Mike Iupati, Frank Gore, Perrish Cox, Chris Borland and Chris Culliver. Justin Smith is still pondering whether he wants to join Willis and Borland in retirement.

Kaepernick will have to play like he did in 2012, when he helped guide the 49ers to the Super Bowl, in order for San Francisco to overcome all those departures. The addition of Torrey Smith will help him attack deep down the field, while newcomer Reggie Bush will make San Francisco’s short passing game more dangerous. But it’s what happens in between — both between the hashes and between Kaepernick’s ears — that will tell the story of San Francisco’s season.

Bills Believing Big

Rex Ryan’s teams have never lacked for confidence, and apparently his new team is no exception.

Robert Woods, who was a part of last season’s team that extended Buffalo’s playoff drought to 15 years, is already feeling like the Bills are on the brink of big things.

Asked of his team’s expectations for this season, Woods told WGR-AM: “Get to the Super Bowl. Nothing less than the Super Bowl with this team and the possibilities of our offense and our defense. That’s what we’re shooting for.”

The Bills have not been to the Big Game since after the 1993 season, when the team famously lost its fourth consecutive Super Bowl. It won’t be easy to get back, especially given Buffalo’s uncertainty at the quarterback position.  Former first-round pick E.J. Manuel, who was benched in favor of Kyle Orton last season, will battle Matt Cassel and Tyrod Taylor for the top spot on the depth chart.

Woods does not think the Bills will be held back by poor quarterback play, especially with all the other additions that have taken place this offseason.

“I don’t think that slows us down,” Woods said. “During this time period we’re able to work with each and every quarterback that we have here. So the timing will be there. It’s going to make each quarterback better to have to make every throw because if you don’t the next one will and that’s great for this team.”

The Bills have made some serious upgrades at the skill positions, brining in LeSean McCoy, Percy Harvin and Charles Clay to join Woods and fellow holdover Sammy Watkins. So whoever wins the quarterback competition will certainly be set up for success. But just as we said with Kaepernick and the 49ers, it will be what happens under center that makes or breaks Buffalo’s season.

Ready or Not

It is not surprising that somebody questioned Jameis Winston’s readiness when it comes to handling NFL life away from the field. After all, this is the BB-gun shooting, seafood stealing, profanity shouting, alleged (but not convicted) rapist who has dominated headlines for all the wrong reasons over the last year. But the fact that the latest person to question his maturity is Winston’s own lawyer makes things a little more interesting.

“He’s ready to be an NFL player on the field. But he’s not ready to be an NFL player off the field,” David Cornwell said at the Villanova Sports Symposium on Friday, according to BuzzFeed’s Joel D. Anderson.

Later in his talk, Cornwell added: “We have to assist him in growing and developing as a man. And it’s not going to be easy.”

These descriptors are not unique to Winston. Most NFL rookies face a tough adjustment period as they move into the professional realm for the first time, surrounded by nothing but opportunity and temptation. But because of Winston’s public and lengthy list of off-the-field transgressions, this is certainly enough to raise an eyebrow.

It will not, however, be enough to change Winston’s draft destiny. Barring another boneheaded decision by Winston between now and the end of the month, he will be selected with the No. 1 oerall draft pick by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. This is such common knowledge that even other draft prospects are now talking about it openly.

Florida pass rusher Dante Fowler Jr., who visited Tampa Bay on Friday, told the Tampa Bay Times, “They’re going with a quarterback. … They know where they’re going. I understand that.”

Dolphins Extend Pouncey

The Dolphins continued their offseason of big spending by agreeing to a multi-year contract extension with C Mike Pouncey on Friday, according to NFL Media Insider Ian Rapoport. Pouncey, a Pro Bowler and former first-round pick, was preparing the enter the final season of his rookie contract. 

If Pouncey’s extension is similar to the one signed by his brother (Steelers C Maurkice Pouncey) last offseason, it should help to lower his 2015 cap number. Mike Pouncey was set to make $7.4 million this season; Maurkice Pouncey’s deal was for five years and $44 million, but counted only $5 million against the cap in the first year.

Now that both Pouncey brothers have been paid, perhaps they can afford some new headwear that is less humiliating to their respective franchises.

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