The 49ers are 0-2 this preseason and coming off a 34-0 blowout loss to the Denver Broncos.
San Francisco quarterback Colin Kaepernick just waves off the worries those results have produced in some fans.
He says the offense will click. It just needs time and repetitions. Plus, few starters have played much in the first two games against the Ravens and Broncos. Because of that, the 49ers rank near the bottom of the NFL in total points – only three – plays from scrimmage (46) and total offensive yards per game (187).
Kaepernick has played just three series and the 49ers haven’t scored a touchdown with him. So far, he’s only 6-of-10 passing for 56 yards.
“Missed a couple passes here and there,” he told a writer from the team’s website this week.
Yet Kaepernick believes everything will be fine. In fact, in the 49ers’ next exhibition game this Sunday against the Chargers, it’s possible the starters will play a bit deeper into the game to build some momentum and confidence heading toward the Sept. 7 regular-season opener vs. the Cowboys.
“Establish a rhythm,” Kaepernick said Tuesday, when asked what his goal is for the game against San Diego. “I think that’s the biggest thing we need to do right now.”
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Head coach Jim Harbaugh, in fact, seemed to point to this as a big week for the 49ers. Though he praised the offensive line and running game after the loss to Denver, he wasn’t happy with the offense in general, and pointed a finger at the backup quarterbacks – Blaine Gabbert, Josh Johnson and McLeod Bethel-Thompson – as needing to step up.
“Our passing game turned the ball over too much,” he said. “Need better timing, better accuracy. And we’re going to get better. It’s going to be an important week for us. This will be a big week. We need improvement. And we need to make decisions on who to play. We’re not going to keep experimenting. We need to tighten this down fast.”
Harbaugh didn’t limit his criticism to the offense, however. He said it’s time for the entire team to start finding its footing this Sunday.
“We’re working to improve,” he said. “It’s an important week for us. Every area in the football team we’re just trying to get better at this week.”
