“Will defenses be able to stop Colin Kaepernick, the pistol formation and the read-option?”
Truth be told, this should be two separate questions. Analysts have trouble seeing the forest for the trees, and there isn’t a single fallacy in the NFL greater than attaching Colin Kaepernick’s abilities as a quarterback with the success of the read-option. I went through every touchdown the 49ers scored from the moment Kaepernick stepped on the field in Week 10 (including his two rushing touchdowns in spot appearances early in the season). The final numbers may surprise you:
Read-option rushing touchdowns by Kaepernick from the pistol formation: 4
Week 5 vs. Bills, fourth quarter — play-action fake, 15 yards around left end
Week 10 vs. Rams, fourth quarter – play-action fake, 7 yards around right end
Week 14 vs. Dolphins, fourth quarter – play-action fake, 50 yards around left end
Divisional Round vs. Packers, third quarter – play-action fake, 56 yards around right end
Read-option rushing touchdowns by Kaepernick from other formations: 1
Week 12 at Saints, first quarter – Shotgun (single back), read-option play-action fake, 7 yards around left end
Read-option passing touchdowns from all formations: none
Read-option rushing touchdowns by running backs: 4
Week 11 vs. Bears, second quarter – Pistol, Kendall Hunter up the middle for 14 yards
NFC Championship at Falcons, second quarter – Shotgun (single back), LaMichael James off right tackle for 15 yards
NFC Championship at Falcons, third quarter – Pistol, Gore off right tackle for 5 yards
NFC Championship at Falcons, fourth quarter – Pistol, Gore off right tackle 9 yards
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Passing touchdowns (non read-option): 14
Week 11 vs. Bears, first quarter – I-formation motioned to offset-I, play-action to Gore, 3-yard pass to Vernon Davis in the right corner of the endzone
Week 11 vs. Bears, third quarter – Single-back set, 10-yard pass to Michael Crabtree
Week 12 at Saints, third quarter – Single-back set, play-action fake to Gore, roll out to 1-yard pass to Gore, 5 yards after catch.
Week 15 at Patriots, first quarter – Shotgun (single-back), deep pass 24 yards to Randy Moss
Week 15 at Patriots, second quarter – Audibled from shotgun read-option into offset-I. Stepped into pocket, deep pass 34 yards to Delanie Walker
Week 15 at Patriots, third quarter – Shotgun (single-back), deep pass 27 yards to Crabtree
Week 15 at Patriots, fourth quarter – Shotgun (single-back), short pass to Crabtree, 38 yards after catch
Week 16 at Seahawks, fourth quarter – Shotgun (single-back), stepped into pocket threatening to scramble, 18-yard pass to Delanie Walker
Week 17 vs. Cardinals, second quarter – Single-back set, stepped into pocket threatening to scramble, 49-yard touchdown pass to Crabtree
Week 17 vs. Cardinals, third quarter – Single-back set, short drop quick pass to Crabtree 4 yards down field. Crabtree in from 3 yards out
Divisional Round vs. Packers, second quarter – Shotgun (empty backfield), pass to Michael Crabtree over the middle 12 yards
Divisional Round vs. Packers, second quarter – Shotgun (single-back), quick pass to Michael Crabtree 20 yards
NFC Championship at Falcons, second quarter – I-formation, play-action fake to Gore, roll out, 4-yard pass to Vernon Davis
Super Bowl vs. Ravens, third quarter – Offset-I, play-action fake quick pass, play-action fake handoff, 16-yard pass to Crabtree, 15 yards to endzone
Rushing touchdowns by Kaepernick (non read-option): 3
Week 4 vs. Jets, second quarter — Shotgun (single-back), designed run around left end seven yards
Divisional Round vs. Packers, first quarter – Shotgun (empty backfield), drop back, scramble into pocket, 20 yards to the left
Super Bowl vs. Ravens, fourth quarter – Shotgun (single back), pocket broke down, scramble around left end 15 yards
Rushing touchdowns by running backs (non read-option): 7
Week 13 at Rams, first quarter – I-formation, Gore up the middle 1 yard
Week 14 vs. Dolphins, fourth quarter – I-formation, Anthony Dixon up the middle 1 yard
Week 15 at Patriots, third quarter – Offset-I, Kaepernick fumbles snap, picked up by Gore, run 9 total yards
Week 17 vs. Cardinals, fourth quarter – Offset-I, Gore up the middle 2 yards
Divisional Round vs. Packers, fourth quarter – I-formation, Gore off right tackle for 2 yards
Divisional Round vs. Packers, fourth quarter – I-formation, Anthony Dixon off right tackle for 2 yards
Super Bowl vs. Ravens, third quarter – Shotgun (single back), fake run left, handoff to Gore right 6 yards