If not Smith or Manning, 49ers have Kaepernick 49ers Falling dominoes could land on Kaepernick

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Thank goodness one of the key actors in the 49ers' quarterback drama isn't getting his underwear in a bunch, figuratively speaking.

Colin Kaepernick tweeted Sunday morning, "I woke up to my timeline (Twitter in-box) blowing up lol did I miss something?"

It's a good thing Kap - as his friends and neighbors call him - has a sense of humor about the team's quarterback chaos, because:

(A) Nobody else does.

(B) He suddenly looms as a vital piece of the 49ers' puzzle, and his humor indicates that he embraces the challenge.

If the 49ers sign Peyton Manning, Kaepernick is one Peyton Manning bad night's sleep away from the starting job on a Super Bowl contender.

If the 49ers sign Alex Smith, Kaepernick remains the heir apparent, and is one Alex Smith ankle-tweak - or three Alex Smith bad games - away from the starting job.

If the 49ers whiff on Manning and Smith? Hello!

How would Kaepernick feel about the starting job falling into his lap?

FILE - In this Jan. 22, 2012 file photo, San Francisco 49ers quarterback Alex Smith (11) warms up as head coach Jim Harbaugh watches before the NFC Championship NFL football game against the New York Giants, in San Francisco. Smith, a free agent quarterback, will visit with the Miami Dolphins, said a person familiar with the move, according to The Associated Press, Sunday, March 18, 2012. The person spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because the team has not announced Sunday's meeting. (AP Photo/Marcio Sanchez, File) less FILE - In this Jan. 22, 2012 file photo, San Francisco 49ers quarterback Alex Smith (11) warms up as head coach Jim Harbaugh watches before the NFC Championship NFL football game against the New York Giants, in ... more Photo: Marcio Sanchez, Associated Press Photo: Marcio Sanchez, Associated Press Image 1 of / 4 Caption Close If not Smith or Manning, 49ers have Kaepernick 1 / 4 Back to Gallery

"I wasn't raised to be #2," Kaepernick tweeted to 49ers' running back Anthony Dixon. "I'm coming for that #1 spot (Ludacris voice)."

(Aside to the hipness-challenged, not that any of them would be reading this column: Ludacris is a rapper. One of his songs is "Number One Spot," and the lyrics include "Scheme scheme, plot plot (say what?)/I'm comin' for that number one spot! (Woo, hey).")

No subterfuge or psychodrama for Kaepernick, which is refreshing.

Jim Harbaugh and offensive coordinator Greg Roman sneak off to North Carolina for a Peyton Manning peep show. Smith sneaks off to Florida for a semi-secret tryout. Tom Condon, the agent for Smith and Manning, zigs and zags in the shadows. It's like a convention of Russian spies.

Except Kaepernick, who has no hidden agenda.

In these times of turmoil, Kaepernick's positive attitude might not be much comfort to 49ers' fans, but it should be. He's the eye of the hurricane.

The jury is still out on Smith - emerging star or moderately efficient game manager? Manning is the Bride of Frankenstein, held together with hardware.

Kaepernick is here, he's in gear, and he's got no fear. He's signed and he's healthy.

And confident. I believe the kids call it "swag." That's something Alex Smith never oozed, although last season he did experience a confidence boost, finally getting a chance to play for a real coach.

The 49ers probably feel Kaepernick, 24, is a year or two away from being ready for the starting job, but Kaepernick doesn't feel that way.

Last year, possibly because Harbaugh wanted to bolster Smith's confidence, Kaepernick, the Turlock Tornado, was kept under wraps. He got into three games, briefly, throwing five passes (completing three, all against Tampa Bay).

Could a second-year quarterback lead an NFL team to a Super Bowl championship? Ask Ben Roethlisberger or Tom Brady; they both did. Roethlisberger did it in the 2005 season, as a 23-year-old, although he also started as a rookie. Brady did it in the 2001 season, at age 24, after he inherited the starting job three games into the season.

What Kaepernick has going for him: He's 6-4 (as are Brady and Roethlisberger), a long but sturdy 230 pounds, with a very strong arm, and he can run. He has Randall Cunningham-type scampering skills. Smith and Manning don't.

Kaepernick has been working for almost a year under the world's greatest quarterback molder, Harbaugh. No other QB mentor combines Harbaugh's working experience, technical knowledge, teaching skills and knack for morale-building.

Harbaugh had only glowing things to say about Kaepernick last year, either because Harbaugh sees great potential there, or because Harbaugh would say glowing things about his grandma if she was his backup quarterback. If you play for Harbaugh, he has your back.

Even if Smith returns, the situation is different this time. He will still get Harbaugh's full public support, but the bond between coach and quarterback may have been damaged by recent events. They might not be golf buddies anymore.

Smith kept the starting job all last season because there was no real option, and because his efficiency stayed at a high level. Smith (and the 49ers) won the opening game last year, then lost a game (in OT), then ran off eight straight wins.

What happens if Smith (and the 49ers) hit an early three-game losing streak, and Smith shows slippage? Warming up in the bullpen ...

Kaepernick doesn't need to scheme scheme plot plot. That's what everyone else is doing. All he has to do is get ready and wait for the call to ball. Woo, hey.