San Francisco 49ers Should Avoid Choosing Between Burned And Raw Meat
By Kevin Saito
The San Francisco 49ers’ quarterback situation doesn’t inspire a lot of confidence – but perhaps reuniting Chip Kelly with his former quarterback could turn things around.
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Quarterback Nick Foles is looking for a job. The San Francisco 49ers happen to be looking for a quarterback. Kismet? Serendipity? Perhaps. Whatever it is, it could turn out to be an absolute boon for the 49ers, given the current state of their quarterback room. San Francisco could potentially bring some stability to the position with the addition of Foles. Even more than that, they could potentially bring some success with him.
When the Los Angeles Rams traded everything but the kitchen sink to move up in the draft order to take Cal product Jared Goff, the writing was absolutely on the wall – Foles’ days as the starter were numbered. Obviously, being a competitive guy, knowing that he was going to be backing up the rookie didn’t sit well with him. Foles wants to play – an opportunity he wasn’t going to get in Los Angeles.
As training camp gets underway, Foles asked for his release – a request the Rams were more than happy to grant, making him a free agent.
After a down year in 2015 in which Foles was benched after just eleven games after having his worst statistical year as a pro. As a result, teams with quarterbacking issues of their own – teams like Dallas and Denver – seem to be running as far and as fast away from him as possible.
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With a market for Foles not exactly white hot, the 49ers would be wise to swoop in and snatch him up.
Playing for Chip Kelly in Philadelphia, Foles had his best years. He even earned a Pro Bowl bid in 2013 after lighting up the league. Foles looked like the second coming of Joe Montana after going 8-2 as a starter, throwing for 2,891 yards on 64 percent passing, and tossing 27 touchdowns against just two interceptions.
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Just ask the Oakland Raiders how good Foles looked after he torched them for 406 yards on 79 percent passing and seven touchdowns in one game.
Looking at the current camp battle for the starting job in San Francisco, it doesn’t inspire a whole lot of confidence. Given the two choices – Blaine Gabbert or Colin Kaepernick – it’s hard to see the 49ers winning many games in 2016.
Andy Benoit, writer for the MMQB, probably summed up San Francisco’s quarterback battle best when he wrote:
"“Starting Gabbert is like choosing to eat a charred, misshapen hamburger. But starting Kaepernick is like choosing to eat a totally uncooked one. He’s raw enough to give Chip Kelly’s offense E. coli.”"
But by bringing Foles in, the 49ers would be bringing in somebody who knows Kelly’s system inside and out. But more than that, somebody who flourished in it. As Kelly’s starting quarterback, Foles posted a record of 14-4, threw for 5,054 yards on 62 percent passing, tossed 40 touchdowns against just 12 interceptions.
Talking heads around the country are debating whether Gabbert or Kaepernick better fits Kelly’s style and system. What they should be debating though, is why the 49ers didn’t get Foles on a plane to San Francisco the minute the Rams released him. Foles is a quarterback who fit Kelly’s system perfectly and had a tremendous amount of success in it.
With a solid number one receiver in Torrey Smith, a decent enough second option in Quinton Patton, and a stud running back in Carlos Hyde, the 49ers are desperate for a playmaker under center. And rather than having to choose between a charred, misshapen hamburger or a totally uncooked one, the 49ers should be looking at bringing in a little prime rib to run their offense.
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San Francisco desperately needs a quarterback. Nick Foles, while perhaps not Canton-bound, was efficient and explosive playing in Chip Kelly’s offense. If the 49ers want to send a message to their fans that they’re serious about righting their ship, they should start it off by bringing Foles in.