The All-22: Kaepernick gives 49ers game-breaking abilities with big arm, creative formations

Now that everybody is rushing to "confirm" the report from SI.com's Jim Trotter that Colin Kaepernick will start for the San Francisco 49ers in favor of Alex Smith -- a decision that isn't based on Smith's heath as much as Smith would like -- it's time to take a look at how Kaepernick was able to play so well last Monday night against the Chicago Bears' top-ranked defense. Kaepernick, selected in the second round of the 2011 NFL Draft out of Nevada, played for head coach Chris Ault in a Pistol offense of Ault's design. It's an offense built on the ability to hide the running back (lining up three yards behind the quarterback, who's four yards back from center in a short shotgun look), to allow specific read-option looks, and to set up play action advantages in the passing game. When Kaepernick started to learn Jim Harbaugh's offense, the NFL's most creative and multiple when it comes to formations in run-game concepts, he had a head-start not afforded to most college spread-option quarterbacks, Smith included. [ Related: Jim Harbaugh makes bold, correct choice with Colin Kaepernick ] In that 32-7 blowout win over the Bears, Kaepernick seemed right at home in just about any...