Al Sacco discusses what he wants to see from Kaepernick on Friday

Writer Al Sacco joined the 49ersGab podcast this week to discuss the San Francisco 49ers. As always, on everyone's mind is the quarterback competition between Colin Kaepernick and Blaine Gabbert, so the conversation started there.

"I think if they're really serious about Kaepernick being in a competition, he's got to start this week and he's got to play significantly this week," said Sacco. "How else can you judge him in an offense that he's barely had any time in? And even past this week, I think he's got to play in Week 4 too."

Sacco would go on to discuss Kaepernick's regression over the years and Gabbert, who could have been considered the league's worst starting quarterback during his time with the Jacksonville Jaguars, improving despite having a poor coaching staff last season. Sacco wonders what Gabbert can do under a more proven coach like Chip Kelly. Of course, there is the argument that Kelly could be the guy needed to revive Kaepernick's career.

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"I think the ceiling on Gabbert is only so high," said Sacco. "I think you're going to see probably an Alex Smith-like performance where he plays safe football, which isn't the worst thing in the world. I'd like to call him a placeholder. Although, I don't know who he's holding the place for."

Sacco brings up an interesting question regarding the team's game against the Green Bay Packers on Friday. The third game of the season is typically the "dress rehearsal" for starters. You have to have Kaepernick in there with the starters to evaluate him. If Gabbert ends up being the regular season starter and you have Kaepernick with the first-team on Friday, how much does that hurt the chemistry of the eventual starting offense?

"I think he's got to have three or four 'wow' moments out there," said Sacco when asking what Kaepernick has to do against Green Bay to win the starting job. "When Kaepernick's on, he's one of the most exciting players in the league. He really is. He just hasn't been on in a long time."

Sacco also goes on to discuss the team's wide receivers, their lack of rhythm with the team's quarterbacks, the potential of TE Vance McDonald, the team's fumbling issues, Jim O'Neil's defense, Chip Kelly, and more.

You can listen to the entire interview here or by using the link within the following Tweet.