As much criticism as San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick has received for his play last season, at least he's recognized as a more valuable commodity than the team's other alternative - Alex Smith - in at least one avenue.
The San Jose Mercury News is reporting that the two quarterbacks will be reunited next month at the Cow Palace in Daly City, Calif., for an autograph event.
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They will be on hand for the San Francisco Collectors Show in April, along with other one-time 49ers quarterbacks, according to the report.
The Mercury News listed the selling prices of some of the quarterbacks whose cards will be available at the event, and while Kaepernick isn't in the class of a Joe Montana, he's not at the bottom of the barrel, either:
Joe Montana: $199. Colin Kaepernick: $129. John Brodie: $79. Alex Smith: $69. Y.A. Tittle: $40.
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Kaepernick replaced Smith during the middle of the 2012 season when Smith went down with a concussion, led the Niners to a victory over the Chicago Bears and never looked back.
It was a controversial decision at the time because Smith had been playing so well for the 49ers, leading the team to a 6-2 start. He had been named NFC Offensive Player of the Week after completing 18 of 19 passes for 232 yards and three touchdowns in the 49ers' 24-3 win over the Arizona Cardinals.
Smith, who was fifth in the NFL with a 104.7 passer rating and led the league in completion percentage at 70.0, left early in the second quarter of San Francisco's following game against the St. Louis Rams. He had completed 7 of 8 passes and thrown a touchdown in that game before departing.
Kaepernick came in and threw for 117 yards and rushed for 66, according to SB Nation, as the 49ers managed only a 24-24 tie against the Rams. But after leading the team to wins the next two weeks against the Chicago Bears (32-7) and New Orleans Saints (31-21), Kaepernick endeared himself to Harbaugh.
The new starter rewarded his coach by leading the team to the Super Bowl that season. Smith subsequently became the starter for the Kansas City Chiefs.
Harbaugh left the Niners after their disappointing 8-8 season in 2014, and Kaepernick's name has been mentioned in trade rumors under new coach Jim Tomsula, who can cut him before April 1 of any of the next six seasons and not owe him any more money from his $126 million contract.
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