A month ago, 49ers Hall of Famer Joe Montana came to the defense of current San Francisco quarterback Colin Kaepernick during a midseason slump.
But now with a Super Bowl appearance at stake, Montana is the one pointing out flaws in Kaepernick's game that must be corrected for the sake of the franchise.
USA TODAY Sports conducted a lengthy interview with the 57-year-old Montana, who gave a frank assessment of Kaepernick's ability.
"I like his mobility and that he's getting the ball downfield," Montana told USA TODAY Sports. "But sometimes, he needs to be more accurate in the pocket with pressure.
"The game is changing. Nobody wants to throw with pressure anymore. But the guys who can win in this league are the ones who can make throws from the pocket."
Kaepernick will lead San Francisco into Seattle on Sunday to face the NFC West rival Seahawks in the NFC Championship Game. The winner will advance to Super Bowl XLVIII in New York.
Sports World News reported in December that Montana suggested that Kaepernick could improve as a pocket passer as long as people stop reminding him about it.
But Montana told USA TODAY Sports in an article Thursday that he thinks the Niners, who lost a 34-31 decision to the Baltimore Ravens in last year's Super Bowl, can return and win the Super Bowl - as long as they give the football to running back Frank Gore.
If the Seahawks put pressure on Kaepernick in the pocket, Montana hinted, San Francisco could be in trouble.
"Kaepernick still needs to get better at that," Montana said. "He'll look and then he's off and running. I still think the thing is the pocket and making those tight throws from the pocket. He'll make some, but a lot of times guys are wide open, and he misses them.
"You're going to get hit in the teeth," Montana added. "The hardest part is throwing the ball accurately. If you're not a pocket guy, you're not used to it."
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