Going into last week's game against the New York Jets, San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick had three career carries - and two of those were kneel-downs at the end of a blowout win in his rookie season. He'd carried once for 17 yards in Week 1, but he was almost a complete afterthought, even to 49ers fans.
Then he came out and ran five times for 50 yards and a touchdown in the 49ers' 34-0 drubbing of the Jets, and also just missed on connecting with Randy Moss on a deep throw. Suddenly, Kaepernick is a player that the Buffalo Bills have to pay attention to, regardless of how that performance may expand his role.
"Kaepernick basically has had four big runs, along with one deep pass," explains David Fucillo of NinersNation.com. "Kaepernick was active but didn't play in Weeks 2 and 3, so it is hard to tell when and where the 49ers will look to unleash the Wolf Pack (one of the titles for Kaepernick's formation)."
Fucillo was also careful to point out that Kaepernick is not used in a 'Wildcat' fashion, in the same way that the Bills utilize Brad Smith on occasion.
"It's different in that the 49ers run more read-option plays and quarterback keeper plays, rather than run from that 'Wildcat' formation," says Fucillo. "Against the Packers he dropped back, but then almost immediately took off in what appeared to be a designed run that gained 11 yards. Against the Jets, Kaepernick ran a triple option for 17 yards, ran a keeper that looped around the left end for a seven-yard touchdown run, and then another quarterback keeper for 30 yards."
The Bills are used to preparing for sub-packages of this nature, having played against the Miami Dolphins for years and Tim Tebow in Week 1. Still, this is a slightly different version of what they've seen from other teams, and Kaepernick is by far the most explosive run/pass threat they'll have yet faced out of this wrinkle. Keep an eye out for Kaepernick on Sunday, Bills fans.