The new-look Colin Kaepernick has a new set of expectations from his employer.
CSNBayArea.com is reporting that San Francisco 49ers general manager Trent Baalke already is bragging about the weapons the team now has on offense via an interview with XM Sirius Radio.
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"There's a lot of weapons for Colin's disposal and now we just got to put all the pieces together," Baalke said.
Speed has been the theme for the Niners offense in the offseason with the acquisitions of running back Reggie Bush and wide receiver Torrey Smith. Baalke talked about how the incorporation of both should help Kaepernick make the offense go next season.
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"Reggie has really been an asset to Colin and has opened up some things," Baalke said. "When you get the speed going down the field and you give a back like Reggie room to work in the third-down packages and stuff like that, it really is a bonus for the quarterback.
"And Colin is developing a real rapport with Reggie coming out of the backfield."
San Francisco had virtually no passing threat out of the backfield with Frank Gore last season, but Bush has averaged more than 50 receptions per season over his nine-year career.
Smith, who signed a five-year, $40 million contract with the Niners in the offseason, replaces what NFL.com labeled as the "slow-footed" Michael Crabtree. Smith's presence also should rekindle tight end Vernon Davis' role as a downfield threat.
"The one thing that really shows up is the way the field's opened up more with the speed or Torrey being able to stretch the outside," Baalke said. "And it really helps Vernon's game because now Vernon's game is (to) stretch the field a little bit, as well."
Baalke also mentioned wide receivers Jerome Simpson, Quinton Patton and Bruce Ellington as adding to the speed in the passing game. He said that running backs Carlos Hyde and Kendall Hunter, the latter reported as fully healed from a torn ACL that kept him out last season, surround Kaepernick with burst.
All of which puts even more pressure on the NIners quarterback to reverse his trend of declining quarterback-rating numbers each season.
Kaepernick received a lot of attention and praise for his offseason work with Kurt Warner and quarterbacks coach Dennis Gile in becoming a more proficient pocket passer.
"The hope in San Francisco is that a dose of added speed will improve what, honestly, was a boring offense to watch for much of last season," NFL.com reported.
Baalke's comments put the onus on Kaepernick to make it happen.
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