The San Francisco 49ers are not having the season they wanted under new head coach Jim Tomsula. The team is currently 1-4 and getting worse each week. They are fresh off two blowout losses and now must prepare to face the New York Giants on Sunday night. There are questions surrounding the job security of Colin Kaepernick while player frustrations are beginning to come out.
According to ESPN.com, Kaepernick told the media, "I don't play for job security." This issue is that Kaepernick might have to if he continues to trend downward in his numbers. The issues of the 49ers are being placed squarely on the quarterback's shoulders and while he is not completely to blame, his numbers are not happening. According to Tomsula, he is not going to be benching Kaepernick in favor of backup Blaine Gabbert as he remains confident the quarterback can turn things around.
"I do not have to clear that with anyone," Tomsula said, via the SacBee.com. "It is 100 percent my decision. I want a confident man, full-bore ahead at that position. I believe it's critical. And I believe in the quarterback. I believe in Colin Kaepernick."
Frustration is running high in the Bay Area. While Tomsula is stressing his confidence in the quarterback, teammates are not happy with the way things are going. Torrey Smith told the media that he is embarrassed by the offense so far. Smith signed to San Francisco in free agency with the idea that he would help them get back to the Super Bowl. Right now he has nine catches for 185 yards. That is not what he thought he would be putting up with a contract that guarantees him $22 million.
"My body language was horrible at times," Smith said, via ESPN.com. "I should never let my frustrations show, especially to y'all. It's not a good thing at all. We're a better team than what we're showing right now. To be honest, we work too hard to go out there on Sundays and play like that."
Injuries are also becoming an issue for the team. The 49ers were forced to look at Terrelle Pryor as a potential option on offense after Quinton Patton suffered a concussion and Vernon Davis deals with a deep bruise on his knee. Both players are considered questionable for Week 5 which would put pressure on Kaepernick even more. The run game could be something stressed against the Giants who recently gave up plenty of yards on the ground.
Carlos Hyde and Reggie Bush are coming off quiet games for San Francisco. The team needs both players back at full speed to help balance out the offense. If Patton and Davis were to be out on Sunday, Smith could see his targets increase while Anquan Boldin will also be heavily utilized.