When asked by ESPN recently if Colin Kaepernick is being blackballed because of his controversial political stance, Seattle Seahawks All-Pro cornerback Richard Sherman had this to say:
“I’m sure he is. It’s difficult to see because he’s played at such a high level, and you see guys, quarterbacks, who have never played at a high level being signed by teams. So it’s difficult to understand.”
Sherman added that Kaepernick could “be a starter on probably 20 of the teams in this league.”
If you don’t know, Richard Sherman has never been shy about providing his opinion. We love doing the same. We’re told by many in the media that Sherman is one of the smartest people ever to walk the face of the earth. He has a Masters from Stanford in communications. So it only makes sense the media would seek out his opinion on many topics. No doubt the likes of ESPN have already set the table for Sherman to take a position on their network after his playing days are over.
Now of course, we’re embellishing just a bit saying Sherman is one of the smartest people to walk the face of the earth. We have to have some fun though, right?
Regardless, Sherman is easily one of the smartest players to ever play cornerback for the Seahawks. I think we can agree on that. He knows quarterbacks and their talent. Some may say Sherman has an agenda of some sort when it comes to Kaepernick, yet there’s no way to be sure about that. Baltimore Ravens head coach John Harbaugh says the notion of Kaepnernick being blackballed is ‘stupid’ and ‘intellectually lazy.’
So based on the summary above, let’s run through the list of NFL starting quarterbacks and see Richard Sherman is delusional or if he is indeed correct.
Are there 20 NFL teams where Kaepernick could start? Is he better than the following 32 starters?
Kaepernick > Joe Flacco?
Flacco has a Super Bowl ring with the Ravens. Perhaps he’s a product of John Harbaugh’s system, yet the same could be said of Jim Harbaugh’s system when he was in San Francisco with Kaepernick. Starter: Flacco
Kaepernick > Andy Dalton?
Bengals fans might be ready to agree that Kaepernick is better than Dalton at this point. Though it certainly hasn’t helped Cincinnati that Marvin Lewis is the Ron Gardenhire of NFL head coaches — great regular season coach, can’t win the playoffs. Starter: The sexy ginger by a squeaker over the sexy ‘fro.
Kaepernick > Brock Osweiler?
Osweiler did get the Broncos to Super Bowl 50. Sort of. Though based on experience and stats, the starter is Kaepernick here. Hey Richard, that’s one.
Kaepernick > Ben Roethlisberger?
Well, Big Ben is getting older. So perhaps Steelers fans might be interested in a change? No, probably not. Starter: Big Ben.
Kaepernick > Tom Savage?
While Tom is no Viv Savage from Spinal Tap, he’s still not as good as Kaepernick, so this is an easy start for Colin. Although, if the Texans can get their hands on Tony Romo, this could change the results.
Kaepernick > Andrew Luck?
It’s true that Luck hasn’t been the quarterback that many expected. At least not yet. Perhaps that has something to do with his supporting cast. Ironically, big Kaepernick fans would make that argument about 49ers the last few years. Starter: Luck
Kaepernick > Blake Bortles?
The interceptions are the killer for Blake on his quest to be a better quarterback than Kaepernick. 35 touchdowns in a single season is something that the former Niners quarterback could only dream of. However, the nightmare of 51 INT’s in three years makes Colin the starter in Jacksonville.
Kaepernick > Marcus Mariotta?
Mariotta, like the six-million dollar man is younger, stronger, and faster. Starter: Mariotta
Kaepernick > Tyrod Taylor?
Both quarterbacks have similar numbers, so this one could be a push. Of course, Tyrod has been in Buffalo longer and knows the system. Though, Bills new head coach Sean McDermott will probably be installing a new offense. Starter: Taylor, though if Kaepernick is a top-10 quarterback like Sherman believes, he should be able to win.
Kaepernick > Ryan Tannehill?
Matt Moore did a fine job of getting the Dolphins to the playoffs after Tannehill went down. Tannehill is still No. 1 on the depth chart. Would you throw Tanny out with the bath water to bring in the new baby Kaepernick. Not worth the risk, not worth the money. Starter: Tannehill
The one thing to note is that Colin Kaepernick reportedly wants $9 million a year to play quarterback in the NFL. For that kind of money, he really needs to be your starter. While this element isn’t part of Sherman’s argument, it surely is a contributing factor in NFL teams decision making process.
Kaepernick > Tom Brady?
Not much to say here. If you agenda-driven and completely insane, then maybe Kaepernick because of Brady’s age. Maybe not. Starter: Brady
Kaepernick > Josh McCown?
It’s like from one end of the spectrum to the other with the Jets and Patriots. Here, Colin gets the nod. Starter: Kaepernick.
Kaepernick > Trevor Siemian?
Younger than Kaepernick, thr numbers are slightly similar except for a few more interceptions. Hmm, after some debate — sorry Broncos fans — the starter is Kaepernick.
Kaepernick > Alex Smith?
Ironically this is the guy that Kaepernick replaced in San Francisco. Well Colin, the chickens have come home to roost, and this time Alex keeps his job. Starter: Smith
Kaepernick > Phillip Rivers?
While Rivers hasn’t won big in his career, he’s still a top quarterback and retains his job. Starter: Rivers
Kaepernick > Derek Carr?
David? Probably. Derek? No way. Starter: Carr
AFC Update
We’ll we’re halfway home. Let’s take a look at how we’re doing and compare it to Sherman’s thoughts. Five out of sixteen so far. We’re going to have to find some room in the NFC to make this work. In the AFC, if we let Mr. Peabody help out Sherman they could argue Dalton, Taylor, Tannehill, Smith, and — what the hell — Joe Flacco are also inferior to Kaepernick. Well, well, well, all of the sudden things may be looking up Richard.
Onto the NFC…
Kaepernick > Mike Glennon?
While Glennon’s stats are pretty decent when he has played in the past, we’re going to give this one to Kaepernick. Good start for the Bears new starter at quarterback.
Kaepernick > Matthew Stafford?
Who would have thought Stafford would have blossomed without Calvin Johnson. It happened, and Kaepernick has no shot in Detroit. Starter: Stafford
Kaepernick > Aaron Rodgers?
The best advice here is to say a ‘Hail Mary‘ and pray for a job on another team, Colin. Starter: Rodgers
Kaepernick > Sam Bradford?
This quarterback showdown is very similar to the one in Buffalo. Solid, but not great numbers. We haven’t really mentioned the distraction issue with Kaepernick, but now we must. Given Adrian Peterson’s adventures with sticks and the Vikings’ Love Boat fiasco of the past, the team wants to distance itself from distractions. Though, on the other hand he might fit in very well given the Vikings history. No, probably not. Starter: Bradford
Kaepernick > Matt Ryan?
It’ll be a cold “Mattie Ice” day in hell before the Falcons move Ryan off the first string unit. Starter: Ryan
Kaepernick > Cam Newton?
Newton had a tough 2016, especially if you had him on your fantasy team like some us. However, he’s Superman and he’s bound to bounce back because Clark Kent is not cutting it in Carolina. Starter: Newton
Kaepernick > Drew Brees?
Rumors of Johnny Manziel as the backup quarterback to Drew Brees are flying. If the price tag between Johnny Football and Knee Bends McGee are the same, then it’s Kaepernick all the way. As the backup to starter Drew Brees.
Kaepernick > Jameis Winston?
Only 23, with two years under his belt and 28 touchdowns in 2016, Winston is an easy choice. Starter: Winston
Kaepernick > Dak Prescott?
If Kaepernick got to play behind the Cowboys offensive line in 2016, would he have had Prescott numbers? You’re a talented — and lucky — young man, Dak. Starter: Prescott
Kaepernick > Eli Manning?
If you beat the Patriots (TWICE!) in the Super Bowl, you’re grandfathered in to get your starting job forever. Starter: Manning
Kaepernick > Carson Wentz?
Everyone loves that new car smell. A lot of times rookie quarterbacks end up stinking it up, yet not this one. Starter: Wentz
Kaepernick > Kirk Cousins?
All the Captain has to do is set phasers on stun, because he’s already gotten the kill in this matchup. Starter: Cousins
Kaepernick > Carson Palmer?
Age and mobility may make some pause and say that Kaepernick is the greater quarterback than Palmer. However, the Sun Devil state would strongly object. Starter: Palmer
Kaepernick > Jared Goff?
Speaking of rookie quarterbacks, the Rams paid Maserati Ghibli prices for a Chevrolet Spark. Yeah, never heard of the Spark either, but Consumer Reports says its crap. Sometimes it’s not just about talent and salary. Sometimes you dig yourself into such a deep hole you have to sit in your own…um…mess. The Rams are “stuck” with Goff for at least for another 24 games to see if he can develop. Starter: Amazingly it’s Goff because they have to start him. But it should be Kaepernick.
Kaepernick > Brian Hoyer?
This is a tough one, as Kaepernick is the better quarterback. However, he opted out of his contract with the Niners and it’s clear the Niners don’t want him back. We’re going to give this one to Sherman, yet we think it needs to have an asterisk like a Raffy Palmeiro three-run shot. Despite the fact that the Niners and Kaepernick don’t want each other, the starter is Kaepernick.
Kaepernick > Russell Wilson?
Finally we come to the Seattle Seahawks. Sherman needs a win here for Kaepernick and we’re going to give him one. Some people will tell you perception is everything. Wilson, on paper, wasn’t that good in 2016. Yeah, he’s always in the playoffs and the Super Bowl title is impressive, yet based off of last year and not wanting Sherman or us to be called a hypocrite, Russell you’re out of a job. Starter: Kaepernick.
Yeah, okay, so we’re just BS’ing about Wilson in Seattle. Sometimes you need to turn some screws and have a little fun. It would be Goff backing up Kaepernick, not Wilson.
Final Results
Time to tally up the results of the NFC. Oh, this is bad. Three out of 16. So let’s put aside critical-thinking, logic and just go ahead and fudge the numbers, shall we? We need seven more in the NFC. Here goes: Add Bradford, Wilson (sorry, Russell, you’re back on the list), Prescott, and Palmer. Oh geez, that’s only seven total. Three more. Drew Brees because he’s getting old. Eli Manning because the Giants wouldn’t make the Super Bowl with Kaepernick anyways. And finally Kirk Cousins, which is ironic since the 49ers want him so badly.
Is Richard Sherman delusional about Colin Kaepernick?
The answer is clearly yes. Accounting for his $9 million a year salary request, excess baggage, and a potentially diminishing skillset, this doesn’t make for a robust market. However, we have come up with eight NFL teams where Kaepernick may be a better quarterback than their current one. Quite a ways off from the 20 that Sherman suggested unless we engage in delusion, which as evidenced here can be quite fun.