
Hall of Famer Joe Montana wants to see 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick do a better job of simply getting rid of the football.
The 49ers’ pass protection has come under fire through three games this season. And Kaepernick said just a few days before his four-interception performance against the Arizona Cardinals that he is being asked to be himself, which has placed him in a comfort zone.
On Saturday, the 49ers quarterback who was known for his impeccable timing told Dan Brown of the San Jose Mercury News that Kaepernick is guilty of holding the ball too long as a passer.
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"It doesn't matter about the comfort. It's about the timing," Montana said. "It's about the ball coming out of your hand.
"(Kaepernick) has an extra-strong arm. You have a tendency to want to wait. But you have to anticipate. You can't hold the ball. Those are the things that take time to learn for people who didn't grow up on the pocket."
[MAIOCCO: Frustrated Boldin says 49ers players must execute]
Montana said Kaepernick is not alone. He referenced the struggles of other dual-threat quarterbacks in the transition to the NFL.
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"You try to keep players from those (college) systems in the pocket, but that's not what they do best," Montana said.