Kap a new breed

"You only get one shot, so you have to be on top of everything," Kaepernick said.

One list Kaepernick tops is the batch of young, multidimensional NFL quarterbacks. He's the last man standing among the "new breed" of QBs -- true passers that can run like the wind, such as Cam Newton, Robert Griffin III and Russell Wilson.

"I think (mental toughness) is something they ingrained in me throughout my career," Kaepernick acknowledged Wednesday. "I've always had great quarterback coaches coaching me and I think that's really helped me get to where I'm at right now."

It started with Theder, who laid the foundation for Kaepernick's football career by nursing three cornerstones of what he considers the ideal quarterback.

"He's really smart," Theder said over the phone. "He's tough. And he has a great arm."

"He would take the necessary time in the film room and on the board," Ault recalled from his first season with Kaepernick, "not just to learn the offense, but what he was learning better than most was the philosophy of the offense."

"Colin will keep getting better and better and better," Theder predicted, "and with Jim Harbaugh's great leadership, for years to come he'll be a great quarterback."

"I think the 49ers are just now scratching the surface of where they can go with their offense in terms of what Coach Harbugh does, what he believes in, and how he takes advantage of the things that Kap can do for him," Ault said.



High School Photos of the team


49er Injury report

Left tackle Joe Staley, who continued to play Saturday despite a painful right forearm bruise, was not listed on the injury report. Running back Frank Gore, who also underwent postgame X-rays, was listed as a full participant in practice with a knee condition.

Outside linebacker Aldon Smith (shoulder), cornerback Tarell Brown (shoulder) and fullback Bruce Miller (shoulder) were the only 49ers limited in practice. Each will play in Sunday's NFC Championship Game against the Atlanta Falcons.

49ERS
Limited participation: CB Tarell Brown (shoulder), RB Bruce Miller (shoulder), LB Aldon Smith (shoulder)

Full participation: G Alex Boone (knee), LB Navorro Bowman (shoulder), TE Garrett Celek (foot), CB Chris Culliver (knee), S Dashon Goldson (shin), LB Tavares Gooden (knee), RB Frank Gore (knee), LB Clark Haggans (shoulder), G Mike Iupati (shoulder), DT Justin Smith (elbow, triceps), LB Patrick Willis (shoulder).