Colin Kaepernick addressed his new role for Sunday's Week 9 game against the Atlanta Falcons.
"I'm still preparing for Atlanta," Kaepernick told reporters on Friday. "I'm still mentally focused and locked in."
The San Francisco 49ers have made a change at quarterback. Kaepernick will be the backup behind Blaine Gabbert on Sunday.
But to Kaepernick, the team's starter since Week 10 of the 2012 regular season, nothing will change in terms of his preparation. When asked if he's being blamed for San Francisco's 2-6 start, Kaepernick didn't want to get into the topic. Instead, he said this: "I do everything I can to try and help this team win. (I) try to support my teammates and try to help us go out and try to get a 'W' on Sundays."
Kaepernick said his focus this week has centered on being supportive of Gabbert and his 49ers teammates. Kaepernick added that he's not letting his new role influence his demeanor.
"To me, that's selfish to put that on myself and take away from my teammates and take away from Blaine," he said. "I'll support my teammates, (and) I'll support Blaine in everything they do because they've been good to me."
After announcing the quarterback change on Wednesday, Jim Tomsula said Kaepernick needed time to step back and look at things from a different lens.
Kaepernick was asked about if he'd put too much pressure on himself this season.
"I don't believe in pressure," the quarterback said. "Pressure is not being prepared for what you want to do. ... I've played full seasons and have been succesful. It's something that mentally, I've been through before. I'm not incapable of going through (something like this)."
Kaepernick added that he didn't challenge the 49ers decision to start Gabbert against the Falcons.
"They told me they were going to sit me and that was about the extent of the conversation," Kaepernick said.
Did he ask why?
"That decision is out of my control, and I left it at that," Kaepernick said. "I respect their authority." Kaepernick has completed 59.3 percent of his passes this season for 1,615 passing yards with six touchdowns and five interceptions. The fifth-year pro was asked if he could have performed better this season.
Kaepernick was candid in his reply.
"Yeah, there's always times where you think you can play better," he said. "Even in wins, there are things you can do better. I haven't seen a quarterback play a perfect game yet. I'm very critical of myself. I'm very critical of what I feel I can do to help this team."
