Inside The Play: Colin Kaepernick’s 90-Yard TD Made Possible By Good Play Design

Colin Kaepernick is a unique talent, and that’s something his offensive coordinator understands well.

The San Francisco 49ers suffered a mostly forgettable 2014, but the quarterback gave fans something to be excited about when he went off on an incredible 90-yard run for a touchdown against the San Diego Chargers in Week 16. And as former NFL linebacker Matt Chatham pointed out, it wouldn’t have been possible if not for offensive coordinator Greg Roman’s play-calling.

Chatham picked Kaepernick’s epic rush as No. 7 on the best plays of 2014 in his latest Football By Football column, and he gives the assist to Roman on the play. Because, as Chatham puts it, Roman focuses more on Kaepernick’s strengths than his weaknesses.

“Much is made of what Colin Kaepernick doesn’t consistently do in the pocket as a passer,” Chatham wrote. “But as a coaching staff the Niners realize there are things that Kaep can do that nobody else can. If you have an unusually skilled passer with sprinter speed, clearing a path of defenders to get him started in the event that a play breaks down is always the right move. And that’s precisely what (Roman’s) play design does.”