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Daily Madden: Kaepernick Is Ready For The Big Stage

SAN FRANCISCO (CBS SF) - In his first playoff game as a starting NFL quarterback, Colin Kaepernick will lead the San Francisco 49ers against the Green Bay Packers at Candlestick Saturday. "He's excited for the opportunity," Colin's father Rick told John Madden and the KCBS morning crew.

"When you've worked so hard over your career to finally get in a position to be able to go on that field and play with your teammates, he's happy for that opportunity," said Rick Kaepernick.

Colin Kaepernick won the starting job after filling in for Alex Smith after Smith suffered a concussion. "When you get your opportunity, you have to perform," Kaepernick said.

Madden said he was impressed with the performance. "The other thing is getting ready to perform when you get your opportunity," Madden said. "A lot of people think 'oh boy, if I ever get an opportunity I'll go out there and perform.' Well then you better get ready to do it. And I think that's where, from what I've heard, he is very good."

In Sunday's NFC game, the Seahawks meet the Falcons in Atlanta. "There's always some team that comes in and doesn't win their division, sneaks in through the wild card, and then is the team that no one wants to play," Madden said. "This year I'm thinking Seattle is that team. It's going to be tough, playing Atlanta in Atlanta. But I do see them as a better team right now, playing better football right now than the Falcons."

In the AFC game Sunday, the Texans play the Patriots in New England. "I wouldn't want to be Houston in this one," Madden said. "When you play (Patriots quarterback) Tom Brady you're going to have to score a lot of points. And when you get behind you become one-dimensional and then New England gets tough on you. And that's kind of the way I see it."

Daily Madden

Listen to the John Madden segment live weekday mornings at 8:15 on KCBS All News 740 AM/106.9 FM. And catch John's extra report at 9:15 a.m. Mondays and Fridays through the NFL playoffs and Super Bowl.
(Copyright 2013 by CBS San Francisco. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.)

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