It's rare these days in the NFL for a running back to play as much as Frank Gore. But there's a reason he's always on the field. Of the team's running backs, he's the best runner. He's also the best pass-catcher. And he also handles all of the blocking chores that come along with it as well as anybody.
Gore must be on top of his game Sunday in all three of those areas against the Packers. Here's an interview I had with Gore:
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During our talk, Gore said it makes no difference to him whether he runs from the I-formation, the shotgun or the Wildcat. (Last week against the Bears, he gained 25 yards after sweeping around the right side on a direct snap.)
Gore said he likes that the defense is spread out a little more in the shotgun. "You can see the defense better," he said.
Offensive coordinator Jimmy Raye talked about the challenges of facing the Packers defense on Sunday. He said the Packers like to bring defensive back Charles Woodson on blitzes. That means Gore will have to pick him up. Also,
"They create a mismatch over there on that side with a back trying to block a defensive lineman off of a two-point stance," Raye said.
So Gore is going to have a huge challenge ahead of him to diagnose what defensive coordinator Dom Capers dials up for the Packers' defense.
"I just have to know what I'm doing," Gore said. "They bring a lot of pressure. As long as I feel I know what I'm doing and what man to block. I'm going to try my best to block him."
And how will he go about blocking Kampman, a 260-pounder who has 39.5 sacks the past 3 ½ seasons?
"I just have to attack - get as close as I can before he can make moves, attack and keep working," Gore said.
Gore said he is confident the 49ers' offense can become productive in the final seven games of te season, as long as everybody is on the same page.
"Since I've been here, this is most-talented team," Gore said. He noted that Vernon Davis has matured into a big threat, and there are talented receivers with Michael Crabtree, Josh Morgan and Jason Hill. He also noted Delanie Walker is gaining more experience.
"They (the defense) has to respect those guys," Gore said. "And if they respect those guys, it makes it easier on me."
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Prior to the season, the big questions about the 49ers centered on their offensive line and their pass rush. A lot has been made about the team's line. And the pass rush started the season pretty well.
But the pass rush has showed down. The 49ers rank 29th in the league in sacks per pass play - better than only
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Tying up a couple loose ends . . .
A few days ago I wrote that I "didn't think" the 49ers would be inclined to slap the franchise tag on nose tackle Aubrayo Franklin if they don't sign him to a long-term extension. I'm officially changing my stance on that one. The franchise tag is likely to rise to about $6.9 million for 2010, and the 49ers have gotten
Also, the 49ers are confident left tackle Joe Staley will be back on the field for the Dec. 14 game against the Cardinals. There is less optimism about cornerback Nate Clements. They're probably looking at the final two games of the regular season for him. And while there might be some discussion about reducing his contract in the offseason and tinkering with a move to safety, he'll return as a cornerback, of course.
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i believe Gore will come through this weekend....
Franklin is a big issue....he fits our system but can we really afford him......
either we sign him to a big contract.....or draft a young NT who will take 3-4 yrs to develop
Off season concerns prior to the 09' season was Pass Rush & O-line. Looks like nothing has changed there but can those 2 units PLEASE step-up to the challenge on Sunday & give their best effort of the season? God I hope so because they're going to need to if the 49ers are going to be victorious on Sunday. As for Franklin, slap the franchise tag on him if they can't re-sign him right away. The 49ers can't afford to lose a player like him.
In regards to changing your mind about Franklin being franchised; I find it refreshing, as most journalists never admit when they're wrong.
Thanks Matt,
By the way, Burrows is holding your laptop hostage.
I'm ok with franchising Aubrayo. The Niners can get another good year out of him, and he'll still be playing hard for a fat contract from somebody. What sucks is where was that in years past? It shows me everything I need to know. Just like Parys Haralson. He turned into the teams best pass rusher last year, got paid, and now he's chillin.
On the flip there's good guys too. Frank Gore is still giving it his all. As is Tarrel Brown. So I know, it isn't all bad.
It's funny how that works. Guys get in to camp fit and ready, step their game up- during a contract year.
I think we are 10 million or so under the cap right now. The priority would be to lock up P Willy, Vernon. Franklin is a stud so either the franchise tag or pay him. I think we are good shape to sign all our guys and spend some dough in free agnecy, especially if there is no cap next year.
That's not fair to say that about Parys. He had such a good year last year that OC around the league has taken notice of him. They max protect on his side.
Excuse...
Given the contracts that will be coming off the books at the end of 2009, the Niners will be more than $50 Million below the cap going into the 2010 offseason. Franchising Franklin along with extending Willis and Vernon should not be an issue . . . at least financially for the Niners.
Keep Franklin. Give him the millions.
He has worked hard. He knows our system. He has done the job on the field (as opposed just having people offer questionable excuses on the blogs). He doesn't pop off.
We need more professionals like he and Gore.
Let's go, 49ers.
Capers is one of the best defensive coordinators in the league -- flexible, creative, and aggressive. If the 9ers O does well in the first half, he will adjust and the 2nd half will be different. This will be a good challenge for the 9ers O and Mr. Raye.
Interestingly, Capers runs an hybrid 3-4. Sound familiar? It's not what you do, it's the way that you do it (to quote an old song).The Packers can bring a lot of confusion to an offense so our blockers have to be on their toes.
As for Franklin, he started playing well last year and has continued to improve. Sign him to a generous long-term deal or Franchise him. How many premier NTs are there in the league?
Matt
I am concerned about one of your posts a few days ago. You said that the 9er's have Nate Davis playing DB on the scout team during the week. I suppose this means that Sean Hill runs the scout team as QB. Given that Sean is not the QB of the future don't you think the suits should be evaluating Davis as a potential starter or backup QB before the draft? We look really good from a draft pick and cap room point of view for next year but it appears they won't know anymore about Nate Davis than they did at the end of the pre season games this year. Can you explain this?
Thanks
Bill49er
Capers strength is also his weakness. Hybrid and constant changing are catch phrases for gambling. He is trying to beat you with scheme rather than personnel. He'll win some but, by definition, he'll also lose some. The Niners need to hurt the Packers with big plays when they beat the gamble. The only big plays the 49ers offense has contributed this year have been the 3 long Gore runs and the one long pass to Bruce in the opener. I think the 49ers need and are due for some explosive passing plays. Time for Crabtree, Davis, Morgan, Hill and/or Walker to beat single coverage or a coverage mistake and take it to the house - not just catch it and go down. This game will come down to RAC. Whichever team wins the RAC battle will win the game as I expect both teams to limit the other's running game.
Our faith lays in our own hands, we can do this!
During the season I don't give a rat's ass about contract talks, that will get dealt with during the off-season. I care about wins only.
We will have one on sunday!!
Believe, believe!!
I love gore. I hate watching the 1-2 yard gains but all of sudden you see the to d- linemen on his neck while he's breaking a big 1. Gore is going to have a big day if we can open up the pass. Even if we dont he will probably break 1. If the rookie SC Linebacker and his bad jaw gets in his way, it will be a short day for him.
Speaking of Linebackers...Can we PLEASE lock up P.WIllis? Please!!! Thats what I really want for Xmas!
Thanks for the interview MM.
I want to end the Green Bay Blues with a win Sunday. Owens,Owens,Owens was the last win in a number of losses. This game will come down to coaching IMO.
Absolutely comes down to coaching. Also depends on which Niner team shows up. I hope it's not the team that plays not to lose in the 4th quarter if they have a lead. Which will be determined by the coaching staff! As long as we can execute and limit mistakes, the Niners WILL win this game! Bring it Manusky!!
the worst/heart crushing games i ever watched the niners played was at Green bay.....
i still recall that playoff game where all they did was mess with our timing on offense.......by continuously hitting brent jones as he came off the line.....
for sum reason i can't get over that loss....
Matt,a lot of teams have dual backs to help spread the load and to give a breather to a workhorse back like Gore. Don't you think that the team should consider a bigger alternate back to spell Gore for next season? Coffee is a little too much like Gore, and there is a definite drop off when Gore was hurt, and there was really no replacement. Robinson is not a threat at all.
Dude, which one?? When Green Bay came in here and thumped us in playoffs in 95, that was pretty demoralizing.. Mark Chumura doing his best Brent Jones impersonation..The one that stands out for me was the Monday nighter....Don Beebe BS play and JJ Stokes huge drop on a 3rd down.... lost 23-20 with Elvis at the helm. That one still hurts.
I actually agree with you. Wow! I haaaate green bay! But they are Favre less. We already got that pill this year. SMACK THE PACK! I have been a Niner fan for a long time. And have seen some big games. The redemption reception game is still one of my favorites. That's the only reason I will still sport my Owens jersey from time to time. It will be worn this Sunday.
That Owens catch was one of the most memorable TD receptions in 49er history...
Absolutely un-freakin-believable.
it was considering he dropped that one in the end zone in the first half and blamed it on the sun. That was the best Niner game I had ever been to other than the Opening day 96 yd run by Hearst against Jets in OT. Can we just get some glory back already?
Matt,
That is the 2nd time you have said there is essentially no way Clements is anything other than a CB. Why do you say that?
Matt, saw your tweets. Lets' have a XML feed for non-iTunes listeners too, if the podcasts are now subscribable. It's not always convenient to listen in during office hours.
...its been a while so my memory might be murky.....
I think it was raining early in the game..
..and the image i still can't get over - is seeing B.Jones getting whacked every time we snapped the ball.
i recall the commentators saying the goal of the GB defense is to disrupt our timing because the west coast offense relies so much on timing between the QB and the receivers...
another memory i recall is their FS always getting picks because of tip balls in the secondary.....
men - i hated those days...
Matt,
I have a dare for you. I was listening to some NFL players talk about funny things they hear fans say. Anthony Weaver told a story about when the Ravens were facing the Jets in NY. Weaver was standing next to Franklin when they heard a fan say "Hey #91, Only one player per uniform." Franklin was #91 for the Ravens. So here's my dare:
Next time you see Franklin say, "Hey #93, Only one player per uniform." See if he remembers NY. If you don't post for awhile we'll know what happened.
Steve Young broken ribs? Desmond Howard taking two punts back to the house? That would be the game, and we were never in it after kick-off.
There was one constant in those games with the Packers when Farve was their QB. Especially the Playoffs. The referees did a LOT of looking the other way no matter where we played them. Jones was literally mugged all the way down the field on some plays.
When Rice fumbled in the game where the Second Catch by TO won the game, the Packers were crying after the game about what the replay showed!
Young said during the taping of the replay of the game on ESPN, "that with all the breaks the Packers had against the 49ers in previous playoff games, even if Rice did fumble the ball, the 49ers were no way near even because of all the things the Packers got away with."
I hate the Packers since I saw all those idiotic "cheese heads" at Candlestick!
Question: That is the 2nd time you have said there is essentially no way Clements is anything other than a CB. Why do you say that?
My response: I didn't say that. What I said, 1) The 49ers aren't going to convert him to safety during this season; and 2) The 49ers aren't going to pay Clements $6M to hope he can convert to a safety next season. --Matt M.
Thanks for the clarification. I misunderstood.
I wonder if they will want to pay him 6 mil next year at any position.
Terry, you are so right. I never forget all the back calls against the niners!!! I truly hate the packers and number 4, since they cost us at least one more championship. Go Niners, please get a victory for us in Lambo.
Hey Alex Smite game starh,
I actally went to green bay for the NFC championship game when desmond Howard ren back those 2 kicks. The weather wall horrible before the game started. Rain and freezing.
Right before kickoff the rain stopped and we get punished for the next 3 hours. I had to listen to that dumb go pack go song the whole game.
I have to admit, the packer fans are good people. I went to a sportbar the night before the game with my Niner colors and they actually let me go home in 1 piece. They tried to get me drunk but I just Pepsi' d them to death.
Hope we punish them this weekend! Go Niners!
Niners need to step up and play their "A" game Sunday. The can not come out and play like they have been (Bears Titans..) They need to come out and play like they did against the Colts or the Vikes! Alex Smith must know that this will be his signature game. He either has to have epic success, or he will be the poster child for EPIC FAILURE! Both QB's will be under pressure all day because of 3 terrible offensive lines. Smith has to step up ironically against Aaron Rogers, and play his best game of the season. Heck, the best game of his career. Defense has to put in an "A" effort, getting sacks and interceptions. We need turnovers and short fields. Offensive line has to outplay the GB patchwork OL. I think Gore will be the best back on the field on Sunday. He needs to have the game to prove it, like say 120 yards? It will come down to which lousy OL will do the best. We have had the same lousy patchwork line for a coupla games. Their lousy line is just recently patched together and are playing lousy. May the less lousy offensive line win! Defensively, I think the Niners have a slight edge. GO NINERS !! Win or start planing your offseason vacations...