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Something clicked with 49ers nose tackle Aubrayo Franklin in the second half of last season. He finished strong once the 49ers went exclusively to a 3-4 defensive scheme. And he has picked up this season where he left off.

Franklin has provided the 49ers with outstanding play through the first nine games of the season. Sports Illustrated's Peter King, one of the hardest-working and most-respected reporters in the country, named Franklin to his Midseason All-Pro team.

Here's an interview I conducted with Franklin on Thursday: 

Generally, nose tackle is not a position that stuffs the stat sheet. However, Franklin ranks third on the 49ers behind Patrick Willis and Dashon Goldson with 56 tackles, including 6.5 for loss. The seven-year pro also has a career-high two sacks, which is tied with New Orleans' Remi Ayodele for most in the league from a nose tackle.

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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:

Chico native and Cal product Aaron Rodgers joined the 49ers writers on a conference call this morning. Rodgers, the starting quarterback for the Packers, opposes the 49ers for the first time in a regular season game. Rodgers said the 49ers still hold a special place in his heart. He said he holds no grudges against the team for not selecting him with the No. 1 overall pick in 2005.

Here is a portion of the conference call . . .