Frank Gore to Start (1 Viewer)

[Otis]

Frank Gore, RB SFNews: Kevan Barlow (knee) has been placed on injured reserve and will miss the rest of the season, so Frank Gore will start in the regular-season finale against Houston.Analysis: Gore is a fantastic sleeper option this week against the Texans.

I am going to post this in the "understudy" thread, but I think it deserved it's own thread.I am now carefully considering starting him over Willie Parker. I likely will, particualrly if Hicks is still dinged up.

 

[Tat]

I am starting him over Rudi Johnson as of right now.

 

[Otis]

I am starting him over Rudi Johnson as of right now.

Ballsy. I like it. I think the weather calls for messy in SF, which might mean more for Gore. The one and only hesitation I really have now (aside from Hicks) is the potential for SF to get blown out and have to throw a ton. Probably unlikely against HOU, especially with Dom Davis out, but if Carr->AJ turns into a big day and Wells punches a couple in, it could turn into the Alex Smith show and leave Gore with 10 carries.

 

[GreedoShotFirst]

I am starting him over Rudi Johnson as of right now.

Ballsy. I like it. I think the weather calls for messy in SF, which might mean more for Gore. The one and only hesitation I really have now (aside from Hicks) is the potential for SF to get blown out and have to throw a ton. Probably unlikely against HOU, especially with Dom Davis out, but if Carr->AJ turns into a big day and Wells punches a couple in, it could turn into the Alex Smith show and leave Gore with 10 carries.

well, with ten carries last week he managed to score twice

 

[Otis]

I am starting him over Rudi Johnson as of right now.

Ballsy. I like it. I think the weather calls for messy in SF, which might mean more for Gore. The one and only hesitation I really have now (aside from Hicks) is the potential for SF to get blown out and have to throw a ton. Probably unlikely against HOU, especially with Dom Davis out, but if Carr->AJ turns into a big day and Wells punches a couple in, it could turn into the Alex Smith show and leave Gore with 10 carries.

well, with ten carries last week he managed to score twice

Understood, I just don't want to have to count on that. I would prefer 20 carries for 80 and a TD, with upside beyond that.I don't see any reason why they don't give him a ton of work. This is the perfect opportunity to see what they've got, and with nothing to lose and nothing on the line. The kid's a trooper, and bum shoulders or not I expect him to go out there and play hard and play well.

 

[GreedoShotFirst]

I am starting him over Rudi Johnson as of right now.

Ballsy. I like it. I think the weather calls for messy in SF, which might mean more for Gore. The one and only hesitation I really have now (aside from Hicks) is the potential for SF to get blown out and have to throw a ton. Probably unlikely against HOU, especially with Dom Davis out, but if Carr->AJ turns into a big day and Wells punches a couple in, it could turn into the Alex Smith show and leave Gore with 10 carries.

well, with ten carries last week he managed to score twice

Understood, I just don't want to have to count on that. I would prefer 20 carries for 80 and a TD, with upside beyond that.I don't see any reason why they don't give him a ton of work. This is the perfect opportunity to see what they've got, and with nothing to lose and nothing on the line. The kid's a trooper, and bum shoulders or not I expect him to go out there and play hard and play well.

I'm with you, I'm starting him over Ced Houston and Donald Driver.

 

[grabnmcbutt]

I am starting him over Rudi Johnson as of right now.

Ballsy. I like it. I think the weather calls for messy in SF, which might mean more for Gore. The one and only hesitation I really have now (aside from Hicks) is the potential for SF to get blown out and have to throw a ton. Probably unlikely against HOU, especially with Dom Davis out, but if Carr->AJ turns into a big day and Wells punches a couple in, it could turn into the Alex Smith show and leave Gore with 10 carries.

well, with ten carries last week he managed to score twice

Understood, I just don't want to have to count on that. I would prefer 20 carries for 80 and a TD, with upside beyond that.I don't see any reason why they don't give him a ton of work. This is the perfect opportunity to see what they've got, and with nothing to lose and nothing on the line. The kid's a trooper, and bum shoulders or not I expect him to go out there and play hard and play well.

How is this different than last week when he got only 10 carries and they were divided up between Gore and Hicks. Sure his two touchdowns were great but you can't expect him to score two again if the carries are split evenly between him and Hicks.

 

[Otis]

I am starting him over Rudi Johnson as of right now.

Ballsy. I like it. I think the weather calls for messy in SF, which might mean more for Gore. The one and only hesitation I really have now (aside from Hicks) is the potential for SF to get blown out and have to throw a ton. Probably unlikely against HOU, especially with Dom Davis out, but if Carr->AJ turns into a big day and Wells punches a couple in, it could turn into the Alex Smith show and leave Gore with 10 carries.

well, with ten carries last week he managed to score twice

Understood, I just don't want to have to count on that. I would prefer 20 carries for 80 and a TD, with upside beyond that.I don't see any reason why they don't give him a ton of work. This is the perfect opportunity to see what they've got, and with nothing to lose and nothing on the line. The kid's a trooper, and bum shoulders or not I expect him to go out there and play hard and play well.

How is this different than last week when he got only 10 carries and they were divided up between Gore and Hicks. Sure his two touchdowns were great but you can't expect him to score two again if the carries are split evenly between him and Hicks.

The difference is that Hicks was the "starter" last week. They've now named Gore the starter.

 

[grabnmcbutt]

They still spit carries. I'm not sure that we can read into the announcement that Gore is the starting back that he will be the primary back. I'm still worried that the carries will be split.

 

[Otis]

They still spit carries. I'm not sure that we can read into the announcement that Gore is the starting back that he will be the primary back. I'm still worried that the carries will be split.

Then why bother with the announcement?There is zero reason for the 49ers to see more of what career-backup Maurice Hicks can do. But they have every reason in the world to see more of Frank Gore. Particularly when:

1) Kevan Barlow just wasn't very good, for a second year in a row;

2) Gore has looked great in limited time;

3) Gore was once considered a phenom;

4) The Niners have a very high draft pick and may have to consider Bush (trade-up?) or one of the other top backs

My personal guess since about midway through the season is that Gore becomes the featured back there and they spend the draft picks on defense and Oline, but we'll see what happens. In any event, they have nothing to gain by giving Hicks a ton of work, and nothing to lose in giving Gore a ton of work.

100 and 1

 

[Otis]

This doesn't look as good...

Link

Thursday, December 29, 2005 Conference Archive

(Opening statement) “The two corners (Derrick Johnson and Bruce Thornton) will be listed as doubtful. One of them has been downgraded and the other has stayed doubtful. The (kick and punt) returners will more than likely be Otis Amey and we’ll see how Rasheed Marshall is tomorrow. If he’s able to go in the game he would either do the punt or kickoff. He’d probably do the punt. There’s a chance that we would use Arnaz Battle if it came to it, but right now he wouldn’t start. Depending on the package that we begin the game with it will either be Maurice Hicks or Frank Gore. We haven’t scripted our plays yet.”

***

(on Frank Gore becoming the first rookie to lead the team in rushing in 15 years) “I wish those 80 yards would take him over 1,000. That would be nice. I’d love to see it. Frank’s a good back. I thought last week was a great example of his ability to run. Even in the Washington game, when he took that long one, he’s had some pretty exciting runs throughout. He’s one of those guys that when he hits the line, it’s like ‘Oh, I think it’s a yard,’ then, ‘Oh wait. It’s two or three or four.’ That’s pretty good. He’s exciting to watch.”

(on if he thinks reaching that record would help Gore's confidence) “He’s confident. Frank’s just quiet, that’s all. Frank’s just quiet. He’s a long way from home, lived his whole life in Miami and now he’s out here. He’s got a mom with a little bit of an illness that he’s very close with, so he’s got things on his mind. He’s done a very good job, and I’m really pleased we’ve got him. He’s all football.”

(on if he's going to get more time this week) “The game will dictate some of that. You go in with one plan and see how the game goes. He’ll probably get as much time as Hicks gets, like last week. If it goes our way, you’ll see it similar to last week.”

 

[jetmonkey]

I started him over Steven Jackson in my work league superbowl last week. Two TDs vs. Jackson's one. Kiss the rings, #####!

 

[Biabreakable]

I dont see any rational reasoning for SF to give the ball exclusivly to Gore over Hicks when both have played about equally.Which is precisely what is being said in the press conference.

 

[Otis]

I dont see any rational reasoning for SF to give the ball exclusivly to Gore over Hicks when both have played about equally.

Which is precisely what is being said in the press conference.

Gore is a potential franchise back. Hicks isn't.

 

[Toxic Gatorade]

Expect the Texans to open the DEF doors to allow Gore to paydirt.....all day long.REGGIE! REGGIE! REGGIE!

 

[Otis]

Updates?

 

[Gopher State]

Everything seems to point to a 50/50 split on carries for Hicks and Gore :X

 

[Tillmanisahero]

Everything seems to point to a 50/50 split on carries for Hicks and Gore :X

Do you have any links to support that?

 

[TroySpeed]

please provide evidence that they may split carries.I'm really trying to decide between Gore and Morency at my RB2.I'm leaning towards Morency, simply because I think the Texans have a better shot at scoring, and he'll get more touches than Gore.

 

[Otis]

Any final thoughts here on the whole Gore vs. Morency start?Many of us can still sub in prior to kickoff. I've been very high on Gore all season long, but I'm still very nervous about it.

 

[Otis]

Hicks gets the first series.I got what I deserved for listening to CBS Sportsline.

 

[pghrob]

Is Gore suited up?

 

[wannabee]

gore sighting

 

[pghrob]

It's got to be tough for either Gore or Hicks to get a rhythm being alternated in and out each series.

 

[Gopher State]

As I called it early today 50/50 split

 

[Otis]

As I called it early today 50/50 split

Which is exactly what they said they would do in the press conference this week.I hate my life.

 

[Biabreakable]

I dont see any rational reasoning for SF to give the ball exclusivly to Gore over Hicks when both have played about equally.

Which is precisely what is being said in the press conference.

Gore is a potential franchise back. Hicks isn't.

Why is Maurice Hicks not a potential franchise Rb?Gore ended up with 25 carries to Hicks 16 carries so a 61-39% split. That was certainly enough action for Gore to have a pretty good game against the worst team in the league right now.

Gore averaged 4.3 ypc to Hicks 3.5 ypc

Hicks did tear off a 70+ yard TD run the week before though so he has the ability to make big plays like Gores 28 yard run.

They split time more evenly throughout regulation. Gore got more action 4th quarter and overtime.

I am still not really seeing why Gore can be considered a potential franchise Rb while Hicks can not. Perhaps because Gore was drafted and Hicks was a walk on? Perhaps because Gore was aquired more recently than Hicks and more importantly as one of Nolans 1st day picks while Hicks was kept from the previous Erickson regime?

I just think it may be premature to write off Hicks as being part of the mix of San Fransico's future.

If you have other reasoning for this that I may have overlooked I would be interested in your thoughts on the matter.

 

[Otis]

I dont see any rational reasoning for SF to give the ball exclusivly to Gore over Hicks when both have played about equally.

Which is precisely what is being said in the press conference.

Gore is a potential franchise back. Hicks isn't.

Why is Maurice Hicks not a potential franchise Rb?Gore ended up with 25 carries to Hicks 16 carries so a 61-39% split. That was certainly enough action for Gore to have a pretty good game against the worst team in the league right now.

Gore averaged 4.3 ypc to Hicks 3.5 ypc

Hicks did tear off a 70+ yard TD run the week before though so he has the ability to make big plays like Gores 28 yard run.

They split time more evenly throughout regulation. Gore got more action 4th quarter and overtime.

I am still not really seeing why Gore can be considered a potential franchise Rb while Hicks can not. Perhaps because Gore was drafted and Hicks was a walk on? Perhaps because Gore was aquired more recently than Hicks and more importantly as one of Nolans 1st day picks while Hicks was kept from the previous Erickson regime?

I just think it may be premature to write off Hicks as being part of the mix of San Fransico's future.

If you have other reasoning for this that I may have overlooked I would be interested in your thoughts on the matter.

Gore was considered an absolute phenom by many experts at one point. The injuries obviously changed things, but he still was drafted relatively high (by the new coaching staff). That kind of talent generally doesn't come out of nowhere, although there are guys who don't come in through the draft and find success. Some consider Gore one of the best instinctual runners they've seen. As he puts more time between himself and the knee injuries, and gets some more opportunities, he may end up in a situation where we can really see what we can do.

I'll agree that maybe I am dismissing Hicks more quickly than I should, but I think that's also a function of just being really high on Gore. I've seen him with my own eyes and been very impressed, and there are people out there who know a whole lot more about football than I do that were, at least at some point, of the opinion that Frank Gore is a better back than the likes of Portis and Mcgahee.

This will be a hot topic for discussion this offseason, particularly with the Niners out of the Bush sweepstakes. I said earlier in the season that if Alex Smith works hard this offseason and comes into next season ready to go, and the Niners make some upgrades to the Oline during the offseason, it is entirely possible that this team could become a serious offense in the next couple years (much like the Bengals did over the last couple). The Niner RB could be a valuable commodity again sometime soon, and if that back is someone as talented as I think Gore may be, look out.

Regardless, Gore vs. Hicks will be a fun debate this offseason.