Call on Gore will come on Sunday
Ron Kroichick, Chronicle Staff Writer
Saturday, November 3, 2007
(11-02) 21:18 PDT Santa Clara -- Frank Gore spoke softly, as he always does. He sat at his locker after Friday's practice in Santa Clara and predicted he would play Sunday against Atlanta, at one point saying, "I'll be able to go. I'm all right."
Moments later, Gore confessed he couldn't do everything he wanted during practice, including pushing and cutting on his sprained ankle - two handy skills when trying to elude large, angry defensive players. Gore clearly was discouraged as he briefly described his condition.
The 49ers listed him as questionable for the game against the Falcons, and coach Mike Nolan called it a "game-day decision." Nolan, whose team hasn't scored more than 20 points in any of its seven games this season - and hasn't exceeded 16 during its five-game losing streak - obviously needs his best running back, but Nolan didn't sound confident Gore's ankle would cooperate.
If Gore cannot play, Maurice Hicks and Michael Robinson will share running-back duties. This would count as a fresh look, given that Gore has carried the ball 110 times this season and Hicks and Robinson have carried it only seven times each.
At least Robinson offered a rare moment of offensive promise during the third quarter of last week's desultory loss to New Orleans. He caught a short pass from Alex Smith and broke several tackles on his way to a 20-yard gain, his career long for a reception.
"We need more of those, by everyone," Nolan said.
Said Robinson: "Unfortunately, it happened late in the game when the game was almost out of hand. I hope to be a spark when I'm out there."
Robinson, in his second NFL season after a college career spent mostly as Penn State's quarterback, is still becoming accustomed to his new position. He talked confidently about his understanding of pass coverages and protection schemes, but he also yearns to instinctively dash downfield, as if he were a lifelong running back.
Part of the transition for Robinson was learning to absorb an occasional hit in practice. He routinely wore a bright red "hands off" jersey during Penn State practices, and punishment was swift and severe for any overzealous defender who dared touch Robinson.
Three or four players got kicked off the team for making contact with him, Robinson said sheepishly, because coach Joe Paterno was so determined to protect his star player. Safe to say, Robinson doesn't own the same status with the 49ers.
"I didn't think practicing every day at running back was going to be so tough," he said. "You go from being quarterback, where you're not touched at practice, to maybe getting hit four or five times every practice at running back."
I dont think its that bad. Id rather have Edge than Gore. And Smith is horrible with Carr at QB so he and Ward have similar value IMO.
jk good luck in the marathon although its cuz of you nutjobs I cant go over the bridge on Sunday to watch my brother in laws last home game in Brooklyn 
