BustedKnuckles
Footballguy
By Matthew Barrows - Bee Staff Writer
Last Updated 6:32 am PDT Friday, October 6, 2006
Running back Frank Gore is turning to his defensive teammates for help this week. His plea: Try to make me fumble.
"If we see any of the running backs hanging the ball out there, we're supposed to go after it," said cornerback B.J. Tucker, a member of the defensive scout team. "I've had two shots at it and nothing. I'm oh-for-two. I'll try to get him again tomorrow."
Said linebacker Parys Haralson: "I know I haven't knocked it out. I don't think there's been any balls on the ground this week."
Across the Bay, meanwhile, Raiders defenders have been practicing the same thing.
"Definitely, we practice that," said Raiders linebacker Thomas Howard. "We practice stripping the ball, and we always practice different ways of stripping the ball out. And most definitely now because of the fumbles he's had."
And why not? Gore has fumbled four times this season, more than any other running back in the NFL. He's tied for the league lead in that category with Houston Texans quarterback David Carr. Among running backs, Green Bay's Ahman Green, Detroit's Kevin Jones and Baltimore's Jamal Lewis are behind Gore with two fumbles apiece.
Gore's last two occurred when defenders put the crown of their helmet on the ball and popped it free. Both turned into critical, game-changing turnovers.
Against the Philadelphia Eagles in Week Three, Gore's fumble on the opponent's 2-yard line was returned 98 yards for a touchdown. Last week in Kansas City, Gore fumbled on the team's first offensive series. The Chiefs kicked a field goal seven plays later and were up 10-0 before the 49ers even had a first down.
"We're going to try to take the ball whether he's carrying, whether the quarterback's carrying it, or any one of those guys," Raiders coach Art Shell said. "(Gore's) a very good running back that has a history of fumbling the ball a little bit. Maybe he'll give us a couple."
As for Gore, he said he's been making a concerted effort to keep the ball in his grasp and fumbles out of his head. He said he didn't do a very good job of that coming out of the Philadelphia game.
"It kind of made me play uptight," he said. " ... You know, everybody makes mistakes. Everybody has their rough times. And I guess it's my time to have a rough time."
Gore said the best advice has come from fellow South Florida native Antonio Bryant, who told Gore to "smell the hot dogs and chicken"
-- that is, remember the carefree days of playing Pee Wee football in the Miami area.
"Thinking about it is going to hold you back -- you can't be yourself," Gore said. "A.B. told me that. Now I'm just going to play."
But if the Raiders try to go for the football, that's fine, too, Gore said. In fact, he'd even welcome that approach.
"If they do they won't be trying to tackle me," he said. "Then I can get more yards, I guess
Last Updated 6:32 am PDT Friday, October 6, 2006
Running back Frank Gore is turning to his defensive teammates for help this week. His plea: Try to make me fumble.
"If we see any of the running backs hanging the ball out there, we're supposed to go after it," said cornerback B.J. Tucker, a member of the defensive scout team. "I've had two shots at it and nothing. I'm oh-for-two. I'll try to get him again tomorrow."
Said linebacker Parys Haralson: "I know I haven't knocked it out. I don't think there's been any balls on the ground this week."
Across the Bay, meanwhile, Raiders defenders have been practicing the same thing.
"Definitely, we practice that," said Raiders linebacker Thomas Howard. "We practice stripping the ball, and we always practice different ways of stripping the ball out. And most definitely now because of the fumbles he's had."
And why not? Gore has fumbled four times this season, more than any other running back in the NFL. He's tied for the league lead in that category with Houston Texans quarterback David Carr. Among running backs, Green Bay's Ahman Green, Detroit's Kevin Jones and Baltimore's Jamal Lewis are behind Gore with two fumbles apiece.
Gore's last two occurred when defenders put the crown of their helmet on the ball and popped it free. Both turned into critical, game-changing turnovers.
Against the Philadelphia Eagles in Week Three, Gore's fumble on the opponent's 2-yard line was returned 98 yards for a touchdown. Last week in Kansas City, Gore fumbled on the team's first offensive series. The Chiefs kicked a field goal seven plays later and were up 10-0 before the 49ers even had a first down.
"We're going to try to take the ball whether he's carrying, whether the quarterback's carrying it, or any one of those guys," Raiders coach Art Shell said. "(Gore's) a very good running back that has a history of fumbling the ball a little bit. Maybe he'll give us a couple."
As for Gore, he said he's been making a concerted effort to keep the ball in his grasp and fumbles out of his head. He said he didn't do a very good job of that coming out of the Philadelphia game.
"It kind of made me play uptight," he said. " ... You know, everybody makes mistakes. Everybody has their rough times. And I guess it's my time to have a rough time."
Gore said the best advice has come from fellow South Florida native Antonio Bryant, who told Gore to "smell the hot dogs and chicken"
-- that is, remember the carefree days of playing Pee Wee football in the Miami area."Thinking about it is going to hold you back -- you can't be yourself," Gore said. "A.B. told me that. Now I'm just going to play."
But if the Raiders try to go for the football, that's fine, too, Gore said. In fact, he'd even welcome that approach.
"If they do they won't be trying to tackle me," he said. "Then I can get more yards, I guess
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