SF 49ers Backfield (1 Viewer)

[lbouchard]

We all know Gore is the lead back until he goes down (which could be as early as halfway through this season). Question is, what to make of the Hunter-James pairing? I couldn't find a specific thread, so I started one up. Let's hear your thoughts.

 

[Raider Nation]

My guess would be that Hunter is your handcuff, and James gets plenty of touches no matter who gets the bulk of the carries. They are looking for that extra explosive dimension that's been lacking. Call it the Darren Sproles effect.

Edit: I'm not counting on Jacobs for anything. That dog has been beaten to death.

 

[footballnerd]

I look foward to see if jacobs and gore can be a one two

punch. Jacobs is said to loss about 20 lbs for this season and aims to be the lightest of his career. Wont be able to tell til preseason tho.

 

[32 Counter Pass]

IIRC, the staff has stated that they see Hunter as a 3rd down/change of pace RB. Personally, I think this is a situation that will be defined during the season. I make Gore the back to own early, but the inevitable injury will open the door for someone else.

 

[Touchdown There]

I look foward to see if jacobs and gore can be a one two punch. Jacobs is said to loss about 20 lbs for this season and aims to be the lightest of his career. Wont be able to tell til preseason tho.

Both practice and game reps will be scarce in this crowded backfield behind Gore. I feel like any carries given to Jacobs would be wasting valuable learning opportunities for the young guys.

 

[mdlane]

My guess would be that Hunter is your handcuff, and James gets plenty of touches no matter who gets the bulk of the carries. They are looking for that extra explosive dimension that's been lacking. Call it the Darren Sproles effect.

Edit: I'm not counting on Jacobs for anything. That dog has been beaten to death.

That's how I see it, too.

It's really hard to predict, though, because the management statements on Hunter and James are pretty damned close. Too close, I think to determining who would be the "lead" back if Gore went down. I believe it would come down to whether or not James can pass block in the NFL. Hunter can. That's the area for separation IMO.

I see Jacobs as playing the Coffee/Dixon short yardage role, when they need a RB to go straight up the middle and take/give punishment. The Niners don't do that much, but when they do, they need it to be effective. I'd be pleasantly surprised if Jacobs could succeed with that role given his regression, and extremely surprised if he became a "lead" back with the Niners.

 

[Faust]

Kendall Hunter has 'it' in 49ers backfield

By Gregg Rosenthal

Around The League editor

As we count down the days to training camp, Around the League will examine one player from every team set for a breakout campaign in 2012. Next up: the San Francisco 49ers.

49ers running back Kendall Hunter approached the line of scrimmage looking for a hole, finding nothing. It was third-and-one against the Seahawks in Week 16. The 5-foot-7 dynamo had been stuffed the play before.

This was supposed to be Frank Gore's down. Or even Anthony Dixon. Those guys were the short-yardage hammers. What was Jim Harbaugh doing giving it to Hunter up the middle on back-to-back plays with playoff positioning on the line?

Hunter crept to the outside, but there was nowhere to go. The Seahawks had him surrounded with five defenders. In a moment of hesitation, depending on your vantage point, Hunter seemed to disappear. He waited. And then exploded up the middle like he was shot out of a cannon for 24 yards. The Seahawks defenders never saw him. So that's why Harbaugh had him in.

Making the Leap: Kendall Hunter

I don't care that the 49ers signed Brandon Jacobs. He's not even a lock to make the team. I don't care that Frank Gore is one of the most underrated players at any position over the last decade. The 49ers think they can get more with less from the aging back. I don't even care that the 49ers drafted another promising back in LaMichael James.

Kendall Hunter is going to break out this year because he has "it." And because he was drafted by the right team.

The 49ers might have the most creative offensive staff in football when it comes to the running game. They won't hesitate to have Gore and Hunter in the backfield together in a variety of formations. They will find a way to use Hunter as a receiver, a position in which he averaged 12.2 yards-per-carry.

Hunter put up 668 yards from scrimmage as a rookie. He's not going to suddenly become a workhorse, but that number could double as the 49ers find more ways to get him the ball. He's San Francisco's answer to Darren Sproles, except he has more surprising power. Again and again, we saw Hunter gain additional yards after contact. He falls forward when getting hit -- at least when you can find him.

 

[todisco1]

I would be absolutely floored if Hunter had 1300+ yds this season unless Gore misses significant time (a definitive possibility of course). That seems extremely optimistic.

 

[beef]

Id be floored if hunter ever had a 1300 yard season.

 

[Grahamburn]

Are you guys talking about the same Frank Gore that played in all 16 games last season and then had 246 total yards in two playoff games? The Rodney Dangerfield of RBs.

 

[Clifford]

There is no more definitive "move along folks" line in sportswriting than something like this (and it was written in July)

Kendall Hunter is going to break out this year because he has "it." And because he was drafted by the right team.

I took James in my dynasty league so I am biased, but I would be surprised if he ends up doing nothing in the NFL. Dude was basically unstoppable at Oregon. Even did well against LSU with over 100 total yards and a TD (3.0 ypc). Richardson had more yards (over 160 total) and better averages but no TD.

 

[mdlane]

I was pretty stunned by that Rosenthal article as he is an excellent evaluator of fantasy talent, and also a huge supporter of Frank Gore. I watched every Niner game and I just thought Gore was flat out more effective and reliable.

The Niners backfield and WRs are going to be a HUGE story this offseason. And, to a lesser extent, whether any of our backup QBs are worth a damn.

 

[crazylegs1]

I think, ala the Saints backfield, that they each have their roles. Gore will be the lead back, until injury or poor play unseats him. I think it will be more of a committe however with Hunter seeing more carries in place of Gore, whether Gore likes it or not. I think L. James is completely independent of these 2 however and his role won't be defined by them. He is not an every down back IMO and will be in the "Sproles" role. Niners want to be more explosive and I think they find a variety of ways to utilize James. Could easily see Gore/James or Hunter/James on the field at the same time. Hell who knows, maybe all three at times. As a Niners fan I saw Harbaugh get extremely creative alot of times to make that turd of an offense roll in 2011. Can't wait to see what he has in store for 2012.

 

[dickey moe]

Id be floored if hunter ever had a 1300 yard season.

I'd be floored if Gore ever has [another] 1300 yard season.

 

[Xue]

I don't get the Kendall Hunter hype. He's a one-cut runner, not shifty, and doesn't make anyone miss.

Gore was only doing great when the blocking was great.

 

[5Rings]

I don't get the Kendall Hunter hype.