Gore reaches agreement with 49ers through 2011
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Notebook: Taking care of Gore in several ways
http://49ers.scout.com/2/631582.html
If the 49ers and Frank Gore had entered the 2007 season without a new contract, the team's best player would have also been one of its lowest-paid players. Clearly, something had to be done, and coach Mike Nolan said the timing was right for the 49ers to sign Gore to a five-year, $28 million extension that was a good deal for both the team and its star performer.
"It was a little early because Frank just finished his second year," Nolan said, "but if you identify somebody you want to have that is a good player - that you want to have around for awhile - it's good to get it done early because the longer you wait, the more expensive it gets and the closer it gets to them seeing that window for free agency."
The 49ers essentially controlled Gore's rights for the next three seasons. He was signed through 2007, but the team could have given him a high tender next year as a restricted free agent, then made him their franchise player in 2009.
But the 49ers and agent Drew Rosenhaus worked out a contract that makes Gore one of the top-10 paid running backs in the league.
Gore turns 24 on May 14 and has played just two NFL seasons. Although he was not the starter as a rookie, Gore still led the team with 608 yards rushing despite starting only one game, averaging a healthy 4.8 yards per carry. The 49ers dealt Kevan Barlow to the Jets for a fourth-round pick in August when it became apparent that Gore would become the team's featured back.
Gore's production was a big reason behind the 49ers' improvement to a 7-9 record last season. He rushed for a franchise-record 1,695 yards. He also led the team with 61 receptions and rolled up a franchise-record 2,180 yards from scrimmage. His average of 5.4 yards per carry ranked seventh in league history for running backs with at least 300 carries.
Nolan said the timing of Gore's new deal was great for the 49ers because, even though he does not have a lengthy NFL resume, the team locked up a player who should have a few more quality years ahead of him.
They also take care one of the team's young building blocks who has already has out-performed his former contract by leaps and bounds and now has a deal in place that is more in balance with his performance and production.
"The good thing is that when we looked at the other running backs, when they re-did their deals, most of them four, five or six years into their careers," Nolan said. "We get him as a young player, when he's still early in his career. That's a good thing. He had an outstanding year and if he has another one, it gets all the more expensive. And we don't think it's a fluke. If you think it's a situation where the guy just lucks into it, like Timmy Smith in the Super Bowl year, but that's not the case (with Gore)."
The only reason for concern with Gore is his history of injuries. He sustained torn anterior cruciate ligaments in both knees at the University of Miami (Fla.), and he underwent major surgeries on both shoulders after his rookie season with the 49ers.
He had not made it through a full season without being limited by injuries since his senior year of high school before holding up as the team's workhorse last season.
Now that Gore is locked up through the 2011 season, Nolan is talking about making better use of his backups to keep Gore healthy, fresh and productive.
"For us, it's featuring the guy who is your best player," Nolan said. "If you have another, I think that's a good way, too. You don't want to beat up your best guy. You want to take a little bit of wear off him. (Gore) likes to play, though. Some guys like to come out so when they go back in it's a fresh carry. Frank is not that way. Frank wants to stay in there all the time, even when he's a little gassed."
Gore said the day after the season that his goal for 2007 was to rush for 2,200 yards, which would break Eric Dickerson's league record of 2,105, set in 1984. But it does not appear as if Nolan wants to give Gore that kind of opportunity with an increased number of carries.
"Hopefully, he'll be a little less (carries) than this past year," Nolan said. "It would be nice to get somebody in there who could take some of the load. But he is the guy for us. We'll see how things go."
Currently, the 49ers' backups are Michael Robinson and Maurice Hicks. Robinson was converted to running back after leading Penn State to national prominence as a quarterback. Hicks is a restricted free agent who still might attract some attention before the April 20 deadline for him to sign with another club. (The 49ers would have the right to match any contract.)
Depending on what happens with Hicks, the 49ers make consider using one of their several mid-round draft selections to bring in another running back to compete for playing time behind Gore and take some of the load off him. But Gore doesn't have to worry about seeing his playing time limited.
"He really enjoys playing, being on the field, so I don't have any problem with that," Nolan said. "You just sometimes have to be careful. There's a lot of wear and tear on a running back who runs like he does. He doesn't shy away from too much and he's not a huge guy. He takes a lot of punishment
http://49ers.scout.com/2/631582.html
If the 49ers and Frank Gore had entered the 2007 season without a new contract, the team's best player would have also been one of its lowest-paid players. Clearly, something had to be done, and coach Mike Nolan said the timing was right for the 49ers to sign Gore to a five-year, $28 million extension that was a good deal for both the team and its star performer.
"It was a little early because Frank just finished his second year," Nolan said, "but if you identify somebody you want to have that is a good player - that you want to have around for awhile - it's good to get it done early because the longer you wait, the more expensive it gets and the closer it gets to them seeing that window for free agency."
The 49ers essentially controlled Gore's rights for the next three seasons. He was signed through 2007, but the team could have given him a high tender next year as a restricted free agent, then made him their franchise player in 2009.
But the 49ers and agent Drew Rosenhaus worked out a contract that makes Gore one of the top-10 paid running backs in the league.
Gore turns 24 on May 14 and has played just two NFL seasons. Although he was not the starter as a rookie, Gore still led the team with 608 yards rushing despite starting only one game, averaging a healthy 4.8 yards per carry. The 49ers dealt Kevan Barlow to the Jets for a fourth-round pick in August when it became apparent that Gore would become the team's featured back.
Gore's production was a big reason behind the 49ers' improvement to a 7-9 record last season. He rushed for a franchise-record 1,695 yards. He also led the team with 61 receptions and rolled up a franchise-record 2,180 yards from scrimmage. His average of 5.4 yards per carry ranked seventh in league history for running backs with at least 300 carries.
Nolan said the timing of Gore's new deal was great for the 49ers because, even though he does not have a lengthy NFL resume, the team locked up a player who should have a few more quality years ahead of him.
They also take care one of the team's young building blocks who has already has out-performed his former contract by leaps and bounds and now has a deal in place that is more in balance with his performance and production.
"The good thing is that when we looked at the other running backs, when they re-did their deals, most of them four, five or six years into their careers," Nolan said. "We get him as a young player, when he's still early in his career. That's a good thing. He had an outstanding year and if he has another one, it gets all the more expensive. And we don't think it's a fluke. If you think it's a situation where the guy just lucks into it, like Timmy Smith in the Super Bowl year, but that's not the case (with Gore)."
The only reason for concern with Gore is his history of injuries. He sustained torn anterior cruciate ligaments in both knees at the University of Miami (Fla.), and he underwent major surgeries on both shoulders after his rookie season with the 49ers.
He had not made it through a full season without being limited by injuries since his senior year of high school before holding up as the team's workhorse last season.
Now that Gore is locked up through the 2011 season, Nolan is talking about making better use of his backups to keep Gore healthy, fresh and productive.
"For us, it's featuring the guy who is your best player," Nolan said. "If you have another, I think that's a good way, too. You don't want to beat up your best guy. You want to take a little bit of wear off him. (Gore) likes to play, though. Some guys like to come out so when they go back in it's a fresh carry. Frank is not that way. Frank wants to stay in there all the time, even when he's a little gassed."
Gore said the day after the season that his goal for 2007 was to rush for 2,200 yards, which would break Eric Dickerson's league record of 2,105, set in 1984. But it does not appear as if Nolan wants to give Gore that kind of opportunity with an increased number of carries.
"Hopefully, he'll be a little less (carries) than this past year," Nolan said. "It would be nice to get somebody in there who could take some of the load. But he is the guy for us. We'll see how things go."
Currently, the 49ers' backups are Michael Robinson and Maurice Hicks. Robinson was converted to running back after leading Penn State to national prominence as a quarterback. Hicks is a restricted free agent who still might attract some attention before the April 20 deadline for him to sign with another club. (The 49ers would have the right to match any contract.)
Depending on what happens with Hicks, the 49ers make consider using one of their several mid-round draft selections to bring in another running back to compete for playing time behind Gore and take some of the load off him. But Gore doesn't have to worry about seeing his playing time limited.
"He really enjoys playing, being on the field, so I don't have any problem with that," Nolan said. "You just sometimes have to be careful. There's a lot of wear and tear on a running back who runs like he does. He doesn't shy away from too much and he's not a huge guy. He takes a lot of punishment
ok, so i agree, rhodes is a solid back. although him and lamont jordan have similar styles, they could be a pretty good tandem in the backfield.
but then your team has no offensive line. so i'm not expecting shit from him.
and jamarcus russell too. he'll be looking like a bitch...he's always gonna be on his back.
looks like you're the idiot.
but then your team has no offensive line. so i'm not expecting shit from him.
and jamarcus russell too. he'll be looking like a bitch...he's always gonna be on his back.
looks like you're the idiot.
CORRECTION: MY TEAM HAD A POORLY COACHED OFFENSIVE LINE THAT UNDER-PERFORMED. NOW WE HAVE A SOLID COACH IN TOM CABLE, ADDED NEWBERRY AND WILL ADDRESS THE LINE THROUGH THE DRAFT AS WELL. I'VE NOTICED THAT YOU'VE ALWAYS GOT SOME CRITICAL SHIT TO SAY ABOUT THE RAIDERS. ARE YOU AN EX-NINER FAN OR SOMETHING? WHAT'S THE DEAL?
THAN AGAIN, IT'S HARD FOR ME TO TAKE YOU SERIOUSLY PERIOD BECAUSE YOU'RE A COWBOYS FAN FROM THE BAY.
THAT'S PATHETIC.
i'm not saying that because i'm a cowboys fan. me being a cowboys fan has nothing to do with anything in this post. i'm voicing my non-biased opinion. i'm just saying what the fuck i think will happen with dominic rhodes on the raiders. regardless of who coaches your offensive line, they're still a shitty unit. based on those facts, i think rhodes will have a subpar year...
honestly, until the raiders get excellent line play, and 100% from effortless fucks like randy moss and jerry porter, i'll say that's when they could contend to be a playoff caliber team.
You wouldn't need him? Your fuckin squad needs everyone they can get. If you think Dominic Rhodes can get the job done behind a shitty ass line, you've got a nasty surprise coming your way. He did OK in Indy, but it won't be nearly as easy in Oakland.
Gore on the other hand averaged 5.0 yards per carry behind one of the league's shittiest offensive lines in his ROOKIE year.
But I see where you're coming from, you guys wouldn't need someone like Frank Gore.
I mean, fuck, that offense is a fuckin powerhouse as it is!
Gore on the other hand averaged 5.0 yards per carry behind one of the league's shittiest offensive lines in his ROOKIE year.
But I see where you're coming from, you guys wouldn't need someone like Frank Gore.
I mean, fuck, that offense is a fuckin powerhouse as it is!
