SANTA CLARA – This is the transcript of Frank Gore’s Thursday press conference, courtesy of the 49ers.
You haven’t worn that in a while?
“No.”
Why’d you pull it out today?
“It’s a work day. That’s about it. Just want to have a good work day.”
What’s it going to take to have a good work day on Sunday?
“We just have to play 49ers football. Do whatever it takes to win. If that’s running, throwing the ball, playing great defense, special teams, doing whatever it takes to get to that next level.”
What would you say are the big differences with your team, especially your offense, this year versus going into the Giants game at this time last year?
“It’s our second year with the same coordinator. Last year we were just happy to be in the playoffs and now we know we are supposed to be there.”
What was the process like convincing you or teaching you the read option? Sometimes for veteran guys, it’s a little different from what you’ve done before.
“I feel like I’m a football player, I’m a ball player. I can adjust to anything. I just have to be more patient to know if I’m getting the ball or not. That’s about it.”
I remember talking to Denver Broncos RB Willis McGahee about it last year when he ran it with New York Jets QB Tim Tebow and he said it was very weird at first. Did you go through, was it kind of an adjustment process?
“Yeah, I had to adjust because I don’t know if I’m going to get the ball or not. So I just have to be patient and stay on my course and if I have it then I have to adjust to what I see.”
There was so much discussion about QB Colin Kaepernick’s running last week, obviously just talk about how is Atlanta going to account for him?. Does it have the potential to open up some big holes for you?
“Yeah, it should. Kaepernick did a great job last week. He’s big, he’s strong, he’s fast and they are going to have to look out for him. So hopefully they keep looking out for him and 21 will keep getting the ball and I just do what he did last week.”
What’s it like to have a quarterback out run you?
“Hey, last week wasn’t the first time. He did it a couple other times this year. So like I say, as long as we get the win I don’t care who has the most yards and whatever, catching, running. I just want the W.”
I know you’re a student of football, but do you remember the first time you saw the pistol offense and what you thought of it when you first saw it? Did you watch it in college games?
“Yeah, probably like Oregon.”
What’d you think of it when you first saw it?
“I didn’t like it at first, but it’s working for us. So if it gets us to the Super Bowl, I’m with it.”
It looked, after RB Kendall Hunter got hurt, like a pretty seamless transition with RB LaMichael James stepping in. Did it feel that way to you and have you been happy with how he’s played?
“Yeah, I’m happy for him. LaMichael has been doing a great job. Special teams, even when he gets a chance to run the ball or catch the ball. When I first saw him in camp, it took him some time to adjust and I’m just happy for him. He’s helping the team and like I say, he put the work in.”
Why didn’t you like the pistol at first?
“I just felt like that’s not real football at first. But like I say, it’s helping us, helping us get to where we want to go and I’m with it.”
You had your second best season in terms of rushing yards, in this your 8th NFL year. What’s the key to your durability?
“Just working hard, working hard in the offseason. Listening to my coach during the week. Working out with coach Uye [head strength and conditioning coach Mark Uyeyama] in the weight room to keep my strength and that’s about it.”
Is there anything different that you’ve done towards the last few years of your career that’s really amped up that offseason workout?
“I think my coach paid attention more in the season about my reps and making sure I come in early in the morning working out every day with coach Uye.”
What strikes you about the Falcons when you look at them on film? And are their linebackers, do they play a little deeper than others?
“As a group, they have a good group of linebackers. I like the way [Atlanta Falcons LB Sean] Weatherspoon plays. He’s aggressive, fast, big. He kind of reminds me when I watch him of my boy [Carolina Panthers LB] John Beason from Carolina. Very active, makes good reads and gets to the ball. But Atlanta has a great team. If they didn’t have a great team they wouldn’t be here right now. So it’s going to be a good game Sunday.”
I know you’re on the offense and you’re a fan of your team’s defense, right? Which player on the 49ers defense would you least like to be tackled by?
“Oh man, that’s a hard question right there. I’ll go with [DT] Justin Smith.”
Because?
“He finishes tackles. When he puts you to the ground, he puts that 315 pounds on you. So I’ll say Justin Smith.”
So because you said you didn’t think the pistol was real football, what sold you? Was there a specific play or a specific game?
“No, just because coming from Miami, it was like pro-style offense. I didn’t think really big of it, but now I love it.”
Was there a run that either you were able to break because of it or Colin?
“Colin and me, it was both. When he got that big 60-yard run late in the game and we kept the same formation and I was getting it, making big runs back-to-back. It’s working.”
Coach Roman was just up here saying that you guys have had maybe discussions about being a coach one day. Do you think you’d make a good coach and why might that be an interest of yours after your playing days?
“Yeah, I think I’d be a great coach. For one, I love the game of football. I’ve been around the game all my life, since I was four. I can tell who are real football players. I got the eye for talent. That’s why I think that.”
Is that something you’d be interested in after your playing career?
“I’ll see. But like I said, I love being around football. So if [offensive coordinator] coach Roman ever get a head job and wants to hire me, I’ll be ready.”
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Frank Gore is ready to go to work on the Falcons. The best running back in the history of Miami. The best running back in 49er history. When he’s done, he’ll take over for Mr. Wrathman.(yes I know I spelled it wrong)
Frank – You’ve been a stud for many years but ground and pound combined with check down passes was never going to get Niners to the Super Bowl. Just keep listening to your coaches and you will get the
ring that you deserve Frank.
fresh legs Frank Gore, fresh legs. Two more games baby, two more games….
the Falcons will try to stop the run and may be effective on a series or two, but the shear physicality of the Niner o-line will wear out their D. Look for Gore, LMJ, and CK7 to have huge rushing numbers. Go Niners.
Quest for six! Bring it home to California Niners! Atl then a stay on the East Coast jk and then onto the SuperBowl!
Just hold on to the ball when yoj hit the hole frank. They will be trying hard to sfrip you from behind. Yes, they will be behind.
The NFC West just got even tougher. Bruce Arians hired as HC by the Cardinals.
Agree; he’s a good one. But they’re going to need some plow horses up front…….
I don’t think Arians was a good hire. If anything it was questionable. That team played on a lot of emotion and when the emotion ran dry they were average. Take Andrew Luck off that team and they maybe go 6-10 or 7-9. The Colts had a lot of come from behind wins. That’s all adrenaline and playing Chuck Strong football. More credit to the players than Arians.
Arians has been a winner everywhere he’s been and has proven he can develop young QB’s. It could be a quick turnaround in the desert.
There is a reason why he was a coordinator for so long and not a head coach. With limited options at the QB position in the draft and free agency, the Cards will be worse before they get better by next year. They have so many holes on both the offensive line an defensive line that it will take a stellar draft just to be half decent.
Cardinals have holes in their defensive line? You are clueless.
Arians was an OC with pittsburg for so long because their staff enjoys winning, not vecause Arians couldn’t be a head coach. You are starting to sound like your big sister BS. Please
just throw your computer out of the window. Maybe arizona will give Smith that 10- 12 million you talked about earlier this year
The Cards dline is all talk. Campbell and Dockett are average players. After that their secondary is soft and can’t tackle. Add the fact they have no LB’s and its a suspect defense.
Their offensive line is probably the worst in football. Now they hire Arians not because he was good in PIT, but because the Colts had a surprise season. Most of that was Luck and a team playing for Pagano, not Arians.
23 you can continue to insult me and I’ll just keeping talkin football . At the end of the day you will still look stupid either way. Try and keep up if you can minus the name calling. You won’t last a thread without the name calling. That’s all you and Bay got!
I’d take Calais Campbell in a heartbeat. Dockett is a great player, but he’s a me-first type, which doesn’t fly around here.
Arians is a solid coach, if you take the fact that the first year after he leftPittsburgh, the Steelers missed the playoffs. But Arizona is seriously challenged up front on offense, and their RBs, TEs, and WRs are suspect, never mind that ginormous void at QB.
Prime I have to disagree with you about the AZ DLine being over rated or weak! AZ in general has a great defense and their team can become very good with a QB or an offense that gives the defense a chance to rest for a few Mins! AZ defense suffered this year because they got tired of carrying the team on their shoulders!!!
Prime,
Once again you lose. It seems that nobody supports your position that the Cardinals D line is weak or that Arians is not a good coach. Let me throw this in. Tell me how bad #58 is for the Cardinals. Since you say they have no linebackers. Not a very good post BS. You were probably double posting as her and talking to yourself all the time. We’ve found out that you’re not very stable. Got any bad cancer patient jokes? You’re history here. Shut it down BS.
I’m not sure how successful Arians will be as a HC. His sample size at Indi is too small. His track record as an OC is not that impressive. He’s inheriting a terrible offense, one that many turned down or asked too high a price for (Ried, McCoy, Haley). I agree with Prime. Don’t expect a quick turnaround in the desert. Whisenhunt wasn’t a bad coach. Arizona will continue to suck for the near future.
It’s not a good start for Arians. He’s expected to name Bowles as his DC – meaning that Horton will be let go. It sucks for Horton who was considered the front runner for the HC job, now the guy’s being shown the door. Karma?
http://m.nfl.com/news/0ap1000000127875/report-horton-out-bowles-in-as-arizona-dcoordinator/
Can’t say I agree with any idiot who releases Ray Horton. That dude had it going. It’s not his fault the offense had no chance of sustaining drives. We all know what happens to a defense when the team doesn’t have a QB or offensive coordinator. We saw that under Singletary: a really good defense that got gashed at the end of every game because it was exhausted. When the D knows the O can’t pull its weight, the season goes into a tailspin. Arians: -1.
It doesn’t make sense. Bowles runs a 4-3 and their personnel is 3-4. Plus it was a good defense that shut down QBs.
Horton was quite upset and disappointed about not getting the HC gig. It was a mutual parting, I’ve heard.
That does make sense. It seems they only interviewed him to satisfy the Rooney rule. This year 2 black coaches fired 0 hired.
Arians is the new HC at Arizona
Arians is a good hire. The Cards are where we were three years ago, very good defense and no offense, division just got tougher.
They still suck with no QB.
NFC west is going to be the best division in the NFL with the Seahawks, Rams and all their draft picks and AZ with a good coach!
Grant would you please ask JH or Trent if they are considering to hire Chris Ault as an offensive consultant! He would be a great resource for this team!
What’s to say they didn’t already consult Mr. Ault before Saturday’s explosion?
@ Mr. E:
Ault says in the linked interview that the 49ers haven’t contacted him since Kaepernick was drafted.
http://www.mercurynews.com/sports/ci_22373815/colin-kaepernicks-college-coach-his-pupil-just-awesome
Thx CB
Nick says:
January 17, 2013 at 8:33 pm
“It’s not a good start for Arians. He’s expected to name Bowles as his DC – meaning that Horton will be let go. It sucks for Horton who was considered the front runner for the HC job, now the guy’s being shown the door. Karma?”
Horton has done an adequate job. But too many losses came in the 30 pt variety. And of course, the 58 – 0 loss to the C-hawks was a disaster on every level. Scores like this don’t bode well for coordinators on teams making coaching changes.
Arians (as most new head coaches are prone to do) will likely bring in his own personnel. They are a good QB away from becoming relevant again, and I believe that Arians (after having the likes of A.Luck) will dig hard and deep to find the missing piece this off season.
Hoping the O is able to dominate Time of Possession just like vs GB on Saturday night. If SF does that, they’ll set themselves up pretty nicely.
Mr. Gore is a modern day warrior! I’m glad to see him onboard with the offensive and QB changes.
Gore, Alex, J.Smith, A.Lee, B.Jennings, and others who have been here through the ‘dark ages’ deserve their moment of glory in the SB.
http://ninerchatter.blogspot.com/2013/01/3-reasons-why-49ers-will-lose-to-atlanta.html
Jack, I just can’t agree about losing because of trends like the win-win-loss the 49ers suffered during the regular season, which in fact, didn’t really happen unless you want to call the tie to the Rams a loss. But I must point out that the tie is what gave the 49ers the #2 seed and the division, so I wouldn’t consider it a loss because of that. Plus, playoffs are just a different animal IMHO.
And Falcons home record is good, but they only dominated twice at home in games against the Giants and Saints. All other wins were by less than a TD against less than stellar teams.
And, yes, Gonzalez is a very good TE, great redzone guy. But the 49ers have faced younger, more explosive TE’s with the Pats and Saints and played them well.
I was actually expecting one of your detailed X’s and O’s on this game discussing the gameplans each team need to win.
*They did beat Denver by 6 at home in the 2nd game of the season.
Space that was the time to play DEN, early in the season when they were avarage. The Broncos got a whole lot better as the season went on.
Gotta disagree Jack. 49ers are built to beat teams like Atlanta. The 49er defense will be able to focus on stopping the passing game, and while Atlanta may have some success then, running, it won’t be enough if, in exchange, their passing game is held in check.
On offense, I don’t think Atlanta will be able to stop the 49er ground game without taking some gambles on the back end.
Your stat about only 5 home losses the past 6 years is a bit of an eye opener however….
The pats hadn’t lost at home in december in ten years until…
Jack,
I was going to counter every one of your points and then realized you picked against them on purpose.
Grant I suggest you do the same thing….
Jack i ca’nt argue with any of your points. I just believe that sometimes a team simply gets healthy and catches fire at the right time and i’m getting that feeling about this 9er team. J. Smith getting healthy at the same time J. Abraham might be going down is big. I will pay for it with my bookie if i’m wrong but i just have that feeling that we might be in store for something special…..IMHO
Jack all I can say is that the Niners beat Brady, Breeze, Rogers all on the road and once again Rogers at home. They seem to rise to the occasion against the elite QBs.
ATL is soft like GB. They are all about the big plays but in the playoffs it’s all about beating down your opponent physically with a run game and a defense that can stop the run late in the game.
You look at ATL schedule this year and the reason they have not gotten any respect is because they didn’t play anyone! They beat two good teams in DEN and the Giants. After that maybe WSH as another possible “good team”.
We limit the big plays to Jones and White and hit Ryan early and it will be over. I can’t help to think back to the last two times we played them and the way we lost. We owe those boys a beating.
I’m picking the 49ers to win 28-14.
Prime you are right in that the last 2 times we played the Falcons I think the first was the bone head play by Clements being stripped by White and then the pummeling we took in SF under Singletary. All I remember was that awful smile on Matt Ryans face. We need to hit that guy early and often just like we did to Brees in last years divisional playoff game. He is the key to beating the Falcons. Swarm him with pressure, get in his face and be physical against him all day. He is the type of guy that will wilt under pressure.
I am also taking the Niners but in a close game SF 30 ATL 27.
FDM
Even if the Niners don’t sack Ryan, but collapse the pocket, it may be enough to force some mistakes (bad throws or even some INTs). Ryan is deadly with a clean pocket and time to scan the field. However, he’s not that mobile and not much of a threat to run. So, that should make it easier for the Niners to make life miserable for Ryan on Sunday.
FDM/Nick/Jack – I can’t see this game being close. The bye week helped Niners more than ATL
(Cowboy’s back and Gore has fresh legs).
Kap will play well (ATL has a week pass rush) and Niners are still angry about loss to Giants last January.
SF 34 ATL 17
Good point Nick. I would also add by hitting Ryan early might give him some happy feet to escape the pocket and make throws on the run which Im not sure he is effective at.
On paper it looks like this game is even. While off paper the Niners should dominate. I dont know Crab 15, championship games are usually wars and go down to the last possession or as we have seen last year, OT.
I agree, we should win but it might closer than we think. A turnover early or late could flip this game either way.
When was the last time a team coming off an emotional, come from behind win in the playoffs came out and won the following week?
Thats what scares me about ATL. Was winning a playoff game last week the monkey off their back so now they will roll through the next 2 games?
Ice begins to melt at 0 degrees celcius, let’s hope
“Matty Ice” has a meltdown on Sunday.
Falcons have played EASIEST schedule in the NFL this season, the winning percentage of the Falcons opponents was a pathetic .422 in 2012 (108-148).
Falcons linebacker Akeem Dent (#52) is their weakest link IMO. He’s athletic but has really crappy football instincts and can’t cover TE’s or RB’s out of backfield. Niners will attack his area of the field all day. VD/Delaney should both be open often.
I’ve seen how bad Dent is, Harbaugh and Roman will have a plan to exploit this fraud of a linebacker.
Atlanta has no chance unless Niners give up 3+ turnovers.
http://ninerchatter.blogspot.com/2013/01/3-reasons-why-49ers-will-beat-atlanta.html
Jack, you set us up, lol!
Jack to be fair to all of us dumb asses you should have titled your post why the falcons CAN beat the 49ers
spaceborn/old coach – You blog rookies! :-)
Hey Space, how’s the new guitar player? Is he onboard now? What year did he play at Ozzfest?
Crabs, more like a veteran player on a new team still learning the system, LOL. Been on blogs for years.
I’ll ask Robert what year he played at Ozzfest when I see him Sunday. The dude is one of the best lead guitarists I’ve ever played with. Plays a ’59 Gibson Les Paul like it is an extension of his body. He is bringing his Theramin that he got from Jimmy Page Sunday – gonna be awesome!
Space – Thanks…Does your band have any vids on youtube? Hope you have a great Niner fiesta Sunday!
No, no videos, we’re just a jam band of locals. Guys like Robert come and go that are in other bands. Though there has been talk of recording together, it never seems to go much further than discussion and some writing.
Mike Tanier’s take on the two championship games.
http://www.sportsonearth.com/article/41007034
Thoughtful analysis and excellent writing. Also, Tanier doesn’t have much use for the “Mike Nolan deserves some credit for the 49ers’ success” storyline.
I don’t think the Seahawks secondary is better than the Niners secondary. Dashon and Earl Thomas are equal, and while Chancellor is more physical than Donte, he’s not as instinctive and is a piss-poor coverage safety. Sherman is better than anyone the Niners have, but Browner and the rest of them are really bad. Browner being big and physical doesn’t equate to being good.
The Niners D is going to shut down the Falcons. This game will cement Matt Ryan as an all-time postseason chump along the same lines as Peyton Manning.
According to Barrows this was Harbaugh’s music of choice for practice today. Turn it up….
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hO2wA0Te0wM
No Tennesee Ernie Ford?
I see a whole lot of denial that CK can have a career of running at will and design. Those long thin legs are not long to hold up against rampaging defenses blocking from the sides at 15 mph. He jumps up laughing now…great that he has confidence. But,its like a ticking..egg timer-lol- until something not good happens. I think? I think Harbaugh just wants TWO more games of wildman QB. You wont see as much next year. As proof- I offer Gore’s limited role after the 5th game hurt, last year. Harbaugh,unlike Singletary and most coaches- KNOWS when to push it,and let go.
Good points Stan but the thing about CK is that he is calculated with his runs. If its man coverage and he sees defenders turn their backs he goes. Samething within the pistol. If the end stays inside he knows exactly where to go on the edge and then he turns up that 4.4 speed. Right now he seems to be very smart of when to run and when to get down in the open field as well as get to the sidelines.
He has..and the new rules help to protect the QB/runner. But,over a season and career? I cant see his maintaining that pace. Almost suicidal.
Yes he will have to limit those runs to either throwing it away or running when only necessary. To think that a sack might not be such a bad thing could be a difficult teaching point for the young QB.
They didn’t run CK that much this year. Just broke it out for the playoffs. I see this as a non-issue.
But now Grime players will be looking to take him out completely knowing it can change the game upside down.
They can try but Harbaugh will take care of his QB and Kap will make a lot of defenders look stupid. They better tape John Abraham’s ankle up real tight.
Stan
There was a pretty good article a few days back about how the Niners planned to preserve Kaep for the playoffs by not dialing up his run plays during the regular season. The article implied that just such a strategy would continue throughout the years, and the rationale was exactly the one you put forth. During the regular season, a team with this much versatility can use a fraction of its weapons against regular season foes, but once the single elimination tournament begins, the team will pull out all the stops to get wins. So, if Kaep goes to the Superbowl every year for the next ten years, he will play at most 40 single elimination games over that time, or 2.5 regular seasons.
He’ll be okay.
@ Mr. E:
Can you link that article? I’d like to read it. Thanks in advance.
This is the same day, but not the same article. Check Roman and Harbaugh quotes from this day:
http://m.espn.go.com/general/blogs/blogpost?blogname=nfcwest&id=88676
Could have been on the radio, but I think it was in writing. Essentially one of them said something along the lines of “Obviously it presents more risk but when the next game is your last game we’re not going to hold anything back…” Check Inman, Branch, Maiocco blogs too…
Gore is a consumate Pro who sucked it up and was our only weapon during the lean years. I think he will benefit greatly from Kaepmania. With all the focus on CK and the mantra of “dont let CK beat u” fresh on the minds of the falcons I think it will leave room for frank to run inside the tackles. If ATL sells out to stop the run (CK or otherwise) it will no doubt leave 1 on 1 matchups with Crab VD and Moss and Kaep is more than capable of beating them from the pocket because unlike most “RUNNING QBs” he doesnt just rely on his legs to be effective (see NE game 4 td passing only 28 yards on 7 rushes) I see Kaep rushing for less than 60 yards this game mainly because Atl is a zone team and they will let anyone but CK beat them. But I still have the utmost confidence that Kaep will have a great game.
On D its a very similar formula to last week. If we can stop the run with 6 and leave DG as a centerfielder our D should contain the explosive plays ATL relies on. They will no doubt test Cully deep and after a strong start to the season #29 gave up some long plays in NE Sea. But Heath evans said it earlier GB WR are more versatile and do more things and we were able to slow them down. MR is not AR in fact the only guy that trully scares me is Gonzo. PW has his hands full.
In Football history and especcialy in the playoffs a good/great defense beats the explosive O most of the time, this time will be no different
49ers win 31-24