Running back Frank Gore will be a busy man on Sunday against the Patriots. Gore leads the NFL in yards from scrimmage with 412 yards 525 yards in four games. He'll undoubtedly be the focus of Bill Belichick's defense.
But that's not all. The Patriots like to create mismatches in which a running back is responsible for pass-blocking OLB Adalius Thomas. So Gore has to be ready for that, too.
"We'll take care of that," Gore said. "We do different schemes. If I get caught up on him, I got to do the job and try to stop him. (But) we'll try not to put me on him."
The Patriots figure to see Gore take some direct snaps after the success the Dolphins' Ronnie Brown had against New England two weeks ago. Brown took six direct snaps. He ran three times for 69 yards and three touchdowns; he threw a 19-yard TD pass; and he handed off twice to Ricky Williams for 31 yards.
Gore said he can throw the ball. He said he compares favorably to reserve running back Michael Robinson, who played quarterback in college.
"Mike's got a pretty good arm," Gore said. "I'm close to him. I told him I could've played quarterback at Penn State, too."
Here's are some of the questions I asked Gore today:
Q: Think they're going to try to beat you up?
Gore: (Laughs) "What do you mean, beat me up?"
Q: Remember the Super Bowl when they wanted to hit Marshall Faulk any time he came out of the backfield and make things rough on him . . .
Gore: "Yeah? They might just try to do that."
Q: Have teams tried to do that on you?
Gore: "Yeah. New Orleans tried to do that. They had two 'backers follow me all over."
Q: Belichick is considered a defensive genius. . .
Gore: "We've got a genius, too. Coach (Mike) Martz, man. I love him. I like this offense a whole lot. It's all about taking care of the small things. They went at it before. They'll go at it again. Coach Martz, he's a great coordinator. I love his offense."
Q: But Belichick had two weeks to prepare. You're the central guy in this offense. Do you expect to see something you haven't seen before?
Gore: "Nah. I know they'll probably come out, like you say, and try to get to me, hit me around. But that's the game, period. I just got to stay mentally into it and go out there and take care of the all the little things. When the opportunity for a big play comes, I have to make it. . . . It'll be great, you know.
Q: You sound pretty excited?
Gore: "Yeah, it'll be good."
* * *
Patriots WR Wes Welker (groin) went through limited practice today. WR Kelley Washington (ankle), LB Eric Alexander (hamstring) and CB Lewis Sanders (hamstring) did not practice.
The 49ers' practice is scheduled to begin at 1:45 p.m.
Comments | Add Comment
Posted By: Rob (02/10/2008 3:45:17 PM)
Comment: Shano - I agree with you but we at least have to try a couple times. If they're all over it, forget it and move on. If it's successful, keep at it but be aware he could be playing possum, waiting for us to try it at a critical point. We could try to throw him off by having Gore fire one deep for Bruce or Battle if they come up too much on him. Genius vs. Genius. Is it Sunday yet?
Posted By: 9er1 (02/10/2008 3:42:35 PM)
Comment: "If JTO is who we think he his, you can pretty much predict we have no chance of winning against good teams talk less of really good team.....he lacks that "IT" you want in a franchise QB." Yeah, but he's the best thing on our roster, and he's much better than anything we've had in recent years, the Great Alex Smith included, whose best year was below average by NFL standards. Yeah I'm sure there's nothing to the "late bloomer" thing...that's why guys like Gannon, Brad Johnson, Collins, Dilfer, Green, Warner, etc, all went to big games late in their careers!! Yeah that makes sense to me. Yeah, what a slouch, JTO couldn't even break the starting lineup behind losers like Favre, Kitna, etc. But at least we have him now, and at least we have a QB who can complete a forward pass, unlike our #1 draft pick BUST!
Posted By: Tom Brady (02/10/2008 3:42:12 PM)
Comment: If I was qb, you would be a 17 point underdog. With Cassel, you are only a 3 point dog. In other words, you have a shot at this one. If you blow out, 2-3 can turn into 2-6 really quickly. Sadly, you may still be in contention in your weak division at 2-6.
Posted By: Lou (02/10/2008 3:25:33 PM)
Comment: I hear you ShaneO. In the same vein, wouldn't it be unexpectedly expected for Belichick to come out winging the ball all over the place? It would be hilarious if Martz lost it and installed the spread this week, with Battle taking the snaps along with Gore and Robinson in the backfield.
Posted By: Mark W. (02/10/2008 3:08:47 PM)
Comment: Yes--The Pats will obviously be ready for the direct snap. Perhaps we need to take advantage of that by using it to do something unexpected. If this is about linebacker reactions, maybe a short pass? I expect Martz will come up with something.
Posted By: louie (02/10/2008 3:00:38 PM)
Comment: As I said before and during this season, the 49ers would do better (at least early in the season) to stress the RUNNING game. JTO is still a "young" QB, experience wise. We've seen that he has all the tools. He needs time to develop the"intangibles". The 49ers have two legit NFL running backs, and New England ( weaker, with no Brady) would be the perfect opponent to give our running game the shots they need to dominate a game, and set up a few bombs in the air. Of course, if the defense plays like last week, no offensive game plan could win. could
Posted By: Dino (02/10/2008 2:52:53 PM)
Comment: Matt, any predictions for this Sunday's game? Do you think we realistically have a chance? If so, what are some of the things the Niners need to do in order to be successful?
Posted By: yo (02/10/2008 2:48:21 PM)
Comment: what is up with Robinson anyway? He looked good the few times he played last year. Any chance we see Battle line up at QB some too
Posted By: ShaneO (02/10/2008 2:35:12 PM)
Comment: I really hope they dont try to pull off a bunch of direct snaps. Belichick is known for having a great football mind and they think he is going to let that happen again. I would try anything BUT that!!!
Posted By: harsh (02/10/2008 2:34:49 PM)
Comment: We can use allen rossom for the role of ricky williams, and michael robinson for the role of ronnie brown, wudn't hurt to do two-three plays like that. worst case scenerio is no gain on down.
Posted By: Adam (02/10/2008 1:41:27 PM)
Comment: "Gore leads the NFL in yards from scrimmage with 412 yards in four games"
Its actually 525 yards...
Response: That sentence should've read, "Gore led the NFL in yards from scrimmage last week with 412 yards. And guess what? He still leads with 525 yards after four games." Thanks. --Matt M.
Posted By: Mrob Fan (02/10/2008 1:27:15 PM)
Comment: Does that mean Robinson gets a direct snap? Or an offensive play period?
Posted By: Giovanni Carmazzi (02/10/2008 1:13:12 PM)
Comment: I hope both he and JT survive the game ok.
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