Where’s Brian Westbrook? Today we received the most definitive answer of the season: He’s in Frank Gore’s all-consuming shadow.
Offensive coordinator Mike Johnson said Gore never wants to come off the field. No real news there. But Johnson also acknowledged that Gore’s versatility — particularly his unparalleled brilliance in picking up blitzes — has made the coaching staff view him as the NFL’s most dynamic security blanket.
“It’s a comfort zone for us coaches as well,” Johnson said. “But we do have to find ways to make sure that we get him some rest.”
No kidding. Gore has the fourth-most carries in the NFL (116) and the
second-most touches (149) behind Tennessee’s Chris Johnson (154). Gore
has touched the ball on 42 percent of the Niners’ offensive plays and
accounted for 95 percent of the backfield carries this season — his
backups Anthony Dixon (3 carries) and Brian Westbrook (2) saw about as
much time in the backfield as Isaac Sopoaga against the Raiders.
This isn’t exactly a new development. Last year, Gore had 86 percent
(228 of 264) of the backfield carries in the 13 full games in which he
played. But Westbrook’s invisible role this season has raised countless
questions and cast the matter of Gore’s workload in an even brighter
spotlight.
Westbrook, who ranks fourth in yards from scrimmage in the NFL since
2004, and Dixon appear quite capable of providing relief. Dixon, a
233-pound rookie who led the NFL in rushing yards during the preseason,
has collected a touchdown and two first downs in his three carries this
season and looked explosive on a 16-yard touchdown run that was negated
by a penalty against the Raiders.
But Johnson said no one can match Gore’s ability to pick up blitzes, which, in turn, helps keep quarterback Alex Smith healthy.
“In the way we design our blitz pickup and blitz-protection schemes, the
back is a very important part of that, and Frank Gore is as solid of a
back as I have ever been around in handling all of the necessary
adjustments,” Johnson said. “He is a guy that can cover up a lot of
other deficiencies that we may have because of his football intellect
and how smart he is as a football player in those different areas.”
Westbrook, a nine-year veteran who Eagles coach Andy Reid called
the smartest player he’s ever coached earlier this season, signed with
the Niners nine weeks ago. Johnson indicated Westbrook is still not
fully up to speed on the 49ers’ protection schemes.
“We do more at the line of scrimmage with our quarterback in redirecting
protections and making calls than any other team that I have been
around,” Johnson said. “So I think he’s getting close, I think he’s
starting to get comfortable now, and as the season goes on I think
you’ll see him more in those areas.”
The Niners have good reason to feed Gore the ball — they are 13-0 when
he has 24 or more carries — but even Gore recognizes he might not stay
healthy this season if he maintains his current pace of 397 touches.
“I’ve got to be smart about the situation,” Gore said. “I told my
coaches that I’ll take a breather when I feel like I’m tired. I’ve been
fine lately. I just feel like whenever I’m out there I have a great
chance of making plays or we have a great chance to win. So that’s
probably one of the reasons that I’ve been out there like that.”
The problem? Gore never seems to get tired. He took himself out of the
game during the fourth quarter of the Niners’ 16-14 loss to the Falcons
after he ran or caught the ball on five of the previous seven plays.
Gore acknowledged it was the only time he pulled himself from a game
this season.
“They never really did tell me to take a blow,” Gore said. “I just have
to be smart with it. Like (running backs) coach (Tom) Rathman told me
when I’m out there and I feel like I’m tired and I need a blow just come
out. Just be smart. And I will. I will be.”
• Defensive coordinator Greg Manusky was Shawne Merriman’s position
coach in San Diego from 2005-06. Will he be coaching the former All-Pro
linebacker again at some point this season? Manusky certainly didn’t
slam the door on the possibility today.
“I don’t know. We’ll see what happens,” Manusky said. “I don’t know
what’s going on. I don’t know what the scenario is down there in San
Diego. He was a fine player when I had him and he’s been banged up a
little bit, I know that.”
The Niners reportedly have interest in claiming the 6-foot-4, 265-pound
Merriman, 26, once he’s released by the Chargers. ESPN’s Adam Schefter
reported that San Francisco even had an interest in trading for Merriman
before San Diego decided to release him. Merriman, who has a calf
injury, must pass a physical before San Diego can release him.
The injury plagued Merriman has started just 16 games and collected four sacks since 2008. He had 27 sacks in the two seasons with Manusky.
“When I had Shawne he was a great player,” Manusky said. “It’s four
years ago, I don’t know what happened since then. I know as a former
coach of his, his attitude, his intensity, his desire as a football
player was outstanding when I had him. I loved everything about the
kid.”
Comments are closed.