Though some Niners fans (and Fantasy fans) already are worried new offensive coordinator Mike Martz will neglect the running game, they forget Marshall Faulk had some of his best seasons under Martz's tutelage, including his MVP campaign in 2000. The thought excites Gore, the 2006 Pro Bowl running back who fought his way to 1,102 yards last season despite the offense's struggles. Gore already has spoken with Faulk about what to expect in Martz's schemes. Faulk emphasized the importance of precise execution - and the great benefits available to a running back who embraces a versatile role. "Practicing right now, I like it," said Gore, also the 49ers' receptions leader in each of the last two seasons. "We're spreading the ball around, and hopefully this year we won't see eight, nine men in the box every play. I think I'll get used in the passing game, too. I want to show I can do it all -- run, catch, block. People think I'm just a running back." (Updated 05/05/2008).
Injury Report
No information available at this time (Updated 5/12/08).
Fantasy Analysis
In 15 games last year, Gore had 1,102 yards on 260 rushes (4.2 avg.) with five rushing touchdowns, adding 436 receiving yards on 53 grabs (8.2 avg.) and one receiving TD. Gore also had three fumbles. The partial reason for this decline: The Niners only gave Gore 20-plus-total touches in seven games in 2007, down from 11 in his smashing 2006 season (a softer offensive line and a weak passing game also contributed to Gore's down year). Even though Gore's 2007 season was tough to swallow, he's still going to be a first-round pick in drafts this summer. Martz has ignored his running game in the recent past, but it's been because his passing game was too strong to ignore. That won't be the case in pass-inept San Francisco. Gore should be used early and often for the 49ers, making him well worth a middle-to-late first-round pick in Fantasy drafts this summer. (Updated 05/05/2008).
RB Frank Gore looks forward to following in the footsteps of Marshall Faulk, who thrived in Mike Martz's offense with the Rams. "I think I'll touch the ball more in the passing game," Gore said. "I just want to show that I can do it all, that I'm a complete running back." Gore has rushed for 2,797 yards the past two seasons while leading the 49ers in receptions both years with 61 and 53 catches. Faulk has reached out to Gore. Faulk, who works as an analyst on the NFL Network in Southern California, gave Gore his cell phone number and offered to travel to the Bay Area to help Gore with the offense. 05/08/2008
No information available at this time.
Though some Niners fans (and Fantasy fans) already are worried new offensive coordinator Mike Martz will neglect the running game, they forget Marshall Faulk had some of his best seasons under Martz's tutelage, including his MVP campaign in 2000. The thought excites Gore, the 2006 Pro Bowl running back who fought his way to 1,102 yards last season despite the offense's struggles. Gore already has spoken with Faulk about what to expect in Martz's schemes. Faulk emphasized the importance of precise execution - and the great benefits available to a running back who embraces a versatile role. "Practicing right now, I like it," said Gore, also the 49ers' receptions leader in each of the last two seasons. "We're spreading the ball around, and hopefully this year we won't see eight, nine men in the box every play. I think I'll get used in the passing game, too. I want to show I can do it all -- run, catch, block. People think I'm just a running back." (Updated 05/05/2008).
Injury Report
No information available at this time (Updated 5/12/08).
Fantasy Analysis
In 15 games last year, Gore had 1,102 yards on 260 rushes (4.2 avg.) with five rushing touchdowns, adding 436 receiving yards on 53 grabs (8.2 avg.) and one receiving TD. Gore also had three fumbles. The partial reason for this decline: The Niners only gave Gore 20-plus-total touches in seven games in 2007, down from 11 in his smashing 2006 season (a softer offensive line and a weak passing game also contributed to Gore's down year). Even though Gore's 2007 season was tough to swallow, he's still going to be a first-round pick in drafts this summer. Martz has ignored his running game in the recent past, but it's been because his passing game was too strong to ignore. That won't be the case in pass-inept San Francisco. Gore should be used early and often for the 49ers, making him well worth a middle-to-late first-round pick in Fantasy drafts this summer. (Updated 05/05/2008).
