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49ers will rely on Frank Gore a lot more this season
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More pressure will be put on Frank Gore to succeed
this season as the team's best offensive weapon.
(AP Photo/George Nikitin)
The 49ers will be overhauling the team from what it was last year. By this, the 49ers know that they must change their offensive approach. With that in mind, the 49ers fired Mike Martz and hired Jimmy Raye to run the offense.
Martz's high-octane pass-friendly offense led to high risk plays which at times led to many turnovers. But with Raye, there will be a more balanced attack between the pass and the run-- with a little more emphasis on the run.
Last season, running back Frank Gore reached the 1,000-yard rushing plateau in the final game of the season. With that total, the star back has reached that mark in three consecutive seasons. This season, we should expect Gore to reach 1,000 yards way before the team's final regular season game.
As part of Martz's offense, Gore played in only 14 games and averaged 74 rushing yards per game. Gore received only 240 carries, which was a clear sign of the team's approach to passing the ball.
For the new 49ers offense, the established run will carry the team all season long. Gore will now be relied upon to set the tone for the offense.
The 49ers signed fullback Moran Norris this off-season and they expect him to help Gore return to his 2006 form. Norris was Gore's teammate in the running back's first two seasons as a starter.
The 49ers also drafted running back Glen Coffee and they expect him to help Gore with the load. As Gore has been battling injuries the past two seasons, Coffee will be relied on to make this two-back system successful.
With Gore, we should expect at least 300 carries from him this season. If he can handle the bulk of those carries, the 49ers will have established a solid running game that has eluded the team the past couple seasons.
The pressure will not be on Gore but also on the offensive line. A lot of credit was given to guard Larry Allen during Gore's breakout year in 2006. Now the team will rely on veteran tackle Marvel Smith and youngsters Joe Staley and guard Chilo Rachal to help open holes for the running back. If Gore does get his 300 rush attempts, he will surely make it to 1,000 yards and possibly a return to the Pro Bowl.
In Gore's 2006 Pro Bowl year, he was a relative unknown that took the NFL by surprise. Now he is the team's feature back and team's best offensive player. The opposition will surely be prepared to stop him. Gore will have a lot on his plate this upcoming season.
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