Rams coach Fisher: Gore 'nerve center' of 49ers offense

Running back Frank Gore’s future with the 49ers is not determined after this season.

But his present is pretty clear to St. Louis Rams coach Jeff Fisher.

“He’s kind of the nerve center of that offense,” Fisher said Thursday on a conference call with Bay Area reporters. “It revolves around him.”

Gore, 31, the 49ers’ all-time leading rusher, is just 109 yards away from Eddie George for No. 25 on the NFL rushing list.

He’ll have his opportunity for a third consecutive 100-yard rushing day on Monday night against the Rams.

“He’s an outstanding runner,” Fisher said. “There’s not been any drop off. He started this year like he finished last year. He’s the same runner. He does very well without the ball. He’s really good in protection.

“(He’s an) unselfish player, hard to defend.”

After a slow start, Gore ranks No. 5 in the NFL this season with 365 yards on 77 rushing attempts. He is averaging 4.7 yards per carry.

Gore’s production has been at the center of the 49ers’ two-game win streak, coming against Philadelphia and Kansas City.

The 49ers have gotten back to their time-test formula of relying on Gore and the run game.

"A few weeks ago when there was a lot of no-back passing and things like that was effective for them against Arizona,” Fisher said. “But the run game and the play-action game keeps you ahead of the sticks and keeps your third downs manageable in that 2- to 6-(yard) range, and Kap’s (Colin Kaepernick) looked good at it.

"He’s going to convert those and keep the offense on the field.”


(csnbayarea.com)