49ers "can't count on Gore forever"

A year ago, 49ers G.M. Scot McCloughan talked about finding a running back to share the load with Frank Gore.

They drafted Glen Coffee in the third round, but he didn't play that well and has a similar running style to Gore.  McCloughan said Thursday that the team could take another runner.

"We could. Yeah, we could," McCloughan said about drafting a change-of-pace back. He mentioned special teams value as an important quality for anyone they selected.

"Frank Gore is a really good football player for us and we expect him to be a good football player for us for the next couple of years. But we also understand that we can't count on him forever," McCloughan said.

The 49ers would love to limit Gore's carries so he can be fresh for a possible playoff run. Clemson's C.J. Spiller certainly has a different style than Gore and could bring special teams value.  But taking another running back so high may be too much of a luxury pick for a team with a lot of needs.  It would also be something of an indictment on Coffee's pick.

That won't stop plenty of Mock Drafters from handing Spiller to the 49ers.

Click here to order Frank Gore's proCane Rookie Card.



(profootballtalk.com)