Gore plans to take Crabtree under his wing during 49ers bye week

While most players will get away during the bye week, running back Frank Gore plans on a stay-cation at the 49ers facility. He won’t be alone: He’s got Michael Crabtree to break in.

“Me and Crabtree are going to get it done,’’ Gore said Tuesday.

The 49ers hope to have Gore (ankle) and the newly signed Crabtree back when their season resumes Oct. 25 at Houston. That’s good, because the 49ers could use the help – from Gore, from Crabtree, from anywhere.

They rank 29th in the league in total yards, 31st in first downs per game and 27th in third-down efficiency. The offense was so horrid against the Falcons that Coach Mike Singletary indicated changes are in store along the offensive line. Right guard Chilo Rachal, for example, could be out of a starting job after back-to-back poor games.

The 49ers clearly need more offensive firepower if they have any chance of keeping up with the league’s elite. Teams with a 300-yard passer this season are a combined 23-8 (.742). Those 23 wins by a 300-yard passer are the most in NFL history through the first five weeks.

The 49ers, in contrast, haven’t so much as topped 200 passing yards since the season opener (209 against Arizona).

Gore insisted Tuesday that everything would be fine, even along the offensive line. He returned to practice on a limited basis and said the ankle and foot injuries sustained at Minnesota on Sept. 27 are just about healed.
Gore has rushed for, 1,000 yards for three consecutive seasons. He said he retains faith in his blockers.

“I feel that they’ll be fine,’’ Gore said. “We just need to clean up the small things and just play together. I like that (Singletary) is challenging these guys. We just need to get the M.E.s – the mental errors – out of the way.”



(mercurynews.com)