Frank Gore Talks About His New Extension

Gore spoke with reporters on a conference call. Here is that transcript:

Q: How did this come about and what kind of relief is it for you to get this over with? Gore: "It's real big, especially knowing that the team drafted me and stepped up and told me they want me here for my whole career, and to my fans, I'm a Niner for life. I also want to recognize (team president) Jed (York), (general manager) Trent (Baalke), my coach (Jim) Harbaugh, (chief negotiator) Paraag (Marathe) and my agent Drew (Rosenhaus) and his brother Jason for working it out and getting a fair deal for both sides. That's a plus. And, now, I can just get ready for Seattle and try to take a step every week to win the West. It's blessing. I'm a Niner, and I'm happy."

Q: Why is it important for you to finish your career as a 49er? Gore: "Because of the guys in the locker room, and this is the team that drafted me. Coming out of college, they saw something in me. You rarely see running backs get to finish their career with the team with drafted them. Obviously, I'm one of them. And, hopefully, I can get my name on the 10-year wall, and break some more records out here."

Q: Frank, the 49ers haven't had a winning record since you've been here, your home is in Miami, why do you feel such an affinity for the 49ers? Gore: "Like you said, we haven't had a winning season, and fans here have been 100 percent. There are great fans here. I see coach Harbaugh and his coaching staff, they're football guys. I have no doubt. I know we can get it done. I know we have talent in the locker room -- probably more than a lot of teams in the NFL. I love my teammates and I feel we can get it done with the talent in the locker room."

Q: You followed career of LaDainian Tomlinson. He's one of the guys who started with one team and went to another. Is that what you're talking about, guys like him who don't end finishing their careers with their original team? Gore: "Yeah, LT, for example. Clinton Portis, for example. Larry Johnson, for example. The list goes on. The team stepped up and showed they wanted me here for at least 10, 11 years. I'm happy about that. I can go out there and keep giving it my all on Sundays."

Q: What running back did you try to pattern yourself after? Gore: "I always liked Barry Sanders and Emmitt Smith. I liked those guys when I'm younger."

Q: Barry Sanders played 10 years, is that where you think you're going to max out and walk away from the game? Gore: "I won't say that. My body is feeling good. If can go more, I would love to go more because I love the game of football. I won't say that. But I would say, I'm happy to be on the Niners and they gave me a three-year extension."

Q: Have you thought about life after football? Do you foresee yourself remaining with 49ers after your playing career is over? Gore: "Trent and I joked around about it. He knows how much I love the game of football, and he knows how much I pay attention to other guys and see what kind players they are. He did say I do have a skill to pick talent out. We'll see when that time comes. If they want me here to help them pick out players, I'll do it."

Q: Mike Nolan always said you had a talent in that area. What is it that enables you to find out what a teammate is all about? Gore: "I go off, especially being from the University of Miami, being around Andre Johnson and Clinton Porton, Willis McGahee and Jonathan Vilma . . . I know they love the game. And I know I love the game. Just pick people by talking to them and watching them in practice, especially when you get into gear and pads. When go live, seeing who shies away from contact and who brings it every time. That's how I judge it . . . just by being from the University of Miami and playing high-school ball in Miami and being around a lot of talented guys."

Q: When both Jed and Trent said they wanted you to be a 49er for life, you believed them. What gave you a good feeling that these guys were being sincere and it would get done? Gore: "I know they wouldn't say it if they didn't mean it. Since I've been here, they've been true to me. Like my first deal, when I was coming off that good year in 2006, they said I'd be taken care of the following year, and they did it. Just knowing they wouldn't say anything unless it's true."

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(csnbayarea.com)