49ers relish return of Frank Gore

Frank Gore did more Tuesday than simply show up for his first practice of 49ers training camp after a four-day contract holdout.

He glided with ease through the 49ers' increasingly makeshift defense. He picked up blitzing linebackers. He instructed and encouraged teammates.

He didn't do any of it out of spite, either, while still awaiting a possible contract extension.

"I felt like a kid out there. I was happy," Gore said. "It's a blessing to come back from the (broken right hip). A lot of people doubted I would be back. I feel good. I feel like a 22-year-old running back out there."

Gore, 28, is entering the final year of a contract, one he wants extended to keep him in a 49ers uniform "forever." He is slated to make $2.9 million in base salary and $2 million in a roster bonus.

"There will be a resolution at some point," coach Jim Harbaugh said of Gore's contract status. "There will be diligent negotiations. We want Frank here, and we want Frank happy."

Gore, who ranks third on the 49ers' all-time rushing list, made a terrific first impression on Harbaugh, especially in terms of communication skills in the huddle and on the field.

After failing to report with his teammates Thursday and missing the first three days of practice, Gore couldn't cope with extending his absence further. He showed up Monday at the 49ers' facility and underwent a crash course in Harbaugh's playbook, spending nearly four hours with running-backs coach Tom Rathman.

"I'm a football player. I missed being out here with my team," Gore said. "I have a new coach and a new playbook I had to learn. Talking to Coach Harbaugh before the lockout was here, he had some good stuff. I told him I would be 100 percent behind him."

That is just how many of Gore's teammates feel about him.

"I was real excited," wide receiver Joshua (no longer just Josh) Morgan said. "I almost hugged him and gave him a kiss, but I tried to play it cool."
Added left tackle Joe Staley: "Frank's a leader on this team. It's good to have him back. The energy is up. Anytime he's back there, you know he's going to take care of business. The linemen especially, we like blocking for him."

Gore liked the way his body felt after its first practice, a frame he said wasn't fully healthy until midsummer.

"I'm 214 (pounds), 215 -- fighting weight. I'm back and ready to go," he said.

After praising the offense's potential and variety of calls, he expressed admiration for rookie quarterback Colin Kaepernick.

"What surprised me today is the quarterback,: Gore said. "Man, he's a rookie. He's looking real good. He gets in the huddle, and he's making great reads. I told him, 'Man, you're doing a great job.' "

Gore's upbeat return helped take the sting off nose tackle Aubrayo Franklin's departure for the New Orleans Saints after reaching a one-year deal, according to ESPN. Franklin is the fourth defensive starter to head elsewhere, the others being cornerback Nate Clements (Cincinnati Bengals) and linebackers Manny Lawson (Bengals) and Takeo Spikes (San Diego Chargers). Safety Dashon Goldson remains on the free-agent market.

Harbaugh downplayed those exits and instead relished Gore's vocal leadership and "extremely fast" speed through the line of scrimmage.
"He gives young backs a good example of what a top-notch pro looks like," Harbaugh said.

Second-year running back Anthony Dixon welcomed back the "funny dude" he rotates with in the backfield: "It's good to have him back. Frank brings confidence. He's got great talent."

Gore showed no signs of trouble from the broken right hip he sustained Nov. 29. He did have his left ankle taped 30 minutes into practice but soon was taking handoffs -- from Harbaugh -- in a running-backs drill.

"I felt good out there, and I'm happy to be back," Gore said. "I want to tell my friends I'm sorry about the little holdup. But I'm back and ready to go to work."

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(mercurynews.com)