49ers' Gore seeks return to form

Frank Gore set out to be the best running back in the NFL this season, but it's been a roller-coaster ride in San Francisco.

After an ineffective opener, he questioned if he was seeing and hitting the holes properly. Then in Week 2, he looked unstoppable with 207 yards rushing against Seattle. His 79- and 80-yard runs for touchdowns were instant highlights.

One series into his third game at Minnesota, he sprained his right foot and ankle. He missed two games, then last week was ineffective at Houston with just 32 yards on 13 carries.

"I know right now things aren't going right for me, but it will pick up for me," he said in a Wednesday conference call.
The fifth-year pro is the only back in franchise history to rush for 1,000 yards in three consecutive seasons. An impressive distinction, but Gore sees the inconsistency of running for 1,695 yards in 2006, then just 1,102 and 1,036 the next two years.

He said the injury is behind him, that he's ready to run like he can against the Indianapolis Colts on Sunday at Lucas Oil Stadium.

"It feels pretty good," he said of the right foot. "I feel like I'm able to do everything.

"Sometimes, (the Colts) are tough and a pretty good defense against the run. Sometimes, they make mistakes and give up big runs. But they are pretty good. They're fast and run to the ball."

The 49ers rely upon Gore to establish offensive balance. Without him for two games and Gore ineffective in a third, quarterback Shaun Hill struggled. So 49ers coach Mike Singletary is going with 2005 No. 1 overall pick Alex Smith at quarterback this week.

"The balanced attack is always the way you want to go forward," Singletary said. "Try to create opportunities for the other. If you've got a run, open it up for the pass, and vice versa.

"A healthy Frank Gore really means a lot. You have a guy like that with the ability to run and make plays, whether he's carrying the ball or catching the ball out of the backfield, it really poses a threat. He really makes a difference."

Colts all-time leading rusher Edgerrin James, who like Gore is a product of the University of Miami, once told Colts president Bill Polian that Gore was the most physically gifted running back from a program that produces its share of pro talent.

"That's great, man, especially coming from Edge, future Hall of Fame. He had a great career at the University of Miami," Gore said of James, now a reserve with Seattle. "I just want to show it."

Some backs make a living with their speed, others with their power. At a compact 5-9 and 217 pounds, Gore isn't shy about running over tacklers, but he can run away from them, too.

"I want to be remembered as one of the top runners to play the position," he said. "And in everything I did, not just running but catching and blocking."



(indystar.com)