Gore still wants to carry load

The 49ers saw what happened when running back Frank Gore missed two games late in the season last year with an ankle injury. The ground game virtually came to a halt. So the club was determined this offseason to add a young running back to take some of the workload off Gore throughout the year. But that doesn’t mean Gore necessarily agrees with those intentions.

The 49ers selected running back Glen Coffee of Alabama in the third round to spell Gore and keep him fresh throughout the season. But Gore is not going to willingly step aside to let Coffee get his carries, either.

"I haven't heard that they're going to take some of the load off of me," Gore said. "I know the coach has been telling me that I have to be in tip-top shape, and I have to be ready to take that load, so that's what I'm going to do."

Gore said he is the kind of running back that gets stronger when the game progresses, so he fears if he takes prolonged breaks during a game it might have a negative effect.

"I feel like the more I'm in the game, the more I touch the ball, the better player I am," Gore said.

Gore said his initial reaction to Coffee through the offseason program has been positive.

"The back they've got here is a pretty good back," Gore said. "He's working very hard and he's learning the offense. I like him. Whenever they feel they want to put him in, I feel that he'll be all right."

Gore and Coffee should fit into new offensive coordinator Jimmy Raye's vision of a tough-minded, power-running team. Neither running back spends much time dancing, as their focus is on advancing the ball up the field as quickly as possible.

When asked to describe his style, Coffee was succinct, "Hard-nosed. Physical. One-cut runner."

He added, "I try to get up the field in a hurry. I try not to lose any yards. I don't like negative plays."



(sfo.scout.com)