49ers' shift moves value from Gore to Smith

At halftime of an eventual loss to the Green Bay Packers two weeks ago, the San Francisco 49ers changed their offensive mind-set, putting the ball in quarterback Alex Smith's hands more.

The result has been three games in a row with multiple passing touchdowns for Smith, including two more on Sunday against the Seattle Seahawks, plus his first career 300-yard game. Smith has 86 attempts the past two weeks, and the 49ers have been competitive, so it's not as if Smith is winging it in a wild comeback effort.

But owners of running back Frank Gore are not happy with Smith's newfound success. Gore had 25 rushing yards Sunday, his worst total since getting hurt in Week 3. Gore helps as a receiver he caught TD passes in weeks 11 and 12 but he appears unlikely to be a premier back.

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(usatoday.com)