Jun/08/15 09:20 PM Filed in:
Frank GoreEvery move made this offseason by NFL teams is in an effort to get better and to try to reach the playoffs, then getting a chance to compete for a Super Bowl berth.
Some teams have had better offseasons than others in trying to improve, and some moves have been better than others as well.
FOX Sports' Alex Marvez recently compiled a list of the top ten veteran free agent acquisitions of the offseason, and the Indianapolis Colts' signing of running back Frank Gore came in at number nine.
"After striking out on 2012 first-round pick Trent Richardson, the Colts went the free-agent route to snare Gore away from San Francisco and Philadelphia after the 49ers' all-time leading rusher was poised to sign with the Eagles."
Many people have criticized the Colts this offseason for signing older players, as they signed a 32-year old running back in Gore, a soon-to-be 34-year old wide receiver in Andre Johnson, and a 32-year old pass rusher in Trent Cole, and without a doubt the Colts added veteran players this offseason who are nearing the end of their careers. But that doesn't mean that they were bad moves, and particularly in the case of Gore, it was a much-needed move.
Gore has been the model of consistency at the running back position for the past decade. In ten seasons with the 49ers, Gore topped 1,000 yards rushing eight times, including in eight of the last nine seasons and in each of the past four. Furthermore, he hasn't missed a single game in over four years, an incredibly impressive streak for a running back.
After the Trent Richardson debacle, the Colts simply need a consistent player in the backfield. They haven't had a 1,000 yard rusher since 2007 and have struggled to find any semblance of consistency from the rushing game in the Andrew Luck era. That's where Frank Gore comes in, and he brings a proven running back who should still be productive in 2015, adding a whole new element to the Colts offensive attack. They have a tremendous passing offense led by Andrew Luck, and the hope now is that Gore can play well enough to make the team a threat on the ground as well, something that would in turn open things up more for Luck and the pass game. Because of that, the addition of Gore was a huge one for Indy and, according to FOX Sports' Alex Marvez, one of the biggest of the offseason for any team.
(stampedeblue.com)