I hope Gore has a good four years and plays out the rest of his contract. I don’t feel confident however. He’s been a good player despite injuries and the 49ers have what looks to be a solid but unproven backup in Hunter. Certainly this can only help the 49ers in the short-term because even if he is injured this won’t break the bank on this season and there are other options.

However, remember that when Shaun Alexander was Gore’s age (28) he ran for 18,880 yards and 5.1 yards per carry and the next year his numbers dropped by half followed by two seasons of continual decline. Marshall Faulk and Edgerrin James also had a similar slump at this point in their career. While it can be argued that they carried a heavier load then Gore, I’m not sure that is in Gore’s favor since he has always been more injury prone then those players.

Gore has only been healthy in one of his six seasons as a 49er, every other season he has lost time to injuries including five games last season.

People are saying look at the numbers and you should. Gore was ranked 25th in the league last season in yards per carry. 4.2 yards per carry is solid but not extraordinary. His best year was in 2006 with a fantastic 5.2, but that was a long time ago and unless he’s extraordinarily resilient (and considering how much weight will probably be put on his shoulders this season since the offensive line can’t seem to do anything but run block) that time isn’t coming back.

The real question is where will we be two or three years down the line? Even though most fans don’t want to admit it, this team is in a rebuilding mode. The Texans and the Saints had their way with this team to an embarrassing extent. The Raiders game looked better but the raiders have a horrible defense and almost no pass rush. In some of the preseason games the 49er starters were getting beaten by second team defenses. Unless Harbaugh has some sort of trick up his sleeve this is going to be a long year. Where will Gore’s contract leave the team in two years when he will almost certainly not be the same player he is today, especially if Hunter turns out to be the running back of the future?

I guess fans had better hope that Gore is extraordinary these next four years and defeats the odds. I hope so, nothing would make me happier. But they seem like long odds.

With that type of history their is no way a guy of Gore’s age and a guy who has shown all the signs that he is about to lose it, should get anywhere near top dollar. I think it was a mistake by the 49ers and a huge Coo by Frank Gore and his Agent.

you call Gore injury prone. he missed games here and there, but what RB doesnt? he is in the upper echelon of RBs when it comes to being healthy. with that said, he is gettin older and he could start missing more games than usual, but the comments about him being injury prone are a joke. an absolute joke. is Darren Mcfadden injury prone? because he has played 12/13 games a year since hes been in the league.

ya, foot meet mouth.

he probably wont finish all 4 years with the team, but that doesnt make this a bad deal. the total $ isnt ridiculous and he deserves his share. he has produced every year and has never been anything but a model citizen on and off the field. he has backed every coach, each new staff. to be honest i wish he would speak out against some coaches and the teams apporach but hes been positive through thin and thinner.

His lack of bacon made him want more.

So San Fran will pay,

Twenty-one will stay!

How soon till his legs get sore?

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This isn’t a Mike Vick article…I think that’s where you wanted to post

hopeless team.

I’m sure if he falls too far off the map later down the road the Niners will cut him if they deem it appropriate.

Good for Frank, but I suspect this will be seen as yet another bad deal in a couple of years.
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Completely agree…with the statement and your name! I hung my season ticket cleats up this year…too much hassle to watch my Niners get roasted 31-0 by the Bucs. I have seen some miserable games this last decade and something tells me there’s more to come.

they didnt budge with Crabtree.

they didnt give Frank what he wanted. the 9ers ultimately won the negotiation again. good deal for both. run along Rosenhaus.