Originally posted by brodiebluebanaszak:
Originally posted by GolittaCamper:
Gore would not have played for Walsh, his pass catching skills would not meet Walsh's standards. Also since Walsh used very little I-formation, mostly split back, Gore would not have had the chance to showcase his greatest skill. Also back under Walsh the Niners ran lots of toss sweep, and Gore is not particularly suited to the sweep, and the zone, stretch blocking schemes employed by Walsh, may or may not have been suited to Gores style. Walsh would have used Gore if he inherited him, but Walsh never would have drafted Gore.
Walsh also never used Shotgun so that might have been a plus for Frank.
Being an actual creative thinker, Walsh may have modified some of his run strategy to take advantage of the talent he had.
I see Gore working well in a split back situation, complementing and participating in the WCO pass game. I have to think about your other points. I think Gore does best getting the ball 7 yards in the backfield and looking. But I also think he is productive in other sets too, as long as the success of the play is not predicated on speed around the corner.
Like I said, I think Walsh would have been more than happy to have Frank on the roster, and would have used him, but I think Bill passes on Frank in the draft. Watch some old game film, Walsh did not tolerate, nor did he draft plays who did not have top level pass catching skills, and Frank is average on a good day as a receiver. The toss sweep, was Walsh's bread and butter play, it set up the off tackle and the counter. The speed to the corner was of paramount importance to the west cost running game.
Don't get me wrong, I love Frank Gore as a power back, there may not have ever been a more consistent force out of the offset I, but he is not a multidimensional player. When we line up in the I and every one knows Frank is about to get ball and go ISO, or counter, Frank gains yardage, it's freaking unfair, how good he is at it. My son and I while watching the game like to quote the movie, "Die Hard" when Frank is in the I, we shout, "No Hans, you've made your point", and then we say, "Hit it again". Love Frank Gore!