Straight Out of the Rabbit’s Hole: #RallyGore

Diego Del Barco
Jan 20, 2013 at 11:33 PM


The San Francisco 49ers are headed back to the Super Bowl for the first time since 1995, when Steve Young put on a clinic throwing for a Super Bowl record 6 touchdowns in a 49-26 throbbing of the San Diego Chargers.

Since that time, 49ers fans have suffered plenty of playoff heartbreaks (this is why we hate you, Brett), and plenty of losing seasons. I became a fan of this team 10 years ago, about a year after moving to the United States. The first game I ever watched was San Francisco's historic comeback against the New York Giants in the Wildcard Round of the 2003 playoffs, when Jeff Garcia led the team to an amazing 24-point second half comeback to turn a 38-14 deficit into a 39-38 thrilling win. If watching that game didn't turn me into a fan of this franchise, I don't know what could have.

As you could figure out, my first full season as a fan was not pretty. For reasons I still don't quite understand Steve Mariucci was fired as head coach and replaced with Dennis Erickson, who failed to put together a winning season while Garcia and Terrell Owens were still on the team in 2003, and took failure to another level in his second and final year leading the 49ers to the first overall pick in the 2005 NFL Draft.

But this piece isn't about the 1st overall pick in 2005. No, I'm here to talk about the 65th overall pick that year, the player who rejuvenated my faith on this team even while they continued to put together losing season after losing season, the Miami Hurricane who refuses to be content with mediocrity, who trains hard during the season and harder than anyone else each offseason, who overcame surgeries in each one of his knees during college, who has led this team in rushing yards in each season since he joined the NFL.

After an 18-year hiatus in the big stage, it's time for the 49ers to win this Super Bowl for Frank Gore.

After all, Gore has done nothing but give his heart and soul for this franchise ever since he stepped onto the practice field as a rookie. In 2005, he made an overpaid Kevan Barlow expendable by outplaying him on the field, rushing for more yards and the same number of touchdowns as Barlow in 49 less carries. In 2006, having earned the starting position in the backfield, he rushed for a franchise record 1,695 yards to go along 8 touchdowns. He followed that with three consecutive seasons of 1,000 rushing yards or more, and would have a current streak of seven 1,000 yard rushing seasons if he hadn't missed 5 games in 2010 with a right hip injury. After eigh seasons in the league wearing red and gold, Gore averages 1,105 rushing yards per season to go along just over 6 touchdowns. The low number of rushing touchdowns has been a point for criticism over his career, but he has made up for it with the rest of his game.

That is because Frank Gore is the most complete running back in the NFL. He is a reliable weapon coming out of the backfield to catch passes, which he did at his best during his earlier years leading the team in receptions in 2006 (61) and 2007 (53). From 2006 to 2010, he averaged 51 receptions per year, and he basically was the offense for San Francisco. Even when the ball is not in his hands, Gore is still an integral part of the 49ers offense, arguably being the best pass-blocking running back in the NFL, and undoubtedly being the best at mauling blitzing defenders. In an era where fast-paced, quick-cutting running backs are all the rage, Gore is a true, throwback, three-down running back who gives the offense a chance to run most of its playbook when he is on the field. He wears down defenses, getting better and better as games goes on.

As impressive as his multi-dimension skills are on the field, Gore may just be most impressive off the field. He is a natural student of the game, having adapted to a high number of offensive coordinators and schemes. The owner of a difficult injury history during his college years, Gore has always had an impressive workout regimen at hand, especially during the offseason, that has allowed him to avoid the injury-prone tag he carried with him in the months leading to the 2005 NFL draft. Gore averages 14.5 games per season during his 8-year career, undoubtedly the envy of many current and former running backs in the NFL. The ability to remain on the field isn't just impressive, but it no doubt factors into the competency he has displayed throughout his career. One of the first tidbits I learned about this game was that a running back who can average at least 4 yards per carry is giving you as much as you could ask of him, as he will often put you in positive game situations (2nd & medium, 3rd & short). Gore has never averaged less than 4.2 yards per carry (2010), and has averaged as much as 5.4 (2006). For his career, Gore averages 4.6 yards per carry. Go read comments by players and coaches around the NFL on Gore, you will have a difficult time finding even a negative word directed his way.

In a time when Colin Kaepernick, deservedly so, may be becoming the face of this franchise, it is worth mentioning that Frank Gore in one way or another has been the face of the 49ers throughout his career. He endured six consecutive non-winning seasons, only one of which wasn't a losing season, and he is now finally enjoying the result of all the hard work he's put in during his career, a career that is on path to a place in the Pro Football Hall of Fame should Gore be able to crank up another 3-4 seasons - but a Super Bowl ring would most definitely help.

Gore isn't the most veteran player on the team without a championship (see Moss, Randy), or even the longest tenured 49er (that would be Brian Jennings), but you would be hard-pressed to argue for a player on this roster who deserves to win a title more than him. Justin Smith? He is probably the closest argument, but he hasn't endured his struggles with this franchise the way Gore has. Patrick Willis? No doubt about it, but he has another 8-10 seasons in him, and this won't be the last time he makes it onto the big stage. No, there is nobody on this roster who deserves to win a championship more than Frank Gore.

So two weeks from now, when San Francisco takes on the Baltimore Ravens at the Superdome in New Orleans, I will be rooting as hard as I have ever rooted for the 49ers, but I will be rooting even harder for Frank Gore to come full circle in a magnificent career that deserves nothing but a championship. I know I'm speaking for thousands, if not millions of 49ers fans when I write this. Let's all root for Frank Gore.

Let's #RallyGore.



**Follow me on twitter @DiegoDelBarco
The opinions within this article are those of the writer and, while just as important, are not necessarily those of the site as a whole.


15 Comments

  • john obrien
    great article couldnt agree more, the best back in football, and the best that ever put on a niners jesrsy! Go Frank! Go NINERS!,,,
    Jan 27, 2013 at 1:29 PM
    0
  • kcj
    Great article! I felt so bad for Gore last year, couldn't be more excited to see him, and the whole team, get their shot. Harbowl here we come!
    Jan 22, 2013 at 3:26 PM
    0
  • ckocina
    Very nice article. I just want to add that he also broke free on, i want to say, two 80 yard rushing touchdowns in that game against the seachickens a couple years ago. Only player to ever do that i believe, although one was a 79 yard touchdown i think. great article even greater niner you are right on with this... #RallyGore
    Jan 22, 2013 at 10:16 AM
    0
    Response: that he's owned Seattle with TWO 200-yard games just makes me like him that much more #RallyGore
  • charles
    kudos on your great article on Gore, who is finally Superbowl bound.
    Jan 22, 2013 at 6:17 AM
    0
    Response: Thanks
  • Lucky Phil
    What I love most about Gore is his love of the game. The first game against St. Louis after the break, he looked like the only one that wanted to play that day. But thats what makes Frank great, his passion. These guys are a great group of guys and after we got rid of the snake oil salesman and singleberry its great to see their talent and hardwork pay off. Nice Article Diego!
    Jan 21, 2013 at 6:59 PM
    0
    Response: On the field, off the field, he represents what this franchise is all about so well. Thanks Phil.
  • Gobuck9ers
    Diego, I 120% agree with what you said about Gore. What I want to add is that I am so amazed is the fact Gore was essential the whole offence, comparing to many other elite backs in NFL. Gore did it when he got little help from our passing game and every opponent defence all stacked in the box and tried to stop him. Frank was still able to crank these impressive yards. He is absolutely one of the GREAT backs in NFL.
    Jan 21, 2013 at 6:25 PM
    0
    Response: definitely underrated during those years when he basically carried the team, and underrated overall
  • Monsterniner
    Hey Diego,where do you come from? By the way,you are absolutely right about Frankie G.
    Jan 21, 2013 at 5:16 PM
    0
    Response: Born and raised in Venezuela, although both my parents are Peruvian. Glad to know we agree on Frank.
  • Gonzola
    Frank Gore is a godd*&n man! If the niners would of kept the running game strong in the beginning of the game we would of controlled the clock a bit better. Akers WTF and it took 2 quarters for the defense to wake up!?!?! Come on Diego give them the tongue lashing they deserve. To win a superbowl you must be SUPER. What is up with the play calling? Weak? Weak? Weak? No pistol until the 2nd quarter? Kappy is not Joe or Steve. He is Kappy and if you want him to perform let him play his game and please stop trying to turn him into another shotgun stud. The fans in ATL are, on average, horrendous. Only redemption was the fact that you could hear a pin drop on the way OUT of the stadium! Rise Up to get smacked down by the niner nation. GO NINERS!
    Jan 21, 2013 at 4:15 PM
    0
    Response: Well this piece is about Frank Gore, but carry on ....
  • Mawcamp
    Sorry wrong adverb, how about convincing? MC
    Jan 21, 2013 at 2:25 PM
    0
    Response: Actually, I took it as a compliment, nothing to be sorry about. Sarcasm just doesn't translate too well in writing sometimes.
  • Mawcamp
    That's what I said yesterday but not as eloquently as you just did. Also long time Forty Niner Faithful fans a safety warning ; though our fandom keeps our spirit strong our bodies have aged since the last super bowl,as I sit here with my back out due to yesterday's game. as always GO NINERS!!!
    Jan 21, 2013 at 1:29 PM
    0
    Response: Wait, I can write eloquently? I'm adding that baby to my resume!
  • Gerry Cable
    Can't argue with you about Frank Gore or any of the others that deserve the praise. It takes time and many components to create a championship "team"! I would just like to mention the ultimate team player. A man who chose to show leadership and dignity throughout the growth of this team instead of causing distractions. Here's to you Alex Smith! One of the first major steps in the journey was "camp Alex". An amazing player and man!
    Jan 21, 2013 at 8:52 AM
    0
    Response: I agree he deserves some credit, but that will be an endless debate
  • mike27
    I believe what you believe, no one on this team deserves it more than Frank. He is the heart and soul of this team. He is going to give it all he has in two weeks, you can bet on that.
    Jan 21, 2013 at 8:37 AM
    0
    Response: No doubt about it, he'll give it his all
  • AJ Bolino
    Nicely done amigo. Great call. Gore made himself an all timer yesterday.
    Jan 21, 2013 at 8:04 AM
    0
    Response: Thank you AJ, looking forward to our next UFR.
  • Alan
    Fantastic article. Love it. Wha is missed about Gore is his intelligence about the game. Loved the clip in yesterday's game when, at 17-0 down, Frank was in Harbaugh's ear giving him his thoughts.
    Jan 21, 2013 at 7:40 AM
    0
    Response: Thanks
  • Rick Reulecke
    Beautifully stated. It has always annoyed me how Frank's name is never brought up in any elite discussions of the running back position. Deon Sanders spoke very fondly of Frank Gore after the Packers game last week - and i will echo your sentiment until I am blue in the face!
    Jan 21, 2013 at 3:45 AM
    0
    Response: Thank you

Facebook Comments



More San Francisco 49ers News



Terique Owens, son of Terrell, works out in front of 49ers scouts

By David Bonilla
Mar 22

Matt Maiocco of NBC Sports Bay Area reports that former Missouri State wide receiver Terique Owens worked out in front of more than 20 NFL scouts today at the University of Missouri. Among the scouts present were representatives from the San Francisco 49ers. Owens' performance was highlighted by a 40-yard dash time of 4.51 seconds, a vertical jump of 38.5 inches, and a broad jump of 10 feet, four inches. Terique Owens is the son of Hall of Fame wide receiver Terrell Owens, who spent his first eight NFL seasons with the 49ers. Missouri State WR Terique Owens, son of Hall of Famer Terrell Owens, worked out in front of


Latest

More by Diego Del Barco

More Articles

Share 49ersWebzone