Frank Gore - Twenty Plus!
by Andrew Davidson on Jun 30, 2009 12:39 PM PDT
51 comments
One reason to get excited for the 2009 season, and Jimmy Raye's new offense, is Frank Gore. This year's offensive scheme promising to feature power running and some more power running. Gore is a back that excels when he gets more touches, like in 2006. As a franchise, the 49ers are a better team when Frank Gore gets a lot of touches. The team is 13-3 when Gore carries the ball 20+ times in a game. That stat can say two things about the record: 1. Teams winning run more often; 2. When Gore is carrying the ball a lot, good things are happening.
Let's take a look at Frank Gore's 20+ carry games, shall we?
Sunday, January 1 2006
Houston Texans @ San Francisco 49ers
The Frank Gore era begins in the 2005 season's final week in what was dubbed as the "Reggie Bush Bowl". Gore carries the ball 25 times for 108 and the 49ers win 20-17 in OT. Neither team drafts Reggie Bush, and I think we can all say thank you to Mr. Gore for that.
Sunday, September 27 2006
St. Louis Rams @ San Francisco 49ers
Frank Gore leads the 49ers to a Week 2 victory over division rival St. Louis, 20-13. Gore had a 32-yard TD run in the 3rd Quarter to tie the game. Carrying the ball 29 times for 127 yards, Gore helped control the clock and preserve a 49ers win.
Sunday, October 8 2006
Oakland Raiders @ San Francisco 49ers
The cross bay rivals headed to San Francisco, hoping to upset the 49ers on their home turf. Instead, Frank Gore wins the NFC player of the week, running for 134 on 27 carries. The Niners win 34-20, a pretty close game, considering Andrew Walter was Oakland's QB.
Sunday, November 12 2006
San Francisco 49ers @ Detroit Lions
This game in Detroit was fantastic. Frank Gore set a franchise record for rushing yards in a half, as he totaled 159 yards on 22 carries for the day (he left in the 3rd quarter). I was at the game, and on San Francisco's opening drive, Frank Gore busted out a 61 yard TD run on a 3rd and long. Excellence, SF 19 DET 13.
Sunday, November 19 2006
Seattle Seahawks @ San Francisco 49ers
Gore followed up his superior performance against the Lions with a spectacular outing against the Seahawks. Frank Gore sets a 49ers record, rushing for 212 yards on 24 carries. The 49ers hold off a second half comeback, and win 20-17.
Sunday, November 26 2006
San Francisco 49ers @ St. Louis Rams
I remember the 49ers had this game under control in the 4th quarter, but Arnaz Battle's fumbled punt killed us. My roommate was having sex with his girlfriend and I could hear them, so I was doubley pissed off. Gore's first 20 carry game that results in a 49ers loss (21 carries, 134 yards, 1 TD), STL 20 SF 17.
Thursday, December 14 2006
San Francisco 49ers @ Seattle Seahawks
Remember this boring game? Well, the first three quarters were boring. Frank Gore took over the 4th quarter and the 49ers beat Seattle 24-14. Gore ran 29 times for 144 yards, and I recall a huge chunk of those yards coming in the final quarter. His receiving TD in the 4th put the team up 17-7.
Sunday, December 31 2006
San Francisco 49ers @ Denver Broncos
This game was awesome for two reasons: 1. Frank Gore set a franchise record for rushing yards in a season; 2. Denver's playoff hopes were spoiled. Gore ran 31 times for 153 yards, and set the 49ers mark at 1695 for a single season.
Sunday, September 17 2007
San Francisco 49ers @ St. Louis Rams
Frank Gore plays this game with a heavy heart, following the passing of his mother. On a key 4th down in the 3rd quarter, Frank Gore breaks lose for a 43-yard TD run, one of the best we see all season. On his 20 carries, Gore runs for 2 TDs and 81 yards as the 49ers win 17-16.
Sunday, November 25 2007
San Francisco 49ers @ Arizona Cardinals
An ankle injury had Frank Gore's carries limited much of the season. However, in this OT win against Arizona, Gore had 21 carries for 116 yards and 2 TDs. I feel obligated to mention his 11 receptions for 98 yards, as the 49ers won 37-31.
Saturday, December 15 2007
Cincinnati Bengals @ San Francisco 49ers
Shaun Hill finally starts a game for the 49ers. Frank Gore runs 29 times for 138 yards as the Bengals suffer defeat at the hands of the 49ers, 20-13. Gore finishes 2007 strong, and it started with this performance.
Sunday, December 23 2007
Tampa Bay Buccaneers @ San Francisco 49ers
The Bucs field a team of mostly scrubs, after clinching their division title early. Frank Gore plays well, running for 89 yards on 21 carries. He also has a receiving TD as the 49ers win 21-19.
Sunday, December 30 2007
San Francisco 49ers @ Cleveland Browns
The second loss of Gore's 20+ carry games. This one comes at the hands of the Browns, who finish up a surprise 10-6 season by barely missing the playoffs. Gore has 23 carries for 94 yards but the Browns win 20-7.
Sunday, September 21 2008
Detroit Lions @ San Francisco 49ers
Mike Martz faces his former team, and puts a heavy dose of #21 in that weekend's game plan. Frank Gore loves feasting on the Lions, with 27 carries, 130 yards and a TD. Gore controlled the clock most of the 4th quarter, as the Niners won big, 31-13.
Monday, November 10 2008
San Francisco 49ers @ Arizona Cardinals
Frank Gore had 99 yards on 23 carries. Two more yards, and the 49ers would've had a victory. Instead, Michael Robinson was stuffed short, and the 49ers lost 29-24 to Arizona in a thrilling Monday Night game. HC Mike Singletary has brain fart during games final moments.
Sunday, November 30 2008
San Francisco 49ers @ Buffalo Bills
The final time Frank Gore carried 20 times in 2008, and the 49ers beat the Bills 10-3. Gore had 24 carries for his lowest total in 20+ attempts, 66 yards. A win is a win, and the 49ers go 13-3 with Gore carrying the ball 20 or more times in a contest.
Enter 2009
Can Frank Gore carry the ball 20+ in every game? If he does, do the 49ers go 13-3? And would he total 1984 yards rushing, like he has in the 16 games mentioned?
(stats used from www.pro-football-reference.com)
This is a FanPost and does not necessarily reflect the views of Niners Nation's writers or editors. It does reflect the views of this particular fan though, which is as important as the views of Niners Nation's writers or editors.
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Can Frank Gore carry the ball 20+ in every game?
I don’t think I’d want to find out.
by sfgfan on Jun 30, 2009 3:01 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
You would if it meant us winning the division and making the playoffs for the 1st time in 7 years.
Fans stuck in the 80's are lame. Respect the past, live in the now.
by maveric_87 on Jul 3, 2009 7:22 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Sure.
More likely, however, we won’t make the playoffs and would instead be taking away productive years from Gore’s career. I’m pretty sure that was insinuated.
My pessimism goes to the point of suspecting the sincerity of the pessimists.
by shlecko on Jul 4, 2009 2:17 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
320 carries isn't that much.
He’s entering the prime of his career and we’re going to have to make use of him as best as we can.
Maybe we won’t make the playoffs this year but I doubt 320 carries will hurt him in 2010
by chikmagnet_565 on Jul 5, 2009 6:27 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
"Prime of his career"
I don’t disagree with the rest of what you said, but I would argue that the RB position is unlike most others in pro football.
A QB, lineman or linebacker might be in their prime at ages 28-31. Because of the skillsets required to play running back however, and the beatings they take over the course of a 16 game season, their prime years are usually around 22-26. Gore will be 27 going into the 2010 season, so I don’t think it’s unreasonable to want to lighten the load as much as possible going forward.
My pessimism goes to the point of suspecting the sincerity of the pessimists.
by shlecko on Jul 5, 2009 9:50 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
I would say a RB is in his prime
until 29. Its age 30 where the decline begins in my opinion.
by Andrew Davidson on Jul 5, 2009 10:18 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
It depends, really, on the workload of the running back up until those years. You could have a 30 year old RB who runs as well as someone who is 27 because he was someone’s backup for the early part of his career. Gore is not that kind of running back. He has essentially carried the 49ers offense in every one of his seasons except the first one.
by sfgfan on Jul 6, 2009 10:50 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
one running back comes to mind
that carried a huge amount of times and was successful until the day he retired, and that’s Curtis Martin. He was a work-horse personafied.
He didn’t just run the ball, he caught the ball. It’s unfair to use such a beast as an example, because it will be hard for anyone to duplicate the type of career Martin had.
But I would say Curtis Martin is the gold standard of workhorse from this generation of football players.
Gore is the 49ers workhorse, so I expect him to be able to carry the ball 300 times a year without people worrying about his long term effect. It’s a contact sport, let the guy play.
by Andrew Davidson on Jul 6, 2009 1:27 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
It’s a contact sport, let the guy play.
This
by chikmagnet_565 on Jul 6, 2009 11:22 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
The 49ers...
… have let him play. He’s carried the team so much that he developed minor nagging injuries at the end of each of the last two seasons.
by sfgfan on Jul 7, 2009 12:05 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
every NFL RB
has to play through nagging injuries.
Gore has to tough it out, and get it done. It’s his job. 320 carries is not asking too much.
Here's to Joe Perry, all-time leading rusher for the 49ers.
by Andrew Davidson on Jul 7, 2009 12:33 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
320 vs 375?
I’m too busy to look it up right now (I’m sure Fearless Frog could point us in the right direction), but there is a certain mythical threshold where if a RB surpasses it, he tends to go down hill after it. If I’m not mistaken, that threshold is 375. What’s the difference between 375 and 320? Just over three carries a game.
Basically, RBs do tire out and while I’d love for Gore to be able to contribute a lot, I’d rather him stay pretty far from 375 in a season. Just a matter of preference and differences in philosophy here.
by sfgfan on Jul 7, 2009 1:29 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Basically I'm speechless and you're hopeless
I have no idea why you want to run your best player into the ground and for what? There is zero reason Gore needs to get 320 carries a season. He’s never done it before and I, for one, would like to the Niners keep it that way.
3 RB carried the ball more than 320 times last year. Only 3, the rest of the NFL has figured out that RB are more effective later in the season, like in the playoffs, with fresher legs. Hence the move to committee backfields.
You’re basically a bee’s dick of a sliver away from wanting to do to Gore what the Chiefs did to Larry Johnson and your only reason for doing so is just to do it. We’ve already told you that Gore getting 20+ carries doesn’t affect whether the Niners are going to win games or not.
But if you can’t understand the merits of keep your star player fresher for the last portion of the season I’m not going to force feed you I’ll just let you continue to embarrass yourself.
In all seriousness, would you rather have Gore suiting up for the playoffs with 320 carries under his belt or 260?
Don't sweat it. I'm illiterate.
by methodrampage on Jul 7, 2009 1:51 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
But if you can’t understand the merits of keeping your star player fresh for the last portion of the season I’m not going to force feed you I’ll just let you continue to embarrass yourself.
Pretty much.
My pessimism goes to the point of suspecting the sincerity of the pessimists.
by shlecko on Jul 7, 2009 3:19 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
well
I have to agree as well.
Damn me!
Here's to Joe Perry, all-time leading rusher for the 49ers.
by Andrew Davidson on Jul 8, 2009 9:30 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Worst association ever!
Seriously, there is no dumber association than a carry threshold and a win/loss record. Excuse me while I go pound my head through my desk.
Don't sweat it. I'm illiterate.
by methodrampage on Jun 30, 2009 3:10 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
I disagree
possibly not the best, but actually somewhat good, especially since Gore himself says he gets better the more he touches the ball. Certainly no the dumbest.
The conclusion might be a bit far-fetched but I’m guessing Dre put that there more as a conversation starter than as an actual statistical prediction
Also: “My roommate was having sex with his girlfriend and I could hear them, so I was doubley pissed off.”
classic
by foosball4949 on Jun 30, 2009 3:25 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
The point here, I think...
is that no team that is trailing in a game is going to give a guy 20+ carries. Teams that are ahead, however, are very likely to keep the ball on the ground – this is where most 20+ carry games happen.
These factors alone skew the win:carry association so far that it’s really not even worth bringing up. At all.
My pessimism goes to the point of suspecting the sincerity of the pessimists.
by shlecko on Jun 30, 2009 3:53 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
I wasn't trying to say
Getting Gore 20 carries in a game is an automatic win. I just wanted to recap the times Gore has gone over that 20 carry threshold that our team does well.
In other words, it will be nice to see Gore have 20+ more often than not. When a team is running the ball, and controlling the clock, they are in position to win games.
I’m not sayin get Gore 20 carries no matter what. Although I would like that, and asking a guy to carry the rock 320 times a season isn’t much to ask. If Gore gets 20 carries in a game, its likely the team is winning, or in position to win.
by Andrew Davidson on Jun 30, 2009 7:49 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
You're still missing the point.
Try looking at some of your own statements backwards. Perhaps that might clear it up.
When a team is running the ball, and controlling the clock, they are in position to win games.
Should actually read…
When a team is in position to win a game, they are running the ball and controlling the clock.
If Gore gets 20 carries in a game, its likely the team is winning, or in position to win.
Should read…
If the team is winning, or in a position to win, gore is likely getting 20 carries a game.
The argument is not that running teams win games…it’s that winning teams run – because that’s what you do when you’re winning. You can’t just give a back 20 carries a game and expect all your other problems to go away. “Controlling the clock” isn’t something you do when you’re not ahead.
I once heard someone say, “You pass the ball to get a lead, and you run the ball to keep the lead.”
My pessimism goes to the point of suspecting the sincerity of the pessimists.
by shlecko on Jun 30, 2009 8:03 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
There's no argument here
I don’t have to flip around my sentences. They make sense to the other person that matters, me.
I’m not missing any point, because the point was to illustrate Frank Gores 20+ carry games.
A team doesn’t have to be ahead to control the clock, definitely not. It can be a close game, and a team will still want to dominate time of possession even if trailing (but let’s be reasonable, in striking distance).
Frank Gore had 7 20+ carry games in 2006, because good things were happening.
If good things happend in 2009, Frank Gore should have 10 20+ carry games in 2009, because our new power run game. You may not see such a lopsided win-loss margin, but you will see Gore have more games with 20 plus carries in Jimmy Raye’s system.
From what Mike Singletary has said, he wants to run the ball even when the other team knows he wants to run.
by Andrew Davidson on Jun 30, 2009 8:15 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
But...
Can Frank Gore carry the ball 20+ in every game? If he does, do the 49ers go 13-3? And would he total 1984 yards rushing, like he has in the 16 games mentioned?
With a string of questions like that, you’re not just trying to highlight his past accomplishments. You’re trying to project them over a 16-game season.
Even if Gore could carry the ball 20 times a game, I’d rather him carry it 15 with Coffee getting the other five to ten. I’d rather have an extra two or three years of Gore than having him rush himself into Alexander territory ASAP. Again, he could probably do it, but I don’t think I’d want to find out.
by sfgfan on Jul 1, 2009 10:24 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Do remember...
… that the guy has had nagging injury issues toward the end of each of the last two seasons.
by sfgfan on Jul 1, 2009 10:25 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
I disagree
While I’d like to see Coffee get a good number of carries, our team should be running the ball atleast 30 times per contest (if all is going well, obviously there are going to be situation where we have to pass more).
I see no reason why Gore can’t get around 20 carries, and Coffee around 10. Injuries or not, RBs have to shoulder the load in the NFL. I would like to see a distribution that’s half-way between Michael Turner and Jerious Norwood, and Jonathan Stewart and DeAngelo Williams. In other words, at least 300 carries for Gore, 150 carries for Coffee. Again, providing the team can establish the run, and keep the offense on the field.
And no, I wasn’t trying to project them over a 16 game span. It was a 16-game span, which is purely coincidental, nothing more. Those questions were to create conversation about our center piece, Frank Gore, and how special he can be when playing well, and healthy.
by Andrew Davidson on Jul 1, 2009 11:00 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
This reply wins so much!
I’ve never heard it explained better, congrats.
by Kaizre on Jun 30, 2009 8:37 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Nicely done
Don't sweat it. I'm illiterate.
by methodrampage on Jul 1, 2009 2:46 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Very interesting read.
Good work!
"Part, fools!
Put up your swords. You know not what you do."
by Fearless Frog on Jun 30, 2009 11:02 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
thanks
that’s basically all I was intending, was a good read.
It’s a bit surprising that Gore only has 16 games with 20 or more carries over his 4 years in the league, but the games Gore has had 20 or more, have been rather productive, and entertaining.
by Andrew Davidson on Jul 1, 2009 8:49 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Reminds me of that analysis on FieldGulls a while back about Maurice Morris.
We were like 18-0 in games where he got more than 15 carries or something (the wins and carries might be slightly off, I don’t remember). Difference being is that upon further review, it was mostly him putting away games in garbage time after we ran up the lead with Shaun Alexander earlier on in the first half. That stat then proceeded to go to hell after 2008’s season opener where we got trounced despite MoMo being productive till leaving the game with injury.
"Part, fools!
Put up your swords. You know not what you do."
by Fearless Frog on Jul 2, 2009 3:16 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Well
as a SF fan, I know where you are coming from. You guys (the Seahawks) have had much more success recently than us. My team has been rather disappointing for quite some time. I have to hold on to things like “13-3 when Gore has 20 carries”, because I want to see Frank Gore get 20 freaking carries a game. Why? Because I am happier when the 49ers win.
You guys had the 18-0 stat as a reminder that if you see Mo getting several carries, its likely because you’re ahead and in garbage time. That equals a happy feeling generally. The stats may be meaningless, but they are telling none the less. You can spin the stats to make them look good, or you can spin the stats to make them look real.
In times like this, early July, there’s nothing else going on. What else is happening right now where people can look at stats and reflect upon the good things that those stats are a result of?
by Andrew Davidson on Jul 2, 2009 4:23 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Recent success
Actually the Niners have had more recent success than the Seahawks. See 2008-2009 season.
Don't sweat it. I'm illiterate.
by methodrampage on Jul 2, 2009 4:33 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
thank you for the reminder
that makes me feel even better!
by Andrew Davidson on Jul 2, 2009 4:40 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
One season with slightly fewer losses equates to "more recent success"?
If I were to argue a side in that debate, I’d go back to the last season in which one of these teams had a winning, or “successful” season – and that team would be the Seahawks.
My pessimism goes to the point of suspecting the sincerity of the pessimists.
by shlecko on Jul 2, 2009 5:43 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
No, I didn't mean it like that.
This analysis sort of pronounced what most know: Giving Frank Gore the ball leads to good things. Obviously, deviating away from Martz should lead to that happening. I still wonder why he demanded JTO to keep passing when games could have been had by committing to the run, case in point being the (I think) Patriots game.
"Part, fools!
Put up your swords. You know not what you do."
by Fearless Frog on Jul 3, 2009 10:38 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
The Eagles game haunts me
The Patritos game was one that got away too. JTO’s 3 INTs should’ve been an indication to run the f***ing ball. In a 9-point loss, Gore had 12 carries for 56 yards. Seems ridiculous.
But in the Eagles game, JTO threw an INT returned to the house while the Niners were down one TD. Gore had 19 carries for 101 in the game, so why not give him more carries late? He’s having a good game, rely on him!
The 49ers followed that up with a loss to the Giants, but you can hardly blame the team for not running Gore more. The Giants D held him to 11 yards on 11 attempts, so running wasn’t wise that day.
Of those 3 winnable games from 2008, two of them can be debated that Gore needed more carries.
by Andrew Davidson on Jul 3, 2009 11:19 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
And those two games could have been the difference-maker in getting into the postseason.
I feel odd for saying that. Maybe it’s because I rag on the 49ers so much, I forget they were only a game below .500
"Part, fools!
Put up your swords. You know not what you do."
by Fearless Frog on Jul 3, 2009 4:09 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Woah, I didn't know Fearless posted here too
Providing its the same FF from GameFAQs. Guy hates Gore.
by Ninjames on Jul 12, 2009 3:45 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
<3
Gore’s pretty good, tho.
"Part, fools!
Put up your swords. You know not what you do."
by Fearless Frog on Jul 12, 2009 10:49 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Okay, fine, have it your way.
Gore sucks tremendous ass despite posting 3 consecutive seasons with at least 1,000 yards rushing while overcoming a piss-poor offensive line that can’t run-block their way out of a paper bag.
"Part, fools!
Put up your swords. You know not what you do."
by Fearless Frog on Jul 13, 2009 12:35 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
They can run-block their way out of a paper bag
It just takes a while
Go 49ers
by iaalexeeff on Jul 13, 2009 12:45 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
and it has to be wet.
Here's to Joe Perry, all-time leading rusher for the 49ers.
by Andrew Davidson on Jul 13, 2009 12:46 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
and it has to be 100% recycled, 10 times over
Don't sweat it. I'm illiterate.
by methodrampage on Jul 13, 2009 1:34 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
and already
slightly torn at one end.
Here's to Joe Perry, all-time leading rusher for the 49ers.
by Andrew Davidson on Jul 13, 2009 1:40 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
ah man
My roommate was having sex with his girlfriend and I could hear them, so I was doubley pissed off.
Homie that sucks, especially during a niners game, and to hear all the other noises while your screaming in agony or happiness, man that sounds like the worst atmosphere to watch a game in. Sounds of other people doing it, and a heartbreaking loss, i feel ya bro
by Dub4lif3 on Jun 30, 2009 11:37 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
in the long run
I’m not sure what I’ll remember more, the Arnaz Battle fumble, or the thumping of my roommate and his lady friend.
Probably the fumble, I hope.
by Andrew Davidson on Jul 1, 2009 8:50 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
i'll be happy if he's healthy for 16 games
…and, you know, he breaks a few records.
I take full responsibility for my irresponsibility.
by these3words on Jul 3, 2009 7:05 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
I wonder what this means.............
/sarcasm
Awesome post btw
WELCOME TO THE ZONE.
by HHZ on Jul 5, 2009 1:24 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
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