Frank Gore: His Position Among 49ers Greats
by David Fucillo on Sep 22, 2010 12:00 PM PDT
in San Francisco 49ers News
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One of the exciting aspects of this past Monday's game against the Saints was the halftime ceremony retiring Jerry Rice's #80 jersey. I'm a big fan of 49ers history, which is one of the reasons we have had howtheyscored providing all sorts of historical insight as to the franchise over time.
During Monday's game, running back Frank Gore surpassed 100 rushing yards for the 21st time in his career. That 21st time surpassed Joe Perry who previously held the record for most 100 yard rushing games during his career. Mike Tirico did mention it but otherwise it was a rather quiet event. In reaching this achievement, Gore finished the game with 5,711 rushing yards for his career. This places him fourth among all 49ers running backs in career rushing yards. The top four are as follows:
1. Joe Perry - 8.689 yards
2. Roger Craig - 7,064 yards
3. Ken Willard - 5,930 yards
4. Frank Gore - 5,711 yards
At this point, Gore will likely pass Willard in the next couple of games, leaving him 1,100 yards away from Roger Craig, and 2,700 yards away from franchise leader Joe Perry. Gore is signed through next season, but I'd have to imagine the team will do what it can to re-sign a guy who will end next year likely as the #2 running back in franchise history (at least for the purposes of yards).
In comparing the backs, the big difference between the top two and Frank Gore would have to be the touchdowns. Gore has 33 rushing touchdowns, while Craig had 50 and Perry had 68. The other difference between Gore and Craig is the receiving numbers.
In comparing the great running backs in 49ers history, where does Frank Gore stand at this point, and where do you see him standing when his career comes to a close?
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I'm amased
by Gore’s durability. How many running backs have we seen flame out after three years? His durability makes him a 49ers great in my mind.
"Too much awesome on my feet."-Brian Wilson
"Time for the laser show, boys!"- Aubrey Huff
And with a mostly crap O-line
Futbol players pretend they're hurt when they're not. Football players pretend they're not hurt when they are.
"Yeah, he was really rusty—you know, first run 50 yards."
-Alex Smith on Frank Gore's scant work during the preseason
by Tazer2340 on Sep 22, 2010 12:09 PM PDT via mobile up reply actions
durability
Particularly in light of the fact that he’s had surgery on both shoulders and both knees.
by David Fucillo on Sep 22, 2010 12:10 PM PDT up reply actions
Future Hall of Famer?
Also, why isn’t Craig in the HOF?
Futbol players pretend they're hurt when they're not. Football players pretend they're not hurt when they are.
"Yeah, he was really rusty—you know, first run 50 yards."
-Alex Smith on Frank Gore's scant work during the preseason
by Tazer2340 on Sep 22, 2010 12:09 PM PDT via mobile reply actions
we'll see
If he rushes for 1,000 more yards this season he’d be 57th all time in rushing yards. He’s definitely got some work ahead of him.
Craig should eventually end up in the Hall of Fame. Just taking a little longer. I believe he was a semifinalist for the first time this year.
by David Fucillo on Sep 22, 2010 12:12 PM PDT up reply actions
I think he can do it
Hes still relatively young. Just needs to avoid injuries
Futbol players pretend they're hurt when they're not. Football players pretend they're not hurt when they are.
"Yeah, he was really rusty—you know, first run 50 yards."
-Alex Smith on Frank Gore's scant work during the preseason
by Tazer2340 on Sep 22, 2010 12:23 PM PDT via mobile up reply actions
He gets injured every year
I don’t see a chance in hell of him making the HoF. But he’ll end up not far behind Roger. I still think Hearst was the most dynamic back to ever put a Niners uniform on. Too bad about that guy.
Gimme 1 round!
by ItBurnzWhenIP on Sep 22, 2010 3:16 PM PDT up reply actions
Yeah the injuries are definitely the biggest thing holding him back right now
But I think if he can avoid them he has a decent chance. IMO he is a little bit better than Hearst
Futbol players pretend they're hurt when they're not. Football players pretend they're not hurt when they are.
"Yeah, he was really rusty—you know, first run 50 yards."
-Alex Smith on Frank Gore's scant work during the preseason
Craig is getting closer
It’s really helping his case that 20 years later the only other RB to ever rush for 1000 yards and catch for 1000 yards in one season is Marshall Faulk.
That answers my question below ...
… thanks!
LondonNiner - member of the legendary David Carr thread, 6 March 2010.
I think Ray Rice will be the 3rd
What we've got here is a failure to communicate.
"I'm just like you, but 10 times better"
by SportsChicken on Sep 22, 2010 2:52 PM PDT up reply actions
^this^
Futbol players pretend they're hurt when they're not. Football players pretend they're not hurt when they are.
"Yeah, he was really rusty—you know, first run 50 yards."
-Alex Smith on Frank Gore's scant work during the preseason
by Tazer2340 on Sep 22, 2010 3:01 PM PDT via mobile up reply actions
I can't believe LT didn't do it the year he caught 100
yes 100 friggin passes
Gimme 1 round!
by ItBurnzWhenIP on Sep 22, 2010 3:17 PM PDT up reply actions
Ray Rice gets more yards
He can do it.
What we've got here is a failure to communicate.
"I'm just like you, but 10 times better"
by SportsChicken on Sep 23, 2010 8:38 AM PDT up reply actions
Ray Rice...
Is overrated. He’s been a started one full season and got 2000 all purpose yards. That’s great. Frank Gore did the same thing his first full season as a starter. Why does everybody think Ray Rice is so good after one year??
Caption:
Not pictured: Norris getting stacked up by a pom-pom, Gore being dropped for a loss.
I may hate your timing, but I can't hate your reason for leaving. Vaya con Dios, Glen Coffee.
Norris
He did have some key blocks on Monday.
by David Fucillo on Sep 22, 2010 12:13 PM PDT up reply actions
yeah, but still
The O-Line was the real star on Monday.
I may hate your timing, but I can't hate your reason for leaving. Vaya con Dios, Glen Coffee.
I think he'll end up No.1
At least in terms of yards.
I’d like to know how he measures up against Craig in receiving stats?
What we've got here is a failure to communicate.
"I'm just like you, but 10 times better"
receiving yards
Craig: 4,442 (9th)
Gore: 1,932 (28th)
by David Fucillo on Sep 22, 2010 12:20 PM PDT up reply actions
As a fan from the 1980s glory days ...
… I am intrigued by how uncelebrated Craig seems to be. Rice, Young, Montana, all in the HoF, and obviously rightfully so. But Craig always felt like a huge part in that offense and, at least nationally, he seems not to be remembered as warmly as some of those other guys.
Now I find I’m intrigued by the comparison with Gore. Back in the day, Craig always seemed like a potent receiving threat (I think he was the first, and maybe the only, Niners back to have 1,000 rushing and receiving?) whereas Gore doesn’t catch so many passes. They are different players, I know, but would Gore have caught more passes had he played with Montana and Young? For that matter, would he have put up better career numbers than Craig if he’d played in that all-time great offense?
Roger is my wife’s favourite all-time Niner. She loved how the other players called him Catfish because of those crazy eyes. They gave him the nickname after Walsh put a fishery in the training facility and stocked it with catfish for fishing competitions – when the players caught the catfish, they thought they looked like Roger!
Just a little tale there in case younger 49ers fans don’t know that one!!
LondonNiner - member of the legendary David Carr thread, 6 March 2010.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZQeQCdqTS78
LondonNiner - member of the legendary David Carr thread, 6 March 2010.
Ha ha, sorry ...
… I just thought I’d point out what you meant for all those kids out there (don’t forget, as Diana Ross taught us, children are the future, so teach them well and let them lead the way).
I’ll happily re-dress the balance though.
LondonNiner - member of the legendary David Carr thread, 6 March 2010.
Wow
He’s really far off from that one.
He’s still a very good receiving RB though.
What we've got here is a failure to communicate.
"I'm just like you, but 10 times better"
by SportsChicken on Sep 22, 2010 2:53 PM PDT up reply actions
But seriously, Craig is like 9th on the 49ers ALL TIME receiving list. It’ll be a while before most wide receivers catch him. It’ll probably be three years before Vernon catches him. Craig was pretty much just incredible.
"I just struck out looking three times, but in any other ballpark those would have been home runs." - Aubrey Huff
by howtheyscored on Sep 22, 2010 9:17 PM PDT up reply actions
if gore manages to stay healthy, and if the 49ers decide to keep him, for two more years (after this season) then he has a real chance to become number 1. If he finished with ~800 more yards this season, then 1000 yards the following two, that puts him JUST behind Joe Perry. Plus, he does get some touches with receiving, so he has a chance to catch up, definitely. He has the possibility to become the best RB the 49ers have ever had… statistically.
I wouldn't hesitate to say he'd be the best 49er RB ever.
Craig was great because of his receiving skills but I just feel that Frank Gore is something special.
What we've got here is a failure to communicate.
"I'm just like you, but 10 times better"
by SportsChicken on Sep 22, 2010 2:55 PM PDT up reply actions
Probably have to agree with you here
Adding to what was said above. One can only imagine the numbers he could have stacked up on a team from the glory days.
Whoa. Gore is great, but he needs to actually do it before he’s even in Craig’s league.
13,100 total yards from scrimmage. 73 total touchdowns.
Gore, at 7,643 and 41 has a long way to go.
"I just struck out looking three times, but in any other ballpark those would have been home runs." - Aubrey Huff
by howtheyscored on Sep 22, 2010 9:20 PM PDT up reply actions
See the comment right above you
Can you imagine how beastly Gore would have been on a good team?
I mean, this guy has put together these amazing seasons while playing on what was the worst team in the NFL (when he was drafted).
What we've got here is a failure to communicate.
"I'm just like you, but 10 times better"
by SportsChicken on Sep 23, 2010 8:40 AM PDT up reply actions
Too bad the 9ers couldn't hold on to Ricky Watters
I think he was the greatest 9er running back during his short time.
In my humble opinion of course
But he was a cancer...
Just like TO. Wasn’t worth it in the long run, but he did have talent.
by ColoradoNiner on Sep 22, 2010 1:59 PM PDT up reply actions
Rickey Watters...
Was always a little overhyped, in my book. I actually though Garrison Hearst was better. Roger Craig certainly was as well. If we’re going for guys that didn’t stay with the team especially long, John Henry Johnson is a Hall-of Famer, although that was so long ago I didn’t see him play, and very few others on here would have, either.
Gore has to do a lot more
Before he’d be a Hall of Fame back – don’t get me wrong, I love Frank Gore and everything that he brings to the Niners…but you can’t stand him up beside an Emmitt Smith and say they belong in the same breath…not yet, anyways!
I’m worried that all that’s going to happen to Gore is that he is going to have taken us through the tough years, and just as we start getting to that Championship level again, we’ll trade him in for a younger version of himself.
Actually I'd say Gore is probably better than Emmitt Smith
Emmitt should have had the faces of that whole Cowboys offense line put on his bust with his own as a little addition in the corner. Frank Gore would be the NFLs all time leading rusher with that Cowgirls team. And I don’t think Frank is necessarily an all time great talent either. Just that Emmitt is the most overrated rusher of all time.
Gimme 1 round!
by ItBurnzWhenIP on Sep 22, 2010 4:30 PM PDT up reply actions
Wow.
"I just struck out looking three times, but in any other ballpark those would have been home runs." - Aubrey Huff
by howtheyscored on Sep 22, 2010 9:21 PM PDT up reply actions
huh?
Emmit is overrated.
We all know that.
What we've got here is a failure to communicate.
"I'm just like you, but 10 times better"
by SportsChicken on Sep 23, 2010 8:40 AM PDT up reply actions
Smith also ran behind a less good Cardinals line...
when he was physically shot, and wasn’t completely unproductive. That suggests to me that he was a good running back. Would he be the all-time rushing yardage leader without Dallas’ line? Well, probably not, but I doubt someone like our own beloved Kevan Barlow would have gotten as many yards as Smith did, running behind that same line.
It’s hard comparing Gore, Craig and Perry because each is a different running back from a completely different era. Gore would not have done what Craig did in the 80’s while Craig would not have been effective on this particular team today. Joe Perry was way before my time but have a feeling historians would say Perry is the 49ers all time best.
Replied to this below ...
… I have become seriously bad at replying. I don’t know why …
LondonNiner - member of the legendary David Carr thread, 6 March 2010.
what historians would say
“…historians would say Perry is the 49ers all time best.”
Probably right. Because historians always take those that nobody knows (besides them).
nobody knows who Joe Perry is?
he retired as the leading rusher in NFL history and is in the Hall of Fame.
Some people think outside the box. Some people think inside the box. Me? I got kicked out of the box, and they won't let me back in.
of course...
…I’ve heard that name several times. but it has happened before my time. different eras, different people, different views.
Joe Perry was seriously awesome.
"I just struck out looking three times, but in any other ballpark those would have been home runs." - Aubrey Huff
by howtheyscored on Sep 22, 2010 9:22 PM PDT up reply actions
If we’re talking the 49ers best all-time running backs, the list probably runs Perry, Craig, McElhenny, Gore right now. Not sure where I’d put Willard.
"I just struck out looking three times, but in any other ballpark those would have been home runs." - Aubrey Huff
by howtheyscored on Sep 22, 2010 9:24 PM PDT up reply actions
my list:
1. Joe Perry
2. Hugh McElhenny
3. Frank Gore
4. Roger Craig
5. Garrison Hearst
and Gore is on his way up.
Ken Willard = meh.
Some people think outside the box. Some people think inside the box. Me? I got kicked out of the box, and they won't let me back in.
hey I've met Ken Willard. he was a nice guy
"All during film, I'm calling him Bam-Bam, like from 'The Flintstones,' because he hits everything. He is the truth" - Chad Ochocinco on Patrick Willis
Not old enough for Willard nor Perry ...
… As Coach Sing like’s to say , Gore is still a work in progress , so his ranking is a little premature ( for me ) … Craig , Garrison Hearst then Ricky Watters , but when it’s all said and done , hopefully Gore passes them all …!!
I'm your " Huckelberry "...it's juz my game ...!!
Hearst in his few completely healthy years was probably the best back we've ever had
Only problem is bone necrosis is kinda a career ender.
Gimme 1 round!
by ItBurnzWhenIP on Sep 22, 2010 4:31 PM PDT up reply actions
Easy.
"I just struck out looking three times, but in any other ballpark those would have been home runs." - Aubrey Huff
by howtheyscored on Sep 22, 2010 9:24 PM PDT up reply actions
When Craig broke the Thousand and Thousand ( Rushing & Recieving ) yard's ...
… never thought it would be broken , but of coarse here come’s Marshal Faulk …!!
I'm your " Huckelberry "...it's juz my game ...!!
Really?
Craig would not have been effective on this particular team today.
Why do you say that? Not disagreeing – I don’t know anything – but that feels like quite a statement. Would love to know your reasons.
LondonNiner - member of the legendary David Carr thread, 6 March 2010.
Craig wasn’t a pure inside runner for a power game like Gore. He was the perfect running back for the West Coast offense. This current 49ers team wouldn’t know how to use him the passing game . He’d still be considered a good, above average runner but his passing skills set Craig apart from the rest. Essentially I’m not so much hating on Craig but more the 49ers current configuration.
OK, take your point ...
… cheers.
LondonNiner - member of the legendary David Carr thread, 6 March 2010.
Raye would have no idea how to use Craig ( aka ) Westbrook ...!!
I'm your " Huckelberry "...it's juz my game ...!!
This thread got me rooting around on YouTube ...
… for Roger Craig stuff, and I found this. Awesome video. Forgive me if everyone’s seen it, but it’s very nicely done (apart from a weird bit around five minutes in where it suddenly jumps to Alex Smith in training with some atrocious grammar overlaid, but then it goes back to the old stuff.) Craig’s in there, so too might Joe Perry be but I couldn’t be sure on the black and white stuff.
LondonNiner - member of the legendary David Carr thread, 6 March 2010.
That old footage was a trip
All this years
Of failures
HURTS
(Nolans face appears)
That made me laugh. Although I think John Yorks face would have been more appropriate imo.
Assuming he stays healthy for a few more years...
As far as rushing yards goes, he should be #1 when all is said and done. In terms of overall impact and such, he probably doesn’t surpass Perry and Craig, but at least will get to be in the conversation with them.
"If you can accept losing, you can't win." ~Vince Lombardi
Tweet Tweet.
Joe Perry is still #1.
he played 13 seasons for the Niners and averaged 5.2 YPC. that’s the same ridiculous number that people always point to when arguing that Jim Brown is the greatest of all time.
and he did it for 13 seasons. insane.
5.2 YPC
Joe Perry.
#1.
Some people think outside the box. Some people think inside the box. Me? I got kicked out of the box, and they won't let me back in.
Good point on that 5.2 number
That is why Barry is the second greatest PLAYER ever after Jerry. 99.8 YPG for a career, 5 yards per carry and he did it on a team that aside from Herman Moore, (who probably looked better than he actually was because Barry got so much attention), had no one. DE’s couldn’t even rush hard up the field against the Lions because if they lost contain and it was a draw to Barry there was about a 50% chance that play was going for 25 yards or more.
Gimme 1 round!
by ItBurnzWhenIP on Sep 22, 2010 4:38 PM PDT up reply actions
In order for Gore to last...
This season, the passing game has to score points. If the 49ers passing game can start the game, then Gore can finish it. But the passing game needs to score TDs.
Gore is an elite RB. There is no question in that. So was Garrison Hearst in the 49ers WCO. If redass Ricky Watters would have kept his mouth shut, the 49ers could have 6 rings.
But I would hate to see Gore get a bust in Canton before Roger Craig.
Well, we're waiting....
(for David Carr to start by week 7)
Here's some more information to consider if we're trying to rank Gore's place amongst 49er RBs
1. Joe Perry – 8.689 yards
Perry’s 8,000 yards rushing came in 16 seasons. He only ran for more than 1,000 yards in two of those seasons.
2. Roger Craig – 7,064 yards
Roger Craig’s 7,000 yards came in 11 seasons. He only had 3 seasons with 1,000 yards rushing. Altholugh he was the first back to have 1,000 rushing and 1,000 receiving yards, he only did that once. Most of his years playing he didn’t come close to 1,000 yards.
3. Ken Willard – 5,930 yards
Willard actually ended his career with 6105 yards rushing, but it took him 10 years to do that and the closest he came to 1,000 in one season was 967.
4. Frank Gore – 5,711 yards
Gore’s 5,700 yards have come in 5 seasons. Give him another 4 years and he’ll easily have 10k yards on the ground. He’s the only back to have 4 consecutive 1,000 yard seasons. Despite the abysmal performance in Settle he’s on pace to get 1200 yards this season, which would be 5 seasons in a row.
Joe Perry and Ken Willard were hardly used at all as receivers. Only Craig can compete with Gore in receptions and he had two Hall of Fame QBs throwing to him. Even with that Gore has 8 TDs through the air. Craig had 17 TDs in 11 seasons—and 6 of those came in that remarkable record breaking year.
Roger Craig had 56 TDs on the ground. Gore is at 33 right now and there’s no reason to think he can’t pass Craig up.
Craig gets the love because he played on Super Bowl winning teams so people saw him in big games. Gore hasn’t had that opportunity yet, but he will.
I firmly believe that Gore is the best running back the 49ers have ever had, and he’s done it by being quiet and unassuming. Roger Craig is a very close second, and Garrison Hearst remains one of my favorite 49ers of all time but I’ve got to give it to Gore.
Logic merely enables one to be wrong with authority
Perry’s 8,000 yards rushing came in 16 seasons. He only ran for more than 1,000 yards in two of those seasons.
okay, but he also spent most of those seasons spliting carries with Hugh McElhenny, and one of his 1,000-yard seasons was with John Henry Johnson on the team as well. Oh yeah, and most of his career, including both of his 1,000-yard seasons, was played in 12-game seasons.
running for 1,000 yards in 12 games while splitting carries with two other Hall-of-Fame running backs is a remarkable accomplishment, and it deserves more respect than, “He only ran for more than 1,000 yards in two of those seasons.”
We don't need 8 in the box. We have 52 in the box.
by these3words on Sep 24, 2010 12:43 PM PDT up reply actions
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