[ThePundit]

The 49ers really came on at the end of the year. Frank Gore is the real deal. I didn't see that many of their games. Candlejack, or anyone else, are the Niners a playoff team next year?

[Gotham Dark Knight]

Originally Posted by ThePundit

The 49ers really came on at the end of the year. Frank Gore is the real deal. I didn't see that many of their games. Candlejack, or anyone else, are the Niners a playoff team next year?

Give them two years...Smith, Vernon Davis, and Frank Gore is the start of a good offensive core.

[MJHMarc]

Frank Gore is better than all of the other players in the past at the RB position in San Fran.

As for their future, it looks bright but that may just be a high wattage light bulb. Lets see how it plays out...

[ealtice]

Originally Posted by MJHMarc

Frank Gore is better than all of the other players in the past at the RB position in San Fran.

As for their future, it looks bright but that may just be a high wattage light bulb. Lets see how it plays out...

I agree that Gore had the greatest year of any previous 49er back, but he will need to put up those numbers for a few years before he reaches Roger Craig status. Craig gets my vote for the most complete 49er back of all, and he put up numbers for years.

But I for one think that next year can be a playoff year, if only because the NFC is so damn weak.

[Lefty Noob]

Originally Posted by ealtice

I agree that Gore had the greatest year of any previous 49er back, but he will need to put up those numbers for a few years before he reaches Roger Craig status. Craig gets my vote for the most complete 49er back of all, and he put up numbers for years.

But I for one think that next year can be a playoff year, if only because the NFC is so damn weak.

I agree with you, ealtice -- until Gore can prove he's not a one-season wonder, Craig's the man. The great thing about Roger Craig was his ability to not only run, but catch passes out of the backfield. If I recall correctly, he was the first RB to gain 1,000 yards rushing and 1,000 yards receiving in a season. ealtice, what about Gore vs. Ricky Watters?

[fhirs]

They might make the playoffs next year only because the NFC and particularly the NFC West are so weak. But is Alex Smith really the guy? Next year should be the make or break one for him.

[ThePundit]

Originally Posted by Lefty Noob

I agree with you, ealtice -- until Gore can prove he's not a one-season wonder, Craig's the man. The great thing about Roger Craig was his ability to not only run, but catch passes out of the backfield. If I recall correctly, he was the first RB to gain 1,000 yards rushing and 1,000 yards receiving in a season. ealtice, what about Gore vs. Ricky Watters?

Good point Lefty. Gore and Craig were 2 different kind of players. Apples and oranges. I think when all is said an done, Gore will be better than Ricky Waters.

[Gotham Dark Knight]

Roger Craig also enjoyed a lot of talent around him that took the spotlight off him...Gore doesn't have that yet...

[azrael492]

But is Alex Smith really the guy? Next year should be the make or break one for him.

I think he is going to be a good player. Give him some time.

I also think Battle is going to have a breakout season next year.

[Nuke]

Originally Posted by MJHMarc

Frank Gore is better than all of the other players in the past at the RB position in San Fran.

Wow! That's saying a bunch! Funny thing is you might be right. Think he's better than Craig and Watters? How does he block? I haven't seen many Niner games so I have to check his recievng stats.

[ealtice]

Regarding the Gore vs. Watters or Craig mini-debate going on here:
Believe me, I love Gore, and without a doubt he had the single best season of any 49er back. But we may need to debate what we mean by "great" or "greatest." I think longevity has to factor in there somewhere. A lot of players in any sport have a single great year or two, but they may not be "great" players because they don't do it for the long haul (sometimes just due to injuries that are not really their fault). Randy Moss and Terrell Owens vs. Jerry Rice are cases in point. Both Moss and Owens had a few seasons in their career that rival most of Rice's seasons, but neither has been able to do it year after year after year the way Rice did, and that, in my mind, is the thing that separates Rice from the others.

If Gore continues to produce numbers like he did this year for even 4 or 5 more years then absolutely he will be the best RB in 49er history. Hey, I'm rooting for him. But personally I need to see him do it before I'm ready to annoint him the best ever.

[candlejack]

Originally Posted by ealtice

Regarding the Gore vs. Watters or Craig mini-debate going on here:
Believe me, I love Gore, and without a doubt he had the single best season of any 49er back. But we may need to debate what we mean by "great" or "greatest." I think longevity has to factor in there somewhere. A lot of players in any sport have a single great year or two, but they may not be "great" players because they don't do it for the long haul (sometimes just due to injuries that are not really their fault). Randy Moss and Terrell Owens vs. Jerry Rice are cases in point. Both Moss and Owens had a few seasons in their career that rival most of Rice's seasons, but neither has been able to do it year after year after year the way Rice did, and that, in my mind, is the thing that separates Rice from the others.

If Gore continues to produce numbers like he did this year for even 4 or 5 more years then absolutely he will be the best RB in 49er history. Hey, I'm rooting for him. But personally I need to see him do it before I'm ready to annoint him the best ever.

First of all ealtice, Welcome to GoTeamsGo! I do hope to see your name around here for a while. About the Gore/Craig/Watters debate, Roger Craig has been the best back that I have ever seen play for the 49ers. I do have to admit, if Craig were with another team, then he would not have done as well. The Walsh West Coast Offense was a very unique system and those players that fit into that system flourished. Unfortunately, there will be some players from that era that won't ever get into the HOF, like Randy Cross, Harris Barton, Fres Ayers, and some other linemen. Anyway, Watters was a very good rusher, but didn't put up enough numbers consistantly, otherwise, he would have been kept around instead of being traded to Seattle at the time. Gore showed some amazing games this year and ended up being the #3 RB in the league this year, which is something the Niners haven't ever had, as far as I can recall. If Gore can put up these kind of numbers for the next few years, I will rank him up cose to Craig.

[SanFran49er]

I got to say that I like the job that Mike Nolan is doing with this young Niner team. I think it has a bright future. Due to the horribly weak state that the NFC West is in they have a great chance for the playoffs. Gore was a great pickup for the Niners and Smith is starting to mature. I think that it will take a year or two before they can go far in the playoffs but I believe they will do it in time. Niners will come back to glory soon...i hope

[ealtice]

I aree with just about everything you said, candlejack. It will be interesting to see how Gore does next year when teams key on him from the first game of the season. He seemed to respond fine this year in the second half of the season when that began, but long-term, Gore's success is tied to Smith's ability to force defenses to respect the passing game. I think this will all work out fine; I actually expect Smith to take another leap forward, especially if the team can upgrade their receivers during the offseason.

Originally Posted by candlejack

First of all ealtice, Welcome to GoTeamsGo! I do hope to see your name around here for a while. About the Gore/Craig/Watters debate, Roger Craig has been the best back that I have ever seen play for the 49ers. I do have to admit, if Craig were with another team, then he would not have done as well. The Walsh West Coast Offense was a very unique system and those players that fit into that system flourished. Unfortunately, there will be some players from that era that won't ever get into the HOF, like Randy Cross, Harris Barton, Fres Ayers, and some other linemen. Anyway, Watters was a very good rusher, but didn't put up enough numbers consistantly, otherwise, he would have been kept around instead of being traded to Seattle at the time. Gore showed some amazing games this year and ended up being the #3 RB in the league this year, which is something the Niners haven't ever had, as far as I can recall. If Gore can put up these kind of numbers for the next few years, I will rank him up cose to Craig.

[Nuke]

You guys believe in Smith huh? I do too but I think he's gonna take a while to develop but the Niners have time. Vernon Davis was a brilliant draft pick. I love what this team is doing, seriously.