Coach Mike Nolan on Tuesday described the competition for the 49ers’ starting tailback job as “wide open’’ between Kevan Barlow and Frank Gore, and added that Maurice Hicks and rookie Michael Robinson also were making their presence felt.
“I want to see who that guy is,’’ Nolan said. “I’m wide open. I’m not closed at all. I have every reason not to be.’’“Frank is pretty strong and he runs north-south all the time, hopefully a lot more north,’’ Nolan said. “Kevan is more of a shiftier back. He picks his holes a little differently than Frank does. All backs have their styles. There’s good backs that do it either way.’‘
[It’s `wide open’ in 49ers’ backfield] – Mercury News
baaqi said:
We don’t need a back to pick his whole when he wants to cause most of the time that ends up as a lost and if yall watched the nfl network about a month ago clinton portis was on there and he said this will be the year frank gore will do his thing and be the starter!
1 hour after the fact.jimbo said:
ya, clinton portis who cares about what he says. That’s just miami guys sticking together. My prediction, Gore wins the starting job behind a much improved o-line, goes down to injury week 3 and Barlow replaces him and runs for 1200 yds.
2 hours after the fact.baaqi said:
yeah that’s true about miami guy’s stickin together but if that does happen with gore than I hope your analysis is right cause barlow fell off he’s been a disappointment!
2 hours after the fact.Erickson said:
I’d just like to have the line stay healthy, and both RB’s healthy as well. I can see some serious yards between Barlow and Gore. I just wonder if they’ll ever run to the right side of the line. Shit I’d just keep run to Jennings and Allen’s side.
2 hours after the fact.jimbo said:
No need to run right with jennings and allen. I think most football people would agree there is nothing better than when people know what you’re going to do, but can’t do anything about it.
2 hours after the fact.mike said:
Sounds like the coach should go with Gore and number one player and Barlow as a great back up.
3 hours after the fact.Niner said:
I seriously doubt Gore can play a full season as the featured back. I like Gore, but I think starting Barlow and increasing Gores carries from last season is the smarter thing to do.
4 hours after the fact.