Gore happy Niners signed Westbrook
When Brian Westbrook signed with the San Francisco 49ers, it was no secret Westbrook would not be the starting running back. The undisputed bearer of that duty is Frank Gore. The 49ers needed to add some depth at running back after second-year back Glen Coffee abruptly announced his retirement to coach Mike Singletary.
Westbrook is a good addition to the backfield and brings a receiving threat to the Niners offence. That sits just fine with Gore. The team even asked Gore for his blessing for the team to go ahead and sign the 30-year old back.
"I thought if he could help my team get better and help us go to another level, I'm fine with it," Gore said after San Francisco's practice. "He's been a great back in this league for a long time. I already started asking him questions, but I feel he can help me get better.
Niners fans quickly embraced Westbrook as he jogged onto the field for his first workout with the team. Westbrook mostly watched from the sidelines as Gore and rookie Anthony Dixon took most of the snaps. Westbrook worked out individually with coaches as his first practice carried a lighter load.
"The hardest thing to do is sit on the sidelines and watch, but that's probably the best way to learn," Westbrook said. "Hopefully it's quick, and I'm going to do everything I can to make it as painless and as quick as possible."
Singletary made it clear when Westbrook signed with the team that Gore was the number one back and Westbrook would remain his backup. Gore, a third-round pick from 2005 is a two-time Pro Bowler and the spearhead of the 49ers power running game but welcomes a back with Westbrook’s experience. Westbrook led the league in yards from scrimmage in 2007 with 2,104 but concussion problems shortened his season last year.
"I know that we needed another back and he was the best one out there, and we feel that he can help our team," Gore said. "I watched him a whole lot, especially when he was in Philly because he was a guy I had to compete against for yards and receiving yards. He watched me in practice, and I asked him to help me with the things he sees that I can carry over on the field."
Gore has done very well for himself with the 49ers. He is already fourth on the team’s all-time rushing list with 5561 yards and like Westbrook is a good receiver out of the backfield. He has averaged 52 catches a season and Singletary said the two backs may operate out of the same backfield on some plays.
"A lot of weapons," Gore said. "We do have personnel like that, with two halfbacks in the game. Both running backs out of the backfield can catch the ball well, and I think that's going to be great."
That also makes things much easier for quarterback Alex Smith who would have two reliable dump-off options with both Gore and Westbrook. Smith has underperformed in his career considering the fact he was once the 49ers first overall pick in the 2005 draft. This year he has an arsenal of weapons with Michael Crabtree, Josh Morgan and a potentially dangerous Ted Ginn. He’ll also have Pro-Bowl tight end Vernon Davis and now two great receiving backs. If Smith can’t get it done this year with all those weapons, then it’s time for the Niners to move on.
Meanwhile in the backfield, the 49ers situation is one of the best in the league and is expected to be the staple of this offence. Their chances of winning the NFC West appear to be getting better and better.
Tags: