49ers count on Gore’s savvy

Friday, January 18, 2013

— San Francisco 49ers offensive coordinator Greg Roman wants to be a head coach one day soon, and he already knows at least one person he’d hire on his staff.

Try running back Frank Gore.

“I always tell Frank, ‘Man, when you’re done playing, come find me or I’ll find you,’ ” Roman said Thursday. “He’s a guy I love working with as a player, and I’m sure I’d love working with as a coach.”

Often underappreciated and overlooked around the NFL, Gore has carried the 49ers through good times and mostly bad the past eight seasons. Coaches are quick to credit the reliable running back’s smarts and savvy, doing everything from breaking down film of opponents to scouting potential draft picks.

Gore’s latest adaptation has come in the new read-option run game anchored by quarterback Colin Kaepernick that some thought might not suit his style. Instead, Gore surpassed 100 yards rushing in a playoff game for the first time in last week’s 45-31 victory over Green Bay, and the 49ers insist his knowledge is a vital part of the plan heading into the NFC Championship Game on Sunday at Atlanta.

“It’s top-shelf,” 49ers Coach Jim Harbaugh said of Gore’s football acumen. “Not to categorize it, but I know I have learned a lot from Frank, as well as the other running backs on our team. He sees it. He sees the big picture. He sees the whole picture. He sees it slowed down, and he’s got a very quick mind.”

Despite tearing ligaments in both knees at the University of Miami, Gore has rebounded to become one of the NFL’s most durable players at a position that takes perhaps the biggest pounding.

Gore is the franchise leader in rushing yards (8,839) and rushing touchdowns (51) and has been a staple of San Francisco’s offense under three different head coaches. His versatility is what makes him special, coaches said, running inside and out and catching passes from all kinds of formations.

“Frank is such an adaptable player that it doesn’t take him long to pick something up,” Roman said. “He’s one of the most gifted, knowledgeable, intelligent football players that I’ve been around really at any position. He just has a feel and an understanding for the game.

“It’s funny, when you install something or put something new in, he can just see it. It’s pretty impressive.”

Playoff glance

All times Central

CONFERENCE CHAMPIONSHIPS

SUNDAY’S GAMES

San Francisco at Atlanta, 2 p.m. (Fox) Baltimore at New England, 5:30 p.m. (CBS)

SUPER BOWL

SUNDAY, FEB. 3 At New Orleans

AFC champion vs. NFC champion, 5 p.m. (CBS)

Sports, Pages 26 on 01/18/2013