49ers fans who want to see Frank Gore stick around for at least one more year got some good news this week. Well, maybe.
“We want him back,” Jed York told Ann Killion. “I think he wants to be here. I know he wants to be here. And I think we’ll figure out a way to do it. We’ll definitely try. I think we’ll figure out a way. That’s my feeling.”
When it comes to signing NFL free agents, “We’ll definitely try” isn’t necessarily an indicator of a willingness to spend.
The #49ers believe they are losing long-time star RB Frank Gore, I’m told. They are starting to look around themselves.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) March 8, 2015
From NJ.com:
The Eagles, after trading LeSean McCoy to the Buffalo Bills, might have found his replacement.
A person with knowledge of the situation, who requested anonymity, told NJ Advance Media that the Eagles have expressed interest in free-agent running back Frank Gore.
That person said a deal with the San Francisco 49ers star could get done as early as Tuesday, the first day free agents can sign with another team.
From CSN Bay Area:
League sources said the Indianapolis Colts and Gore have mutual interest in working toward a contract.
“Mutual,” eh? Where have we heard that before?
The smart move emotionally — and I’m speaking to 49ers fans — is to move on from the idea that Gore will re-sign. There’s just too much smoke here, including his Instagram post where he wrote, “I know the fans love me but I need to know if the management does.”
Here’s what Gore’s boxing trainer, Brian Schwartz, posted on his Facebook page on Feb. 28:
Last night Schwartz posted this:
If Gore indeed signs with the Eagles, Colts, or some other team that isn’t the 49ers, where will Trent Baalke turn? He could draft another running back and hand the bulk of the carries to Carlos Hyde. Or he could sign a free agent I wrote recently that would be a possible fit, since he’s fast and the Bills drafted him ninth overall in 2010.
Spiller is eligible to become a UFA. I’m told potential suitors considering interest include the Cards, Jets, Dolphins & 49ers at this time.
— Josina Anderson (@JosinaAnderson) March 4, 2015
Or, and I’m halfway joking about this next idea, but the 49ers could have interest in Chris Johnson. Not only is he also known for his speed, but he was recently shot in the shoulder.
Ex-#Jets RB Chris Johnson is recovering at an Orlando hospital after being shot in the arm last night, source said. He is going to be OK — Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) March 8, 2015
Chris Johnson was back home, riding around with friends and his car took gunfire, source said. There were casualties, including a friend
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) March 8, 2015
Since he’s coming off an injury and some will have questions as to how he was in that situation in the first place, his price will surely drop. Since Spiller has multiple suitors and isn’t coming off a gunshot wound …
(These are ranked in order)
Prediction No. 1: The 49ers will sign Chris Johnson.
Prediction No. 2: The 49ers will sign Knowshon Moreno (he tore his ACL in October!)
Prediction No. 3: The 49ers will take a RB in the 6th or 7th round and/or sign some guys who got cut
Prediction No. 4: The 49ers will sign C.J. Spiller (at a lower price than he’s expecting)
I understand all of this from the 49ers’ perspective. Gore wants money and lead-back carries, and they’d probably rather have more of a change-of-pace guy to pair with Hyde. Get rid of guys a year too early instead of blah blah blah.
But man, it’s going to be tough to see Gore in another uniform. My ability to toss all rational thought aside and be a fan again (like I was from age 6-to-33) has been absolutely incinerated by time in press boxes, media workrooms, locker rooms and clubhouses, but I always got the feeling that I was witnessing history whenever Gore carried the ball or spoke at his locker or the podium. He represents everything that’s great about the 49ers, but since the 49ers are moving on to a new era where up is down and down is probably on its way, it makes sense for Gore to move on to a team that has a chance to contend for a title. I’d like to see him with Andrew Luck, personally.
