Frank Gore - the 49er’s struck gold and may give some to Frank

by James on March 24th, 2007

NFL Football at its best. NFL Football at its craziest.

Pay me or Anger me!

Their are only a handful of elite runners in the league for any given year.

The runner has to be gifted, still in his prime, and usually have a strong offensive line in front of him, unless he had a name like Barry Sanders.

The NFL life of a running back is typically short. The Tiki Barbers of the world, that last a decade and then retire, are actually the exceptions.

So when you get a runner that is gifted, you want to hold on to him.

Such is the case with Frank Gore and the San Francisco 49ers, but what do you pay a guy like that?

Gore set the 49ers record last season while leading the NFC with 1,695 yards rushing. Gore is entering the final season of the original three-year deal he signed as a rookie. He is scheduled to earn $435,000 this season, making him tied for the 36th-highest paid player on the team. source

Frank’s agent, Drew Rosenhaus, would like to see Frank become the highest paid running back in the league, but the 49ers would like to remind him that their are mitigating factors.

1. Frank has not always been healthy and with his penchant for running over tacklers may not have a long career.

2. Two knee surgeries while at University of Miami.

3. San Francisco can keep him for 3 more years anyway.

What? How can they do that?

Gore is under contract in 2007. Next year, the 49ers can virtually assure they retain Gore with a high tender as a restricted free agent. The 49ers would have the opportunity to match any offer sheet Gore signs, and if they decline they would receive first- and third-round draft picks. In 2009, the 49ers can lock up Gore for another season as the team’s franchise player. In essence, the 49ers could keep Gore around for the next three years at an expected total price tag of around $13 million. source

This should become interesting, because you don’t want to upset your star running back, yet why give away the house when you don’t have to?

49ers hand out the gold

San Francisco was on the cusp of the playoffs last year with a star running back like Frank Gore and a developing young quarterback in Alex Smith.

When the salary cap was raised, the 49ers found themselves with the most extra money in the league. They did not fool around and actively sought free agents to fill the team’s needs.

Heck, they actively showed guys the door to gain even more money.

PLAYERS ACQUIRED

—LB Tully Banta-Cain: UFA Patriots; $8.9M/3 yrs, $2.9M SB; 2007 cap: $2.17M.

—CB Nate Clements: UFA Bills; $64M/7 yrs, $10M RB/$10M OB 2008; 2007 cap: $11.1M.

—DT Aubrayo Franklin: UFA Ravens; $6M/3 yrs, $3M SB; 2007 cap: $1.416M.

—WR Ashley Lelie: UFA Falcons; $4.3M/2 yrs, $2M SB; 2007 cap: $3.2M.

—S Michael Lewis: UFA Eagles; $30M/6 yrs, $9.8M guaranteed; 2007 cap: $4.195M.

PLAYERS LOST

—WR Antonio Bryant (released).

—CB Sammy Davis (released).

—TE Eric Johnson: UFA Saints; $2M/1 yr, SB unknown.

—DT Lance Legree: UFA Buccaneers; terms unknown.

—C Jeremy Newberry: UFA Raiders; $1.5M/1 yr, no SB.

source

The 49ers have had a great off season and pick 11th in the draft. Most experts see them taking a defensive tackle.

11. San Francisco 49ers - Amobi Okoye, DT Louisville
At just 19-years old, Okoye has an incredible upside. He could probably play either tackle position in a 4-3 or end in the 3-4. source

Looks like the 49ers are setting themselves up for the playoffs.

Now can they come up with a salary for Frank Gore to lock him up for a long time and keep him happy?

NFL Football Fan Question How much would you pay to keep Frank Gore around?

As always, any NFL Football related comments are welcome.

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