How will 49ers react to Frank Gore's injury | Sportsfan at Windsong's Blog

With the injury to RB Frank Gore the 49ers have a chance to mix it up more . They need to get QB Sean Hill more involved in the game instead of just handing off the ball every play. The super conservative game plan of OC Jimmy Raye doesn't work when playing a top notch team.

The problem, of course, is that HC Mike Singletary endorses this type of game calling. In Monday's press conference he backed the play calling at the end of the game. Especially the three consecutive run plays that resulted in the Niners giving the ball to Brett Favre with a minute and a half to go, which of course resulted in a last second hail mail toss to the back of the end zone which won the Vikings the game. He also defended the coverage, saying they were trying to reach Favre. What he wouldn't admit was that they should have been covering the sideline and the end zone. Plus one more first down and the game would have been over.

The reality is that Singletary & Raye have to get over their obsession with shoving the ball down the opposition's throat. The 49ers don't have the players to do that. Even Gore when healthy isn't that kind of player, & he's going to be out for at least 2 games. This means rookie Glen Coffee will be the running back against both the Rams & the Falcons. Against the Vikings his average was 2.2 yds. Gore had a similarly awful statistical game against Arizona, meaning the O-line isn't doing that well.

This means a passing game is needed. The problem is convincing the coaches. You can't run on every play. You need to be able to pass & if the running game is ineffectual, the other team knows it & can stop it. Nothing like having your OC state that he wants to run 60% of the time. Think the opposition doesn't know that? Thats why the Niners are constantly looking at 8 or even 9 men in the box.

Now Sean Hill is not a great quarterback, but he has shown that when given a chance he can deliver. He doesn't have a great arm, but guess what? Neither did Joe Montana. But Jim Druckenmiller did. How did that work out? The reality is you have to mix things up & get people involved. Isaac Bruce wasn't even thrown to until the second half. Vernon Davis finally had a good game, but Singletary didn't seem to want to give him credit. All Singletary said was "it certainly was an improvement". I'm not a Davis fan based on past performance but please. Two TD passes, 96 yards & it's only an improvement. Tough but let's be realistic.

The next two weeks are important. A flame out against the Rams or Falcons & the 49ers are looking at another losing season.