San Francisco 49ers: Frank Gore Holdout Leaves Team Reeling

Frank Gore is not in camp with the San Francisco 49ers, and don't expect him anytime soon. He is holding out and demanding that the 49ers renegotiate his contract. Gore is in the final year of his contract that should pay him roughly $5 million, with incentives.

After rushing for over 1,000 yards in four consecutive seasons, Gore suffered a severe hip injury in 2010. He missed the final five games of the year, but still rushed for 853 yards. 

I completely understand what Gore is thinking. He wants long-term security and one more big payday. Gore is well aware that he is 28 years old and coming off an injury. He also realizes that if he is hurt again, his big payday may not happen. 

Gore will be entering his seventh season with the 49ers at a position where the average life is about four years.  He has been very durable over the years but he's smart enough to know that the end is not too far off.  It completely makes sense from his perspective to hold out and try for a big, long term deal.

However, my strong feeling is that Gore is still under contract and should honor the original deal he signed. If the 49ers wish to offer an extension or renegotiate, that's fine, but if not, Gore should honor what he agreed to.

The issue is that if Gore was injured, as he was in 2010, or if he was ineffective, the 49ers would still be obligated to pay him. This needs to be a two-way street. By holding a gun to the collective head of Trent Baalke, Jim Harbaugh and Jed York, Gore is basically saying he's not a man of his word.

He signed a contract, the 49ers paid him handsomely and now, before it has run its course, Gore is demanding more or he will not report to camp.

Failure to report to training camp sets a player back and puts him at greater risk of injury or poor play. Nose tackle Aubrayo Franklin held out in 2010, reported to camp out of playing shape and had a down year. 

I recall former 49ers star linebacker Julian Peterson reporting late due to a holdout and proceeding to blow out his Achilles. I can virtually guarantee that if Gore does not get in to camp shortly, he will suffer an injury in 2011.

The 49ers have a major dilemma. They have virtually no experience at the running back position without Gore, but they do not want to give a long-term contract to a 28-year-old running back who has taken a huge amount of punishment and is coming off an injury.

Anthony Dixon, who will be entering his second year in the league, and rookie Kendall Hunter are the top running backs on the team. They are young and unproven.

Free agent Brian Westbrook, who filled in nicely when Gore was out last year, is also available. I believe he would be an excellent fit with Jim Harbaugh's west coast offense. The 49ers should look into the possibility of bringing him back to the red and gold.

The 49ers need to get Gore's situation resolved quickly. I would be willing to give him a one year extension to the end of the 2012 season. However, I would not go beyond that. If Gore is unwilling to accept that offer, then he can sit out.

Gore has always been a fierce competitor and a great player. He has carried himself with a high degree of professionalism, up until now. I believe the fear of injuring himself again and losing the opportunity for a long, lucrative contract has pushed Gore to try this holdout tactic.

I am frankly very disappointed that Gore would holdout and not honor his existing contract.  He loses some of the high level of respect I had for him as a football player and as a man.