San Francisco 49ers Training Camp: Frank Gore to End Contract Holdout

It has been reported on csnbayarea.com that 49ers running back Frank Gore will be reporting to training camp on Monday, ending his contract holdout. The Niners have yet to come to an agreement on a contract extension with Gore.

His intention was to hold out while negotiations were in the works; however, the new collective bargaining agreement stipulates that Gore would be subject to $90,000 in fines were he to do so. New head coach Jim Harbaugh looks forward to Gore’s arrival so that they can get on the same pages of the new offensive playbook.

Entering the 2011 season that pays him $2.9 million and an additional $2 million roster bonus, Gore is looking for a long-term deal with a larger annual salary. Both parties are on speaking terms, attempting to come to terms to a new extension.

The Niners seek to keep the third-leading rusher in team history, hoping he can gore opposing defenses. They need him to improve their 19th-ranked rushing offense, especially with the tepid confidence in veteran quarterback Alex Smith.

However, there are obvious reasons why general manager Trent Baalke is balking at giving Gore an offer.

First and foremost is Gore’s health. While his agent, Drew Rosenhaus, has proclaimed Gore to be at 100 percent, one cannot disclaim the fact that the seven-year pro has not played a full 16-game season since 2006.

Gore had a hairline fracture last season, forcing him to have surgery and miss the last five games of 2010. With the wear and tear that Gore has accumulated over his career, it’s only natural for the 49ers to look at how long he will be able to continue performing at a high level.

As it stands, San Francisco and Harbaugh would love to implement a new offensive system that would allow Gore to dominate both rushing and receiving the ball, as he has done throughout his stellar career.

Unfortunately, the Niners have to look beyond this season, as well. Knowing that Gore will demand and expect a contract that is equal to the upper echelon of running backs, it’d be wise for San Francisco to hesitate in extending an offer.

Though Gore is an exceptional runner, who has both a burst of speed and a powerful motor—as well as soft hands—Harbaugh’s version of the West Coast offense could use new fresh blood in the 2012 campaign.

Gore has been a wonderful centerpiece for the past seven seasons, but as everybody knows, a running back’s shelf life does not last long when they near 30 years of age. It would be wise for the Niners to let this season play out and see who they can select in next year’s NFL draft.

In the meantime, they have the serviceable efforts of backup running back Anthony Dixon. Until the offseason, they’ll just have to use Gore as best they can and hope that he’ll put up big numbers for them in this his contract season.

At least for now, it’s great that Gore can report to camp and make the most of what he has. And more importantly, the Niners can make the most of what he has to offer them while he’s here.