Are the San Francisco 49ers "Spoilers" or Just Playing Inspired Football?

I am sitting here at my desk mulling over the reality that Frank Gore will not play this weekend in Miami.  I am eager to see what will come of the running game that the 49ers will put forward this Sunday.  The most plausible starter would be DeShaun Foster, with Michael Robinson used occasionally.

On the defensive side, everything is really starting to gel, and players are playing together instead of playing like a bunch of individuals.

That brings me to this point: Can the 49ers continue to play the "spoiler" role and win against the Dolphins in Miami this week?

From all the reports and speculation that I have read this week, it would appear that Frank Gore will not get the start for the 49ers this weekend in Miami.  I am saddened by the strong possibility of this rumour becoming fact.  I think Gore brings so much to the 49ers that it is hard to imagine them playing without him.  They say that one player doesn't "make" the team, but in this case I am not as sure. 

DeShaun Foster has spent his career as a backup and rarely had the chance to be a starter.  I am not taking anything away from him, but I don't know if he can contribute in every aspect that the Niners will need him to.  I am sure he will run well and catch the ball very well.  I am concerned that he may not block as well as needed, especially when the Dolphins are "blitzing."

Michael Robinson may end up on blocking assignments for the most part on Sunday, and this may lead the defense to get a better pass rush against the Niners.  I am not implying that Robinson will not block well, just that they might not have him running enough to keep the defense on their heels. 

For the defense, it will be a big test to contain the "Wildcat" style offence.  They have really played well together for a few weeks now and are starting to show the strength of the 3-4 defence that wasn't evident before.  Miami has kept most defenses on their heels this year, and so the Niners face a daunting task trying to contain Ronnie and Ricky!

I hope to see some good tackling from Willis, Spikes, Haralson, Lawson, and Lewis.  I am also hoping that Clements will be back, because his tackling ability will be needed as well.

Well, if Frank Gore can't play against Miami this Sunday, I hope that the 49ers can find a way to win without him.  I am hoping that Thomas Clayton can get a guest appearance to maybe run the ball a few times, keeping Joey Porter honest.

For anyone taking the time to read this, just remember that no one player can make or break a team.  Yes, I know what I said earlier!