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Gore, Bryant and Smith keys to better 07
By David Zizmor January 2, 2007 |
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San Francisco Forty Niners Head Coach Mike Nolan on Monday was already talking and thinking ahead to 2007 with a positive attitude. The overtime field goal kick that ended both seasons for the 49ers and their Sunday opponents the Denver Broncos ended the Niners season on a positive note. Frank Gore said on Monday that he wanted to beat former NFL record holder Eric Dickerson's rushing record of 2,105 yards. Dickerson who set the record in 1984 Gore believes that he can break the record and hopes that 2007 will be the season that he can do it, "This off season we'll get together (as an offense) and next season could be real crazy," said Gore. The Niners who spoiled the Broncos chances getting into post season did while rotating their second and third stringers in and out of the line up. The Broncos who thought they had a lock on this game so much so that Coach Mike Shanahan said that they were hoping that the Chiefs could beat the Patriots on Sunday so they wouldn't have to back into the playoffs never expected to totally back out of the playoffs with an overtime field goal. Things were going so smooth for the Niners last Sunday that the guy to look for is rookie running back Michael Robinson who caught two balls for 19 yards which included a 12- yard catch in overtime to help pace San Francisco on towards field goal position, and even threw one pass in the game. Extra cornerbacks B.J. Tucker and rookie Marcus Hudson came in and helped out on passing downs. Tony Wragge who did a splendid job at center since the leg injury of Eric Heitmann and Wragge made way for third stringer and 33rd overall draft choice David Bass who came in later in the game at center. Alex Smith who played every snap the first to do so in franchise history has a bright future after much doubting after his rookie 2005 season. "To take all the snaps this year and get the experience has changed my mind set. I think going into next year, I want to help this team get to the next level." said Smith. Hudson said that the win ended the year on a positive note, the team was still celebrating all the way to the airport and Hudson that their was this warm family feeling to the football team and it's crucial in this sport and it could carry over to training camp in July, "you could feel the love in that room. Now I know what it means to be a family, to be a teammate. I mean the whole tea, not just the guys in your area. I was getting hugs from offensive linemen,” said Hudson. Most of the team knows including the coaches that the Niners should contend for the playoffs next season and this win Sunday sets a tempo throughout the organization much to the credit of the players and Coach Mike Nolan. Although he's suspended for two more games the team didn't forget Antonio Bryant. Nolan said that Bryant is very much a part of this football team and he will get his chance to play a big part after serving the last two games of his four game suspension at the beginning of next season. Bryant is serving a four game suspension posed by the league for DUI driving in November. He started the suspension on Sunday December 24th. David Zizmor covers 49ers football and co-hosts Sportstalk on 1690 KFSG Sacramento. quote source: sfgate.com |
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