The Facts:
The 49ers began the 2011 season with a power-running offense, one that leaned heavily on Gore. At the midpoint of the season, however, Gore became less of a focal point, and the 49ers went from a team that ran more than it threw to one that called 33 pass plays against 24 run plays in the NFC Championship game. While Gore did not suffer a serious injury like he did in 2010 when he broke his hip, his heavy workload at the beginning of the season left him with an array of nagging, smaller injuries by midseason that, according to a source with knowledge of Gore's condition, kept him from shouldering the same load he did at the beginning of the season.
Reported by the Sacramento Bee
Fantasy Football Diehards Line:
As Bee staffer Matt Barrows notes, when Gore had the ball in his hands, he seemed to fine. But he often removed himself from games at the end of the season and in the playoffs. During a critical fourth-quarter drive against the Giants in which the 49ers ground attack appeared to be gaining the advantage against the New York defense, it was third-string runner Anthony Dixon who entered the game. According to Barrows, Dixon still hasn't won over the coaching staff and the team still views Kendall Hunter as more of a change-of-pace runner. Dixon carried the ball only 29 times in the regular season and averaged three yards a carry. Gore averaged 4.3 yards and Hunter 4.2. ... All of which leaves Barrows to conclude the Niners will be looking for an addition at RB this offseason.
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