49ers' Harbaugh suggests bronzing his star running back

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NFL.com news: 49ers' Harbaugh suggests bronzing his star running back


Speaking with NFL Network this week, 49ers defensive lineman Navorro Bowman complained that the 10-2 49ers lack the "respect they deserve," but there's no question how coach Jim Harbaugh feels about his troops.

The consummate players coach, Harbaugh has found a way to play to his roster's strength week after week. On offense, that's meant a near-lethal dose of Frank Gore for opposing defenses, helping the back become the franchise's all-time rushing leader on Sunday, in just his seventh season -- a feat not lost on his coach.

"There should be a statue to Frank," Harbaugh told the San Francisco Chronicle. "Maybe with the new stadium ... a life-size statue of him in one of those cool positions he gets in -- about six inches off the ground, or a leg going one way, and the other going the other, twisting and turning.

"It's just so cool. It's just so cool to slow the tape down and watch what he does."

Classic Harbaugh riff. Bill Belichick wouldn't be caught dead going off like this.

His exuberance aside, Harbaugh's plan is half-baked.

A lone monument to Gore outside the 49ers' stadium? This fits about as well as a Fifth Beatle bust on the mean streets of Liverpool. Gore's certainly on the ballot for bronze treatment, but it's a long list, heavy with Hall of Fame types and a fellow by the name of Joe Montana steering the pace car.

 

[Arete Tzu]

lol I love Gore, but as the article said, there is a line of people ahead of him.

 

[h0ckeysk83r]

Also if we share the stadium with the raiders it wouldnt help his chances. He wont get a statue of him but he will eventually get something i would think with being the all time leading rusher here.

 

[MW49ers5]

lol I love Gore, but as the article said, there is a line of people ahead of him.

Agreed!

 

[CalamityX11]

obviously way too early, but instead of a statue, what do you guys feel about retiring his number?

 

[MW49ers5]

obviously way too early, but instead of a statue, what do you guys feel about retiring his number?

Eh, I wouldn't, at least not for what he has done thus far. Maybe if he gets into Canton.

 

[Rathman44]

roger craig may not be ahead in yards but he is still the better player. he actually has a chance at the hall of fame. gore will hardly be considered. gore has only one more year in him so i expect this assessment to hold.

so until roger gets a statue and his number retired, frank will have to wait.

 

[Mozart'sGhost]

Harbaugh tends to get a little carried away with his players. I wonder if he knows how ridiculous he sounds with this Gore nonsense.

 

[49ermann]

Harbaugh just says shit to tickle the clit of guys like Cam Inman and Ray Ratto. He soulds more and more like the hooded one all the time.

 

[tallglassofwater007]

roger craig may not be ahead in yards but he is still the better player. he actually has a chance at the hall of fame. gore will hardly be considered. gore has only one more year in him so i expect this assessment to hold.

so until roger gets a statue and his number retired, frank will have to wait.

That's debatable. Craig was surrounded with the best talent in the league and was on 3 superbowl winning teams. Gore has been the lone weapon for most of his career on a team with, in the early years, by far the least amount of talent in the league. Facing more 8 and 9 man fronts than any other back (but Peterson I think) Also, the lack of good coaching for Gore's career. Craig was a better receiver out of the backfield and they used him as that as a big part of the offense, but if you switch their places I don't think Craig would have put up the numbers Gore has, but I think Gores numbers would be pretty similar to what he has now, but add those championships and there wouldn't be a doubt.

 

[Mozart'sGhost]

That's debatable. Craig was surrounded with the best talent in the league and was on 3 superbowl winning teams. Gore has been the lone weapon for most of his career on a team with, in the early years, by far the least amount of talent in the league. Facing more 8 and 9 man fronts than any other back (but Peterson I think) Also, the lack of good coaching for Gore's career. Craig was a better receiver out of the backfield and they used him as that as a big part of the offense, but if you switch their places I don't think Craig would have put up the numbers Gore has, but I think Gores numbers would be pretty similar to what he has now, but add those championships and there wouldn't be a doubt.

Give me Roger Craig any day. He was so much more versatile.

 

[Rathman44]

That's debatable. Craig was surrounded with the best talent in the league and was on 3 superbowl winning teams. Gore has been the lone weapon for most of his career on a team with, in the early years, by far the least amount of talent in the league. Facing more 8 and 9 man fronts than any other back (but Peterson I think) Also, the lack of good coaching for Gore's career. Craig was a better receiver out of the backfield and they used him as that as a big part of the offense, but if you switch their places I don't think Craig would have put up the numbers Gore has, but I think Gores numbers would be pretty similar to what he has now, but add those championships and there wouldn't be a doubt.

if you put gore in craig's place... those niners aren't nearly as good. craig is one of the 3 best receiving backs of all time. not to mention he was a very powerful runner who fit the west coast style of running on the edges...loved watching him on the sweep!

 

[numone9er]

Rice and Montana are obviously first on the list. I still want a Merton Hanks "Chicken dance" statue even though that will never happen.

 

[MW49ers5]

Rice and Montana are obviously first on the list. I still want a Merton Hanks "Chicken dance" statue even though that will never happen.

I think they should play the film of Hanks' Chicken Dance on the jumbo before each game!