Martz emphasizes that Gore is key to offense

SANTA CLARA — Offensive coordinator Mike Martz has a number in his mind.

He would like to get the ball in the hands of his playmakers, such as tight end Vernon Davis and receiver Isaac Bruce. But he believes he must get the ball repeatedly to one player, in particular: running back Frank Gore.

Bruce was shut out in his 49ers debut on Sunday, a 23-13 loss to the Arizona Cardinals. Meanwhile, Davis caught three passes for 51 yards, including a 37-yard reception, which is longer than any play in which he was involved last season.

“How much he gets the ball will be predicated on what’s happening offensively in terms of the defensive structures and match-ups,” Martz said Thursday. “If we have the opportunity for him to make a play then we’ll do that, but don’t worry about anybody but Frank on how many touches they get.

“Frank has to touch the ball, He’s got to be one of the very, very elite in this league. We know we have to feature him and find ways of getting him the ball. Isaac and Vernon and all the other guys, they’re all good players and they’ll have their opportunities. But (Gore is) the only guy that you go into a game and say, ‘You know what? This guys needs to touch the ball X amount of times.’ ”

When asked if Martz has a number of plays he wants his running back’s hands on the ball for every game, he answered, “Yes, I do, (but it’s) nothing that I would ever share with you guys.”

Gore figures to be play an integral role against the Seattle Seahawks when the teams meet on Sunday at Qwest Field. Gore has enjoyed two of his top four rushing games against the Seahawks, including a club-record 212-yard performance in 2006.

He opened the season in a big way, rushing for 80 yards and a touchdown on 11 carries in the first half against the Cardinals. But in the second half, when Gore usually gets stronger, the 49ers were held to just 14 offensive plays. Gore carried just three times in the second half for 16 yards.

“It was frustrating, coming back out we went over everything we had to do,” Gore said. “It was so frustrating that we couldn’t get back out there. The passing game was starting to open up.”

There should be more opportunities for the passing game to open up against the Seahawks, as clearly their No. 1 goal is to slow down Gore.
“In my mind, if they bring eight men in the box, we’re going to throw the ball,” 49ers quarterback J.T. O’Sullivan said. “That’s the way the majority of offenses would work. I’m all for it.”

Martz generally liked the way the 49ers’ offense worked in the opener, though he did notice that the receivers were lacking some crispness — a possible result of Bryant Johnson, Arnaz Battle and Bruce being held out of so many practices during training camp.

“With our starters together, that was their first outing together and we weren’t always on the same page,” Martz said. “That will get a lot better each week. Having those guys all together, is a big deal.”

Martz said some routes weren’t run properly, as they did not get the proper depth on some of their patterns. Martz said O’Sullivan had a strong game, and shows a good command of the offense. In fact, he said O’Sullivan was not to blame for his interception on a pass intended for Battle.

“We had a broken route,” Martz said. “We didn’t run the right route. The ball was thrown where it needed to be thrown. So obviously that wasn’t his fault.”

Said Battle, “We have to be able to make adjustments on the move. We have to play fast, and everybody has to be thinking the same thing that the quarterback is thinking.”

(pressdemocrat.com)