49ers notes: Faulk gives Gore some tips

Jun/11/08 07:06 PM Filed in: Frank Gore
FrankGore
SANTA CLARA - Marshall Faulk was at 49ers practice Tuesday in his new role with the NFL Network. But the former St. Louis Rams running back was treated more like a visiting coach than a reporter.

Several 49ers, including running back Frank Gore, drifted to Faulk's side during the morning practice, and Faulk was not stingy about with advice for his former division rival.

"I don't call it tutoring," Faulk said of his relationship with Gore. "We just talk football. Frank's a polished athlete. We talk football, and I try to have conversations with him just about the game in general."

Gore's ability to learn to protect the quarterback in new coordinator Mike Martz's offense - which sends many receivers downfield, leaving the quarterback exposed - is the most critical factor for him, Faulk said. Martz's Detroit Lions team, for example, allowed 54 sacks last year and 63 in 2006.

Faulk said Gore's experience in pass protection is nothing like the responsibility he will shoulder this season under Martz, St. Louis' former coach and offensive coordinator.

"Whether (a sack) was his fault or not, you wouldn't know," Faulk said. "In this offense, you're going to know when Frank's guy is the guy and he missed him."

He also predicted Gore wouldn't be featured as prominently as a receiver as Faulk was when he joined the Rams in 1999. Faulk already had had plenty of experience in that role with his first team, the Indianapolis Colts.

"I know a lot of people, including myself, are wondering ... how is that going to work? Because Frank seems like a one-dimensional back," Faulk said. "But I think he hasn't been used in that way, and Mike is going to bring him along slowly."

(sacbee.com)