49ers notes: Gore focuses on job, not contract

Aug. 16, 2011MAIOCCO ARCHIVE
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Matt MaioccoCSNBayArea.com
SANTA CLARA -- If 49ers running back Frank Gore had his druthers, he would've chosen to sit out the team's exhibition opener against the New Orleans Saints.But he said he benefited from taking live hits for the first time since sustaining a hairline fracture of his right hip Nov. 29 against the Arizona Cardinals. He has completely recovered from the injury and said he feels as if he's 22 years old again.
"I was hoping not to play because I feel like I like to work hard in practice," Gore said Tuesday. "But I was happy that Coach had me out there for a couple plays, just to get some hits in and get up to speed in a game again. I didn't want to come out, really."Gore was on the field for the 49ers' first seven plays Friday night. He carried four times for 20 yards before retiring to the sideline.
Gore has taken part in every practice since reporting to the team three days late after a brief contract holdout. The 49ers promised to hold good-faith negotiations with Gore's agent, Drew Rosenhaus, to work on a contract extension.Gore is still waiting for a new deal to add years onto his deal, which is set to expire after the upcoming season."Right now, I'm out here learning and getting better," Gore said. "(I'm) just going to let my agent handle that. Hopefully, we'll get something done soon. Hopefully, it gets done before the season. And If have to be a free agent, I'll be a free agent."Gore has never seen a great deal of action in the exhibition season. He sat out the 2007 exhibition season with a broken hand.Gore's exhibition stats
2011:4 carries, 20 yards
2010: 2 carries, 58 yards
2009: 7 carries, 26 yards
2008: 16 carries, 86 yards
2007: 0 carries
2006: 26 carries, 140 yards
2005: 16 carries, 47 yards
BEST FIVE IN LINE TO START: Alex Boone has seemingly solidified his spot as the 49ers' backup tackle, taking the spot veteran Barry Sims previously held. Now, Boone has his sights set on something grander.Coach Jim Harbaugh and offensive coordinator Greg Roman have stated that the 49ers' five best offensive linemen will be the starters when the season opens. Boone said his goal is to work his way into that equation."I'd like to," he said. "I feel like I'm making great strides to get there. The three-hour practices are long, and at the end of camp I hope to be one of the five."Currently, Adam Snyder is competing with veteran addition Jonathan Goodwin at center. With Goodwin receiving 4 million guaranteed as a free agent, it's only a matter of time before he becomes the starter.Snyder on Monday saw action for the first time this camp at right guard, where
Chilo Racha started 15 games last season. Meanwhile, Boone, who has been working as the backup at left tackle, saw snaps with the second-team offense Monday and Tuesday at right tackle. Anthony Davis started every game at right tackle last season."I'll tell you what, the best five will play," Roman said. "That's all I can say and in order to establish who the best five are, you need to give guys reps at different positions if you're truly going to let that unfold."That's what we're doing really. Also, if guys were to get injured, you can't throw a guy in a position he hasn't practiced at it before. So, I think that's just contingency planning really, and a natural residue of competition."