The San Francisco 49er’s path to a possible playoff spot, gets tougher this afternoon when they take on the Green Bay Packers, in Green Bay. The 49er’s aren’t the only team battling for a playoff spot, the Green Bay Packers fell a game behind the Chicago Bears last week after falling 20-17 against the Atlanta Falcons.

Temperatures are expected to be in the low 20′s in Green Bay this afternoon and the 49er’s won’t have to deal with just the cold weather, but a very tough Packers defense. The Packers are surrendering the least amount of points on defense, 15 points per game. As a unit, the packers has logged 31 sacks, 15 interceptions and are a +8 in the takeaway column.

Looks for the Niners to split running back duties with veteran RB Brian Westbrook and rookie Anthony Dixon. The only weakness with the Packers offense is the lack of a significant running game. Brandon Jackson took over rushing duties for the Packers after they lost Ryan Grant for the season early on in the season. Green Bay is averaging slightly less than 100 yards per game. Jackson handles most of the rushing duties for Green Bay, while John Kuhn catches passes out of the backfield for Green Bay.

San Francisco is a double digit underdog against the Packers and a win on the road this week would be very impressive indeed. However, I have picked the packers at home, Green Bay is a very tough place to play in December.

It was announced Wednesday that San Francisco 49er’s RB Frank Gore might avoid surgery to repair his fractured hip. That could wind up being very good news. The 49er’s told the media on Wednesday that the injury can be described as a “small, nondisplaced fracture”.

Niners head coach Mike Singletary told reporters, “We will wait a few weeks and check it again and see how the progression is and just kind of go from there. But he should be fine”.

Singletary said that Brian Westbrook will receive more carries now, but admitted that the 49er’s cannot use him as much as the team utilized Gore due to his past injury history. “We just have to be careful how we use him and how much exposure we allow him to see. I think it’ll be a good mixture between Westbrook and Anthony Dixon”, Singletary said.

In an related move, the 49er’s signed RB DeShawn Wynn off their practice squad to provide depth at the running back position.

The San Francisco 49er’s have now climbed back to within one game of the lead in the NFC West, but they have lost their feature running back Frank Gore for the rest of the season. Gore left last night’s game with hip injury and it is being reported this morning that Gore will miss the remainder of the season with a fracture hip.

One bit of good news for the Niners though, is the fact that as a team they did manage to run for 261 yards against the Cardinals. Veteran Brian Westbrook rushed for 136 yards on 23 carries and a touchdown and rookie Anthony Dixon added 54 yards on 14 carries.

After watching Dixon during the pre-season, I like his running style. He is a big back and offers the 49er’s now a bruising, physical back to switch off with the veteran Brian Westbrook out of the backfield.

The loss of Gore couldn’t have come at a worse time for the Niners. Next up. A trip to Green Bay to take on the Packers. A very tough match up indeed for a team which can’t afford another loss.

This preseason the San Francisco 49ers acquired free agent RB Brian Westbrook but they had already found gold in the draft when they selected RB Anthony Dixon. Anthony Dixon was the 173rd player chosen, selected in the 6th round out of Mississippi State. The 6’1″ 230 pound back have been impressive to say the least for the Niners this preseason. He’s recorded a 4 yard per carry average, 74 carries for 300 yards and scored 4 touchdowns.

Last night, Dixon carried 12 times for 80 yards, and 46 of those yards came on an impressive run where he took the ball to the left, then cut back to the right on the line and took it the distance, stiff arming a defender before crossing the endzone.

49er’s starting RB Frank Gore has a history of missing a couple of games a year with injuries, and the Niners won’t have to wonder if Brian Westbrook will be able to shoulder the load if Gore misses time now. Of course Westbrook comes with his own lengthy resume of injuries. Anthony Dixon should be able to fill in as needed for the Niners with his hard running style.

A very nice pick up indeed at number 173.

The San Francisco 49ers recorded their third win of the preseason, despite some poor play from their defense which allowed three Oakland Raiders touchdowns. 49ers RB Frank Gore showed he’s in mid-season form, and RB Anthony Dixon continues to solidify his spot on the Niners roster. But the undelying thought to take from last night game, was the ease of which the Raiders moved the ball on the Niners despite having the ball for only 51 plays and starting quarterback Jason Campbell not in the game. San Francisco head coach Mike Singletary said after the game, “We did not play very smart, and a little bit sloppy. Winning the game was nice, but it also was a reminder to our guys of all the work we still have to do”.

Niners WR Michael Crabtree was scheduled to see some action in Saturdays game but was a late scratch while he is still dealing with a stiff neck. Newly acquired RB Brian Westbrook played a few plays but left with a hamstring issue which the team is listing as a day to day issue.

Despite not seeing any carries in the preseason, RB Frank Gore showed he is ready for the regular season to begin. He ripped off a 49 yard run on his first carry and then followed it up with a 9 yard carry before leaving for the night. Anthony Dixon came on and carried the ball for the remainder of the evening, collecting 70 yards on 21 carries.

Anyone who watched the San Francisco 49ers last night, has to know the 49ers season will be in good hands with QB Alex Smith under center. Without WR Michael Crabtree, TE Vernon Davis or RB Frank Gore in the lineup last night Smith took charge of the game right from the first snap.

Smith had a decent stat line, 9-13 for 88 yards, but it was his command on the field which was so impressive. Smith showed incredible pocket presence and that was highlighted with his ability to step up and deliver his passes. Smith was smart with the ball as well, he did not force the ball in places as he did early on in his career. Smith took everything the defense gave him and was not afraid to check down when a primary receiver wasn’t open.

49ers fans have lots to look forward to this season and the continued development of Smith at the quarterback position is on top of the list.

RB Anthony Dixon showed some promise last night. He toted the ball 20 times last night as Gore and Westbrook saw no action. He showcased some power running and highlighted some speed on his touchdown run. I think Dixon is a good fit for the Niners offensive scheme.

Finally, Ted Ginn Jr. What else can I say. He is going to be feast or famine this season as the 49ers #3 wide receiver. He had a 60 yard reception and a 5 yard reception. He was targeted 6 times and dropped some easy passes. This has been his career, he’ll rip of a 75 yard touchdown but drop a 6 yard out pattern. He will frustrate you to death. Just make sure you know that going into the season.

Frank Gore
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Gore has been the most consistent player for the 49ers over the last few years. While the 49ers offense has not produced, Gore has been consistent. He has amassed over 1,000 yards and 40 receptions each year that he has been the starting running back. Gore lives up to his name by goring defenses into submission. He does this by bulling the front seven of the defense until they don’t want to tackle him, then he breaks a big one. Frank isn’t the fastest player on the field but in three of his five seasons, he has had one run over 70 yards. Gore’s contributions aren’t all on the field. He is clearly the leader of the offense; his leadership has also contributed to the 49ers’ buying into Mike Singletary’s blue-collar style. Gore is consistently the hardest worker on the team. We also have never heard Gore complain, even when the team switched to an offense that tends to stray away from the running back. If the 49ers had 22 Frank Gores they would never lose a game.

Glen Coffee
This kid looked like he was going to push Frank Gore for the starting job during the preseason last year, then during the regular season he disappeared. His best game was against the Rams, he got the start while Gore was injured. In that game he had 74 yards rushing and caught the ball for another 32 yards. Those would be decent numbers if he could consistently put those up. The next game he started in he only rushed for 45 yards. Coffee’s biggest problem is that he is a poor man’s version of Frank Gore. Coffee doesn’t have a way to change the game because he doesn’t do anything that Gore doesn’t, that leads to him never reaching the field. In games that Gore and Coffee were both available, Coffee only had 36 carries. This off-season Coffee has been trying to become more of a power back by adding weight. It is also rumored that he has improved his quickness. Look for Coffee to have another huge preseason but I highly doubt that he will see more playing time this year.

Anthony Dixon

I expect Dixon to replace Coffee as the teams number two back by midyear this season. Dixon brings size and nastiness to an offense that is looking to become bigger and nastier. What has impressed me the most about Dixon is his willingness to learn. During the 49ers’ rookie camp Dixon kept falling forward. When asked about what was going on, he said that the coaches told him he should get lower so he was just making sure he was doing that. Look for Dixon to get carries late in games after Gore has tired out the defense.

Michael Robinson
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Robinson is less a running back and more a wild card player. He does the things that every football team needs but nobody really notices. The special teams ace wont get many carries but will see some time as our Wild Cat QB.

Thomas Clayton

Clayton has consistently drawn interest from the 49ers’ fan base. He hasn’t made the 55-man roster and I doubt he will this year either. Look for Clayton if any of the other RBs get injured.