49ers need to be careful with Frank Gore, use Kendall Hunter more.
Frank Gore is probably the hottest running back in the NFL over the last 4 weeks. He’s had 4 straight 100 yard games and at least 1 rushing TD all 4 weeks. He is and should be the workhorse of the 49ers offense. His 31 carries on Sunday were still too many considering speedy rookie Kendall Hunter was limited to just 3 carries. Gore has played just 1 full 16 game season in his career and being worn down by overuse has been given as a common reason why season after season. The 49ers finally found a perfect RB to compliment Gore’s bruising power style. Time to give Gore the breather he needs to stay healthy. After all it’s not just this season the 49ers need to worry about with Gore after giving him a new 3 year extension in training camp.

Delaine Walker needs a new contract today: Walker does so many things for the 49ers it’s easy to miss him on the field due to his versatility. Walker plays TE, WR, HB and FB and is a huge contributor in the run game as well as providing miss matches for defenses as a TE that runs like a WR. Walker signed a 6 year $5.5 million deal which expires after next season. It’s time for the 49ers to extend one of the truly unique players in football.

Page 2: The rest of my week 8 observations
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A crazy seasaw game saw the 49ers defeat the Detroit Lions 25-19  advancing to 5-1 forcing the league to take notice as they now enjoy a commanding lead in the NFC West.   Here are my 10 key observations of the 49ers week 6 victory in the Shodown in Motown.

Chris Culliver is for real and will be a starter by season’s end: Culliver came up huge today for the 49ers defense.  While he didn’t have an interception or any eye-popping stats he held his own vs the very best Calvin Johnson.  Terrell Brown and Culliver shared the responsibility most of the game of covering the Lions potent WR nicknamed Megatron.  While Johnson went over 100 yards receiving he didn’t have any back breaking plays and most importantly zero touchdowns.  Somebody called that today, can’t remember who though oh well. 

Aldon Smith WILL win Defensive Rookie of The Year: I’m sorry if you guys are tired of me gushing of this kid but can you blame me?  If you can sorry because I can’t help it and I don’t anticipate being able to control the urge in the foreseeable future.  This guy is awesome!  He recorded another 2 sacks today bringing his season total to 6, he’s on pace for 16 sacks this year and while he probably won’t get that many he’s doing very well so far.  The coaching staff should be given a lot of credit here, Smith was drafted to play Outsidelinebacker and while he has sparingly he’s mostly played Defensiveend this season.  Defensive Coordinator Vic Fangio admitted he didn’t know if he was ready for extended time at OLB yet.  Playing Smith in a role he is comfortable and can contribute rather than trying to force things early in his career has turned out to be a great decision. 

Alex Smith no longer allows himself to be shaken:  Alex didn’t have the best game, his stats make him look worse than he really was.  Smith let a few passes sail on him today with 1 ending up in the hands of a Detriot defender, others fell incomplete while Michael Crabtree did a nice job of halling some in.   In a tight game, a very hostile environment and things not going Smith’s way Alex stayed poised, looked confident and didn’t force things.  The 4th down TD pass to Delaine Walker said it all to me, it demonstrated the confidence Jim Harbaugh has in his QB by not calling timeout and allowing Smith to make the necessary play.  With the game on the line Smith stood in the pocket and delivered a perfect dart to Walker for the score. 

Maybe another WR wouldn’t hurt: I’m going to retract a statement I made earlier today  when news broke that the 49ers were one of 3 teams in play for Denver WR Brandon Lloyd.  I said I’d rather pass, with Braylon Edwards coming back after the bye week and Crabtree playing well no need to add another receiver to sit on the bench.  After all it’s not like this team really uses it’s 3rd wideout that much.  After thinking about it and watching the game today I’ve changed my mind and here’s why.  Crabtree and Vernon Davis were the only big time playmakers on the field (Walker isn’t there yet) and Davis was virtually invisible today.  If one or both of those guys were hurt the 49er offense would be in serious trouble.  After all it’s not like it’s guaranteed Edwards will be at 100% when he returns, another playmaker couldn’t hurt.  Apparently only a mid round pick would be required to obtain Lloyd, if that’s right maybe the 49ers should invest in him. 

The Jim Harbaugh, Jim Schwartz exchange at the end of the game was utterly ridiculous.  I understand sportsmanship and I get that Schwartz probably wasn’t thrilled that Harbaugh was basically jumping around when they met to shake hands.  But comeon people!  Are we really that dull of a society that we can’t celebrate after a win?  We need to walk calmly down and shake the losers hand just to make sure noone could possibly be offended?  After watching and rewatching the exchange it’s obvious Harbaugh was just excited, he saw Schwartz and gave him a handshake and a pat on the back, can we prosecute this man right now please!  Give me a break, if you can’t handle someone being happy after winning then go home Schwartz.  And by the way your stupid chase of him was twice as classless as anything Harbaugh is guilty of.  You really want some of Harbaugh man?  I’d love to see that on pay per view, I got $1,000 on my boy Harbaugh that he crushes you then asks “what’s your deal bro?”

More game reactions on page 2
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