Frank Gore said on Tuesday that the 49ers approached him to get his approval before they signed running back Brian Westbrook.

“I knew that we needed another back, and he was the best one out there. I think he can help this team and help me to be a better player. I know he can help this team get better and help us go to another level, so I’m fine with it,” said Gore.

When news broke that Westbrook was signed I immediately thought there is no way Gore will have a problem with the signing.  Gore has been the heart of the 49ers offense and the team’s biggest start on offense since 2006.  We all know Gore is injury prone but that more has to do with the lack of a backup running back that can be successful replacing Gore.  We have seen Michael Robinson, Maurice Hicks, DeShaun Foster and Glen Coffee backup Gore with little results to be excited about.  Gore is a workhorse and would carry the football on every play if you asked him.  However running backs have a short shelf life and at 27 years old Gore needs to rest as much as he can during games to be able to get through a full season without missing games due to injuries.

Now that we have Westbrook, albeit an older and broken down version, we have an adequate backup to spell Gore and allow the offense to continue running the football successfully.  In the emergency situation that Coffee left the 49ers in Westbrook was the best the 49ers could do and I say that is the most positive way possible.  Westbrook will not be the Westbrook that made him a top fantasy draft pick but we don’t need him to be.  Remember Westbrook played in only eight games last season because of two concussions.  Concussions are serious injuries but Westbrook still has his legs and abilities to be a receiving threat out of the backfield and cause mismatches with defensive backs and linebackers.  It will be interesting to see how offensive coordinator Jimmy Raye develops his plan on how to use Westbrook not only as a backup but as an integral part of the offense.  I can’t wait for the first play in the regular season where Gore and Westbrook are in the same backup field.

With the abrupt retirement of second year running back Glen Coffee a spot opened up at number two on the 49ers running back depth chart.  Rookie Anthony Dixon took advantage of the opportunity rushing for 100 yards and one touchdown on 23 carries in the preseason opener win against the Colts.  To fill Coffee’s roster spot the 49ers on Monday signed former Eagles running back Brian Westbrook.  Westbrook will be a great addition for the 49ers.  It early to say whether or not Westbrook will the fantasy stud of the past or if his injuries are too many to overcome to be productive.  Westbrook is obviously healthy otherwise the 49ers would not have signed him but with his recent string of concussions he has a lot to prove. 

The 49ers offense and more importantly quarterback Alex Smith thrived in the spread offense last season.  Frank Gore showed that he can be productive in the spread offense but he is not the ideal running back needed for the shotgun.  Westbrook made a fantasy living off of being this type of running back with the Eagles but again we don’t know what type of player we will be getting with Westbrook as he played only eight games last season.  Dixon showed some worth in the Colts game but he will most likely be used in short yardage situations and on the goal line. At this point in the preseason Westbrook was the best signing the 49ers could have made to add experience and depth behind Gore.