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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Halftime: 49ers 17  Browns 3

It’s halftime in San Francisco and the 49ers lead the Browns 17  to 3. Here are my half time reactions to the first half and what the 49ers must do to win in the 2nd half.

The entire defensive unit looks impressive for SF, from the line to the secondary the entire unit has been dominating. Colt McCoy hasn’t looked comfortable all game long with the 49ers defensive line and outside linebackers have been in his face almost every time he drops back to pass. Without Peyton Hillis the Browns run game has gone nowhere either. The team forced 2 more fumbles with a sack/strip of McCoy and a big hit by Donte Whitner on a run play. Today the 49ers have again demonstrated that they need to be recognized as one of the very best defenses in the entire NFL.
Page 2: More coverage of the first half and my second half predictions.
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Niner Noise did our weekly Q&A with the Cleveland Browns web site Dawg Pound Daily and editor Steve DiMatteo. Check out the answers below:
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