The 49ers got absolutely punked on the front line this Thanksgiving in the “Harbowl”.  Probably the only team that can stand up to the 49ers physically upfront kicked their butts.  I’m not going to spend a lot of time going into the obvious, the short week, the flight across the country, you know the complete and utter unfairness that was this game?

Back to the point here, Fullback Moran Norris was active for the game, I saw him warmup in fact, I verified it online and TV from many sources, it’s a fact.  Did you see him out there?  Nope, that’s because the 49ers only real competent FB on the roster is emerging rookie Bruce Miller.  Aside from his TD catch in Washington and his near TD in Arizona he hasn’t been somebody talked about too much (except for the growing fan base including myself that just wants to see the end of Moran Norris).

The fact is Miller has been brilliant, everyone wants to key on the fact that he is an obvious upgrade to Norris as a receiver, rusher, and overall athlete that much is a given.  But what Miller has brought to the running game has been understated to say the least.  Miller gets to the second level as fast as any FB in football (yeah I said it!) he’s a physical player and his transition from college defensive line to pro FB has been almost seamless.  Did you see Frank Gore or Kendall Hunter hit the second level vs the Ravens?  Did the backs really help out that much in pass protection?  Think the 49ers miss Miller now?

I’ll take a look at the right side of the OL after the jump

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49ers RB Frank Gore 21-photo from http://sports.yahoo.com

49ers running back Frank Gore has been lighting up opponents to the tune of 5 straight 100 yard games-a 49er franchise record.  Gore is third in the league in rushing this season and came into Sundays game against the Giants just 149 yards behind 49er great Joe Perry for #1 on the teams All Time career rushing list.

Gore ended the game Sunday still 149 yards away from Joe Perry for #1 on the teams All Time career rushing list.  Gore managed 0 yards on just 6 carries and had just 8 yards from scrimmage Sunday.  Gore left with a knee injury in the third quarter and watched as Kendall Hunter and Anthony Dixon took over in the backfield.  Gore had suffered a injured ankle last week in Washington, Gore played just 1 play in the second half but didn’t carry the ball after halftime.

What Gore says about the injury and my thoughts after the jump
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The bye week is officially over 49er  fans as the team returns to the practice field tomorrow! The 49ers  fresh off a blazing 5-1 start that seen the team win in all kinds of ways. The blowout vs. Tampa Bay, the unlikely road comeback after a 20 point deficit to the Eagles and of course the big win vs. the Lions that led to “Shake gate”.

The bye week couldn’t have come at a better time  for the 49ers  after just completing a rigorous yet wildly successful east coast road trip. After the bye week 49er fans may just get to see something we all have yet to see this season. A fully healthy team on the field with plenty of time to rest and heal up.

Wide Receiver Braylon Edwards will return to the field tomorrow and re-join his teammates after missing the last several weeks with a leg injury that required minor surgery. Edwards has been running routes and working on his own in conditioning drills the last couple of weeks, those workouts intensified last week when the 49ers held a mini practice for players who saw less than 15 snaps in the Detroit game in which Braylon was a part of. Coach Jim Harbaugh had this to say about Edwards:

“Good. I got a chance to watch him workout last week, and anticipate seeing him out there tomorrow in practice. Hoping for good things.”

Harbaugh also mentioned that injured fullback Moran Norris may return to practice Tuesday. Although I see that as a possible downgrade  for the team if he comes back and plays over rookie Bruce Miller. Harbaugh stated that he will play the player that gives them the best chance on Sunday. If Jim’s watching the same games I have this season, that guy is Miller all the way.
Page 2: More 49er News and Notes
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