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Where's the link, Gore said Saturday?? to who??

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*****' Gore envisions being a double threat - Inside Bay Area

*****' Gore envisions being a double threat
The running back has been a frequent target of passes during minicamp
By Daniel Brown
MEDIANEWS STAFF

Article Created: 05/04/2008 02:57:56 AM PDT


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May 4:
Gilmore: Star-to-be Willis stays humbleDe La Salle grad Colvin is trying to stick with *****SANTA CLARA -- If running back Frank Gore ever needs assistance with Mike Martz's system, he has the ultimate hotline number. Marshall Faulk told Gore during the offseason to call any time.
Faulk is such a willing teacher that he volunteered to fly out to Gore's home in Miami for a workout, Gore said Saturday.
Chances are it won't come to that. Based on the first two days of ***** minicamp, Gore is catching on fast -- with an emphasis on "catching" and "fast." The running back is the frequent target of passes, whether that means Gore comes out of the backfield or lines up as the slot receiver.

Such versatility is how Faulk blossomed into an MVP under Martz with the St. Louis Rams. Faulk lined up everywhere, even split wide, and in 1999 joined former ***** star Roger Craig as the only backs to amass 1,000 yards rushing and 1,000 yards receiving in the same season.

Gore is eager for an expanded job description.

"I want to show people that I can do it all, run, catch, block," he said. "A lot of people feel that I'm just a running back."

Gore has led the ***** in receptions in each of the past two seasons, with 61 catches in 2006 and 53 in '07.

Against Arizona last Nov. 25, he ran 21 times for 116 yards and caught 11 passes for 98 yards.

Still, Gore said there is more to come. He compared playing for Martz to playing under Norv Turner, the former ***** offensive coordinator who helped the running back set the team rushing record with 1,695 yards in


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'06.
"Working with a guy who's had a lot of success in this league -- who has been a head coach and an offensive coordinator -- makes you really want to work for him and listen to him," Gore said. "Because you know that he really knows what's going on."

Faulk, for one, agreed that the Gore-Martz marriage will be a good fit. In an interview with the San Jose Mercury News shortly after the offensive coordinator was hired.

"Frank is a much better inside runner than I ever was," Faulk said. "That's good for Mike because it gives him another weapon."

The question is whether Martz will remember to make use of Gore's legs. While with the Detroit Lions the past two seasons, his rushing game finished 32nd (in 2006) and 31st (in '07).

Martz focused instead on the passing game, milking two top-10 finishes from a unit that had ranked No. 26 the year before he arrived.

Can a pass happy offensive coordinator still make Gore the focal point? By way of answering, Gore smiled and turned to fellow running back Michael Robinson, who has the locker next door.

"Do you think this offense is built around me," Gore asked.

Robinson nodded his head up and down repeatedly as if to say, yes, yes, yes, yes.

"It's going to be fun," Gore said.

Notes: Along with the rest of his physical conditioning, Mark Roman's ears are getting a workout during minicamp.

Starting this season, one defensive player from each team will be allowed to wear a special helmet that allows them to get radio communication from the sideline.

Roman and fellow safeties Michael Lewis, Dashon Goldson and Keith Lewis were among the players giving a try this weekend.

So far, so good, Roman said.

Offenses previously held the upper hand because they could get direct communication with the sideline, he said. Now, in the least, defenses have the technology to keep pace.

Here's how it works: A coach (secondary coach Vance Joseph or linebackers coach Mike Singletary) alerts Roman to the personnel package the offense has dispatched onto the field and the safety barks out the word to everyone else.

"Part of the adjustment is getting used to the noise in your helmet," coach Mike Nolan said