Do the right thing 49ers, sign Gore now

“Never was so much owed by so many to so few.” – Winston Churchill, 1940

In the last decade, the San Francisco 49ers have endured a pounding on the gridiron. But nobody has endured more or given more than San Francisco 49ers running back Frank Gore.

Frank Gore during 2011 Training Camp
 (AP Photo/Paul Sakuma)

Not only has he fought intrepidly in the face of superior opponents, he’s been a staple of hard work in the off-season, excelled to become an elite athlete in his position, suffered many injuries, and endured physical poundings after physical poundings as offensive coordinator after offensive coordinator kept calling his number. In the age of drama-addicted media, he has somehow found a way to keep clean, focused on the moment, his team, and the ill-fated goals of success during his six-year career.

His poised and successful service deserve more then your typical NFL athlete. He’s not only an icon for the 49ers; he’s a rule model for the way professional athletes should behave. The 49ers owe a swift and complying contract extension with Gore. Not only would they pay for his ability, they would show that athletes with dedication, maturity and proven successes are the ones who deserve what they’re owed.

Smith goes old-school with facemask

Maybe Alex Smith’s problem all along has simply been his facemask. The projected starting quarterback for the San Francisco 49ers has changed it for the 2011 season, which now reflects the style the 49ers’ hall-of-fame quarterbacks’ wore.

Both Joe Montana and Steve young rocked the single-wire, oral protection only (SW-OPO) facemask throughout their careers. The SW-OPO facemask first showed up in the 1970s and hasn’t changed much since then. It was the “norm” for skill position players in the ’80s and ’90s. Receivers Dwight Clark and Terrell Owens also wore the same facemask during their respective “Catches” one and two. Owens’ slightly modified DW-OPO (double-wire oral protection only) had an additional bar across the middle and is more commonly seen today, however.

San Francisco wins 'Battle of the Bay' on runners' legs

The San Francisco 49ers defeated the Oakland Raiders 17-3 in their second game of the preseason.

The 49ers' offense showed improvement after the blitz crazed New Orleans Saints man handled the offensive line last week. 

The 49ers first-team offense put together three long drives on the ground and through the air. However, only 3 points were achieved after a blotched field goal and an interception. 

Braylon Edwards one-handed catch showed fans that their new high profile wideout could have a big impact on the offense this season. 

Video: post preseason game 1, player's take

The San Francisco 49ers did not fair well during their 3-24 loss to the New Orleans Saints Friday. However, the players are able to look at the bright spots and show no signs of hanging onto an irrelevant preseason loss.

Second team Quarterback Colin Kaepernick seemed happy to get his first NFL experience under his belt, and there is no doubt Place Kicker David Akers has still got it after 12 seasons in the NFL. The kick was Akers' first as a 49er.

Saints' struggles are silver lining

With anxious excitement to finally see NFL games in action, it’s hard to see through all the similarities of a real game and not want to look at it like a crystal ball of the team’s future.

With the first offensive play of the game, we saw a run up the middle for a one-yard gain, then a short pass across the middle for six. On third down, incomplete and the punt team runs on. The next possession… three-n-out, followed by a… three and out.

A slow start for the New Orleans Saints…

49ers' preseason underway, what to expect

Even for hardcore fans, preseason games get tryingly old FAST. But the early preseason games can show some luster – especially if you’ve got a new coaching staff, a new playbook and your roster has undergone major surgery.

The San Francisco 49ers will take the field Friday with more new faces since T.O. ‘n’ company jumped ship as the bottom fell out in 2004. A fan can only hope the other bookend has finally been placed for “The 49er Dark Age”.