San Francisco 49ers: Five Bold Predictions For The 2013 Season

3. Frank Gore will have another productive season despite turning 30

Feb 3, 2013; New Orleans, LA, USA; San Francisco 49ers running back Frank Gore (21) against the Baltimore Ravens in Super Bowl XLVII at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

There is common theme in the NFL that when a running back passes the age of 30, his production will dramatically decrease. Many great running backs have hit that 30-year mark and have failed to break the 1,000 yard mark during that season.

The Niners’ Frank Gore celebrated his 30th birthday back in May.

Gore has been one of the most effective running backs during his eight-year career. He has failed to break the 1,000 yard mark in just two of his eight seasons, which was his rookie season and when he only played 11 games in 2010. He has not showed any signs of slowing down. Over the last two seasons, Gore has rushed for over 2,400 yards.

Last season, Gore had one of his best statistical season in his career. He rushed for 1,214 yards and eight touchdowns. The 1,214 yards ranks as the second-highest single-season total in his career.

Also, he had the lowest carries per game average in his career, not including his rookie season, with an average of 16.1 attempts per game. Gore also had the highest total rushing yards for a single player in a single playoff since 2000 with 319 rushing yards in three games.

Gore is still a highly productive running back, who saw a lot of his statistics increase over last season. He is also one of the hardest working players in the NFL. There is no reason that he cannot still be amongst the top running backs in the league this season.

The Niners have added several young, solid running backs that have provided the them with a rotation of running backs that can keep Gore fresher throughout a game and over the course of a full season.

This allows the Niners to keep Gore fresh and use him to attack tired defenses for big gains at the end of games. So, the end result is fewer carries throughout the season and more yards per attempt. Gore will come close to producing his usual 1,100 or more yards this season and for the next couple after.