San Francisco 49ers: Key Matchups for Week 4 vs. Eagles
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Gore & Hyde vs. Kaepernick
Sep 21, 2014; Glendale, AZ, USA; San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick (7) hands off to running back Frank Gore (21) during the first half against the Arizona Cardinals at University of Phoenix Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matt Kartozian-USA TODAY Sports
Coach Jim Harbaugh and offensive coordinator Greg Roman seem dead set on proving that Colin Kaepernick can carry the 49ers to victory. So far, his plan has not worked out quite as well as he had planned. Against the Bears, Kaepernick turned the ball over four times en route to blowing an early lead.
He played fairly well against Arizona, completing 29 of 37 attempts for 245 yards and a touchdown. He didn’t turn the ball over, but he didn’t lead his team the way he needed to.
Against Arizona, the duo of Frank Gore and Carlos Hyde combined for nine carries and twenty-three yards, along with a score from Hyde. In the week two loss against Chicago, Gore carried the ball 13 times for 63 yards.
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The 49ers need to get back to what has made them so successful over the past few years. This has been a run first, pass later team for years, and that’s what got them deep into the playoffs.
Kaep has a lot of weapons to work with. With Anquan Boldin, Michael Crabtree, Vernon Davis and Steve Johnson at his disposal, that is a potentially scary offense. But by abandoning the run, the team is taking away the balance and allowing opposing defenses to freely rush the quarterback.
Gore didn’t reach 10,000 career rushing yards by being told to stay in the backfield and block. He needs to be given the ball so the offense stays balanced. Kaepernick continues to prove week after week that he is not able to carry a team yet.