San Francisco Backfield

[lukeb]

We know that Gore is the starter as long as he lasts, but what are your thoughts on the Hunter vs James dynamic?

[cleanwillyb]

I think every move and statement the 'Niners have made this offseason regarding the backfield has demonstrated a lack of faith in Hunter.

I'm not a huge fan of James' NFL potential, but I certainly prefer him to Hunter at this point.

[blacksheep]

Hunter will be the lead back in a RBBC. The Niners are just conforming to the current NFL model, a ground-and-pound guy (Hunter) and then a COP back (James).

[The Savior]

yeah. it seems like james is their sproles going forward. i think hunter's value is plummeting. i'd frankly from a dynasty perspective value james higher than anyone else in SF.

[xlote]

I see RBBC this year and going forwards. Can't know how the amount of touches will fall.

[CokeAndBacardi]

This situation is anyone's guess until Hunter and James hit the field in pads against real defenses. I liked what I saw from Hunter last year in real games. Gore's significant decline as the year went on is well documented.

I prefer Hunter because we have seen him already. That being said, I loved when James broke his arm last year and said post-game he'd be on the field the following game. Very badass and shows a toughness and competitiveness that doesn't come around too often. I will not count out a guy like James or Quizz because I think their work ethic and character make up for a perceived lack of size.

[allpurple]

I see RBBC this year and going forwards. Can't know how the amount of touches will fall.

Yep beware of the hunter

Frank Gore 282 1,211 4.3 55 8

Kendall Hunter 112 473 4.2 44 2

Cant deny Gores age and touches have been wearing him down.

[cleanwillyb]

Cant deny Gores age and touches have been wearing him down.

While I agree that Gore is hardly the picture of health, I don't blame it on the number of touches he receives. The guy only has one season where he tallied more than 282 carries. Hardly monster workloads.

[49ersFaithful80]

At the end of the 2011 season when the Hunter hype was getting was out of control (this is coming from a Niner's fan) I guaranteed that the Niner's would draft a RB in the 1st or 2nd round within the next two years. People scoffed at the statement with the whole "draft position doesn't matter argument".

The Niner's DO NOT view Hunter as Gore's successor, he will be involved in a time share and I think he may end up on the short end of it.

Harbaugh has already came out and called LaMichael an "unstoppable force on the goal line" and we know for a fact that LaMichael will be handling all passing downs.

Despite the hype (and the fact the fact that Hunter looked solid last year) I think LaMichael ends up being the back to own.

I also would not be suprised if they draft another RB in the first couple rounds in the near future.

[theimposter]

I agree with the above. I want James in any league I can get him. I was happy to get Hunter last year in the 2nd, and think he'll still be a back worth owning, but my perception of his chances came down quite a bit when they drafted James. I'm not sure why people put James's ceiling as COP type, while also thinking much better things will come for Pead or Hillman, who don't really have any size on LMJ.

[holy_stromboli]

At the end of the 2011 season when the Hunter hype was getting was out of control (this is coming from a Niner's fan) I guaranteed that the Niner's would draft a RB in the 1st or 2nd round within the next two years. People scoffed at the statement with the whole "draft position doesn't matter argument".

The Niner's DO NOT view Hunter as Gore's successor, he will be involved in a time share and I think he may end up on the short end of it.

Harbaugh has already came out and called LaMichael an "unstoppable force on the goal line" and we know for a fact that LaMichael will be handling all passing downs.

Despite the hype (and the fact the fact that Hunter looked solid last year) I think LaMichael ends up being the back to own.

I also would not be suprised if they draft another RB in the first couple rounds in the near future.

^This

I actually thought they'd wait till 2013 to draft a RB high, but I guess they liked James enough in the 2nd that he fell into their laps. Hopefully their talent evaluators know what they are doing...

[lifesyourcup]

People are really sleeping on Jewel Hampton.



Hunter and James weren't meant to run between the tackles.

[tstafford]

I think every move and statement the 'Niners have made this offseason regarding the backfield has demonstrated a lack of faith in Hunter.

I agree with this.

This topic came up in a mailbag question and my answers come out tomorrow (I think). I basically said that willyb is saying.

[lukeb]

I think every move and statement the 'Niners have made this offseason regarding the backfield has demonstrated a lack of faith in Hunter.

I agree with this.

This topic came up in a mailbag question and my answers come out tomorrow (I think). I basically said that willyb is saying.

Do you think that James is the guy to own, someone not yet on the team will be the guy to own, or after Gore goes down, it will be a messy RBBC you want no part of?

[tstafford]

I think every move and statement the 'Niners have made this offseason regarding the backfield has demonstrated a lack of faith in Hunter.

I agree with this.

This topic came up in a mailbag question and my answers come out tomorrow (I think). I basically said that willyb is saying.

Do you think that James is the guy to own, someone not yet on the team will be the guy to own, or after Gore goes down, it will be a messy RBBC you want no part of?

I could see midway thru the year the prices on Hunter/James getting attractive enough that you might be able to buy both as stashes and see what shakes out. What I don't want to do is have to put my bet on one or the other.