Gorefest on NFL Sundays

After running for a mediocre 608 yards and 3 TDs in the 2005 NFL Season, San Francisco 49er running back Frank Gore wasn't at the top of many people's fantasy football draft boards. On average, he was ranked at the bottom of the Top 30 RBs in the NFL. Because of this, many people passed on drafting Gore in Fantasy League drafts and as a result, I was able to add him as a sleeper pick in both of my fantasy leagues (8th Round and 11th Round respectively). Generally, picking a RB in those draft positions, the best you can expect is for the player serve as your 3rd or 4th RBs, who fills in during the bye weeks and injury weeks for your stud running back.

Well, something happened on the way to the football field as Frank Gore became a stud in the 2006 NFL Season. Prior to the start of the season, Kevan Below, last year's underachieving starting RB for the 49ers, was shipped off the the New York Jets and Gore was given the full-time running back job. Gore certainly hasn't disappointed me or 49ers fans with his tremendous production this year. In 14 games in 2006, Gore has been one of the Top 3 RBs in the NFL, rushing for nearly 1,500 yards and 6 TDs.

Last night in a NFC West division showdown against 1st Place Seattle Seahawks, Gore started off the game extremely slow rushing for only 40+ yards in the first three quarters. In the fourth quarter, he took the game over and ended it with 144 yards in rushing along with a 20-yard TD catch late in the 4th quarter to lead the 49ers to a 24-14 victory over the Seahawks. Here's Gore's full statline through 14 games this NFL season: 270 carries for 1491 yards (5.5 YPC), 6 TD; 53 catches for 418 yards and 1 TD

I'm looking forward to see how Gore ends up this great NFL season and I'm extremely glad that one of my leagues is a keeper league, which means I'll have Gore on my team next season.