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Gore: 49ers offense will feature lots of weapons
SANTA CLARA, Calif. (AP)The San Francisco 49ers still are in learningmode as they prepare for Sunday's season opener, and nobody really knows what toexpect from the team's new offense.But the catalyst of the attack, running back Frank Gore(notes), says the Ninershave a lot of weapons and that other teams are going to see "some real goodstuff.""We've always had talent on the offensive side of the ball, but not like wehave it now," Gore said Thursday. "And now we really have somebody to show ushow it's done. It should be real good for us all. (Other) teams better beready." New head coach Jim Harbaugh and his staff didn't show much during anexhibition season when the 49ers ranked 31st in the NFL in total offense andlast in passing offense.While Harbaugh insists his offense wasn't "vanilla" during the preseason,the 49ers could have an element of surprise in their favor when they hostdefending NFC West champion Seattle to Authentic Minnesota Vikings Jerseys begin the season.A two-time Pro Bowler, Gore is surrounded by more Pro Bowl talent at theskill positions in tight end Vernon Davis(notes) and newcomer receiver Braylon Edwards(notes).The 49ers also welcomed the return this week of receiver Michael Crabtree(notes), whosays he's ready to play against the Seahawks.Crabtree missed training camp and all four exhibition games for the thirdconsecutive year with a left foot injury that required surgery at the end ofJuly. But he practiced without limitations for the second day in a row Thursdayand hopes to have a role in the opener."I'm full speed," Crabtree said . "I'm all good. I've been here before.This is nothing new to nfl cheap me. I'm ready and focused. It feels like a game today."Crabtree led all San Francisco wide receivers last year with 55 receptionsfor 741 yards, one catch fewer than Davis, who led the team with 914 yards andseven touchdowns receiving.Crabtree returned from the physically unable to perform list last week tofind himself in the middle of a heated competition at wide receiver thatincludes Edwards, Ted Ginn Jr.(notes) and Josh Morgan(notes), who had 44 receptions for 698yards last season.San Francisco added Edwards to that group in August, nfl and like many playersthis summer he has been feeling his way around in Harbaugh's version of the WestCoast offense while attempting to develop a rapport with quarterback Alex Smith.The 49ers were far from impressive with Smith at the controls during a 2-2preseason. Chicago Bears Jersey Authentic But other players have shared Gore's Official Reebok NFL Cincinnati Bengals Jersey excitement this week that theoffense is ready for a breakout once the real games begin.Harbaugh and offensive coordinator Greg Roman were known nfl from china for their creativeuse of different formations and personnel groups last year at Stanford, when theCardinal scored a school-record 524 points. But Harbaugh and Roman aredownplaying the suggestion this week that the 49ers have been holding back forthe regular season."We're a new group," Roman said. "I met most of these guys a month ago.We've had a shorter time frame to work with, and therefore we're probably notgoing to have the volume that you would normally have. I'm not sure we've beenable to get anything together that is really going to surprise anybody. But youare what you are. We're going to do everything we can to win the game."
Bears rookie official sports shop safety Winston Venable fined $20,000
Official Winston Venable(notes) got an expensive lesson about launching himself into a wide receiver.The undrafted rookie safety from Boise State who made the Chicago Bears is now going to have to hope his $20,000 fine is reduced. That is what the NFL zapped him for an illegal hit on Cleveland Browns wide receiver Demetrius Williams(notes) last week in the final preseason game. Williams was forced out of the game with a shoulder injury. Vaughn McClure of the Chicago Tribune reported the big fine for Authentic Vikings Jersey a first-time offender. Venable, who was known for being a hard hitter in college, has indicated he will appeal the fine. With a base salary of $375,000, he makes roughly $22,058 per week, meaning the final equals nearly one week"s pay.The NFL has allowed Jacksonville Jaguars linebacker Mike Lockley to pay his $20,000 preseason fine in installments. But he"s on the practice squad. If Venable has any luck, he"ll get his fine reduced as a first-time offender."Poor kid. That's a shame,'' special teams coordinator Dave Toub said of the fine. "The fines should be based on the percentage of how much you make.''Follow me on Twitter: BradBiggsBrad Biggs covers the Bears for the Chicago Tribune
