Horseshoe Heroes
FanSided

NFL Films Guru Greg Cosell on Frank Gore: “He’s a Chain Mover”

By Luke Schultheis

facebooktwitterreddit

According to NFL.com’s Chris Wesseling, Indianapolis Colts running back Frank Gore is “set up for smashing success” with his new team this season, specifically citing his late, yet great production last year:

"“Carlos Hyde came down with a late-season ankle sprain, though, the 49ers saddled up their workhorse for the final two games of the season,” writes Wesseling.“What followed was one of the most impressive two-game stretches of Gore’s career. He responded with 302 yards on 61 carries, marking the first time he had rushed for at least 140 yards in back-to-back games since November of 2006.Although Gore may be the NFL’s slowest starting running back at this stage of his career — he finished near the bottom in Pro Football Focus’ Elusive Rating and Breakaway Percentage metrics — he remains effective via uncanny patience, vision and toughness.Gore has actually averaged more rushing yards per season (1,165) since age 28 than he did in his first six years (1,069) in the league.”"

Due to Pep Hamilton’s offensive scheme, lighter boxes with Andrew Luck, and the ‘Greatest Shoe on Turf’ featuring a plethora of offensive weapons for a more balanced attack, Gore could be in-line for a highly productive 1st season with the Colts.

Jun 9, 2015; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Indianapolis Colts running back Frank Gore (23) goes through workout drills during minicamp at the Indiana Farm Bureau Football Center. Mandatory Credit: Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports

The 32 year old running back is coming off yet another impressive season with the 49ers, in which he rushed for 1,106 rushing yards and 4 touchdowns on 255 carries (4.3 ypc avg). He’s rushed for over 1,000 yards in 8 of his 10 seasons in the NFL and hasn’t missed a regular season start since 2011.

Having suffered through the disappointment that has been Trent Richardson in recent seasons, the Colts are finally looking to find their next workhorse running back. It’s been a long time coming for a franchise that hasn’t had a 1,000 yard rusher since Joseph Addai in 2007. By all indications, Gore appears to be a safe bet to approach that threshold.

Perhaps, most interesting in Wesseling’s rather thorough piece is this recent quote by NFL Films guru Greg Cosell, who’s always been highly regarded for his renowned film analysis:

"“Sustainability. He’s a chain mover,” NFL Films Senior Producer Greg Cosell recently explained. “I don’t think there’s been a back in the last five, six, seven years who has been able to get through small cracks at the point of attack better than Frank Gore. Frank Gore is your classic four-, five-, six-yard runner.”“He’s probably past the point where he’s going to break a 40-yarder,” added Cosell. “That wasn’t really his game anyway. … He would get so skinny going through the point of attack and come out the other end, I’d have to watch the play four or five times on film and try to figure out how did he got through there. And that’s what he gives this [Colts] offense. He gives them a sustaining element, so they’ll be in more favorable down-and-distance situations.”"

If accurate in his assesment, Gore sounds like the grinding, between-the-tackles presence that the team hasn’t had since arguably former Colts great Edgerrin James notoriously donned horseshoe blue.

His running style figures to add a dimension to the Colts offense that the team has been sorely lacking in recent seasons, while Gore himself should be set-up for yet another successful season as a rusher.

More from Horseshoe Heroes

Home/Colts News