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Aside from staying in great shape, there is another factor
that helps Frank Gore still be a successful running back at 37.
“Seeing so many defenses, I can predetermine stuff, before it even happens on certain plays,” Gore said.
That is a huge factor. Playing running back isn’t just about physical talent, which is important, but also you need to have great vision and the ability to read defenses, two things Gore excels at. With his experience, and his ability to see things before they happen, that helps him a great deal as a runner towards the end of his career.
Gore is expected to back up Le’Veon Bell, but hasn’t talked to Bell yet since signing with Gang Green on May 5.
“I haven’t talked to Le’Veon since the last game, last year,” Gore said on Thursday.
Gore’s Bills played against the Jets in Week 17 last year.
This relationship is going to be interesting to watch. Gore is universally liked, but how is Bell doing to view him? As we have written before, it’s somewhat odd to sign a veteran running back like Gore, to be a mentor to young running backs, when you already have the 28-year-old Bell in the RB room.
Gore has been on the virtual meetings with the Jets’ running backs during the team’s virtual off-season program (since there is no on-field work due to Coronavirus).
Did Gore talk to Bell on one of these Zoom meetings? You would think they would be able to, but I can’t confirm that, because I haven’t seen one of these meetings. Perhaps not, because Gore said he hasn’t talked to Bell yet.
One reason Gore is still playing at 37 is his training regiment, and he’s currently working out with his son, Frank Gore Jr., who will be a freshman running back at Southern Mississippi this fall.
“He’s pushing me – I can tell he’s become a grown man,” Gore Sr. said. “It’s been great. It’s been a blessing to have an opportunity to even train with my son. He is getting ready for college, I’m getting read for the NFL. It’s been great.”
And it was this son who helped him make the decision to play this season.
“I asked my son, what do you think I should do – my older son, who will be in college this year, and he said I should go one more, so I said I’m going to go,” Gore said.
Another factor that led Gore to coming back for another season was how he played over the first half of last season in Buffalo, before losing most of his playing time to rookie Devin Singletary.
“When I was playing, the first six or seven games, I was balling,” Gore said. “Buffalo went and started playing a younger guy. I felt like I can still do it. I had to see who would give me an opportunity.”
And he doesn’t care about playing time.
“I’m cool,” Gore. “I’m happy to even be playing this game at my age. I’m happy this organization gave me an opportunity.”
May 21, 2020
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