The San Francisco 49ers offense will look a bit different in 2015 as mainstay running back Frank Gore is no longer with the team after departing to the Indianapolis Colts. Gore opted to take a free agent contract elsewhere after being the workhorse of the 49ers run game for so many seasons. With Gore gone, Carlos Hyde is officially the man in charge, but will he get the amount of carries that he wants as Reggie Bush falls into favor with the coaching staff?
Hyde could be one of the NFL's leading rushers this season or he could end up splitting a lot of time with Bush who signed in the offseason. Right now, Hyde is predicted to be a star in 2015, but Bush could stand in the way of that as San Francisco wants the versatile back involved as much as possible. Hyde is not likely to lose the starting running back spot to Bush, but he might not see the heavy workload that Gore did when he was the starter. Quarterback Colin Kaepernick has had nothing but praise for his new teammate as they prepare for the second game of the season.
"Well, I've had quite a bit of work with Reggie before that, so we had a pretty good feel for each other as far as how he was going to run routes, his body language, things like that," Kaepernick said, via NinersNation.com. But, it's great to have him on the field. I think everyone kind of saw the effects that he can have on a defense and the things he opens up for us as an offense when he's on the field."
Players like Bush will be needed as rotational receiver Jerome Simpson is now suspended six games following the violation of the league's substance abuse policy. With Simpson out, Quinton Patton and Bruce Ellington will see a lot more playing time. It also means that Vernon Davis has no chance of being released despite rumors that his roster spot is in jeopardy. Davis continues to show why he is one of the league's best tight ends as he enters the final year of his contract. Davis stressed that he is not thinking about his contract status at the moment and is not motivated by earning more money.
"That's not who I am; that's not what I stand for. I don't do anything for money," Davis said, via the Sacramento Bee. "I don't let money represent me. That's just not me. I play for the love of the game. And that's the beauty of this sport - it's that about the love, the teammates, your coaches."
