Like Blackjack, Its All About 21

With Frank Gore's broken hand once again bringing up questions about the back's durability, it led many to wonder what would happen to the San Francisco 49ers if he sustains an injury this season. Gore had major surgery on both knees at the University of Miami, tore a labrum in each of his shoulders in the 2005 season and now broke his hand during a non-contact drill on the second day of training camp.

It sounds as if the ironman runner from 2006 who carried the ball 312 times for 1,695 yards might be the exception to the rule. Luckily, the latest injury is only supposed to keep Gore out of some preseason contests, but his health will be in the back of everyone's mind all year.

As of now, Maurice Hicks, Michael Robinson and rookie Thomas Clayton are the only other backs on the 49ers' roster.

Hicks is a respectable back, using a decent burst and a few shifty moves to grind out a 4.1 career yards per carry average. In 2006, he earned his paycheck on special teams, setting a franchise record with a total of 1,428 yards on kickoff returns; but in the backfield, he averaged fewer than 3 yards per carry on 29 attempts. Even for a backup, that's far from ideal..Robinson is a bruiser who runs with a smash-mouth style but disappointed last season when the Niners used him as a goal-line back after Gore's short bout with red-zone fumbling issues. Robinson, an ex-Penn State quarterback, managed only two rushing touchdowns last year, and they both came in the same game, which was against Philly.

Sixth-round pick Clayton is a total wild card coming out of Kansas State. In the coach's doghouse during his senior year, he couldn't even lead the Wildcats in rushing, finishing third on a team whose schedule included Florida Atlantic and Illinois State.Clayton did have his best statistical game against Louisville, a good national program, but the Cardinals are hardly known for their defense.

The fact is that the 49ers have their playoff dreams riding on Gore's surgically repaired knees and shoulders. A major injury would be a nightmare.