The Pistol formation has to be used more intelligently. The "Read Option" is at the Quarterbacks discretion when to hand it off to the running back or when to keep it and run or pass. As the play develops the Quarterback makes the decision in real time it its a run or pass play. This has the advantage of surprise and the QB can gauge the defensive response before committing to an action but it also has the disadvantage that the running back - in this case Gore - doesn't know until the last second if the ball is being handed off to him or not. This means that Gore can't hit the hole with the same intensity, or same ability to find the right hole, that he is known for.

Pro Bowl-bound Frank Gore said he's had to become a more patient runner because of the 49ers' read-option and pistol formations behind quarterback Colin Kaepernick.

"Some plays you just don't know if he's going to keep (the ball) or not," Gore said Wednesday. "I've got to be patient and can't hit the hole that fast in the pistol."

Perhaps known best for his vision to find holes, Gore's production has tailed off to 4.01 yards per carry in Kaepernick's six starts after he gained 5.38 per carry in Alex Smith's nine starts. Gore had only six carries for 28 yards in Sunday's 42-13 loss at Seattle, and only one carry after the first quarter.

"We do different things with Kap, as far as running the ball," said Gore, who has eclipsed the 1,000-yard mark for a franchise-record sixth season. He is 65 yards and one touchdown shy of matching last season's total of 1,211 yards and eight touchdowns.

Named to his fourth Pro Bowl, Gore noted that he feels stronger and fresher than a year ago at this time. He has 238 carries this season compared with last year's total of 282.

"It's been a pretty good year. I've played good football," Gore said. "I play hard, I'm consistent, and I help the team get wins."



I like the Pistol formation a lot. But I do not want to see this formation, or the usage of it more aptly, to interfere with Gore's production. He's the mainstay of this offense, moreso than the passing abilities of the Quarterback.

We need to get back to the Power Running game so the Pistol formation has to be utilized more in line with getting the ball to Gore and out of the Quarterback's hands sooner, allowing Gore to hit the hole at higher speed and to take advantage of his tremendous vision to find the holes. He's stronger and fresher than last year at this time so get the bloody ball to him.

Roman and Harbaugh need to get this one right and stop mis-managing the passing game at the expense of the running game.