SAN FRANCISCO (AP) - Running back Frank Gore hopes there will be progress toward a new contract with the 49ers after the team’s brass meets Monday with his representative.
The Niners have a sit-down scheduled with power agent Drew Rosenhaus. Gore said he doesn’t plan to take part in the talks.
“Nah, I’m a football player,” Gore said. “If I was an agent, I would, I’d do it. That’s my agent’s job. Hopefully, man, hopefully, hopefully. I hope it gets done and I hope I can get something fair.”
Gore’s unsettled contract situation has been a point of frustration during training camp for the two-time Pro Bowl player, though he has said he will accept becoming a free agent after this season if he doesn’t get a new deal. Gore would like a long-term contract to stay put with the 49ers, and new coach Jim Harbaugh is optimistic it will happen. General manager Trent Baalke said this past week he would like to make Gore a “49er for life.”
“I have my days but after I take the field I don’t think about it,” he said of his uncertain future. “I’ll be there for my team and try to get some wins.”
Gore has repeatedly said he hopes to receive a new deal before the Sept. 11 opener against the defending NFC West champion Seattle Seahawks. If he doesn’t get a contract, Gore said he wouldn’t request a trade.
“It’s up to the team. I don’t have nothing to do with that. If the team wants to do that, hopefully they don’t,” Gore said Saturday night after a 30-7 loss to the Texans in which he didn’t play. “I want to be here. I want to be a 49er. I want to be treated right.”
Gore has played more in the preseason than he’s used to _ and more than he likes, for that matter _ but has said he is willing to do whatever Harbaugh asks. Harbaugh didn’t start him for Saturday night’s home game with Houston, as Anthony Dixon played with the first-team offense.
Gore said Harbaugh told him earlier in the week he wouldn’t play.
“I respect Coach Harbaugh. Whatever he says, I’m going to do,” Gore said. “Coach is a great coach. I like him a lot and I respect him a lot.”
The 28-year-old Gore, who held out for the first four days of training camp, missed the final five games of 2010 with a broken right hip. He was injured in a Monday night game at Arizona on Nov. 29.
Gore would like a contract comparable to the $43 million, five-year deal running back DeAngelo Williams _ 20 days older than San Francisco’s star _ recently received from the Carolina Panthers. That includes $21 million guaranteed. Williams was sidelined for 10 games last year with a sprained right foot.
Gore begins the year third on the franchise career rushing list. He needs 931 yards to be No. 1, but has said that’s not his top priority. The 49ers have endured eight straight seasons without a playoff berth or winning record.
He ran for 853 yards and three touchdowns last year in his sixth NFL season and caught 46 passes for 452 yards and two TDs. Gore’s 24 100-yard rushing games are the most in 49ers history.
“I’m ready,” Gore said. “I’ve been. I trained my behind off this offseason. I practice hard every day as you all see. When my number’s called, 21’s going to be ready. … I just hope everything gets taken care of so I can be mind right, just ready to play football.”
The 49ers rewarded two other big stars with long-term contracts last year.
On the eve of the 2010 season opener, tight end Vernon Davis signed a five-year extension worth $37 million overall, including $34 million guaranteed, making him the highest-paid tight end in NFL history. In May of last year, All-Pro linebacker Patrick Willis received a $50 million, five-year contract extension that takes him through the 2016 season and includes $29 million in guaranteed money. He earns $10 million per season.
“I want something to get done before the season,” Gore said. “Hopefully it can get done, something fair. If it don’t happen, I’ve still got to be here for my teammates and try to stick it out.”
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