23 Feb 2008
 VS 
Jackson Gore
320.38 pts. 363.80 pts.
Ht: 6'2" Ht. 5'9"
Wt: 231 lbs Wt: 223 lbs
Steven Jackson stands at 6’2,” 231 while Frank Gore is a bit undersized at 5’9” and giving up 8 lbs at 223. Jackson sports dreadlocks and Gore rolls with the shaved head. Jackson grew up a West Coast boy, born in Las Vegas and playing his college ball at Oregon State. Gore was born in Miami, FL and went to school at Miami. Coming out of college, Steven Jackson was highly touted even though Oregon State usually isn’t even in the top half of the Pac 10. On the contrary, Gore played at the perennial powerhouse that is The U, but was somewhat underrated entering the pros.
Once they step on the football field, it’s a whole different ballgame. Jackson and Gore are both powerful backs with great size:speed ratios to boot. Each has the ability to run around defenders or right through them and they both can be fantasy superstars.
In 2006, Gore and Jackson dominated for their fantasy owners and in last year’s draft both were off the board in the top 7 picks, if not the top five. In ’06 Jackson rang up 1,528 yards, caught an unbelievable 90 passes for 806 yards, finishing the season with 16 touchdowns. Meanwhile, across the country but in the same division, Gore was busy running for 1,695, averaging 5.4 yards a carry. He had 61 catches for 485 yards and 9 TD's on the year.
2007 was a completely different story as both backs were banged up, playing on teams that had disappointing seasons and were labeled fantasy busts. While they didn’t live up to their lofty expectations their seasons were remarkably similar. Jackson played in 12 games, Gore in 15. Jackson ran for 1,002 yards, Gore ran for 1,102, and both averaged 4.2 yards per carry. Gore had 436 receiving yards while Jackson had 271. They both had exactly six TDs. Gore fumbled four times and Jackson coughed it up five times.
Most people would tell you Jackson could attribute his "off" season to missing four games while Gore just wasn’t as good as he was in ’06. That is accurate, but it doesn’t tell the whole story.
Gore’s major problem was that the '9ers passing game wasn’t even in the ballpark as effective as the team planned. Alex Smith got hurt early. But even before that, he was inefficient and the combination of Arnaz Battle and Darrell Jackson proved to be one of the worst receiving corps in the league. Without any semblance of a passing game, defenses loaded up and put eight men in the box, halting Gore and his gaudy stats from the season before.
Jackson’s season was hampered by his own injuries, but the injuries around him played just as big a part in his struggles. Marc Bulger was hurt on and off the whole season and Gus Frerotte did not do enough as a backup to keep defenses honest, giving Jackson the same set of problems as Gore. The Rams also lost all-world offensive tackle Orlando Pace for the season. Getting him back, protecting Bulger's blind side and blocking for the run game should do wonders for Jackson – and should put him back atop the league’s rushing and all-purpose yard leaders.
REDRAFT CONSIDERATIONS
Entering the 2008 season, Gore and Jackson will both be 25 and ripe for career years. They should both still be drafted in the first round.
While Jackson really ought to return his 2006 form with a full season of a healthy Bulger and Pace, Gore is much more of a question mark. Should the 49ers find a better way to keep defenses from stacking the run, Gore definitely has the talent to be right up with Jackson as one of the best fantasy running backs there is. But it’s also possible he could suffer through another year of being the lone bright spot in an all around poor offense.
KEEPER/DYNASTY CONSIDERATIONS
Since both of these bruisers are the same age, and both play on teams coming off of down years it’s difficult to separate the two in their values between Redraft and Keeper leagues.
In a keeper leagues, which allows you to hold onto a guy for three or more years, it brings Jackson and Gore’s values even closer. Even if Gore is a question mark for 2008, rest assured the 49ers will put it together sometime soon and that will put him right back in the mix as one of the elite fantasy running backs.
SITUATIONAL CONSIDERATIONS
49ers coach Mike Nolan has said the quarterback race will be wide open for 2008 – with Alex Smith having to compete with Shaun Hill and potentially a free agent to be the starter. Alex Smith was a number one pick and still could have some good years ahead of him, but if he can’t beat out Shaun Hill that spells doom for all involved, Gore being at the top of the list.
For the Rams, Drew Bennett proved to be worse than many thought (and exactly what others thought) – a serviceable third wide receiver. Isaac Bruce is 35 and rumors have him exploring free agency instead of returning to St. Louis. Torry Holt will be 32 at the start of the season. A declining Holt and possible absence of Bruce could kill the last remnants of "Greatest Show on Turf" for good. And if it does, Jackson will find yards harder to come by than he ever has before.
BOTTOM LINE
While I put their talent levels about the same - because of the team he plays for, Jackson gets a slight edge for both Keeper and Redraft Leagues. Pick Jackson as a top three running back after LT and Adrian Peterson and don’t look back. Gore has the potential to be right up there but because of the risk involved, try to hold off until later in the first, or even the second round.
REDRAFT EDGE - Jackson
+++++
KEEPER/DYNASTY EDGE - Jackson
+++++
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