VIDEO – The 49ers are off to their best start in years, behind a stingy defense (first in the league at stopping the run, and haven’t given up a rushing TD all year) and an excellent running game. Frank Gore has racked up 782 rushing yards through 8 games, and the 49ers pushed their record to 7-1 this week as they defeated the Washington Redskins 19-11.
Lost in the surprising start is the play of one rookie who has had a key role in the resurgence of the 49ers running game – fullback Bruce Miller.
Miller replaced injured starting FB Moran Norris after a loss to Dallas on September 18. Gore had rushed for less than 60 yards in each of the first three games, but once Miller hit his stride, Gore has been averaging 127 yards per game for the last five games. In addition, Miller scored his first touchdown this week, on a 30 yard reception from quarterback Alex Smith, which was the only TD the 49ers scored in the victory.
And to make his contribution more amazing, unlike most rookies who have their hands full learning a new system in the NFL, Miller had to learn a completely new position. Miller played defensive end in college, but was drafted by the 49ers to play fullback. At 6’2” and 255 pounds, Miller was too small to stay at defensive end, so he thought he might be transitioned to linebacker. Shortly after the draft, he said, “I am kind of shocked. It was hard enough to believe that I’d have a chance to play linebacker. But that was more realistic than fullback.”
Miller’s successful transition has been aided by playing with Gore, one of the best running backs in the league, and by working under position coach Tom Rathman, one of the best fullbacks in 49ers history.
Miller complemented Gore on helping him with the transition. “We come out of the huddle and get to the line of scrimmage, and before the ball is snapped, we’ve already had a full conversation on what’s going on, what they’re doing,” Miller said. “So it’s just his recognition and his intelligence of the game. I guess seven years in the league, he’s seen it all. So he can recognize it pretty fast.”
Earlier this week, as Miller spoke with reporters, Gore walked by and shouted, “He’s a mini Tom Rathman!”
“He’s doing great,” Gore said. “What I like about him is he listens to what I tell him before the play, so he can get out faster and read stuff faster, so get on the person he has to block. Like I say, he’s very smart. And he’s doing whatever [Rathman] and I tell him to do.”
Head coach Jim Harbaugh was complementary of Miller as well. “[He is] growing in his confidence, growing in his understanding of what his job is,” Harbaugh said. “How to execute his assignments. That comes with playing and comes with good study habits.”
We caught up with Miller before the season started, working out at IMG Academies, and spoke to him about being drafted by the 49ers and making the transition from defense to offense. He recognized that he had his hands full with the transition, but was focused on doing whatever he could to learn the position and help the team. He’s done just that, and proven to be a huge asset as a blocking fullback, and emerged this week as a receiving threat as well.
