"It wasn't easy. But I finally located someone at Candlestick Park who was not happy for Frank Gore.

The task is so difficult because, if Gore is not the most popular guy in the 49ers locker room, he at least makes it to the final dance-off. And when he's on a roll the way he is now, it is a Gargantuan Gore Gladness Festival. His offensive linemen are happy for him. His quarterback is happy for him. His coach is happy for him. Everybody is happy for him.

"It's just the kind of guy he is," said rookie fullback Bruce Miller, who plows into the line ahead of Gore and clears out space for him. "When it comes to the team concept, he's at the top. ... He's always helping me out, talking to me as we go to the scrimmage line or talking about what to expect.""