Does Frank Gore regret joining the Indianapolis Colts back in 2014?
"I thought I was one of the missing pieces they needed to get them over the top," Gore said Monday, via CBS 4 in Indianapolis.
He added: "Coming in and what it was and going backwards, that's tough."
While his comments might be billed as buyer's remorse, Gore is one of the most respected players in the league. It's not like the organization disagrees with his assessment, either. The club changed general managers this offseason and there's ample pressure on coach Chuck Pagano, who is one season away from another lame-duck contract scenario. Owner Jim Irsay has plans for multiple Super Bowl rings during the Andrew Luck era.
Gore's situation is difficult. Despite the Jim Harbaugh years in San Francisco, he's largely toiled in obscurity. Gore made the playoffs three times between 2011 and 2013. In each of those postseasons he was one of San Francisco's most valuable players, rushing for 110 yards and a touchdown in a Super Bowl loss to the Ravens (Gore had four touchdowns in three games during the 2012 title run).
While his career is quickly nearing its end, there is still another chance to reach the postseason. The AFC South is as wide open as ever, with Luck's surgically repaired shoulder remaining the biggest roadblock between mediocrity and a shot to make some noise in January. In that respect, Gore must be as curious about Luck as the rest of us.
