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SANTA CLARA – Coach Jim Harbaugh does not like to make comparisons. He often says someone gets diminished when two players are compared and contrasted.
But, in this instance Harbaugh, made an exception. He praised running backs Frank Gore and Carlos Hyde in similar terms.
Harbaugh spoke glowingly about Gore’s work ethic and understanding of the game. Then, he paraphrased 49ers offensive coordinator Greg Roman, who made a similar observation behind closed doors about the second-round draft pick from Ohio State.
“Carlos gets football, understands football,” Harbaugh said, citing Roman. “It’s natural for him to understand the game, similar to Frank Gore. And we're seeing those things, and both are very good signs and bode well for us.”
Hyde is the front-runner to win the backup job behind Gore after Kendall Hunter’s season-ending knee injury, which he sustained in the second practice of training camp. Hyde rushed for nearly 2,500 yards and 31 touchdowns in his final two seasons at Ohio State.
