Dolphins' Gore embracing tutor role, not ruling out playing in 2019
Thirty-five-year-old Miami Dolphins running back Frank Gore understands that a key part of his role this season will be mentoring third-year rusher Kenyan Drake and rookie Kalen Ballage.
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Gore thinks his 13 seasons in the NFL have him well equipped to teach his younger teammates, and he's glad the Dolphins viewed him as the proper candidate for the job when they signed him to a one-year, $1.1-million contract this offseason.
"I feel like they should ... especially with the things I’ve been through in my career," Gore said, according to Jason Lieser of the Palm Beach Post. "People said that I wouldn’t be here and I wouldn’t (last) more than three years, and I’ve been blessed going into my 14th year. Now I want to go out here and be successful, have fun and do whatever it takes with my team and try to get some wins."
Gore still proved to be a valuable rusher in his own right with the Indianapolis Colts last season. He rushed for 961 yards and three touchdowns on 261 carries over a full 16 games. It was his seventh consecutive season playing all 16 contests and 12th straight campaign with a total of at least 1,200 yards from scrimmage.
The quality production has Gore remaining open to the idea of playing a 15th season in 2019.
"If I feel good and the Dolphins want me back, I’ll come back. It’s all on how I feel, but I just take it one year at a time, one day at a time," Gore said.