Cardinals ready for Gore & more

<p>SANTA CLARA — As the Arizona Cardinals prepare to face the 49ers on Monday night, the roadmap they’ve used against them in the past might not be very helpful. </p><p>The 49ers have attempted passes on 73.6 percent of their offensive plays the past two weeks. While wary of the recent tendency, the Cardinals also know they have struggled against 49ers’ running back Frank Gore. </p><p>“Let’s make no mistake, Frank Gore is the focal point of that team,” said Arizona safety Adrian Wilson, a two-time Pro Bowl selection. “Frank Gore is undoubtedly one of their best offensive players. We’re not looking past the fact they can line up and run the ball on us. </p><p>“We’re expecting him to get the ball 30 times. That’s the type of mindset you have to have. He’s not going to go two weeks without touching the ball at least 25 times.”</p><p>The Cardinals (8-4) have a chance to clinch the NFC West on Monday night at Candlestick Park against the 49ers, who have dropped six of eight games and have fallen three games back with four games remaining. </p><p>While the 49ers continue to search for an offensive identity, they’ve also made it difficult for opposing defenses to guess along with them. </p><p>The Cardinals held Gore to just 48 combined yards on 25 touches when the clubs met earlier this season. But in his past seven games, Gore has averaged 121.4 yards from scrimmage with 10 touchdowns. </p><p>Gore has seemingly been marginalized in the 49ers’ offense the past two games as offensive coordinator Jimmy Raye has placed more emphasis on quarterback Alex Smith and the 49ers’ passing game. </p><p>Raye said during the exhibition season that he wanted the 49ers to run the ball 60 percent of the time. But against Jacksonville and Seattle — games in which the 49ers never trailed by more than a touchdown — the 49ers turned into a shotgun, passing attack. </p><p>“I think when you play these guys now, you have to prepare for both,” Arizona coach Ken Whisenhunt said. “I have a lot of respect for Frank Gore and what he’s done against our football team. No matter what they’re doing, we still have to prepare for Frank Gore because he’s a good player.”</p><p>The 49ers have dramatically changed their offensive look since the teams met on Sept. 13 in the season opener. Shaun Hill started at quarterback, and he led a game-winning 80-yard drive in the fourth quarter. </p><p>But, now, Alex Smith is at quarterback and rookie Michael Crabtree — in the midst of a 71-day contract stalemate when the clubs first met — is the 49ers’ top wideout. Tight end Vernon Davis has emerged as one of the league’s top receiving threats with 10 touchdown receptions in the past 10 games. </p><p>“They look different,” Wilson said. “They are throwing the ball a little more. ... They have (Michael) Crabtree coming back and Vernon (Davis) is always a threat, and Alex Smith is playing well. We’re going to have our hands full.”</p><p>Whisenhunt said he has been impressed with what he has witnessed on film from Smith, who has thrown seven touchdown passes and just one interception in the 49ers’ past three games. </p><p>“He’s been through a lot of different situations in San Francisco,” Whisenhunt said. “You always like to see somebody who it hasn’t gone as smoothly for, especially being a high pick, turn it around and play well. </p><p>“(Smith) is doing a nice job of getting the ball out and knowing where he wants to go with it and he’s an accurate passer. Our pass defense isn’t ranked the highest, so it’s going to be a real challenge for us.”</p><p>For more on the 49ers, go to Instant 49ers at blog.pressdemocrat.com/49ers. You can reach Staff Writer Matt Maiocco at matt.maiocco@pressdemocrat.com</p>