by John Crumpacker, Chronicle Staff Writer , The San Francisco Chronicle

Nearing the midpoint of the season, he is in the middle of the pack in yards gained, with 364 on 65 carries for a per-carry average of 5.6 yards, third-best in the NFL and the highest figure of Gore's career. Yet, that includes three carries for 223 yards. On Gore's other 62 carries, he has picked up 141 yards, for an average of 2.27 yards per carry.

When the subject of his unusual season was broached Wednesday, Gore said, "Yeah, man, I know. I try to take one play at a time, knowing when the time comes, I'm going to take advantage of it."

Gore will take that approach into Sunday's game at Candlestick against the Tennessee Titans, a team ranked 31st in the league in total defense, 18th against the run. Not having the gigantic Albert Haynesworth anchoring the middle of the Titans' defense should help Gore and the men up front blocking for him.

"That's how the NFL works," right tackle Adam Snyder said. "You get opportunities to hit long runs when you can go the distance, and other times, you grind it out for 3, 4 yards."

In theory, a more pass-oriented offense with Alex Smith throwing to Michael Crabtree and Vernon Davis should open up things for Gore, who has seen a parade of eight-man defensive fronts designed to thwart the run. The 49ers are 22nd in the league in rushing offense.

"It's just because people have been playing good defense," Gore said. "We're getting better. Like I tell my guys up front, we've got to get positive yards every time we run the ball."

The more Smith goes to his playmaker receivers, the fewer times defenses can afford to gang up on Gore.

"Now the safety has to respect the pass down the field," Gore said. "I want to focus on my all-around game, try to be the best player I can to help my team."

The big unknown for the 49ers is how well the offensive line will perform the rest of the way, and if its depth is adequate. Two starters have been lost for extended periods, right tackle Tony Pashos for the season shoulder and left tackle Joe Staley knee for six weeks or so.

Barry Sims replaced Staley after he was lost on the first play of the game at Indianapolis and performed well, especially in keeping premier pass rusher Dwight Freeney off of Smith.

Sims did his homework in studying Freeney on tape and adjusted his technique accordingly. Instead of letting Freeney get into his body, only to spin away with his signature move, Sims kept the smaller, shorter man at bay by extending his arms and maintaining good balance.

"What I noted from preparation watching film was all the guys who got beat by the spin move were leaning," Sims said. "I was trying not to lean, to stay back so when he spun, I was able to adjust.

"It's never easy at left tackle. That's cool."

What's cool for the 49ers is watching Gore slip through a gap in the line and outrace defenders to the end zone. It's all-or-nothing for him in '09.

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