Matt Breida grew up studying how Frank Gore and Brian Westbrook operated in pass protection.
The common denominators for both running backs: Neither is very big but both were -- and in Gore's case, still is -- excellent blockers.
"I would say it comes down to your heart and how bad do you want to block the guy in front of you," said Breida, a 49ers rookie tailback, on the art of pass protecting. "You can be my size and block the guy who's 250, 260. It's about how bad you want it."
Breida measured only 5-11, 190 pounds heading into the draft and some evaluators were leery of his size and the run-heavy offense he played in college.