Mariucci seemed to be right. Together, the group, rushed for 1956 yards on 498 carries an average of just under four yards a carry. While four yards a carry isn’t impressive for a stand alone running back, once fullbacks are thrown into the mix, it’s a rather amazing accomplishment. But as the season emerged, it was clear that Garrison Hearst was all the way back from his ‘career ending’ injuries, and that the 49ers had someone special in Kevan Barlow.

The two lead the 49ers rushers, still operating out of a committee, headed by Hearst. And contrary to what most running backs have experienced in the past, the committee seemed to benefit the two backs. So much so that Garrison Hearst ran for over 1200 yards this season, was nominated to the Pro Bowl and was most recently given his unprecedented second Comeback Player Of The Year award. Hearst is the second 49er to win the award (Bryant Young won after returning to the NFL with a titanium rod implanted in his leg -interestingly, the 49ers are the only NFL team to have to winners of the award), but Hearst is the first player to ever with the award twice. Hearst acknowledges that if it weren’t for the rest of the team, his success would never have come.

Perhaps that is gratification enough for the rookie Barlow that was able to keep Hearst’s legs fresh so far this season. The two were an incredible change of pace of one another, and worked selflessly to get the 49ers into winning positions. It was the run game this season that played a huge role in racking up the twelve wins and playoff birth. And it was Garrison Hearst and Kevan Barlow following the blocks of Fred Beasley and the offensive line that headed up the run game.