Nearly 60 years ago, the 49ers boasted the "Million Dollar Backfield." Their modern-day version is suddenly packed with both accomplished multimillionaires and promising young players.

"I don't know if everybody is going to be happy with the time they get," running backs coach Tom Rathman said Wednesday. "We don't know what the situation is right now. It's all going to play itself out.

"The good thing is we have depth at the position."

The 49ers have surrounded starter Frank Gore with a bevy of rushers, including newcomers Brandon Jacobs from the New York Giants and second-round draft pick LaMichael James out of Oregon. Battling for roster spots are also Kendall Hunter, Anthony Dixon, Rock Cartwright and undrafted rookies Jewell Hampton and Cameron Bell.

Before they figure out how to divide carries this season, the 49ers will have to whittle down their backfield, likely to only four or five running backs plus fullback Bruce Miller.

"Everybody understands the urgency, even Frank, with having a draft pick in the second round at his position, and we sign Brandon Jacobs," Rathman added. "The whole group has a sense of urgency that, 'Hey man, we have to play at a high level, we have to play consistent football to get to the Super Bowl.' "

A two-time Super Bowl winner with the Giants, Jacobs will be called upon to "pack it up inside, run over guys and be physical," Rathman said. "If we want somebody else to run outside, we'll

get somebody else."

Somebody such as James, who's already labeled "an impact player" by Rathman. Aside from last month's rookie minicamp, league rules have prevented James from further joining the 49ers until Oregon concludes its spring term June 15.

Gore, who ran for 1,211 yards last season, is working out as much as three times a day after showing up a tad overweight, Rathman said.

  • Gore reportedly harbors no ill will toward former New Orleans Saints defensive coordinator Gregg Williams, who was recorded telling his players to "kill Frank Gore's head" before their divisional playoff game Jan. 14.

    "When you hear another team call your name, that means respect," Gore told the Sacramento Bee. "That's a lot of respect, and you're doing something right for your team. So it don't bother me at all."

    Gore also expressed no qualms with Saints linebacker Jonathan Vilma, a former high school and college teammate who's been suspended by the NFL for the season for his alleged part in the bounty scandal. Gore suffered no significant injuries in the 36-32 win over the Saints, who were not penalized once that game.

  • Jacobs' $2 million to join the 49ers in late March is a bit more than what a 6-year-old Giants fan offered to keep him in New York. Via Twitter, Jacobs posted a picture of a mother's letter relaying her son's plea and enclosing $3.36 from his piggy bank. "I may have to pay him a surprise visit," Jacobs tweeted.

  • The 49ers will hold their only public practice of training camp Aug. 12 at Candlestick Park, two days after they open their exhibition season there against the Minnesota Vikings.

    Stadium construction around their Santa Clara facility will prevent the 49ers from hosting the 10 or so public sessions they've offered in recent years at training camp there. Tickets for this summer's HP-sponsored Fan Fest go on sale in July, and a portion of the $5 tickets will benefit the 49ers Foundation. This marks the second straight year the 49ers will hold a "Fan Fest" at Candlestick, and last year's came two days after their exhibition-season debut at New Orleans.

  • Second-year quarterback Scott Tolzien said he is following coach Jim Harbaugh's "work and don't worry" mantra while competing and learning alongside Alex Smith, Colin Kaepernick and Josh Johnson. "I was in the same position in college," said Tolzien, who became Wisconsin's starter his final two seasons. "It doesn't do you any good to measure yourself against other guys on a day-to-day basis."

  • Ethan Waugh has been named Senior Personnel Assistant and will be based at the 49ers' Santa Clara facility. He served as the Midwest scout since 2008 and sparked the evaluation of this year's first-round draft pick, wide receiver A.J. Jenkins from Illinois.

    The 49ers also named two new regional scouts: Scott Brown (Midlands area, in place of Kent Kahl) and Chip Flanagan (Northeast region, replacing Todd Brunner). Also, Matt Malaspina returns to the Southeast area and Justin Chabot is reassigned to the Midwest.

    For more on the 49ers, see Cam Inman's Hot Read blog at blogs.mercurynews.com/49ers.