Michael Crabtree, WR, San Francisco 49ers (1 Viewer)

[drummer]

69 catches for 925 yards and 7 TD.

The following concerns me as far as this season goes...

#1: His work ethic. We can all talk about how talented he is, how great a coach Harbaugh is and that he should make Crabtree more productive, etc. but the onus is and forever will be on Crabtree. If he continues to coast along and presume that his talent will override working hard, he'll never be much more than a productive WR2 with fleeting WR1 spots in various seasons. The poster who remarked in relation to Hines Ward forgets that Ward worked his utter tail off after coming in as a sparely worked WR in college and was a QB for most of his college career.

#2: The relationship with Alex Smith. Alex Smith, if he starts all 16 games, has the football in his hands on every passing play and very easily can freeze out Crabtree in the passing game. Smith can target guys like Vernon Davis, Frank Gore, rookie Kendall Hunter, and the other wide receivers if Crabtree continues to test him and anger him. Smith could target Crabtree 3-5 times a game and make Crabtree get 1-3 catches to satisfy him a little all the while ignoring him otherwise.

#3: John Harbaugh. Tied into point #1, if Crabtree doesn't work hard and the other receivers are obviously working much harder, I don't think Harbaugh has any qualms about starting somebody else and bumping Crabtree down. Don't forget that Harbaugh did not draft Crabtree and that Crabtree was a WR drafted from another regime. If other WRs happen to catch Harbaugh's eyes, I think that could quickly change Crabtree's status both on the team and in relation to the WR depth chart as well. Also his lack of ST versatility confines him only to a WR role so Harbaugh could eventually look for a strong group of WRs who can specialize both as receivers and chip in on ST.

Alex Smith is fighting for his job, especially since the new coach drafted a QB. I don't think Smith will intentionally cut his own throat by intentionally ignoring Crabtree. He does that and he'll lose the job quick.

Smith and Crabtree are both busts. Funny how this is an issue in SF. Goes to show how bad they are.

 

[Patoons]

Not to suggest they are the same or similar talent, but this Crabtree hate is very reminiscent of the Andre Johnson hate a number of years ago in '05. People were saying similar things about AJ after his 3rd season. Granted, AJ already had a season of 900 and 1,000 yards, but the hate is very similar suggesting he would never break out.

The QB situation and the HC handling weren't exactly stellar last year. '11 is a make or break year for Crabtree, but should he see targets I don't see any reason why he won't hit 1K.

 

[SproutDaddy]

69 catches for 925 yards and 7 TD.

The following concerns me as far as this season goes...

#1: His work ethic. We can all talk about how talented he is, how great a coach Harbaugh is and that he should make Crabtree more productive, etc. but the onus is and forever will be on Crabtree. If he continues to coast along and presume that his talent will override working hard, he'll never be much more than a productive WR2 with fleeting WR1 spots in various seasons. The poster who remarked in relation to Hines Ward forgets that Ward worked his utter tail off after coming in as a sparely worked WR in college and was a QB for most of his college career.

#2: The relationship with Alex Smith. Alex Smith, if he starts all 16 games, has the football in his hands on every passing play and very easily can freeze out Crabtree in the passing game. Smith can target guys like Vernon Davis, Frank Gore, rookie Kendall Hunter, and the other wide receivers if Crabtree continues to test him and anger him. Smith could target Crabtree 3-5 times a game and make Crabtree get 1-3 catches to satisfy him a little all the while ignoring him otherwise.

#3: John Harbaugh. Tied into point #1, if Crabtree doesn't work hard and the other receivers are obviously working much harder, I don't think Harbaugh has any qualms about starting somebody else and bumping Crabtree down. Don't forget that Harbaugh did not draft Crabtree and that Crabtree was a WR drafted from another regime. If other WRs happen to catch Harbaugh's eyes, I think that could quickly change Crabtree's status both on the team and in relation to the WR depth chart as well. Also his lack of ST versatility confines him only to a WR role so Harbaugh could eventually look for a strong group of WRs who can specialize both as receivers and chip in on ST.

Alex Smith is fighting for his job, especially since the new coach drafted a QB. I don't think Smith will intentionally cut his own throat by intentionally ignoring Crabtree. He does that and he'll lose the job quick.

Smith and Crabtree are both busts. Funny how this is an issue in SF. Goes to show how bad they are.

To say Crabtree is a bust is asinine. Smith on the other hand is a different story.

 

[Grahamburn]

Not to suggest they are the same or similar talent, but this Crabtree hate is very reminiscent of the Andre Johnson hate a number of years ago in '05. People were saying similar things about AJ after his 3rd season. Granted, AJ already had a season of 900 and 1,000 yards, but the hate is very similar suggesting he would never break out. The QB situation and the HC handling weren't exactly stellar last year. '11 is a make or break year for Crabtree, but should he see targets I don't see any reason why he won't hit 1K.

Did Andre have a similar reputation for being lazy and disruptive?

 

[doubletrouble]

 

[swirvenirvin]

Missing his 3rd straight preseason with the injury. Doubt I'll be buying