We could not believe he was still there?
You hear just about every team in the league say something similar to those disingenuous words after making their selection in the first round. And while the 49ers probably could believe Michael Crabtree would still be available with the No. 10 overall pick, they had every reason to be surprised.
Question: Do you anticipate Crabtree making a major contribution this year, i.e. 50 or more catches, 6 or more TDs? (John L.)
Answer: My crystal ball is a bit murky on this one. After all, Crabtree has yet to run a route at full speed and catch a pass on the 49ers' practice field after undergoing surgery to repair a stress fracture in March.
In speaking with the 49ers this week, his recovery is coming along nicely and he is expected - barring some late setback - to be on the practice field Saturday, Aug. 1, when the 49ers have their first practice of training camp.
The 49ers have a balanced group of receivers. They have at least seven legitimate NFL receivers on the team, including Crabtree. He might be in for a rude awakening when training camp rolls around because he'll have to quickly prove he's a disciplined route-runner after working in the spread offense at Texas Tech. He won't be allowed to take any short cuts when it comes to applying the teachings of receivers coach Jerry Sullivan during training camp.
I would not expect Crabtree to put up huge numbers as a rookie. In fact, there has not been much production out of a 49ers wide receivers since . . . well, since Terrell Owens (and Jeff Garcia) left town.
2004: Cedrick Wilson, 47 catches, 641 yards, three TDs
2005: Brandon Lloyd, 48 catches, 733 yards, five TDs
2006: Arnaz Battle, 59 catches, 686 yards, three TDs
2007: Arnaz Battle, 50 catches, 600 yards, five TDs
2008: Isaac Bruce, 61 catches, 835 yards, seven TDs
I might have even overshot Crabtree's production when Football Outsiders asked for a prediction of Crabtree's rookie numbers. After all, I believe Josh Morgan is the receiver who could be the team's top producer from that position. Crabtree is far behind the other receivers on the team, as far as learning how to compete and run routes at the NFL level.
It will be interesting to see how the receiver competition shapes up during training camp. But from viewing the vast majority of the offseason practices, Morgan, Brandon Jones and Dominique Zeigler looked very good. Crabtree,
People have asked recently about Crabtree's attitude. In the lead-up to the draft, Crabtree got a lot of attention for his so-called "diva" tendencies. Generally speaking, receivers are weird dudes, so he would really have to be out there for it to cause problems.
Crabtree's coach at Texas Tech, Mike Leach, swears by him. He says Crabtree is no diva. He said Crabtree's shyness is misinterpreted.
A 49ers source told me this week, however, of an episode this offseason that rubbed some of his teammates the wrong way. The source said that Crabtree, rehabbing his foot, showed up late for a meeting, prompting coach Mike Singletary to prescribe extra running for the entire team. Crabtree, per the source, did not say a word to his teammates about it - no apology.
But since that episode, Crabtree has come around and his teammates are warming up to him, the source said. I do remember a scene June 8 on the practice field when Singletary was disappointed in the sloppy play and ordered some sideline-to-sideline running during practice. Notably, Crabtree stepped in and began running with his teammates. He had already completed his conditioning/rehab on another field before stepping in to participate in the discipline.
* * *
The 49ers rookies are scheduled to report to training camp on Tuesday, July 28. But the first practice is scheduled four days later on Saturday, Aug. 1.
Singletary wants everybody to know exactly what's expected of them, so there will be a lot of classroom time before the rookies hit the practice field. The rookies will combine work in the weight room with going over the procedures and team rules.
* * *
Crabtree showed the best qualities in a college football receiver. Great Hands, the ability to get separation, and yards after the catch. I will be disappointed if he doesn't become a very good NFL receiver. There are few programs that really challenge a college receiver to run precise patterns. Jerry Rice was in one which was very loose and look how he turned out! As you said it is all up to Crabtree to put the time in and become a great receiver. As for being a Diva, never met a wide receiver who wasn't to some degree.
The thing that give me confidence in Crabtree so far is:
The desire to push himself with the rest of his team during the previous sessions.
Even if Coach did come to him and tell him to stop because he needed to heal. The desire to run and the fact he got teary eyed only show he has a strong desire to be out there working his butt off for his team and his coach and was disappointed he can not get out there to prove he is one of the guys.
Matt, On a percentage scale of probability in your eyes, What is the chances that the team is so happy with their receivers that Bruce becomes another Jerry Rice and gets cut before the season begins?
It just seems to me he is not as into the team as anyone else with the way he carries himself over the last year.
No doubt Crabtree is way behind.
Morgan being in all of MC/OTA's last year & this year & finding some NFL success already in some games is primed to take the next step & I predict should take the biggest steps out of the young core barring any unforeseen injuries. Hopefully Jason Hill is also right there if he can stay healthy.
What I like from reading about Crabtree is his fire & competitiveness. I think Coach Sully will also take notice & get sold on that. But he'll still expect Crabtree to work hard & get the basic WR fundamentals down like he did with Boldin & all his receivers. I don't expect too much from Crabtree leading up to the Bye week. Afterwards when he catches up to the playbook/techniques then we might see some decent production. I too believe he'll succeed & become a legit playmaking weapon for us. In year 2 is when I believe we'll really be taking notice of Crabtree (but don't be surprised if he shows real FLASHES this season.)
My sleeper WR is Brandon Jones. He's our only legit true blazer out there at WR. I heard he's been catching everything thrown his way thus far & his speed has been as advertised. Let's hope that keeps up in TC & again the health bite....that he stays healthy.
Hi Matt, Just watched the Texas-Texas Tech game on cable keeping a close eye on Crabtree. This guy has all the tools to be the next great 49er receiver. He does not shy away from contact and seems to run through people. Once he takes the field he'll dominate. He plays with passion.
crabniner would be fine...he might not get the 100 ctaches or thousand yards..but i bet he makes a difference in the end zone....
I am getting tired of Bruce's atittude also....One more yr and he his gone...we just need him to show the young ones how to play..
least seven legitimate NFL receivers on the team - are you counting the rb's or are you including the skinny tall guy
..oh yea..the tight ends
It just occurred to me that a five wide receiver set could be absolutely SICK this year. Not many teams will have the depth at DB that the niners have at WR. Here's to hoping Raye sees this, as well. Hard NOT to find a good matchup there.
Matt, what about Antonio Bryant in 2006? Didn't he produce more than Battle?
Jerm,
Bryant had more yards (700 something) but I think MM was measuring by the number of catches.
I gotta agree with oneniner that Crabtree may not get 70 catches his first year but what he can do is have the ability to score TD's in the red zone. To me that's more important.
On Bruce--I never spent any time reading StL papers, but isn't Bruce's behaviour as it has always been? He does his job, he doesn't try to be the media darling, or to catch much press at all for that matter. I've seen it written, and I believe here, that the only way Bruce is going to teach the younger guys is if they watch him. His job is not to coach, it is to catch balls. Where I think the 9ers in recent history have erred is in not allowing Rice to finish his career here. He would have made a huge impact on the younger guys. I believe that his example helped make TO into a (gulp) talent (God! that was hard to say cause I hate the guy so much). Anyway, I think Bruce is just being Bruce, as he has always been. And I find that lack of the "me, me, me" attitude refreshing.
I'm a 26 year old lifelong 49er fan from New York City. I have never even thought of commenting on one of the articles either one of the Mike's have ever written, but today I had to. This article is one of the reasons why I like Matt Barrows much better than Mr. Maiocco. The negativity that you displayed in this article toward Crabtree is silly and quite frankly very lame. This kid has not even practiced once yet but your already criticizing him because "a source" says he should up late. Come on.... Mr Maiocco is a prime example of why African-American athletes are very skeptical of the media. Mr. Maiocco, your being paid hansomely to report on the 49ers. You must remember, its a privilege to cover the team not a RIGHT!!!!! Your no better than Mike Lupica, Mike Francesa, Chris Russo, Bob Ryan, etc. I would not be shocked if Crabtree never even looks your way during his 49er career and Crabtree would have every right to do so.
1. Me thinks you are out of line, I did not interpret Matt's information as negative.
2. This is Matt's job, he has the right to report as he sees fit as long as his employer is will to provide a paycheck. It is not a God-given or governmental right.
3. 26, that makes this "kid", what, about 4 years younger than you? Impressive that you would have selected the 9ers as your team during some weak years; did you mean that you are a "26 year lifelong"?
4. There's three teams in NY, pick one, I don't think you'll be missed here.
5. It's Friday man! Get happy.
Mecca – Thank you for one of the most ignorant posts that anyone as ever put up on this blog. You make zero sense and if you have ever read Matt’s work you would realize he does NOT have an agenda and has always reported the FACTS. I’m sorry you are unable to handle a simple story he is relaying to his readers regarding a Crabtree incident. Again, he is reporting to the fans what he has been told by a 49ers source. Crabtree was late to a meeting and the team had to run because of it. I’d be pissed at him too. What’s the huge deal?
In 2006 Antonio Bryant was Alex Smiths "down the field, possession, move the chains guy" with 733 yds and 3 tds on 40 catches. He was the guy who stretched the field for Gore.
I think it may not be a bad decision too keep Zeigler and Battle instead of Bruce. Bruce can show these guys how to run disciplined routes this summer but there is no future with him beyond this year.
Whoa, what's wrong did your girlfriend just leave you or something? Didn't your mom tell you "if you don't have anything nice to say, then don't say nothing at all?"
I'm a 27 year old African-American male, and I found this material in no way offensive. Belive me, I pick up on a lot of unfair reporting from other media sources, but never here. The local media is A+ in the Bay Area (Sac Bee, Merc, SF Gate, etc).
I don't think you read this blog very often to make such a harsh criticism. Calm down man, have a coke and a smile.
Riiiiiight. You're a loony. Matt writes really insightful and well thought out articles about the 49ers. Your interpretation is out of left field and bringing race into it is just silly.
I also have to wonder if he is truly hansomely (sic) rewarded. Maybe he is -- I don't know. But I certainly wouldn't just assume the guys rollin' in it.
Sheesh.
Move along here. Nothing to see.
If Crabtree doesn't hit the field full speed and stay on the field during the first practice Aug 1st (unless there are contract problems,) there's still a problem with the foot. It will be the 49ers way of saying there's a problem and at the same time saying there isn't.
That kind of foot injury can be a lot more serious than reported by the beat writers. I don't know why that is, but it can take years of healing especially for running backs or receivers.
Obvious drive-by troll gets 0 points.
Pragmatism is the better part of enthusiasm.
In my opinion this is a very sloppy piece. Sure all teams say they were surprised their 1st round pick fell to them but in this case every single draft expert & NFL commentator felt exactly the same way. So did most of the regular visitors to this board.
MM needs cut the anti-Bruce BS. Bruce is a consummate professional who will be a first round hall of famer. Who the heck is Maiocco to pass judgment on Bruce staying away from optional activities. It's classless, rude and ignorant.
As for cutting Bruce, any team would be stark raving bonkers to cut their #1 receiver from the prior year on a hunch some group of unproven kids will turn out to be superstars.
Crabtree based on first hand experience of MM and every other journo I've read has not behaved like any kind of diva. All the bad stories are 3rd or 4th hand like here: "some unnamed source whispered to me that Crabtree is a bad egg". Pathetic. And I am aware of the coach that criticized Crabtree's entourage who just happened to be his family joining him on a pre-draft trip.
Bottom line, MM needs to cut repeating team tittle tattle & making mean spirited judgments on those better than himself.
How will Michael Crabtree do in his rookie year? Will he be a Top 10 WR?
Well, the conventional wisdom is that WRs, even great ones like Jerry Rice, rarely produce much as rookies.
To test this premise, I once researched Jerry Rice's rookie (1985) stats. Here are the stats:
TDs: 3, ranking # 32 among NFL WRs
Receptions: 49, ranking # 23 among WRs
Yards: 927, ranking #19 among NFL WRs.
All in all, Rice would prolly have been ranked about the # 25 WR for 1985 - And Rice had Joe Montana throwing to him.
My projections for Crabtree: 40 Receptions, for 585 yards and 5 TDs - Not bad for a rookie, but not a dominating performance, either.
"MM needs cut the anti-Bruce BS. Bruce is a consummate professional who will be a first round hall of famer. "
ehem. Most likely a third or fourth year knock on the door at Canton. Jerry will be first ballot.
I'll say it because MM won't – Isaac Bruce has the personality of a tape dispenser, not to mention being sullen around reporters and microphones in his face. But a professional who proved his production on the field? - yes.
"Bruce did not bother to show up" is hardly character assassination nor do I see any mention of cutting Bruce. As far as the insider story about Crabtree, yes it is a bit gossipy but the full story is redemptive-and precisely the kind of thing many readers here are interested in like it or not. Further,isn't indicating Mr Bruce as being "better than himself(MATT)'' a bit mean spirited itself? Bottom line Realfan49 and Mecca49er you have a right to opinions but no right for them to be taken seriously.It's a big world- don't like it here find another place that suits you. ... simple no?(p.s. Franchise the tape dispenser line was hilarious !)
Bruce is a once great-now good receiver who is a turd of a person. I wouldn't invite the guy over for dinner but I'll cheer him when he makes a play.
I really think we need to report MM for a hate-crime since this article is so bias against African-American receivers from Texas with overbearing uncles and stress fractures in his feet. Relaying a story about tardy Crabs is obviously a clear case of journalistic discrimination and we should all call our congressional representatives to urge them to stiffen the penalty for Italian-American reporters relaying any negative, imagined or real, stories about African-American athletes. I am simply outraged!
mecca, dude, its sensitive guys like you who cry wolf at every opportunity that allows many other people to minimize real issues.
Anyone who thinks Josh Morgan is anywhere close to the WR Crabtree will be in very short time is just a poor judge of talent.
The 49ers want and need for Crabtree to be very good as early as possible so Morgan can get single coverage and become one of the top #2 WRs in the NFL.
There are skills that Crabtree possesses that cannot be taught or learned. I expect him to make a big splash come training camp and never look back.
Off topic Matt but just noticed the Raiders waived LB Franz Joseph-another bonehead move by big Al. Franz was the the defensive MVP in the Texas vs Nation Game this year -a bona fide small school sleeper who was touted by Sigmund Bloom of DraftGuys,com as having pro bowl potential! I've mentioned him here before -he is a high character kid trying take care of an ailing mother -and a helluva ball player- any chance the 49ers have him on the radar screen?
..wow..dude.. easy...i feel ur pain...but this has nothin to do with race......
MM is only about niner football
... Mike Lupica, Mike Francesa, Chris Russo, Bob Ryan - who are this guys?
....dont worry crabtree is already a star even without running routes....
he is the difference btw a 7-9 tam and a 9-7 team
mecca49er,
I'm also a NYC 49er fan, but thankfully that's where our similarities end. Yours was one of the stupidest posts I've ever read here... Other posters have already laid out why quite well, so I'll refrain...
Matt never mentioned anything about cutting Bruce. That would be my post that people probably read before making a statement.
Also rice may not have been #1 49ers Receiver the year he was cut from the 49ers but his stats that year were mighty close to what Bruce did last year.
Rice in 2000 75 catches 805 Yards 7 TD's
Bruce in 2008 61 Catches 835 Yds 7 TD's
The biggest difference between the two late in their careers is that Rice proactively mentored his young receivers. Bruce just shows up to play. Rice is the undisputed best receiver of all time and even at that time before retiring was the undisputed best receiver of all time.
Bruce is a great receiver but nothing compared to Rice and definitely expendable.
We have players that can contribute the numbers he did last year and they could still be with us the following year its called getting younger at the position and it is good for a team to do it unless that players off field value is more than just the numbers he puts up. Bruce has no off field value he doesn't want to participate in off field activities or mentoring. As a veteran he has that right but the choices he makes diminishes or increases his value to the team.
But I see it now. It is all suddenly clear why bruce is so silent!!! You have your manhood so far up Bruce's backside its no wonder he is not saying anything!!
He feels violated and embarrassed!!
All I need right now is for training camp to start so we can get new info. The last 30 days or so have felt like an eternity, please Matt... I have have never in my life tryed drugs or been addicted to anything (except sports and my beloved Niners) but this is what they must feel when they can{t have their daily fix.
And just in case I think it´s never to early to ask for X-Mas gifts... so Santa, please give me a playoff birth and a 6-0 record in the NFC west.
I think Crabtree is too small to play #1 WR, he'll probably be a Wes Welker-like WR playing in the slot.
If we (The Niners and Niner fans) are Blessed enough to have THAT many legit WR's then more power to us. I'm so sick and bleepin' tired of the Football Outsiders and their assesment of how our "weak" team is going to do. I hope Josh Morgan, Jason Hill, Mike Crabtree et al have awesome seasons. And yes that includes Isaac Bruce. Even if he doesn't want to mentor the young guys, that's fine. There's a guy by the name of Jerry Rice who lives just down the road that will be more than happy to share his wealth of knowledge. And by the way...as great as Bruce is..he's no Jerry Rice. Like Highlander...There Can Be Only One.
Crabtree - 6'1" 215#
Welker - 5'9" 185#
How do you figure:
1) Crabtree is too small
2) Crabtree is comparable to Welker
?
Oh yeah... there's this guy down in Carolina... Steve Smith. 5'9" 185#. Seems to do just fine outside.
I don't know whether he'll turn into a quality outside receiver, but saying he's 'too small' is a bit short sighted.
Here's a list of the height and weights for the top #1 WRs:
Andre Johnson: 6'3" - 223
Randy Moss: 6'4" - 210
Terrell Owens: 6'3" - 224
Larry Fitzgerald: 6'3" - 220