If you're wondering how Michael Crabtree looked today in the 49ers' offense, the answer is: He didn't.
Because Crabtree will not be in uniform for Sunday's game against the Falcons, there was no reason for him practice any of the 49ers' game plan. Instead, he lined up as a receiver on the scout team - in the role of Michael Jenkins.
The 49ers received a two-week roster exemption for Crabtree. He can't warm up or suit up, but he can remain in the bench area during the game.
Earlier today, offensive coordinator Jimmy Raye discussed at length the team's plan for Crabtree. Here are some excerpts of what he said:
On how he plans on using WR Michael Crabtree:
"Well, we're going to try to get him started, but the biggest thing is that he as no carryover background from being here before because he wasn't able to do anything because of the injury. So, we're trying to get him caught up in the system, the words and the verbiage and give him a chance to get his legs underneath him.
"He's a little wobbly. You've got to remember, he hasn't played football since last November or December. He hasn't done anything relative to football, so he's not in that kind of shape. So, we have a conditioning thing we have to be concerned with, not take him too fast and get a setback. If we can avoid that and we'll start him off at either one of the wide receiver spots, not sure exactly right now which one that will be, but I know system-wise, the split receiver is the less complicated because of the shifts and the motions, it's the one that has less learning. We may start him there, but basically, my hope is we will start him in the three-wide package. He will play in the slot, and that will be the focal point of getting him into the game as quickly as we can, and then that would be a game-plan situation because he would then learn the plays and the game plan and wouldn't have to be responsible for the entire offense, things that he would be short on."
On having Crabtree continue the learning process at the split end position:
"I think that is least complicated, volume-wise, learning there, but to get him on the field the fastest we would, in a three-wide package, he would be the slot. He would be the guy who would go into the slot. That will take some adjustments to get him up to speed to go on the field right now as a split end."
On whether he's practicing with the offense or on the scout team:
"We don't have space to use him in the offense. We have time with him, and then we have a bye. We can't give snaps to him in the offense if he's not going to the game. We've got to get the people ready who are going to play in the game and continue the continuity that we have in the passing game with the quarterbacks and the receivers that are playing. So, to get him snaps in the offense at this point would be detrimental to what we're trying to do."
On whether he feels Crabtree can adjust to his scheme:
"I've watched very little tape of what he did in college. He played in a four-wide or five-wide package and was an outside receiver. I've seen the highlight film, but I didn't study him as a receiver, or haven't studied him as a receiver in the scheme that he played in college. From what I've seen early on, I think he'll adjust to the scheme, adjust pretty easily to any scheme. He basically played on one side in college, didn't flip, stayed on the one side and the routes were basically - in their system, he ran a hitch, and if he was pressed, he ran a go. So, it's a little bit more learning that he has to do than time will allow us to teach him, but we've got to make do as we can."
On whether Crabtree essentially ran two routes in college:
"As far as I can tell, but that's just a gloss over because I did not look at him and study him going back because I didn't have the receivers to look at. From what I saw of him on the highlight tape, that's what I saw."
On whether he ran those routes well:
"Yes, and they threw it pretty well, so he was pretty successful with it. As a matter of fact, the route that he caught to beat
On whether he will install a small package of plays for Crabtree against
"I think so. I think that, as mentioned earlier, I think it would be easier for him or less complicated for him if he had a concentrated package, and right now, in my mind, that would be the third-down package where he would be the F receiver and he would learn that and not be responsible for the entire plan. Whether we, depending on how he is condition-wise after these two weeks, how much we think we could have a six-play package for him as an extended receiver and as an X or a Z, would be dependant totally on his conditioning and his level of retaining what we have installed over the additional time that we have to get prepared for the next game."
On the difficulty of installing Crabtree into the offense midseason:
"It's a challenge because we have no background with the young man. The quarterback is throwing balls in warm ups to him, so there's no symmetry between the quarterback and the receiver, no route flexibility, the body language. We've got to try to hasten that process and do all of that in a 10 to 14-day window, and try to do something that has taken us as a group to this point, since last March to accomplish. We're trying to do this with a young man who hadn't played the speed of the pro game and hadn't been here for any of that. So, it's a challenge, but one that we're up to."
* * *
Matt,
Maybe I'm just overly critical but I find it hard to believe the Offensive Coordinator did not study film of the teams first round draft pick. Are coaches completely out of the loop in the 49ers draft process? This seems like a very bizarre thing for an OC to admit. At the very least it points to a major disconnect from the guys the 9ers are drafting and the scheme they plan to run.
I agree Houston. But Maybe some coaches handle things differently. Personally, if I was Jimmy I would be like this:
"Hey intern/video guy, can you do me a favor and make a DVD of 50% or more of Crabtree's catches over his career. I know it is a lot. You have a week... Oh, and can you please log the situation for each catch: down-distance, score, game time and fell tke a shot at identiftying coverage."
"Mr. Raye, you know there are scouts that actually do that sort of thing. I can see if I can get you a copy."
"Thanks, son" Raye ruffles the kid's hair and finishes taking a shower.
MM and guys - GREAT video of Mike Singletary Mic'd Up for the Rams game. Clearly Chilo is one of the players he is NOT happy with. After a sack Sing says, "Chilo is going to make me knock him out" He then went over to Rachal on the bench after the series in front of the O-line and said "Chilo, I'm going to ask you an honest question, if you cannot play let me know and I'm going to get someone else in there..." and then suggested Rachal was letting down the rest of the line and asked him if he was "ready to play or not". He then summoned Rachal over to him nearer the sideline, asking the second-year pro if he wanted to be great. This stuff is good:
http://www.nfl.com/videos/nfl-films-sound-efx/09000d5d8133b564/Sound-FX-49ers-tough-love
I'm totally with you Houston after hearing Raye I say "WHAT?" I mean Raye was there preparing for the 49er draft right? Well whatever! I am getting annoyed though everytime Raye opens his mouth now. The point is the 49er coaching staff has some time to get Tree acclimated to a point where he can have a few packages that he & the coaching staff will feel comfortable with. The less thinking on Tree's part the better as he obsorbs more of the playbook as the season progresses.
The coaches should be thinking about Dec 6 and Dec 14, when the Niners play the Seahawks and Cardinals again. If he's hitting on all cylinders by then, he can still make a meaningful contribution this year.
Why do you fellows have so much trouble understanding the chain of command. McCloughan and the scouts study college players and McC chooses who to draft. Raye spent the off season studying our OWN players to see what he could do with them. I doubt Raye had even 1 per cent input on who we drafted. Especially Crabtree, who fell in our lap, and we had seven minutes to choose him.
This goes hand and hand, with the get on the train or miss it mindset of the 49ers. It's not Raye's job to see what players did in college, its the players job to do what Raye tells them to. We want winners!
Why do you fellows have so much trouble understanding the chain of command. McCloughan and the scouts study college players and McC chooses who to draft. Raye spent the off season studying our OWN players to see what he could do with them. I doubt Raye had even 1 per cent input on who we drafted. Especially Crabtree, who fell in our lap, and we had seven minutes to choose him.
Why would any coach spend time studying what individual players did in college? That's a scouts job, not a coaches. The coaches are supposed to fit the players ON THE TEAM into the scheme, be it offense or defense. What you did in college scheme wise is moot in the pros.
Matt, something has made me curious. Let me first say that you rock and your work is second to none. I've noticed that when Jimmy Raye speaks, you write it in such amazing detail. When Singletary, McCloughan and others speak, it appears to me that you "trim the fat" and give us the meaty good or what you feel is the relevant stuff. I've actually seen the same stories from other writers where they have transcribed the entire interview or press conferences. I'm also thinking that maybe it's just a creative spin of yours which I can certainly appreciate. I'm not complaining at all. Just curious. Is it Jimmy Raye? Perhaps the others? The other thing is that I didn't look back at your other stuff for specifics. It could be just me too. Just trying to get inside that head of yours.
It boggles my mind that Jimmy Ray just assumes, with no reservations whatsoever, that Crabtree deserves playing time that otherwise would go to Brandon Jones (the team's best WR in preseason) and/or Arnaz Battle.
Ray appears to be ignorant of the fact that historically a whole slew of 1st round WRs barely got on the field as rookies, and that was after they had experienced a full training camp?
Whatever happened to the principle that a rookie (or other newcomer) had to prove he deserved to play ahead of the incumbents.
I'm disappointed in the way Ray has dissed the incumbent WRs.
Good looking Mike.
That video needs to be sent to every Niner fan and every college kid that want to play football in the NFL. This is how the Niners role.
I agree with you because Raye has had enough on his plate implementing his system and trying to figure out how to use existing personnel. Had he been here a few years already I think he probably would have had a chance to check out Crabtree's college tapes. Obviously, this offense is still a work in progress so now he can watch live what Crabtree can do to help improve it. There's definitely a ways to go before Raye's offense scares any opposing DCs.
Why would he assume he doesn't deserve a few third-down snaps in the slot? The kid's got a ton of raw talent, to automatically write him off despite the surprising run of productive rookie receivers in the last couple years (Josh Morgan, for example) is as ridiculous as automatically making him a starter. Giving him limited time in the slot to ease into NFL game speeds is the best bet.
And, I know it's been said, but if Raye had wasted five minutes in the last six months watching film of college games, that would annoy me. I'm relieved he hasn't.
Right on Mike!!!
Tough Love for real... excuses at first but he gets through to them and they step it up. I love how he says to Bly... "He's alright... he's from the hood"
I Love Sing even more man... gotta laugh at Morgans excuse though... Sing "Did it hit your hands?" Morgan "Yeah but it came down like a punt" LMAO
OMFG I LOVE THIS VIDEO!!!!!! Thanks for posting. I have been critical of Sing's credentials but the genuine, honest way he handles communication with the players is freaking awesome. I'm becoming a huge fan of Sing's.
On the Raye not scouting thing. You guys MUST be kidding. Some of you are saying the OC has no responsibility to partner with the scouting staff to help select the players. Riiiight! You guys need to get a clue. Scouts and coaches work together to pick players on EVERY NFL team. To have an OC who says he didn't watch much film of the player the team picked in the 1st round is ludicrous. If you don't agree, sorry, but your an idiot.
no I genuinely believe jimmy raye when he said he didn't spend too much time looking at what crabtree can do. jimmy raye was just installed as OC before the draft. and seeing how the oline has been playing, I think that has been a priority as of late. plus why would you study what a wr was doing in college when they already have 6 OTHER wr on the squad already. if anyone had an input on whether to get crabtree or not it would only be coach singletary or o'sullivan, who have been with the team for any meaningful time.
Exactly Battery,you got it right. Too many Raye bashers around that won't even give him a chance to fully install his offense and have it run for at least half a season,before they jump all over him.
I would also rather have a WCO but Raye is doing what Sing wants and he is doing it fairly well for the stage of installing the offense that he is in. He may even be ahead of schedule with his new offense ,compared to other new offenses being installed around the League every year. It usually take a full season and then the next year the offense breaks out. I give it about 3 or 4 more weeks before this offense starts to look much more smooth and then hopefully if we make the playoffs,the offense will be almost caught up with the defense by then. (remember this is the 2nd season for Manusky and really most of the player have been with this defense for almost 2 full years (although Nolan messed up Manusky for some of thet period.)
And GREAT video and GREAT HC !!!
"If you don't agree, sorry, but your an idiot."
How can we refute such a definitive criterion, which I believe boils down to "I'm right and you're wrong." Solid brainwork, Houston (LOL). Very convincing.
I believe, however, that you are refuted by none other than Jimmy Raye himself, who actually IS an OC working in the NFL (unlike you). Just listen to the man and you would not make such ludicrous statements about what is "ludicrous", as though YOU, a simple Texas layman, would know his job better than Raye does, better than his bosses do, and you are also imbued with vast knowledge of how EVERY team in the NFL goes about these things, which somehow has escaped everyone in the Niners organization. Sorry, but this is delusional nonsense and I'm afraid you must rethink your criterion, perhaps inverting it. I.E., I scoff on your sleeve.
Coaches are more likely to be involved in the FA selections, since those players are in the NFL and specific positions are targeted. OC's most certainly would NOT be looking at thousands of hours of tapes of college players that may or may not ever be on the team. That's, as others have pointed out, what SCOUTS do. Singletary himself did not watch much tape of P. Willis before he was drafted, but McC sold him on the guy and McC was right. After he was drafted, Singletary did his job, which was to coach the player. And that's how it works in the NFL. Houston, over and out.
Question: I've noticed that when Jimmy Raye speaks, you write it in such amazing detail. When Singletary, McCloughan and others speak, it appears to me that you "trim the fat" and give us the meaty good or what you feel is the relevant stuff. Just curious. Is it Jimmy Raye?
My response: Interesting. I didn't realize I did that, but it's no surprise it has worked out that way.
I think Jimmy Raye is very good in print interviews. He answers questions directly and does not use a bunch of vague expressions to convey this thoughts. That's why I might be more apt to use a transcript of his interviews.
On the other side of the spectrum is Greg Manusky. Certainly nothing personal against Manusky -- I think he's a heck of a coach -- but his answers rarely offer any insight or perspective. --Matt M.
Ohhhh Damn.... Matt.... you bringing some tude.... Is G.M. blowing it???
Great post Skeebers !!! Death of a thousand cuts,with a smile on your face throughout !
I enjoy Raye's interviews. He gives concrete, detailed answers to questions, with some explanation of his reasoning. You come away with some insight you didn't have before.
I enjoyed the Singletary 'tough love' video too. I wonder if the boy is one of his kids. I had to laugh - you could tell Rachal was raised in the South: while Singletary's chewing him out, he responds meekly: 'yessir - yessir - yessir.'
I think Raye's taking the right approach bringing Crabtree along slowly...the mistake some coaches make is trying to get guys on the field too soon. We've all seen it...a pulled hammy's the most common injury WR's suffer. It can really stifle their progress. Also, getting him comfortable is another key...that way he can at least master some basics, then expand his role as he learns more of the offense. As for him not "scouting" Crabtree, that's not his job. His responsibility is to coach the offensive players that are a) healthy, and b) signed. He's had his hands full on a new team, not to mention being the 7th OC in as many seasons. As for putting Crabtree above other receivers, that's not necessarily what will happen. The BL question is, though, why wouldn't you want to get him on the field? He was hands-down rated the best WR in the draft...and our #1 pick, so you need to get him on the field when he's ready and able to contribute. He'll only make our offense and team stronger. This guy's a baller...don't forget that!
Agree that it's unnecessary for Raye to do scouting, but I'm a little surprised he didn't at least take a look at Crabtree's tape to try and get an idea of where best use him.
I have an inkling that most good coordinators would have taken a look at the tape over those 6 months to see where he could best use his new toy (not realizing said toy would miss so much time). Well, assuming Raye is like most people his age, i guess he probably needs to spend over half the day sleeping.
btw, throw him into the 3rd down package? really? when he and Shaun Hill have zero reps, while likely have training camp level timing and it's unlikely that any new player, let alone a rookie, will earn Hill's trust in a few weeks - but you want to put him in on 3rd down? i guess it'll be fine if he just "sits down" somewhere.
> I enjoy Raye's interviews. He gives concrete, detailed answers to questions, with some explanation of his reasoning. You come away with some insight you didn't have before.
Same here. I could not have said it better.
Well they didn't give him 17 million guarenteed dollars to back up Arnez Battle. So look for King Crab to get throws as soon as he is the lineup..
Matt, I enjoy this blog.. Is Willis the next best MLB in the NFL? I say by next year he will be the next Ray Lewis ON THE FIELD...
You know what... Your right and I'm wrong. I am still a bit shocked the OC didn't study film of the guy but my post was weak.
Yessss...A.smith finally got a number 1 receiver he can bond with in practice...
he his building chemistry with both of our future starting receivers in practice......
While S.hill is playing with 2 recivers that might not be with the team next yr......
yes yes yes....
Thanks, Houston 9er. It takes a bigger person to consider criticism and accept it if its legitimate. We're all capable of making mistakes, its helpful to at least consider another point of view.
I think managing a staff is like coaching, there are different ways to share the workload; like who scouts college talent, etc. Each team situation is unique. I agree with the point made that Raye was probably refining what the offense would be based on existing personnel, and that the chance of getting MC didn't seem great.
I will admit though that I wouldn't have guessed he had that little familiarity with the kid.
"If you don't agree, sorry, but your an idiot."
Truth hirts...i gess Im stoopid...
It will be interesting to see how they gradually work Crabs in. Raye's comments give us hints. Matching his athletic ability against #3/#4 DBs will tell us something.They went to a lot of trouble and expense to get him so that's why they're talking about him even though Jones and Battle are currently more NFL ready.
Heck, you have to use whatever tools you have. They could line me up at Flanker to run a Go route down the sideline. The opposing DBs would be laughing so hard that everyone else would be wide open! Ya' gotta use what ya' got! :)
Wait a minute....let me get this straight....a LOW PASS FROM ALEX SMITH?!?!?!!! STOP THE PRESSES!!!
LOL!!
Snark -- it's what I do.
I said at the time of the signing that Crabtree wouldn't be a distraction this week (for the ATL game) and I think, for the most part, with the players and Singletary, that remains true. But it does seem with the media and us fans, that WE are very distracted. Not that there's anything wrong with that. Just an observation.
I absolutely agree that the coaching staff needs to bring him along slowly. The risk of injury or on-the-field mistakes are too great. The guy needs reps. Reps go to players who are in shape and ready to digest playbook material. If it isn't that way, then you have a receiver cutting the wrong way or running the wrong route (interception), missing a block, or some mistake that kills a drive and maybe costs a game.
If the Niners are serious about getting to the playoffs, every game is important, every play, really.
I had a dream about the Atlanta game. Ryan scrambled to elude a sack and threw a bullet down the sideline that was intercepted. I need to get a life. Heh.
Crabtree reminds me of the great Jerry Rice, he has got great hands and he can elude tacklers after the catch, although he does not consciously protect the football after the catch, when he is running. a cause for concern....
but to compare Crabtree to Battle or Jones, there is no comparison.
The money and trouble they spent to get Crabs into the fold will not have much if any impact on when or how much he plays,imho.
Like sing said,he will play when he proves to everyone that he is ready.
Personally I hope they are trying him at kickoff and punt returner right now in practice. But from what I heard and read,they seem to not want to do that ,at least until he gets more up to speed on the receiver job.
Seems to me that he could possibly take rossums spot on the roster and immediatly contribute to the team by returning punts and kickoffs (if he shows he can do it in practice).Then he can work in practice to get his receiving knowledge up to speed and work into a WR role .
Oh well,they know better than me !
Well, there you have it. Raye will work Crabtree slowly into the offense. The way the Niners are playing, there is no rush to get him on the field to carry a large portion of the offense on his shoulders. We have 5 1/2 more years to see what he's got and if he can be successful at the wide receiver position.
The Niners haven't used their wide receivers much early in the season mostly because of the quality of receivers they have had to start the season. Other than Bruce, the Niners have had little to no production from their wide receivers and they have still won. Vernon Davis (the Beast) is our leading receiver at the TE position. If receivers dont get open, Hill isn't the type of QB to try and force a ball into a receiver. The Niner's just had 2 quality receivers come off the IR. Brandon Jones was our #1 receiver in camp, and had developed a good rapport with Hill. Jason Hill is the other wide receiver, and he looks like a good young receiver who will get open and make plays. Jason had developed a good rapport with Shawn Hill at the end of last season and was a contributor in the wins that the Niners were able to get finishing up the year strong last year. With these 2 new GOOD targets, the Niners are going to see more production from the WR positions anyway.
Crabby will have to study very hard to crack the lineup we can now put on the field. His advertised skill should help him to overcome the lost practices hopefully and as time goes on he should be a better weapon for the Niners. If the Niners make the playoffs this year, and that is a big IF, Crabtree could be a major piece for the offense. He will have some seasoning by then and we will have a feel for what the kid can do by then. But now it's study, study, practice, practice until he can take those baby steps in Houston on 10/25. If he is half the receiver he thinks he is, what a wonderful weapon to have! The Niners were sorely lacking the speedy wide receiver that can get open down field. A speed guy at WR not only gives the team a deep threat, it helps open up the underneath stuff to Davis or Coffee coming out of the backfield. If Crabby can be that guy, it would be a big boost for our offense. Right now, that speedy guy we need is going to be Brandon Jones, and I see him having a huge game on Sunday.
The Falcons Defense is suspect and exploitable in both the run and pass defense. OUR defense is #1 in many categories on defense and will prove to be more than just an irritant to Matt Ryan, Tony Gonzalaz, and their running back Turner. I don't think Turner will gain 50 yards on the ground. So Ryan will have to win the game with his arm. If we KNOW he is going to be throwing, especially if they get behind early, it is going to be a VERY long day for the young man. The Niner's defense has proven over the last 4 games that they can generate pressure on the QB without having to blitz. Ryan might get knocked out of the game after 2 or 3 free shots by Willis or Lawson. If Ryan doesn't have time to throw down field, there will be a lot of dump off passes to Turner and Gonzalas. The strength of our defense is our linebackers ability to tackle for short gains. If the Falcons go 3 and out a lot during the first half, it will be the Falcons defense that will run out of gas before the Niners defense does. If the Niners can get a lead heading into halftime, I don't see Ryan bringing the Falcons back from a deficit of more than 10 points in the second half. Too much pressure will be applied. On the other hand, I don't think the Falcons can bring enough pressure without blitzing on Hill. Hill has shown the ability to beat the blitz with his arm. I think the Niners, even with Coffee will be able to run on the Falcon's D.
The 2 wins the Falcons have are against inferior opponents and both wins were at home. Their loss was a lopsided affair to the Patriots, who are not exactly playing great football themselves. The Falcons were never in the game against New England. If I were to guess, I'd say that the chances of the Falcons getting blown out are very high. With our top 3 Defense and a improving offense, I predict that the Niners win 30-3 in a laugher. Just don't think that the Falcon's offense is strong enough to withstand the defensive pressure we can exert, while our offense looks strong enough to move the ball against their sub par defense.
The second half of the St. Louis game looks to me to be what will happen to the Falcons all game on Sunday. I honestly believe that our defense can pitch a shutout 2 weeks in a row. I was reading (not posting) on the Falcon's fansite, and they have no idea just how strong our defense really is! The Niners should be 4-0 right now if not for a miracle by a HOF QB. They came out in the second half against St. Louis and stomped the life out of the Lambs.
If our defense can play that way against the Falcons all game, I just dont see what the Falcons can do to win this game. They don't have the running game to really sell the play action pass. If they get behind and get pass happy, I think the Niner's "D" will blow them up. Even if the Falcons some how get a lead at the half, Shawn Hill has proven he can orchestrate a 2nd half comeback. I am very interested in how this game plays out. If the Niners really put the wood o the Falcons, they will have to be seriously considered a contender in the NFC. I am sure that Coach Singletary has imparted this to the team. He will have the team fired up and ready to run through WALLS on Sunday. Atlanta wont know what hit them....
Putting Crabtree( 17 million guarenteed) out there as a return man would be the 1st stupid mistake Singletary would have made since he was given this job. Your future #1 receiver having someone running full speed downfield unblocked taking a knee out! Never.
Yeah, lets see Larry fitzgerald, Ochocinco, Andre Johnson, T.O., or any # 1 receiver in the N.F.L. taking back retutns. It is unheard of and I can't belive Top Cat would even think of something like that let alone posting it.
We all know he's gonna be an impact player. I never want to see him return anything unless its a suit he doesn't like!