I also read somewhere he would get 12-15 plays. So maybe he’d be “starting” but Morgan would still get a large chunk of the playing time.

Unless he really kicked ass over the last two weeks, I could see this causing a lot of animosity within the team…

They can’t have forgotten about his “break away speed” demonstration against Atlanta.

Mogan Morgan

Morgan has been our most effective WR this year.

Bruce has been mediocre.

WTF?

And a shot at Morgan’s play. We’d only know this from film study but perhaps he’s not running his routes as well as the coaches want and/or is not mentally where the coaches expect. This may wake him up. And KO return keeps him involved.

I do recall reading in pre-season that Morgan can play either WR spot (flanker or split-end) so perhaps they’ll give Morgan some of Bruce’s snaps as that would seem to be what we’ll have next season.

two thumbs way down here. This kind of favoritism/starting he guy with the big bucks is exactly what Singletary was supposed to be against. No rational person can claim that Crabtree can just walk in and be ready to start over Morgan. Further, it impedes Morgan from developing. This is one of the few moves from the new regime that I just hate.

they could mix it up by having davis at the FB slot and stuff like this.

Bruce should be the one on the bench

1 – Crabtree has flat out been better than Morgan in practice – this is definitely a real possibility – Morgan is good but let’s face it – he doesn’t have the raw talent that Crabs has. Maybe he really is still in game shape and he’s a quick learner

2 – pressure from ownership to get the big money maker on the field – doubtful – doesn’t seem like something our management would do or Sing would go along with

3 – Coaches are sending a message to Morgan because he slowed up on that long completion – again, doubtful – when someone does something wrong Sing will let them know directly, not punish them through something like this. And usually he sends the guy right back out there to prove he believes in the player.

4 – they are planning to change Morgan’s position and make him either the slot guy or start slowly working him into Bruce’s role – this is a very real possibility that has been discussed above – Bruce is done after this year and it makes sense to have Morgan start getting reps at that position.

5 – they’re sending a message to the whole team – the offense has not been good and starting Crabs sends the message that nobody’s job is safe and people better starting busting their tails to get better.

If Crabtree starts, then it’s harder for teams to say they’re passing when he is in the game. If we started as usual and then Crabs came in then we’re passing 9 times outta ten judging from Raye’s body of work. Which still makes no sense bring him in and run because teams won’t play 8 in the box. I’d look for 20 snaps out of the 3wr formation and I honestly believe this will help our run game.

Like others have posted, the preliminary thought would be 12-15, and they figured that would be the case. but I think with the coaches watching his work ethic, and probably noticing just how damn good he could be, he needs to start. Talent wise, he is the best WR we have. If he busted his butt the last 2 weeks, and has proven it, He should start.

Also, Kudos to Morgan. Class act, putting the team before him. He’ll be back in the starting core soon enough.

Let’s go Niners!

I opened up a new thread for Monday Night Football that has some info on Crabtree that I was curious about (also a transcript from Singletary’s press conference today.. Feel free to continue discussing here, or move it over there.

http://www.ninersnation.com/2009/10/19/1091858/broncos-chargers-mnf-thread-a

Coach says that the coaching staff was very impressed with Crabtree and as well was he. Coach did say that he would play in this game. As to whether he starts or how many play;s he is in will depend on game plan and situations. If these rumors are true then it would signal a more aggressive passing game plan. Has anybody gotten any reasonable intel on Gore? If Gore isn’t 100% then a focus on a real passing game may be in the works.

Singletary is just going to hand a job to anyone on the roster then they are mistaken. I have read many reports that Crabtree has looked like a stud in practice and that he is working his tail off. Let’s see how it translates to the field but at this point it’s more important to put the most talented offense on the field then it is to think about egos.

Regarding how many snaps Crabtree will take against Houston, i believe they have a pre set plan of about 17-20 that could change depending on how Crabtree plays on Sunday. One huge positive is that Crabtree won’t be going up against Houston’s #1 corner, Dunta Robinson, instead he will be lining up against a weaker corner in Jacque Reeves. Also this is the perfect game for Crabtree to get his feet wet because the safety play of the Texans isn’t really that good with Eugene Wilson and Bernard Pollard who both struggle in coverage. So help from over the top won’t be quick in coming meaning that Crabtree will be going one on one with Reeves a lot, that bodes well for the 49ers passing game.

He is going to put the players on the field that are going to perform the best. Hence Pashos starting at RT. If Singletary saw enough from Crabtree in practice to have him start less then a month after signing then i am going to give my full support to the decision. Very excited to see Crabtree play!!!!

Probably