49ers WR Michael Crabtree quietly making his mark

by David Fucillo on Dec 28, 2009 10:00 AM PST in San Francisco 49ers News

Up until Michael Crabtree signed with the 49ers, and leading up to his first game, Michael Crabtree received a ton of coverage here at Niners Nation. Since then, he has been producing at a very solid rate for a rookie. Maybe he won't win rookie of the year, but clearly he's a good receiver, and could be on his way to becoming a special receiver. It's obviously too soon to project him to Canton, but he's definitely made a good start for himself, and he's deserving of a little more front page love than he's been getting.

I was watching the CSN Bay Area post game show and they rolled out an interesting statistic. Since the merger, the top four rookie receivers have been:

Jerry Rice: 16 games (4 starts) - 49 receptions, 927 yards, 3 touchdowns
Michael Crabtree: 10 games (10 starts) - 45 receptions, 567 yards, 2 touchdowns
Terrell Owens:16 games (10 starts) - 35 receptions, 520 yards, 4 touchdowns
J.J. Stokes: 12 games (2 starts) - 38 receptions, 517 yards, 4 touchdowns

While Stokes took a step backwards his second season (injury issues), Rice exploded for 86 receptions, 1,570 yards and 15 touchdowns. Terrell Owens jumped to 60 receptions, 936 yards and 8 touchdowns.

Crabtree has shown plenty of skills but has not had that monstrous game that really puts him on the national map. People know who he is and talk about him, but he hasn't turned himself into weekly appointment viewing like some of the bigger names in the league. I'm not saying we've got the next Andre Johnson or Randy Moss on our hands, but the talent is undeniable. The coming offseason will be all the more unbearable since we'll have to wait close to 8 months to see whether or not Crabtree will be making the leap next season.

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next year

I think he should be much better next year because it will give the whole offense time to work together and build chemistry over the coming off season, and making new plays especially designed for him , next season we should have a top 10 offense..

"Im not a numbers guy, im a Football player"
-M.Crabtree

by demise87 on Dec 28, 2009 10:05 AM PST reply actions

i wouldnt say top 10

unless alex smith greatly improves over the offseason. he is showing potential but he is not efficient enough to make the offense top 10

by thewhizkid on Dec 28, 2009 10:44 AM PST up reply actions

undoubtedly

he’ll be better next year. look at what he’s learned with no camp and pretty much starting right away. the offense as a whole looks to improve with a better O-Line and more time to gel…not to mention figure out how to blend our skills in both the run and pass games to make effective game plans.

"Vernon is going to be a great tight end one day, but he's got to put the whole package together." - Thanks Sing for echoing this.

by Tre9er on Dec 28, 2009 10:26 AM PST reply actions

I admit I wasn't sold on Crabtree before the draft

Because he had played in a pass on every down offense at TT and the lingering thoughts of Rashaun Woods was still fresh on my mind. But I am glad to be wrong as it turns out he runs very crisp routes, has great hands and can find open space in between defenders.

Hopefully, he can get even better next year as the 49ers will finally retain an OC for 2 straight seasons in a while, Smith is all but locked in as next year’s QB and the extra reps in training camp plus preseason this time around should help him even more.

Win the inning.

by Scooter Ellis on Dec 28, 2009 10:43 AM PST reply actions

Next season

His stats will improve but the little details will make him better and the offense more explosive. I think we’ll see more plays from him in the 2-min drill and more YAC while breaking tackles, especially on blitz plays.

You gotta bring ass to get ass.

by SpurredOn on Dec 28, 2009 10:54 AM PST reply actions

I think Crabtree's Numbers...

… are somewhat skewed considering the quality of QB that has been throwing to him. Jerry Rice, Terrell Owens, and J.J. Stokes all had HOF QB’s throwing them the ball.Crabtree has has Alex Smith (and Hill?) throwing him the ball. It makes his numbers all that much more impressive. Some of the acrobatic catches that Crabtree made are amazing. The one touchdown catch that he caught on a slant that was behind and above his head was an amazing catch. The fact that he was able to stay on his feet and actually score was truly amazing! The way he contorted his body in mid air to catch the ball and then remain on his feet running was one of the most athletic moves I saw all year! There have been many catches by Crabtree that could have gone for longer yardage or touchdowns if Smith had made better passes. Crabtree had to dive for too many catches that if he caught in stride would have gone for longer YAC. So I really think you need to look at Crabtree’s stats as all that more amazing considering the passes he has had to go up and get, and the degree of difficulty in making those catches. I think Crabtree stats would have been more like – 75 receptions, 937 yards, 6 touchdowns with even a decent QB throwing the ball and hitting him in stride. If he had played all 16 games with even a decent QB, he would certainly have been considered for rookie of the year! Compared to the receiver who was selected above him in the draft by the RAY-DUHS (Darrius Heyward-Bey 9/124/13.8/24/1) the stats for Crabtree are all that more phenomenal (I know, unfair comparison…)! All the more reason to look forward to next year when hopefully the OL, QB, and other problem areas are addressed by draft/FA/or trade. Next year, Crabs will have a breakout year and shatter records! I wonder if RAY-DUH fan still thinks DHB is a better receiver? They probably do, which is why RAY-DUH fan is SO pathetic. Even a mediocre QB would have made Crabs a ROY contender this year. DHB would still have poor numbers even IF he had a better QB throwing him the ball…Niners have all the weapons on offense EXCEPT QB. Niners have a top 5 defense. We need a QB and a revamped Offensive line to patch up the worst OL in the NFL, and the Niners will be poised to make the playoffs next year! Lets hope a QB like Colt McCoy falls to the Niners and we can turn the offense around! Not a lot of quality free agent QB’s available, so maybe the Niners can put together a trade package to obtain a REAL NFL QB. The O-Line needs at least 3 new quality starters either by draft or by Free Agency. There are a lot of players who will look to sign with the Niners now that the team is headed in the right direction. We are SOOO close! GO NINERS !! Get us a QB, Patch up the O-LINE, and lets make a run in 2010-11. Lets hope we get lucky in the draft, that the FO can find a way to fix the entire Offensive Line, somehow obtain a pass rushing specialist and a Kick Returner !!! That is a lot of holes to fill, but the Niners can do it with the pieces they have now. The Niners organization just needs to keep going in the right direction and not take any steps backwards. In order of importance: QB, OL, KR, Pass Rusher, and another DB to increase depth. Seems like a long list, but it is a lot shorter than other teams list. GO NINERS! Lets make this offseason the one that produces a playoff team in 2010-11 !!!

Another year, another chance to hope for the team !!

by FaStRmAn on Dec 28, 2009 10:59 AM PST reply actions

Right on....

MC brings swag to the field that we haven’t had around these parts since T.O. left….it’s crazy that the kid missed so many games and was still able to rise above the criticisms re: his holdout and possible negative fan reaction to become this team’s No. 1 WR. You have to give where props are due and w/ all respect to T.O. this kid brings so much more to the field. I see downfield blocking for his RB and other WR and selflessness. Kid in the long-term will earn his worth. Give him an entire season w/ Morgan on the other side, Vernon at TE and Gore and we have an offense that can put up some points and move the ball….. Now Alex just has to get into the act as well!! Can you imagine if MC had the whole season? Would his numbers be better than JR’s rookie season?

by 49er Faithful925 on Dec 28, 2009 11:28 AM PST up reply actions

you're exactly right

smith has messed crabtree up on some throws. and crabtree has had to make some though catches. imagine what he’d do in philly with mcnabb throwing to him or in the colts with payton manning. he would be one of the elite recievers

by NINER775KING on Dec 28, 2009 11:46 AM PST up reply actions

Great point in bringing up Manning....

That should fall onto Alex’s shoulders…. I remember that early on Manning made it a point to practice w/ Marvin Harrison and they were usually the first two at practice and I’m sure Manning did this w/ Dallas Clark and now Reggie Wayne…. Manning didn’t become as great as he is simply by being drafted No.1 overall he worked at it. Alex needs more confidence in himself and to believe in his playmakers bc he has so many of them. Can we imagine what Joe or Steve would’ve done w/ Vernon Davis or Frank Gore? Damn it poor Steve and Joe made something out of nothing a lot of times!! They became legends bc of their professionalism and the continuity w/ their WRs that can only come through repetition in practice. Alex showed some improvisational skills yesterday but hopefully w/ an offseason w/ MC, Davis, Gore, and Morgan they can get their timing just right!!

by 49er Faithful925 on Dec 28, 2009 11:57 AM PST up reply actions

Crabtree: 45 Rec, 567 Yds, 2 TDs, 10 games

Heyward-Bey: 9 Rec, 124 Yds, 1 TD, 11 games

by Chimneyfish on Dec 28, 2009 11:25 AM PST reply actions 5 recs

lol rec

"The Football The 49ers Team has The excitement of the bear, the velocity of the deer and strenght of the buffalo.

by 49erLou on Dec 28, 2009 11:27 AM PST up reply actions

One word

YIKES!! But thanks Al, I consider Crabs a gift from you.

by Mangoman on Dec 28, 2009 11:49 AM PST up reply actions

DHB was going to be under tremendous pressure once Al decided to draft him over Crabtree

For one, his QB options are worse than Smithill, he didn’t even put up big numbers in college, he is a fast guy north to south but nowhere near the quickness of DeSean Jackson and he just has bad hands for a guy who’s supposed to make a living catching passes.

Win the inning.

by Scooter Ellis on Dec 28, 2009 12:09 PM PST up reply actions

I’m just ignoring all DHB comparisons. Compare Crabtree to Maclin or Harvin, all three were considered better prospects than DHB according to 31 other teams. DHB was the 4th or 5th best WR prospect.

by bignerd on Dec 28, 2009 12:14 PM PST up reply actions

comparisons...

But that’s nowhere near as fun as ragging on Al Davis.

by David Fucillo on Dec 28, 2009 12:20 PM PST up reply actions

No kidding...

When do we get to rename the Coliseum the Crypt?

by sigma on Dec 28, 2009 12:54 PM PST up reply actions

Maclin

He has also been great.
I’m amazed that he has contributed so much being a rookie in the west coast offense.

Really, all the rookie WRs taken in the 1st round this year have been very good (with the exception of DHB, of course).

What we've got here is a failure to communicate.

by SportsChicken on Dec 28, 2009 12:35 PM PST up reply actions

Raiders …… haha

by Michael_10v3 on Jan 5, 2010 7:29 AM PST up reply actions

Better chemistry

I’m presuming working on this between Alex and Crabs, VD and the rest of the receiving corps will be one of the team’s main priorities over the offseason. The one thing they will hopefully improve on is being able to improve Alex’s touch so that he can hit the receivers more in stride. Yesterday he seemed to show improvement there, but a couple balls seemed to float. The long one to Crabs was one of them.

But Crabs is nothing short of a star in the making. With a full season of him we will not be disappointed.

by Mangoman on Dec 28, 2009 12:02 PM PST reply actions

just have to be able to get the ball to him. that’s all.

by srill waiting on Dec 28, 2009 12:18 PM PST up reply actions

5 drops by Crabs doesn’t help Smith either. It works both ways for the WR and QB. Not to mention VD’s league leading drops.

by Hoopers Judge on Dec 28, 2009 10:18 PM PST up reply actions

Jerry Rice

Wow… 18.9 Yards a catch as a rookie

Crabtree… 12.6 Yards a catch as a rookie. A difference of 6.3 a catch, that’s a huge gap. Out of the four mentioned, Crabtree actually has the least in yards per catch but the other three obviously played on much better offenses their rookie years. So there’s that factor to consider as well

I don’t think we are ever going to see a WR as good as Jerry was ever again.

Tim Tebow = 1,432,219 season tickets next year. Who wouldn't pick him in the 1st round with those projections?

by Drew Kerr on Dec 28, 2009 1:23 PM PST reply actions 1 recs

QB comparo...

Hmmm…Joe Montana/Steve Young or Shaun Hill/Alex Smith. Yeah…I’d say it is a little unfair to compare them.

by Rizzo80 on Dec 28, 2009 1:49 PM PST reply actions

Which just highlights Crabtreee's performance

To manage 4.5 catches and 56.7 yards per game with Smith or Hill is the equivalent of doing even more with Montana or Young as QB. Project that over 16 games and you have 72 catches for 907 yards. With a better performing QB, that could easily turn into 80 catches for over 1000 yards.
I think the yards per catch are more of a function of the way Smith and Hill have been passing – a yards after catch comparison might be more relevant.
As Crabtree develops, I think he will just get better – he will if Smith improves as well. He has basically taken over as the no. 1 wideout. The flip side, of course, is that he will be drawing more coverage, and the opposing team’s better cornerback as well, so he will have to work harder for his receptions.

by Rabbit T on Dec 28, 2009 2:18 PM PST up reply actions

Don’t forget the O-Line comparision. While the Montana/Young lines wheren’t world beaters they where certainly better then what is there now.

by Hoopers Judge on Dec 28, 2009 10:19 PM PST up reply actions

YAC

Not only is the quality of QB factor into the YAC, but those rather simple routes in the passing game don’t help. If Raye puts a little more complexity into the offense now that it will be there for more then a season, it should tremendously help all the recievers.

by Hoopers Judge on Dec 28, 2009 10:21 PM PST reply actions