Crabtree in a Niner Uniform

by cuse7284 on Feb 21, 2009 10:06 AM PST Comment 46 comments

News just dropped that Michael Crabtree has a slight stress fracture in his foot and will be out "10 weeks and will not work out before the draft."

While I am never excited to see any player get hurt, this could be fantastic news for niners fans. Crabtree, who is by far the best WR talent in the draft and possibly the best overall offensive talent, was projected to be drafted in the top 3. But now that he wont participate in anything prior to the draft and a new injury to his foot could possibly scare teams resulting in him falling down draft boards.

Two questions to pose-

1. do you think Crabtree will slip down to #10?

2. if he does fall down draft boards from this injury, should the niners draft him?

I personally think it would be a no brainer for the niners to draft a talent like crabtree regardless of the injury, if he falls to us. Thoughts?

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This is a FanPost and does not necessarily reflect the views of Niners Nation's writers or editors. It does reflect the views of this particular fan though, which is as important as the views of Niners Nation's writers or editors.

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singletary has us labeled as a running team?
Crabtree wouldn’t make much of an impact

http://www.runboard.com/bsanfran49ers

by supraman on Feb 21, 2009 1:02 PM PST reply actions 0 recs

really?

Just because we’re a “running team” Crabtree couldn’t make an impact? Crabtree is an impact player where ever he ends up no matter what offense they run.

by Fooch on Feb 21, 2009 3:04 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Not for the 49ers. where are we going to put him??
over Bruce
Hill
Morgan
Johnson?
Morgan and Hill are progressing into WRs of the future
.. Then we’re going to run the ball more times then not.
Can he run block? probably not considering Texas Tech barely ran the ball

http://www.runboard.com/bsanfran49ers

by supraman on Feb 21, 2009 4:28 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

I went to Tech and I’ve been fortunate enough to have watched the majority of the games since Leech arrived. Crabtree is actually a good blocker, as are most the receivers at Tech. This is mainly because their offensive scheme involves many jailbreak and bubble screens to receivers requiring the other receivers to block. I know that differs from run blocking but not by a wide margin, its still the same principle, since those are essentially running plays in the Tech offense.

If he fell to the Niners, I’m sure we could find a spot for him. He is a gifted receiver.

by VigilanteSteve on Feb 21, 2009 4:59 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

johnson?

I’d take Crabtree over Bryant Johnson in a heartbeat.

by Fooch on Feb 21, 2009 5:51 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Whats the point of taking him at 10#?
I’m not doubting his talent
The 49ers just have more important positions to worry about on offense, like RT who actually will make an immediate impact if thats what the 49ers decide to use their 1st round pick on.

http://www.runboard.com/bsanfran49ers

by supraman on Feb 21, 2009 7:55 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

If Crabtree...

… falls into your lap, you seriously have to consider taking him. Regardless of who’s on the roster, WR is one of those positions that can stand to be improved upon.

by sfgfan on Feb 23, 2009 9:03 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

we have decent receivers!!

We have decent receivers i think Hill and Morgan will turn out to be good receivers!! but crabtree could be a great receivers I know its speculation considering he has played a down in the NFL, I think he could be. Bruce was good for us last season, but like one of the bloggers said he is 174yrs old, but bruce was a good mentor for the young guys on the team

by mightymouse7778 on Feb 24, 2009 8:08 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

AMEN

Can’t pass up Crabtree if he falls that far. But let me play Devils Advocate for a second. If he falls that far, it would be for a reason. Right now, its looking like his foot won’t stop him from running the 40 at TT’s pro day, but he will wait to have surgery until after then (around late March). That could potentially keep him out until after the early-preseason practices and workouts (not including contract hold-outs if he thinks he deserves a ton of money). This, combined with a low 40 time would push him to us. Would it be worth it?

(Devils Advocate section over) PLEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEZE FALL TO NUMBER 10 CRABTREEEEE!!!!

Blind devotion.

by ProfessorBigelow on Feb 21, 2009 8:00 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Where would we put him? Seriously?

Bryant Johnson sucks, and Isaac Bruce is 174 years old. Put Crabtree ahead of both of them. And people will argue, but I think Crabtree could be our opening day number one receiver if we could get him. I think he has more talent than people realize.

by Blank x2 on Feb 22, 2009 11:08 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Morgan and Hill ~~are~~ might progressing into WRs of the future.

They had a combined 50 receptions between the two of them. They are far from sure bets to be WRs of the future.

Don't sweat it. I'm illiterate.

by methodrampage on Feb 23, 2009 7:14 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

I agree that both are progressing but are either #1 receiver potential? Seemly both would be fantastic being your #2 and #3 and would benefit from having a Crabtree on the roster.

by bignerd on Feb 24, 2009 1:21 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

seriously!!!!

Johnson was not that good!!! hands down Overrated!!! i think crabtree would be a better fit than johnson and by the way to all these bloggers that are so focused on 40 times the GREATEST WR of ALL TIME ran a 4.67 40 you know who i am talking about route running makes up for lack of speed!!! and crabtree is a Great route runner!!

by mightymouse7778 on Feb 24, 2009 7:51 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Crabtree

It’s a bit premature to call Crabtree an impact player in the NFL (which I’m not sure if that was your intention or not). Heads and shoulders above the rest, he’s the best WR prospect in the draft, but I don’t think he’s a definite “impact player.”

With that said, I read he’s a pretty decent blocker, which is something we know McCloughan loves and I’m pretty sure Singletary will too.

by sfgfan on Feb 23, 2009 9:02 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

I would take Crabtree with the 10 pick. I would take Maclin with the 10 pick. Still, by all accounts if Crabtree is on the board at #7 the Raiders are going to pick him, guaranteed. Fast, high profile college reciever . . . how would the Raiders ever resist? (McFadden, J. Russell)

by bignerd on Feb 21, 2009 1:21 PM PST reply actions 0 recs

take him if available

by willis52 on Feb 21, 2009 2:47 PM PST reply actions 0 recs

a player with his caliber really doesn’t get affected by not working out, plus you got teams who desperately need WR (Seattle, Oakland, KC, oh yeah and of course Detroit)

by sundaysfinest on Feb 21, 2009 5:00 PM PST reply actions 0 recs

he wont get taken by

KC as they recently drafted mr dwayne bowe , and 0% chance he goes #1 to detroit. Just saying if somehow he gets passed by Seattle and Oaktown

by cuse7284 on Feb 21, 2009 5:36 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

If, by some miracle, he drops to #10

then I don’t think you could rationalize passing up on him. He’s too good, and it’s been too long since we’ve had a real #1 WR.

Just because Samurai Mike wants to establish an identity as a physical team doesn’t mean we’re going to be running the ball 80% of the time. Even the most imbalanced of teams are still something like 58/42. A guy like Crabtree would instantly upgrade our passing game from “poor” to “good.”

Also, Isaac Bruce has indicated that he’s still uncertain about his future. There’s no guarantee he’ll be back in 2009.

by shlecko on Feb 21, 2009 5:44 PM PST reply actions 0 recs

Poor?

In 8 and a half games shaun hill throws for 2046 yards
has a QB rating of 87.5
Sorry if he’s no steve young but that’s pretty good

http://www.runboard.com/bsanfran49ers

by supraman on Feb 21, 2009 8:01 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

That's one guy

who, even with the numbers, can best be described as “average.”

I’m talking about the passing offense as a unit.

Isaac Bruce was our best WR, hands down, and while his numbers were respectable, they were still less than what you’d hope for out of a number one target: 61 catches for 835 yards and 7 scores, even with a late season surge. Perhaps more importantly, he only broke the 100 yard mark in 2 games, with a median game production of ~45-55 yards. Eh.

Vernon Davis has not developed as the pass receiving threat he was projected to be. His strength actually lies in pass protection, where his is probably the team’s second best pass blocker behind LT Joe Staley. That speaks volumes, I think, about just how awful our offensive line was at stopping opposing rushers. While we cut down on sacks after JTO was benched, we still were amongst the worst in the league in that category.

If I’m not mistaken, we led the league in pass plays ended in negative yardage – and were near the league leaders in turnovers…most of which came from the air game.

Something that continued to bother me all year long was the lack of screen plays in the offense – which may suggest that this was a weak point of our personnel, which will be largely identical going into 2009 to what it was last year.

Truthfully, we lack depth at every offensive position – an injury to a guy like Heitman, Bruce or (as we saw) Gore would be devastating to any attempt we might make to get a throwing game going.

So yes. “Poor.”
No matter how much potential you may see, you’ve got to make a judgment based on facts, not stipulation.

by shlecko on Feb 21, 2009 8:22 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

That one guy

Maybe in a full season could possibly throw for 4000 yards.. but I guess thats what you call average/poor pass offense.

If I’m not mistaken, we led the league in pass plays ended in negative yardage – and were near the league leaders in turnovers…most of which came from the air game.

That’s all Just TurnO’vers fault <<<< Just one guy, but that other guy Hill made a world of a difference.

http://www.runboard.com/bsanfran49ers

by supraman on Feb 21, 2009 11:56 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Some QBs who have thrown for 3800+ in recent years

Jon Kitna, DET, 2007, 2006
Kerry Collins, OAK, 2005
Aaron Brooks, NO, 2004

But hey, these guys were awesome, right?

Passing yards can sometimes just be an indication of how often your team is behind, or how awful your run game is. Don’t read into one stat too much.

P.S. While Hill might have been an upgrade over JTO, he – in 8 starts – still threw 8 picks, had 8 fumbles, and was sacked 23 times. Meh. Sounds average/poor to me.

by shlecko on Feb 22, 2009 2:10 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Are you serious?

Passing yards can sometimes just be an indication of how often your team is behind, or how awful your run game is. Don’t read into one stat too much.

Hill has winning record, and Gore’s a pretty good running back, Therefore those indications that you brought up, are false.

http://www.runboard.com/bsanfran49ers

by supraman on Feb 22, 2009 9:23 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

You're choosing theory over reality again.

Hill operated a pass-first system and played in a lot of close games. The games in which he threw for over 200 yards were:

Loss to ARI
Win over STL – perhaps Hill’s best performance in a first half blowout over a weak team.
Loss to DAL – blown out, inflated numbers in only 300 yard game.
Win over NYJ – won in the 4th quarter
Loss to MIA
Win over STL – 4th quarter comeback thanks to a 48 yard prayer to Josh Morgan. Without that, it may have gone down as Hill’s ugliest game.
Win over WAS – 4th quarter comeback

The first game against STL being the only exception, the 49ers trailed in the second half of each of these games. We may have won some of them, but that doesn’t mean that we weren’t losing in the second half and forced to throw the ball.

Gore is a pretty good running back, yes, but that doesn’t mean that we had a good running game last year. Mike Martz showed time and again that he has no idea how to operate an effective run game. What’s worse is that he never seemed to show any real desire to come up with one. Even with the lead, Martz (against much criticism) would continue to throw the ball. His run blocking schemes were uncreative – Gore did not have a real fullback all year, and, most of Gore’s best carries came out of a spread 4WR set where he was left to fend for himself. Translation: running the ball was not a strength of the system or the personnel on the field. Despite Gore, the running game last year was not very strong.

My point is, you can’t just read a guy’s stat line and assume he’s Drew Brees and can throw for 4000 yards no matter what the scoreboard says. The “indications (I) brought up” are completely relevant.

by shlecko on Feb 22, 2009 7:04 PM PST up reply actions 1 recs

49ers were 27th in the NFL in rushing offense in 2008.

I could have condensed the second half of my argument into that, but there it is.

by shlecko on Feb 22, 2009 7:08 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

I agree

It’s a Mike Martz offense,
but your straying too far from the original argument which is that
Can we pass up on Crabtree? yes
Do the 49er’s have a poor pass offense? no

Offensive Tackle or Wide Receiver?
In the last 2 years, Jake Long(dolphins), Joe Thomas (browns), Levi Brown(cardinals) all top 10 OT selections. Improved their team by having an Immediate impact on the OL.

Calvin Johnson didnt make his team worse, did have an impact, but didn’t win a game this year!!!

IMPORTANCE
OT > WR

http://www.runboard.com/bsanfran49ers

by supraman on Feb 22, 2009 7:41 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Well then, agree to disagree on both points.

I don’t think Crabtree will fall as low as #10, but if he does, it would be absurd to pass up on him.
And I think the 49ers passing offense is, in fact, sub-par.

But your latest argument is still oversimplified.
The Dolphins got better for a lot of reasons – not the least of which a monster upgrade at QB.
The Browns already had a solid line in place before Joe Thomas.
I don’t know where you’re going with Levi Brown, because that offensive line is still pretty bad.

Likewise, the Lions are terrible for an ungodly long list of reasons, but the presence of Calvin Johnson on that team is one of the few glimmers of hope. What’s it say about a guy when you can pull a QB off the street and still catch 78 balls for 1300 yards and 12 scores?

by shlecko on Feb 22, 2009 7:53 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

If Mike martz was OC this year..

I’d understand the Crabtree argument.. Just look at the lions franchise, they have addressed WR 4 times in the 1st round this decade and haven’t made any progress, they NEED to address their offensive line if they want to be successful

http://www.runboard.com/bsanfran49ers

by supraman on Feb 23, 2009 11:49 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

They are the lions.

by shlecko on Feb 23, 2009 6:34 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

No qb!!!

They didnt have a QB thats why those receivers were terrible take for instance Randy Moss in minnesota(great) raiders(mediocre if thats what you think)!! patriots (great )!!! QBS make a DIFFERENCE!!!

by mightymouse7778 on Feb 24, 2009 8:14 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

seriously !!!

The great 49er teams ( superbowl championships team) had ridiculous passing stats!!! are you saying its because we were behind or that are run game was awful,because are run game was Ridiculous as well. You should brush up on your stats before you post FOOLISHNESS!!!

by mightymouse7778 on Feb 24, 2009 7:55 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

this post was intended for SHLECKO remark on stats

by mightymouse7778 on Feb 24, 2009 8:15 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

thems fightin' words

Simply by pulling on both ends, Patrick Willis can stretch diamonds back into coal

by 49erLou on Feb 24, 2009 11:38 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

I assume this is in response to:

Passing yards can sometimes just be an indication of how often your team is behind, or how awful your run game is. Don’t read into one stat too much.

- in which the implication that the 49ers superbowl teams did not have good running games or were often behind is nowhere to be found.
(facepalm)
Don’t be stupid. No one is saying that high passing numbers are equal to inability to run the ball. Some teams are good enough through the air that they don’t HAVE to run the ball – take for instance the 2007 Patriots. They absolutely shattered several passing records, and it’s not as though they were playing catch-up all year.

This is exactly why I mentioned, in that same post, Kitna of the Lions, Collins of the Raiders and Aaron Brooks back when he played for the Saints. They were among the league leaders in passing, but played for less-than-stellar teams. The Lions stand out especially, because their offensive coordinator those two years was the same as our own this past season. A Mike Martz offense will very likely always put up substantial passing numbers…but as we’ve seen first-hand, that doesn’t always translate into wins. Or even a good offense, for that matter.

by shlecko on Feb 25, 2009 6:29 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

When did Bruce say he’s uncertain about his future? The last thing I remember from him is saying that, even with Martz gone, he still wanted to be here.

GROUGTHINK ALERT

by groug on Feb 21, 2009 8:18 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Feb 20 Mike Sando, of ESPN.com, reports San Francisco 49ers general manager Scot McCloughan said it is 50-50 on whether WR Isaac Bruce will return to the team next season.

by shlecko on Feb 21, 2009 8:24 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Also, from Matt Maiocco:

Veteran Isaac Bruce has yet to decide whether he plans to return for a 16th NFL season. Singletary has told Bruce to take his time in making a decision.
"I’d like to know sooner than later, that’s basically it," Singletary said. "He’s earned that right. I’m thankful for what he’s done to our team and the effect it will have on our receivers and our team. Whether he’s back or not, he’s done a lot already."

by shlecko on Feb 21, 2009 8:33 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Crabtree?

Uhhhh, lemme think, uhhhhhhhh…..NO! Obviously no one sees the move is to trade down to 16 gain an additional third or an earlier second, anything but pass up on Freeman the qb from K State. Please remember I said this when he leads a team against us and Kick our A$$@$!!!!

by rlott#42 on Feb 21, 2009 5:48 PM PST reply actions 0 recs

freeman in the first round?

Really? How come?

by Fooch on Feb 21, 2009 9:23 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Yeah.

I’m starting to like Freeman too, but it definitely sounds like someone you take a second round chance on, not a first.

by sfgfan on Feb 23, 2009 9:06 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

freeman could be a steal!!

But not in the first!!! maybe 3rd if he still there which i think he will be!!!

by mightymouse7778 on Feb 24, 2009 8:19 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Freeman, Freeman, are we talking about Freeman?!?!

Let’s just bring in Dante Culpepper have him toss up fly balls to the best vertical jumping receiver on the team. Or ask JTO to put on 50 extra pounds this off season and make him the starter again.

But I do have it marked down, rlott#42 says Freeman from K State is going to lead a 49er butt kicking . . .

by bignerd on Feb 22, 2009 4:00 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

I believe...

there is a story on Crabtree having surgery very soon. LINK

"The voice of the intellect is a soft one, but it does not rest until it has gained a hearing"

by Jeff_Fuller_49 on Feb 21, 2009 9:42 PM PST reply actions 0 recs

IF he falls to GB at pick # 9

there will probably be alot of teams trying to trade up to get him. Between Philly, NYG, Washington, and Indy to name a few, there are alot of teams at the back end of the round that need a good WR. I just don’t see him lasting to pick # 10.

by illini49er on Feb 23, 2009 10:30 AM PST reply actions 0 recs