49ers WR Michael Crabtree Speaks

by David Fucillo on Sep 8, 2011 2:57 PM PDT in San Francisco 49ers News

Quick last minute addition: WR Donnie Avery had a try-out with the 49ers today. We'll see if the team decides he's worth adding.

As Michael Crabtree has rehabbed from his fractured foot we really haven't heard a whole lot from the 49ers wide receiver. He's gone about his work on the field and in the class room relatively quietly, with the occasional tweet or a random comment to one of the beat writers on the sideline.

Earlier today, Crabtree finally spoke with the local beat writers in what I believe is his most extensive interview since the Camp Alex workouts. He appears to be back and 100% ready to go as he indicated he is now going at full speed. The question will be how the team utilizes Crabtree this Sunday. Josh Morgan and Braylon Edwards/Ted Ginn appear to be set to start this Sunday, which likely means Crabtree comes off the bench in some capacity.

It's worth noting that Crabtree joined several other 49ers in complimenting the work Ted Ginn has done in training camp:

Q: When you look at receivers here, including Braylon Edwards, what do you think about how you fit into this collection of receivers?
Crabtree: "All our guys are doing good. Teddy (Ginn), it's probably the best I've seen Teddy. Josh is a very smart guy -- very good. Braylon is a big guy. We just got to wait until Sunday and see how it all plays out. Right now, we're all just having fun playing football."

I have absolutely no idea what to expect from Ginn in the passing game, but this has me incredibly curious. The 49ers have an extensive group of receivers that they'll be mixing in at this point so I'm not necessarily expecting monster numbers from Ginn. However, given his ability to run with the ball, I'll predict one reverse attempt involving Ginn. Vernon Davis is another option in the reverse given his speed, but I just have a feeling we see Ginn mixed in on a reverse.

Tweet Comment 25 comments | 0 recs |

Do you like this story?

Comments

Donnie Avery...?

That would be interesting to see how he would fit, if the Niners decided to bring him on. Also I wonder who would get cut?

About Crabtree though…I’m glad to hear he’s going full speed and I look forward to seeing what he’s gonna bring this Sunday, and the rest of the season. Hopefully his specially molded cleats will help keep him healthy. The stuff about Ginn is also very intriguing…I’m curious to see how Harbaugh and Roman will utilize his speed, and questionable hands during the regular season.

by djs9989 on Sep 8, 2011 3:12 PM PDT via iPhone app reply actions

I think

Crabtree is a perfect slot receiver type, Morgan too. I like this set up assuming Ginn has truly made a step up.

1. Edwards
2. Ginn
3. Crabtree
4. Morgan

by TriPPinG on Sep 8, 2011 3:16 PM PDT up reply actions

One can only hope it was a...

“We’ll-pay-you-for-a-workout-and-you-tell-us-ALL-about-the-team-that-just-cut-you” visit. Not sure the team can afford to carry six wide outs at the moment. Could be a quick look for a midseason injury-response signing too.

Avery was a legitimate 2nd Round talent, and likely isn’t playing on the Rams right now due to knee trouble.

by juno106 on Sep 8, 2011 3:18 PM PDT up reply actions

thats

a lot of hyphens.

by Sigelvictory on Sep 8, 2011 3:21 PM PDT up reply actions

6 receivers

I think the 49ers were hoping to pick up a 3rd TE. If this doesn’t work out, they may look for a 6th WR. Avery would be good to sign to make up for all that valuable information Wragge took to the Rams.

by reedkrase on Sep 8, 2011 3:25 PM PDT up reply actions

Or maybe

Ginn has gotten over his dropsies problem and might actually be turning a corner. Is it too much to believe that maybe Ginns problems were all mental. The talent and potential are there, he reminds me of vernon before vernon turned the corner. Players can develop out of no where and have big seasons, like Brandon Lloyd just did last season.

If Ginn steps up his game we are going to have a really good group of very dangerous receivers, man I can’t wait to see how things play out.

by TriPPinG on Sep 8, 2011 3:15 PM PDT reply actions

this

I’m hoping Ginn’s problems were mental too

by reedkrase on Sep 8, 2011 3:22 PM PDT up reply actions

who is faster Desean or Ginn?

It would be nice if he can break a game open like Desean does with his speed

"I hate it! It looks like a stickup at 7-Eleven. Five guys standing there with their hands in the air."

Norm Sloan

"We have a great bunch of outside shooters. Unfortunately, all our games are played indoors."

Weldon Drew

by EcERyda69 on Sep 8, 2011 3:23 PM PDT up reply actions

maybe we should move Ginn to CB and have him cover Desean

then we’ll know.

by reedkrase on Sep 8, 2011 3:26 PM PDT up reply actions

cb

Wouldn’t hurt. If he can’t catch might as well have him cover the fastest guy in the field

"I hate it! It looks like a stickup at 7-Eleven. Five guys standing there with their hands in the air."

Norm Sloan

"We have a great bunch of outside shooters. Unfortunately, all our games are played indoors."

Weldon Drew

by EcERyda69 on Sep 8, 2011 3:29 PM PDT up reply actions

He's got the hands of a CB

:-)

by Virginia9er on Sep 8, 2011 3:29 PM PDT up reply actions

lol

maybe Rogers taught Ginn how to catch over the off season

by reedkrase on Sep 8, 2011 4:27 PM PDT up reply actions

I dunno if he is faster than desean,

but I know he does have really really good speed, he can break the top open on a defense easily. Having Ginn in there adds another dimension to our passing game that defenses have to game plan against, similar to what moss did for the patriots. That over the top threat opens up alot of other opportunities. Specially if Ginn can show he is a legitimate target and not just a show piece.

by TriPPinG on Sep 8, 2011 6:51 PM PDT up reply actions

I bet Desean can run a faster 40

But Ginn would destroy him in a true track event like 100m

Gimme 1 round!

by ItBurnzWhenIP on Sep 9, 2011 1:14 AM PDT up reply actions

I think

he knows that if he doesn’t get it together, the only thing he’ll be good for is special teams. And if your only 1 dimension is returning kicks, you’re out of a job @ the NFL level.

by Doni S on Sep 8, 2011 3:42 PM PDT via iPhone app reply actions

So now devin hester will be out of a job too?

I’m kidding… sorta. I mean really, with the stupid new kickoff rule, what is Hester good for? I hate him as a WR.

by Sigelvictory on Sep 8, 2011 4:15 PM PDT up reply actions

Hester

He’s one of the bears starting WRs…he’s been a solid target, nothing elite. Would have been a good argument a few years ago though.

The kickoff rule is stupid for us fans.

by Virginia9er on Sep 8, 2011 4:25 PM PDT up reply actions

it's not like there weren't pleanty of kickoffs returned before

the last time the rule was to kickoff from the 35 in 1993

by Andrew9erfan on Sep 8, 2011 4:27 PM PDT up reply actions

idk. Could be something to this talk about converting them to Db…as an experiment

by Doni S on Sep 8, 2011 4:28 PM PDT via iPhone app up reply actions

I wonder if that's why the Bears are trying to force him into the start role

when Knox and Earl and the better 1 and 2 WRs on that team.

by GB9er on Sep 8, 2011 4:39 PM PDT up reply actions

Hate the new kickoff rule

by GB9er on Sep 8, 2011 4:39 PM PDT up reply actions

Sign Avery up

Alex Smith 86%+ QB rating with 22+ TDs this season, hopefully! :)

by teekay on Sep 8, 2011 4:28 PM PDT reply actions

Let's not forget the new look...

Ginn showed better this off season than I’ve seen since we grabbed him. I was very pleased to note the receptions he had in traffic on successive plays against the Chargers. Recall that one he bobbled, kept his concentration and pulled it in. He looked then like what the Niners expected to get initially. I’m happy for him – and the team – and us.

by ninernutt on Sep 8, 2011 5:10 PM PDT reply actions

Williams on reverses and end arounds too

Ginn should be the #3

Harbaugh will find a QB and he will succeed.

by goatfather on Sep 8, 2011 5:52 PM PDT reply actions

BULL-CRAP

Avery is just another receiver, if your looking for another WR bring back D. ZIEGLER, no change that as I want the Z-MAN to hook up with another team and become a household name in FOOTBALL as his talents are there. Sometimes you just have to let a man heel and then watch what he can do and in the case of DZ, this is one of them. He never should have be let go but I will back JH as I know he will bring us back to the promise land.

BOB 'BEETLE' BEILHARZ

by BEETLE49715 on Sep 9, 2011 7:06 AM PDT reply actions