FanPost

Can Quinton Patton potentially replace Michael Crabtree?

It is no secret that the San Francisco 49ers are out of playoff contention. It is also no surprise that the offense has been sputtering at best. Watching them out on the field they look out of sync.

However, what may come as a surprise to some outsiders is the fierce competition to play wide receiver. Names like Michael Crabtree, Stevie Johnson and Anquan Boldin are mentioned with regularity. However, a new young buck is making waves and pushing the veterans for their spots.

Quinton Patton is hardly known other than for a few end-zone dances and a over-the-top 3rd down celebration that all occurred during preseason. In fact, the rumor is that Patton was put on the inactive list partly because of that celebration and having to learn "maturity". Plus, the incoming rookie Ellington looked to be a better KR/PR.

During the regular season, Patton decided to learn from his experience. He cut back on his "dunk cam" that he was tweeting out last season. Though he still had fun, he cut out some of the most outlandish stuff he was reputed to be doing in the locker room. He worked hard in practice. He studied game tape and continued to prepare as though he would be the starter. When the cornerback corps got thin, he volunteered to work with them on the practice team. His reasoning was two fold: one, he wanted to help out his team any way he could. Two, it gave him the opportunity to learn how a defensive back thinks, and improve on his route running.

All this work didn't go unnoticed. Harbaugh himself pointed out that he was substantially impressed with Patton's work ethic and that "his time would come". The coaching staff was mightily impressed with how the young second year wide receiver was maturing before their very eyes. A few of the coaches pondered putting him into the active roster, but it would be difficult to put another guy on the bench. After all, who would bench Lloyd, Crabtree, Boldin or Johnson?

As the injuries piled up, Patton got his chance to be on the active roster. Though he played sparingly, the coaches liked what they saw. He was able to get open a couple of times (including against the vaunted "Legion of Boom") though he wasn't targeted by a struggling Kaepernick. He made some good impressions upon both coaches and players both.

Patton has also behind the scenes made his case known. He has mentioned he wants to prove himself. Patton, as much of the locker room, is a big supporter of their head coach. He is aware though that there might be a coaching change after the season is over. He has lobbied to get more playing time.

And he just may get it.

Both Crabtree and Johnson are hindered by knee injuries. The talk inside the locker room is that both of these players will be inactive and Patton will be taking the starting spot against the Chargers. If he does well, he may get the opportunity in week 17 against the Cardinals.

The front office seems to also be in support of this. There are some hard salary-cap decisions to make this off season for the 49er franchise. If Patton, who is on a rookie contract, can do at least as well as Crabtree has done, then there will be no need to resign the oft-injured wide receiver from Texas Tech.

This has become a prove-it situation for Quinton Patton. Patton has stated before, "I'm not going to blink when my time comes."

Well, here is your time Quinton Patton. Let's see if you blink or not.

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.