Crabtree to start Sunday

[RaidenDAWG2]

Matt Maiocco's Instant 49ers (http://blog.pressdemocrat.com/49ers/2009/10/crabtree-likely-to-start-sundays-game.html)

I kid you not, reports are WR Michael Crabtree will start for the 'Niners this weekend.

[Texecutioner]

I still don't think he does much this season.

[BigBenCan7]

The guy sits around *****ing about money during every practice and OTA, and he comes in and starts almost immediately after signing a month or so into the season. I'd be pissed if I were Josh Morgan, but he seems to be taking it all in stride...

Furthermore, Morgan remained at the 49ers' practice facility over the bye week to personally help Crabtree learn the position - and, in essence, take his job. Crabtree was the No. 10 overall pick but finally signed a six-year contract with the 49ers on Oct. 7.

"I'm helping him learn my position and take my position," said Morgan, who ranks second on the 49ers behind Vernon Davis in receiving. Morgan has 13 catches for 202 yards and one touchdown. "It is what it is. If he can help us win, I'm all right with that.

"They gave him my spot. So if he's going to be in there, I might as well help him out so I can make sure he gets it right."

[|(evin|(olb|(ritik]

It seems out of place because of what happened with Crabtree but if i'm expected to feel bad for Josh Morgan then I guess im just a heartless jerk. 6 Weeks into the season and the teams leading receiver is a TE most people consider to be a major disapointment if not a bust, and the teams 2nd leading receiver is Josh Morgan who only has 13 catches on the year so far.

When your unit is performing that poorly, NOBODIES job should be safe.

[r5d3]

Talk about class shown by Morgan though. Humility is not a trait seen in many Wide Receivers these days.

[Blackmallard]

The idea that a second year player who has started a handful of games is going to "teach" Crabtree anything is laughable when you think about it.

[BigBenCan7]

The idea that a second year player who has started a handful of games is going to "teach" Crabtree anything is laughable when you think about it.

At least he's trying to help, unlike most receivers in the NFL these days.

[r5d3]

The idea that a second year player who has started a handful of games is going to "teach" Crabtree anything is laughable when you think about it.


I don't get what's laughable about it.

[RaidenDAWG2]

I don't either considering regardless of performance, he almost assuredly knows the offense better than Crabtree would at this point having give or take 7-9 months of practice in it versus two weeks.

[Blackmallard]

I don't either considering regardless of performance, he almost assuredly knows the offense better than Crabtree would at this point having give or take 7-9 months of practice in it versus two weeks.

Crabtree's expected role in the offense is going to be completely different than Morgan's was. He's taking his starting spot, but he's not going to be doing the same things. Morgan doesn't have 7-9 months of practice as a starter, he's only started five games in his career. He can try to get him up to speed on the terminology I guess, but anyone could do that.

Its one of those "I have five minutes, tell me everything you know" situations.

Add to all that you have Isaac Bruce on the team, who probably actually has a wealth of knowledge and experience that Crabtree could use.

[RaidenDAWG2]

Their roles may be different, but he's still starting in the same spot Morgan's now vacating, meaning it's the same terminology Morgan's learned, the same routes on the same plays. That's invaluable knowledge for a guy who just got into the building two weeks ago.

[Blackmallard]

Their roles may be different, but he's still starting in the same spot Morgan's now vacating, meaning it's the same terminology Morgan's learned, the same routes on the same plays. That's invaluable knowledge for a guy who just got into the building two weeks ago.

It won't be the same routes and the same plays at all though. They will try to do more and different stuff with Crabtree than they did with Morgan. They'll be looking to turn Crabtree into a #1 reciever, which Morgan never was.

[RaidenDAWG2]

Buuut as far as the system goes, yes, they are. Quarterback may target him more, they may try to get him the ball more, but systemically, it's the same.

[Blackmallard]

Buuut as far as the system goes, yes, they are. Quarterback may target him more, they may try to get him the ball more, but systemically, it's the same.
It isn't a matter of targets. Crabtree (assuming he pans out) will face different coverages, run different routes, and have different plays run for him than Josh Morgan. Crabtree will NOT be out there doing the same thing Josh Morgan did only better, they will be using him differently.

[|(evin|(olb|(ritik]

It isn't a matter of targets. Crabtree (assuming he pans out) will face different coverages, run different routes, and have different plays run for him than Josh Morgan. Crabtree will NOT be out there doing the same thing Josh Morgan did only better, they will be using him differently.

That won't happen until Crabtree establishes himself as a better player than both him and Isaac Bruce. When that happens they'll likely move him from flanker to split end and thats when the job will change. As long as he remains the flanker, its the same job and the same routes that Morgan ran. And if there are plays in that playbook for the flanker that the offense hasn't run due to Morgan having the job, they are unlikely to open those plays up to Crabtree until he establishes himself.

[BigBenCan7]

That won't happen until Crabtree establishes himself as a better player than both him and Isaac Bruce. When that happens they'll likely move him from flanker to split end and thats when the job will change. As long as he remains the flanker, its the same job and the same routes that Morgan ran. And if there are plays in that playbook for the flanker that the offense hasn't run due to Morgan having the job, they are unlikely to open those plays up to Crabtree until he establishes himself.

Josh Morgan was the split end, not the flanker.

[|(evin|(olb|(ritik]

Josh Morgan was the split end, not the flanker.

The depth chart I read listed him as the split end. Either way the point is the same, its the same job until they open up the offense more than we've seen. Are they likely to open it up right away after inserting a rookie WR who held out all of camp and the first quarter of the season? I'd mark that somewhere between highly unlikely and no way in hell.