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Michael Crabtree News & Rumors

It's time for Michael Crabtree to play like a No. 1 receiver
January 21
San Jose Mercury News
 columnist Tim Kawakami
"Is Michael Crabtree, once and finally, an NFC Championship game-changer? If it happens that way on Sunday -- if it's 49ers over the New York Giants, Crabtree in a starring role -- you get the sense that nobody would be less surprised than Crabtree himself. It could come down to this. In many ways, it should come down to Crabtree, rise or fall. Reputation remade; or questions continued. "Every game -- my responsibility is big every game," Crabtree said Friday after the 49ers practice. "I play wideout. I'm the receiver, you know? A lot on my shoulders." Yes, there is a lot, and especially for this game, of all games. Tight end Vernon Davis was the superstar in the New Orleans victory; you"
49ers' Crabtree blocks out the 'diva' label
January 12
Sacramento Bee
 
"Those who already considered 49ers wide receiver Michael Crabtree a "diva" probably pictured him belting out arias this fall when he sat out another set of preseason games recovering from a foot injury. Veteran offensive lineman Joe Staley, who roomed with Crabtree during the 49ers' training camp, saw something different: A "really hard worker who took football very serious." That was nothing new, Staley said. "I never saw that whole entire label that everybody was putting on him," Staley said. "He's been nothing but a great professional and a great teammate since he's been here. … He works really, really hard at his craft, and we're seeing the fruits of that this season.""
Smith, Crabtree warmed up after chilly start
January 12
San Francisco Chronicle
 
"Seven months ago, 49ers quarterback Alex Smith had no idea where to find wide receiver Michael Crabtree. When asked if his top wideout would be attending the player-organized workouts at San Jose State during the lockout, Smith said, "Great question. Asking the wrong guy." A few days later, Crabtree showed up at SJSU and seemed to fire back when asked about building chemistry with his quarterback. "Who is the quarterback?" Crabtree asked. Given the less-than-promising back-and-forth between the duo, it's not surprising coach Jim Harbaugh made sure Smith would have no problem finding Crabtree when they showed up for training camp. Crabtree and Smith's lockers were separated only by the"
Michael Crabtree's act fools Rams as he scores touchdown on trick play
January 2
San Jose Mercury News
 
"Michael Crabtree enjoyed his first career game with two touchdown receptions Sunday, and he couldn't have done it without some fine acting on a fake field-goal attempt. Crabtree pretended he was leaving the field before stopping a couple of yards shy of the 49ers' sideline. Kicker David Akers then lined up to try a field goal, took a direct snap and chucked a 14-yard touchdown pass to an uncovered Crabtree. That third-quarter score gave the 49ers a 27-10 lead in their eventual 34-27 victory over the St. Louis Rams. Coach Jim Harbaugh said the 49ers have been practicing that trick play for 10 weeks, during which time Crabtree said he has told Akers: "Just throw the ball and I got you.""
Michael Crabtree has a prime time game
January 2
San Francisco Chronicle
 
"The 49ers' diva made a brief appearance in their regular-season finale Sunday. Eight yards from the end zone and apparently in the clear, Michael Crabtree started high-stepping, in perfect mimicry of the Hall of Fame cornerback who served as his mentor. But two paces into the impersonation, Crabtree reverted to a normal stride and calmly scored his 28-yard touchdown. "A little bit of Deion in me," he said. "I had to slow it down." Crabtree wouldn't go deeper into his explanation, but it's safe to assume that seeing an approaching Ram deterred him. It's also safe to assume that a Prime Time act would not have played well with a head coach who handed out blue-collar work shirts at the"
Crabtree's season offers hope for banged-up Edwards
December 7
San Francisco Chronicle
 
"It appears almost certain that linebacker Patrick Willis will miss Sunday's game at Arizona due to a hamstring strain. But what about Braylon Edwards? Lost amid questions about Willis' injury on Monday was the status of the Niners' banged-up wideout. Edwards did not practice last week and sat out a 26-0 win against the Rams in an effort to fully recover from knee and shoulder injuries. Edwards wants to get healthy for the postseason, but he's also acknowledged the need to establish a better rapport with quarterback Alex Smith. Exhibit A: Smith's ugly end-zone interception, intended for Edwards, on Thanksgiving in Baltimore."
Michael Crabtree getting high praise
November 23
San Francisco Chronicle
 
"Michael Crabtree is getting some notice after his seven-catch, 120-yard performance against the Cardinals. Offensive coordinator Greg Roman raved about him. "Oh he was phenomenal," Roman said. "(He) did a great job just catching the ball, run after catch, playing physical, exerting his will, very inspiring to us all. It was great that he was able to get those opportunities playing hard and playing fast. Looking forward to that continuing to build.""
Crabtree says Raiders-loving cop made him miss his flight
October 20
San Francisco Chronicle
 
"Somewhere on the streets drives a police officer who made an enemy of Michael Crabtree. The Niners wide receiver tweeted yesterday that he was pulled over by a police officer on his way to the airport and detained for 30 minutes (no reason given, but he's an athlete in a nice car so speeding seems like a safe guess), causing him to miss his flight. Crabtree's explanation? The cop was a Raiders fan and "didn't like the Niners.""
49ers' Michael Crabtree likes being go-to receiver
October 19
San Francisco Chronicle
 columnist Eric Branch
"The most surprising part of tight end Delanie Walker's go-ahead fourth-quarter touchdown catch against the Lions on Sunday? The ball wasn't thrown in Michael Crabtree's direction. Crabtree, the 49ers' third-year wide receiver, was overwhelmingly the preferred target of quarterback Alex Smith against Detroit. Crabtree had a career-high 15 targets, matched a career-high with nine catches and had 77 yards, matching the fourth-highest total of his 32-game career. No other Niner had more than five targets, two catches or 24 yards against the Lions. "It reminded me of the old days," Crabtree said, referring to his two-year career at Texas Tech, during which he averaged 115.5 catches per"
49ers disputes call that took away Michael Crabtree's touchdown
September 27
San Jose Mercury News
 
"The 49ers believe Michael Crabtree's third-quarter touchdown catch should not have been nullified, and they're sending that message to the league. "It looked like he was inbound and never stepped out of bounds; that's what it looks like from our coaches' video," coach Jim Harbaugh said Monday, a day after the 49ers' 13-8 win over the Cincinnati Bengals. "It was a heck of a play. It was a fantastic play by Michael and a fantastic play by Alex (Smith) in a part of the game where that touchdown was big and important." The 49ers trailed 3-0 when Smith rolled left and threw a 10-yard pass that Crabtree jumped to catch in the end zone. Officials ruled Crabtree had stepped out of the back of the"
Crabtree keeps things in low gear
September 16
Sacramento Bee
 
"Wide receiver Michael Crabtree spent more time talking with trainer Jeff Ferguson in an early part of Wednesday's practice than he did running routes. Crabtree, who was taken out of Sunday's game because of soreness in his left foot, was in full uniform for the start of the 49ers' week of practice. But he was observed running only one route during the individual portion of practice, and that was run at about half speed. Coach Jim Harbaugh indicated that the 49ers would monitor Crabtree in practice this week before determining his role Sunday against the Dallas Cowboys. "I feel like I know where he is – us talking – but we'll get a better look at that today in practice," Harbaugh said."
Crabtree, Goldson take part in 49ers drills
September 16
San Francisco Chronicle
 
"Niners wide receiver Michael Crabtree and safety Dashon Goldson took a positive step in their attempts to play against the visiting Cowboys on Sunday as they had a more active role in Thursday's practice. A day after serving as onlookers during the portion of practice open to the media, Williams and Goldson took part in position drills. They were officially listed as "limited" on the injury report for the second straight day. Crabtree, whose twice-broken left foot became so painful during the season opener against Seattle that he feared he might have re-broken it, ran several slant routes at nearly full speed. But he only watched when receivers ran an out route that would have required him"
Michael Crabtree keeps things in low gear
September 15
Sacramento Bee
 
"Wide receiver Michael Crabtree spent more time talking with trainer Jeff Ferguson in an early part of Wednesday's practice than he did running routes. Crabtree, who was taken out of Sunday's game because of soreness in his left foot, was in full uniform for the start of the 49ers' week of practice. But he was observed running only one route during the individual portion of practice, and that was run at about half speed. Coach Jim Harbaugh indicated that the 49ers would monitor Crabtree in practice this week before determining his role Sunday against the Dallas Cowboys. "I feel like I know where he is – us talking – but we'll get a better look at that today in practice," Harbaugh said."
Crabtree's foot takes a step back
September 12
San Francisco Chronicle
 
"On 3rd-and-goal early in the second quarter, Michael Crabtree, alone in the left corner of the end zone, waved his arms in frustration as he watched quarterback Alex Smith, looking in the opposite direction, throw incomplete to running back Frank Gore. By the end of the game, Crabtree, with a white towel over his head and his twice-broken left foot throbbing, was far more subdued. The wide receiver who had foot surgery in July couldn't finish San Francisco's 33-17 victory over the Seahawks on Sunday. He had one catch for 4 yards. Coach Jim Harbaugh noticed him limping early in the third quarter, and Crabtree watched the rest of the game from the sideline. He had X-rays after the game,"
Michael Crabtree sees outing shortened
September 12
San Jose Mercury News
 
"Wide receiver Michael Crabtree saw sporadic action for the 49ers before his troublesome left foot flared up in the second half of Sunday's 33-17 season-opening win over Seattle. Crabtree said a postgame X-ray was negative, meaning he has not broken that foot a third time since 2009. A June 6 fracture shelved him throughout training camp and the exhibition season. "I wasn't 100 percent. I was just happy to be out there for a little bit," said Crabtree, the 49ers' first-round draft pick in 2009. "Coach did a good job letting me know (to exit). He'd seen my limping a little bit. I was trying to hide it, trying to stay on the field." Crabtree had one reception for 4 yards, and he dropped the"
Crabtree removed from game, but foot X-rays negative
September 12
Sacramento Bee
 
"Wide receiver Michael Crabtree, who broke his left foot in early June and missed the preseason, had X-rays on the same foot after playing extensively in the first half Sunday. Those images came back negative, but Crabtree admitted, "It hurt so bad, I was concerned." Coach Jim Harbaugh removed Crabtree from the game early in the second half of San Francisco's 33-17 win. "Coach did a good job letting me know (he was taking me out)," Crabtree said in the locker room. "He'd seen me limping. I was trying to hide it, trying to stay on the field. It is what it is.""
Michael Crabtree coming off injury, but he's done it before
September 9
Seattle Post-Intelligencer
 
"Here's what they're talking about through the fog in San Francisco as game day approaches … – 49ers receiver Michael Crabtree returned to practice on Wednesday for the first time since injuring his foot. Matt Barrows of the Sacramento Bee details that Crabtree has come back from injuries that limited his practice time before, specifically last season when a neck injury kept him out of each of San Francisco's preseason games. "In 2009, then-coach Mike Singletary said it was clear that Crabtree, even after missing the entire offseason, was better than any wide receiver the 49ers had at that time and that they needed him to help out the passing game. The depth at the position this year is"
No practice? It's not perfect, but 49ers' Crabtree has track record
September 9
Sacramento Bee
 
"Quick turnarounds? Michael Crabtree has made a couple. In 2009, the 49ers wide receiver missed the first five weeks of the regular season because of a contract dispute. Still, coaches immediately inserted him into the starting lineup as soon as a deal was reached, and Crabtree responded by catching five passes for 56 yards in his NFL debut. Last year, Crabtree sat out the preseason after suffering a neck injury in training camp. But he was in the offensive huddle for the first snap of the regular season. "I've been here before," Crabtree said Thursday, a day after returning to practice from a broken foot. "It's nothing new to me. Like I said, I just got to take on that challenge and go out"
Receiver Michael Crabtree back at full speed, will use special cleat
September 9
San Jose Mercury News
 
"Michael Crabtree has a history of entering seasons fashionably late, and this time, he'll be wearing a "pretty sweet" custom cleat on a twice-broken left foot. "I've been here before," Crabtree said Thursday. "It's nothing new to me. I've got to take on that challenge and be my best." A contract stalemate delayed Crabtree's rookie debut until the 49ers' sixth game of 2009, which he started at Houston coming out of the bye week. Will he start, or even play, in Sunday's season opener against Seattle? Crabtree said he is "ready to go," but offensive coordinator Greg Roman would only say he "hopes" Crabtree plays alongside potential starters Braylon Edwards, Ted Ginn and Joshua Morgan. Roman"
49ers' Crabtree says he's ready to go
September 9
San Francisco Chronicle
 
"Sporting custom-molded cleats for his twice-broken left foot, 49ers wide receiver Michael Crabtree declared he is ready to play in Sunday's season opener against Seattle after undergoing surgery in July. A day after participating in his first full practice, Crabtree said Thursday that he was running at full speed and prepared to reprise his rookie season. As a rookie in 2009, he had 48 catches for 625 yards (top among 49ers wide receivers) despite missing the preseason and the first five games of the regular season due to a contract holdout. "I've been here before," Crabtree said. "It's nothing new to me.""
49ers notebook: With Michael Crabtree in pads, full offense practices together at last
September 8
San Jose Mercury News
 
"The 49ers offense finally looked complete Wednesday -- unless you were expecting the acquisition of former Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback David Garrard. All offensive players practiced in their red-and-gold uniforms for the first time under coach Jim Harbaugh, whose father, Jack, was on hand to witness the preparation for Sunday's season opener. Completing that full-squad offense was wide receiver Michael Crabtree, and he showed no signs of trouble with his twice-broken foot while running routes during media access at the start of practice. "Good to see him out there running around," quarterback Alex Smith said. "He's extremely talented and will help us a ton.""
49ers notes: Crabtree partakes in first full practice
September 8
Sacramento Bee
 
"Michael Crabtree not only was dressed for the start of Wednesday's practice, the 49ers wide receiver made it through to the end as well. That's significant. It was Crabtree's first full practice since the 2010 season, and it increases the likelihood that the former first-round draft pick will at least be available to take part in Sunday's season opener against the Seattle Seahawks. Quarterback Alex Smith said he also threw to Crabtree during a Tuesday walk-through session. "It was good to see him out there running around," Smith said. "He's extremely talented. He's going to help us a ton.""
49ers' recovering Crabtree limited in 1st practice
August 31
San Francisco Chronicle
 
"Michael Crabtree was activated from the physically unable to perform list Tuesday. If his first practice is any indication, however, the Niners wide receiver is not yet able to perform at anything approximating full speed. Crabtree, who had surgery on his broken left foot prior to training camp, spent the first 15 minutes of his debut practice jogging through a series of short routes. He then removed his helmet and red jersey and retreated to an adjoining practice field for individual work. Crabtree later told a group of reporters that he wouldn't be talking, presumably until he completes an entire practice. "Once I get back on that field, I'm going to be the first person talking to"
Michael Crabtree and 49ers' WR options
August 30
ESPN.com
 
"Michael Crabtree's return to practice, this time officially, gives the San Francisco 49ers about 10 days to get him ready for the Sept. 11 opener against Seattle. This is also a good time to reevaluate the position. Crabtree and Braylon Edwards are clearly the two most formidable receiving options at the position. Josh Morgan and Ted Ginn Jr. appear to be next in line, with Kyle Williams finally healthy enough to contribute as the team had hoped one year ago. Looking at the 49ers' roster, it's tough to make a case for keeping rookie sixth-round choice Ronald Johnson at the expense of others. I doubt another team would snap up Johnson on its 53-man roster if the 49ers tried to shift him"
San Francisco 49ers' Michael Crabtree: Did he or didn't he practice?
August 30
San Jose Mercury News
 
"Michael Crabtree looked sharp catching passes for about 10 minutes Monday on the 49ers practice field. As a result, the NFL is investigating whether the 49ers violated rules. Crabtree was still on the physically-unable-to-perform list while catching approximately 25 short passes from 49ers quarterbacks, as well as a final throw from coach Jim Harbaugh. General manager Trent Baalke eventually intervened and sent Crabtree away from the drill. That occurred after a 49ers public-relations official relayed a reporter's question to Baalke, asking if Crabtree's participation was allowed under PUP rules. "We are looking into it," league spokesman Greg Aiello wrote in an email. "We appreciate Trent"
NFL probes Crabtree practice
August 30
Sacramento Bee
 
"Injured wide receiver Michael Crabtree caught about 25 passes at the start of practice Monday from 49ers quarterbacks as well as coach Jim Harbaugh, who zipped him his final pass. Crabtree, however, was not in uniform and has not been cleared to practice because he is still on the physically unable to perform list after breaking his left foot in early June. Wearing shorts, a red sweat shirt, black cleats and a baseball cap, Crabtree spent about 10 minutes during the warmup period catching passes from Alex Smith. When practice began, he headed to a middle field with the four quarterbacks and Harbaugh. Crabtree lined up wide of the group and took a few quick steps as a receiver would before"
49ers' Crabtree might be back soon
August 29
San Francisco Chronicle
 
"Niners head coach Jim Harbaugh indicated Sunday that injured wide receiver Michael Crabtree could return to practice as early as this week. The bad news? It won't matter who occupies San Francisco's skill positions if its offensive line doesn't dramatically improve. In a 30-7 loss to the Texans on Saturday, the 49ers' front five was dominated, marking the second time in three preseason games that the unit was comically outclassed."
49ers' Crabtree might be back this week, Harbaugh says
August 29
Sacramento Bee
 
"San Francisco coach Jim Harbaugh said Sunday that "it's possible" wide receiver Michael Crabtree, recovering from a broken foot, could return to practice this week. Crabtree, however, is still unlikely to play in Thursday's preseason finale against the San Diego Chargers, and his status for the regular-season opener Sept. 11 against the Seattle Seahawks also is unknown. According to a source, Crabtree fractured his left foot during a player-run practice in San Jose on June 6. Crabtree had surgery on the foot before the start of training camp and was placed on the physically unable to perform list, where he remains. Crabtree already has suffered a stress fracture to the same foot. That"
Crabtree closer to returning from broken foot
August 28
Sacramento Bee
 
"Jim Harbaugh said Sunday that "it's possible" receiver Michael Crabtree, recovering from a broken foot, could return to practice this week. However, Crabtree is still unlikely to play in Thursday's preseason finale against the Chargers and his status for the regular-season opener Sept. 11 also is unknown. According to a source, Crabtree fractured his left foot during a player-run practice at San Jose on June 6. Crabtree had surgery on the foot prior to the start of training camp and was placed on the physically unable to perform list. He is still on the PUP list. Crabtree suffered a stress fracture to the same foot likely during his senior season at Texas Tech. That injury was discovered"
Michael Crabtree walking without limping
August 16
San Francisco Chronicle
 
"Niners wide receiver Michael Crabtree isn't talking to the media until he's healthy, but the sight of his left foot Monday suggested he's taken a significant step in his recovery from his undisclosed foot injury. Crabtree walked into the team's locker room without a noticeable limp or the orthopedic boot that had been on his left foot since at least the start of training camp. Crabtree, who had surgery after sustaining a stress fracture in the same foot prior to the 2009 draft, was injured in early June during the 49ers' first players minicamp at San Jose State. Crabtree rode an exercise bike during part of practice Monday, but offensive coordinator Greg Roman did not offer a timetable for"
With Crabtree, the preseason just hurts
August 1
Sacramento Bee
 
"The 49ers thought they made the catch of the 2009 draft when Michael Crabtree fell into their laps with the 10th pick. Who knew what kind of hurt would follow him on the way down? So, first year, no preseason, contract holdout. Next year, no exhibition games, hurt neck. Now, no preseason, hurt foot. That leaves the 49ers hurting. With Crabtree, diva or not, the 49ers just didn't expect they'd have to chase, and be spurned by, almost-outcasts Chad Ochocinco and Plaxico Burress. Even the crazies are saying no, thanks, we'll take our act elsewhere. Funny, so did running back Glen Coffee. He was selected after Crabtree, in the third round. Unlike Crabtree, he didn't hold out, his feet didn't"
Foot injury could sideline 49ers' Crabtree for preseason
July 29
Sacramento Bee
 
"The foot injury that kept Michael Crabtree out of player-run practices in June is more serious than previously believed, and the 49ers' top wide receiver will miss as many as six weeks of training camp and the preseason, according to a source with knowledge of the injury. That's why the 49ers were in the running this week for veteran wide receiver Chad Ochocinco, who instead was traded Thursday from Cincinnati to New England. The 49ers will continue to pursue a veteran receiver on the free-agent market who could start opposite Josh Morgan when the season begins. They are one of several teams pursuing free agent Malcom Floyd (River City High School). The nature of the injury is not known."
Crabtree expected to be out 4-6 weeks
July 29
San Francisco Chronicle
 
"It appears Michael Crabtree and training camp won't be seeing much of each other for the third straight season. According to the Sacramento Bee, the foot injury the 49ers' third-year wide receiver sustained during the team's players-only offensive minicamp in early June will force him to miss four to six weeks of training camp, which opened Thursday. The team has placed Crabtree on the physically unable to perform list. He can be activated at any time prior to Sept. 3, when rosters must be reduced to 53 players. Crabtree, who has never played in a preseason game due to a contract holdout in 2009 and a neck injury last year, had surgery to correct a stress fracture in his left foot prior to"
San Francisco 49ers' Michael Crabtree sidelined again
July 29
San Jose Mercury News
 
"As the 49ers continued their pursuit of a top-flight cornerback Thursday, concerns emerged about their No. 1 receiver. Michael Crabtree will be sidelined for up to six weeks of training camp, a source told The Sacramento Bee. The 49ers are worried enough about their receiving corps that they engaged in trade talks for Chad Ochocinco, who instead was shipped from Cincinnati to New England. The 49ers placed Crabtree on the physically unable to perform list Thursday night, meaning he will not count against the 90-man training camp roster limit until he is activated. Crabtree sustained a foot injury June 6, the first day of the 49ers' player-organized workouts at San Jose State. Teammates"
Niners GM Baalke on Crabtree-Smith feud: 'They'll figure it out'
July 16
NFL.com
 
"San Francisco 49ers general manager Trent Baalke doesn't know the specifics of the Michael Crabtree-Alex Smith feud. Yet Baalke, who like every GM has been barred from contact with players during the NFL lockout, isn't concerned about the situation. At least that what's he told the San Jose Mercury News on Thursday. "It doesn't bother me at all," Baalke said. "It's like any relationship, right? When you're growing up with your family, your friends, there's going to be disagreements. There's going to be arguments. There's going to be fights. Those things happen, especially in a competitive environment, which these guys are in. "So when these guys have a little spat here or there or have a"
Joe Staley has only praise for receiver Michael Crabtree at workout
June 29
San Jose Mercury News
 
"On opening day of Camp Alex II, receiver Michael Crabtree took the field and even caught a few warm-up passes. Tackle Joe Staley wondered why anyone is surprised. "He's a great teammate," the lineman said Tuesday after the 49ers renewed their practice sessions at San Jose State. "I think he's a professional. "... He's a very intelligent kid, and he works very hard. You can't say anything about his work ethic." Earlier this month, Crabtree sat out almost all of the 49ers' player-only practices -- nicknamed Camp Alex because they are organized and led by quarterback Alex Smith. On the first day of that session, Crabtree sustained a foot injury as the result of a problem with new cleats. On"
Concerns over his left foot, Crabtree attends but doesn't take part in practice
June 29
Sacramento Bee
 
"There were two headlines from Day 1 of Camp Alex II: The first is that receiver Michael Crabtree was on hand for the session but did not go through a full practice because of lingering concerns about his left foot. The second is that rookie quarterback Colin Kaepernick was a full participant in the practice and, for the first time in a team session, showed off the arm strength for which he was noted prior to the draft. To get you up to speed on the Crabtree story - the receiver attended the 49ers' previous minicamp but only took part in the June 6 practice. According to teammate Josh Morgan, Crabtree suffered sore feet during that Monday session after practicing in new shoes. He attended"
Alex Smith: No problems with 49ers receiver Michael Crabtree
June 10
San Jose Mercury News
 
"Yes, Alex Smith said, there may be some chemistry issues between him and receiver Michael Crabtree. But the quarterback said Thursday that their struggles are limited only to the playing field and that they get along just fine. Smith called his perceived feud with the 49ers' No. 1 receiver "something that has been totally off-base" after recent quotes from both players created a stir. "Obviously, (over) the last two weeks a lot has been made of our relationship," Smith said after the final day of a four-day, players-only camp. "Things have come out in the paper that I think we both wish we could take back. I know I feel that way." Smith, for example, raised eyebrows last week when asked"
Crabtree doesn't take the field on Day 2
June 8
San Jose Mercury News
 
"A day after practicing with 49ers teammates, receiver Michael Crabtree skipped Tuesday's workout to rest his ailing feet. Teammate Josh Morgan said Crabtree broke in a new pair of cleats Monday and came away with ill-effects from San Jose State's field turf. Gesturing to female member of the press, Morgan explained the problem by saying "it was equal to her wearing a new pair of heels all day." Before heading out Tuesday, Crabtree attended a morning classroom-style session with the rest of the camp's participants. But when he failed to show up on the practice field, it prompted a brief stir, especially in the wake of Crabtree's provocative comments Monday. Crabtree said then that he had no"
Chatting it up with Crabtree & Co. from 49ers 'Camp'
June 7
San Jose Mercury News
 columnist Tim Kawakami
""I'm coming out. Be ready this year." -- Michael Crabtree on his new media friendliness and coming out of his shell Readers don't care about media access to anything at any time, which I know because readers have told me (and any other media type) this a hundred times. Readers don't care. Actually, many readers wish most athletes and executives would never speak to me and that I would be forced to blog & Tweet from a small padded room on the the island of Elba, if possible. I realize this. I might try out that Elba thing at some point. Does the Elba Times-Dispatch have a 401k plan? But as Barrows said on Twitter -- if you're a reporter who doesn't push for access to observe and ask"
Michael Crabtree: Not sure who QB will be
June 7
San Jose Mercury News
 
"Despite mounting evidence that Alex Smith will be back as the 49ers starting quarterback, Michael Crabtree held off on the coronation. The receiver was puzzled Monday by questions that assumed Smith would be the one throwing him passes in 2011. "I wish I could tell you who is going to be the quarterback. I don't know," Crabtree said after the 49ers' first large-scale player-organized workout. "Whoever the quarterback is, I'm 100 percent down with it and I'm ready to go. That's it." New coach Jim Harbaugh has indicated several times during the offseason that he expects Smith to head into training camp as the No. 1 quarterback. After the draft, Harbaugh went so far as to say, "If I'm a"
Michael Crabtree joins 49ers players' minicamp
June 7
San Francisco Chronicle
 
"The 49ers' resident man of mystery, wide receiver Michael Crabtree, arrived Monday on the first day of a player-initiated minicamp, working with quarterback Alex Smith just days after Smith seemed to call him out for not practicing with his teammates. After a 90-minute workout with most of the team's offensive skill-position players, Crabtree said he has been practicing regularly in the Bay Area during the NFL lockout. "I've been here for almost two months, working out every day," Crabtree said. "That's what you all don't (understand)." The rub is, Crabtree has not worked out with his teammates at San Jose State's Spartan Stadium. Instead, he was working out somewhere else. "Routes, every"
49ers' Michael Crabtree to face college 'brother'
December 25
San Francisco Chronicle
 
"One player is a second-year wide receiver out of Texas Tech who ranks among the leaders in catches and yards in the NFC West. The other is Michael Crabtree. "Danny's like my brother on the field," Crabtree said of Rams receiver Danny Amendola. "My first couple combo routes were with Danny Amendola." When the 49ers play at St. Louis on Sunday, the former college teammates are sure to jaw off. Crabtree's boast is that his team beat the Rams last month. Amendola's retort will be his 75 catches (ninth in the NFL) for 627 yards, compared with Crabtree's 45 catches for 572 yards. Amendola was undrafted out of college. Crabtree was picked No. 10 overall. But then, Amendola isn't the one dealing"
Crabtree's role limited in 49ers' offense
December 15
San Jose Mercury News
 
"Against the Seahawks last weekend, the 49ers racked up 40 points for the first time since 2003 and Alex Smith posted a career-best passer rating. Still, Michael Crabtree was an afterthought. He had one catch -- for 1 yard. "I think Michael Crabtree is going to be a very good football player in this league, but he's still trying to find his way to get all the potential that he has inside of him out," offensive coordinator Mike Johnson said Tuesday. A year ago, as a rookie jumping into the action in October, Crabtree had at least three catches in every game. This year, he's already been held to one catch on three occasions. Crabtree hasn't topped 50 yards in a game since Nov. 14. He hasn't"
Crabtree's role for 49ers is on the rise
October 19
Sacramento Bee
 
"When Mike Johnson took over the 49ers' offense from Jimmy Raye four weeks ago, his mission was to find mismatches with defenses and to put his playmakers in better positions to exploit their opponents. Under Johnson, the 49ers would find the specific key that unlocked a defense instead of trying to hack through the lock with a sledgehammer, which often seemed to be the approach under Raye. On Sunday, Johnson did a particularly good job of prying open the Raiders' defense on a 32-yard touchdown catch by Michael Crabtree late in the third quarter. Another challenge for Johnson has been getting Crabtree more involved in the game plan. That began to happen two weeks ago against Atlanta when"
Crabtree licking his chops over playing Oakland
October 15
San Francisco Chronicle
 
"Michael Crabtree had to wait an extra three picks to get drafted because the Raiders passed on him last year. The 49ers receiver has waited 18 months since to show them how he really feels. "Of course you think about it," Crabtree said of the snub with the Raiders coming to Candlestick Park for Sunday's Battle of the Bay. "Anytime someone gets picked ahead of you, you think about it." To be clear, Crabtree doesn't have a beef with wide receiver Darrius Heyward-Bey, whom the Raiders drafted with the No. 7 overall pick in the 2009 draft. Heyward-Bey had no choice in the matter. Crabtree holds the snub completely against a Raiders organization that didn't so much as host him on a predraft"
Smith, Crabtree not on same page
September 27
Sacramento Bee
 
"Alex Smith and Michael Crabtree have a dangerous streak going - botched pass attempts that lead to costly interceptions. It happened again Sunday when a third-and-four pass intended for Crabtree was picked off by Kansas City cornerback Brandon Flowers. Hearing them explain the play afterward, it's clear the quarterback and wide receiver still aren't on the same wavelength. "It seemed like (Flowers) was inside, and (Smith) threw the ball inside," Crabtree said. Said Smith: "I went to my progression. He's No. 3. He's really the outlet on that play. When I threw it, I was anticipating - I guess from my perspective - I thought he was going to come in front, and it didn't happen." Four of"
Alex Smith, Michael Crabtree not on same page in loss to Seahawks
September 14
San Jose Mercury News
 
"After reviewing game film on the flight home, 49ers coach Mike Singletary said quarterback Alex Smith's performance was fine in the first half Sunday at Seattle. In the second half? "Obviously there were some passes that were not good," he said. That included Smith overthrowing Michael Crabtree early in the third quarter. Crabtree didn't see the pass coming and it sailed into the hands of Seahawks cornerback Marcus Trufant, who returned it 32 yards for a touchdown and a 21-6 Seattle lead. That was one of several miscommunications between Smith and Crabtree. (Singletary said that Crabtree ran the correct route on the play). Asked if the misfire could stem from Crabtree sitting out all four"
Michael Crabtree not worried about how he will play Sunday
September 10
San Jose Mercury News
 
"Michael Crabtree was in the middle of talking Thursday when Vernon Davis sneaked up on him from behind. Davis planted a light kiss on Crabtree's shoulder and rubbed the receiver's head. "Michael, good to see you, buddy," Davis said. Then he walked away. The scene played out in front of reporters, as if to prove publicly that all is well in the 49ers' locker room. The last time the media watched Davis and Crabtree interact, the conversation involved shouting, gesturing and profanity. That was Sept. 1, a day that had coach Mike Singletary talking about the elephant in the room being exposed. "Ah, man, it was just something inside, you know. Something I just really don't want to talk about it"