Michael Crabtree talks about dust up

Wide receiver Michael Crabtree talked for the first time since he was dressed down a week ago by tight end Vernon Davis. Crabtree also talked about the time he missed and how that might impact him this Sunday in Seattle.

As far as Davis, Crabtree said, "Oh, it's something inside. ... It's not a problem. By me talking about it, it will make it more of a problem."

Interesting, that at the beginning of Crabtree's talk with the media, Davis came by and wrapped a big arm around his injured neck and then patted him on the head. Crabtree who was smiling, turned stone cold when Davis came up behind him, which could indicate three things.

A) Crabtree didn't like being interrupted

B) Davis was grabbing around his neck area, which has been tender since he hurt it when he fell in practice.

C) Crabtree really doesn't like Davis, and who really cares if he doesn't?

Crabtree was repeatedly asked about whether he's worried about his timing with Alex Smith or about his conditioning because he missed all the preseason games. Crabtree said he wasn't concerned about any of it.

"It's no concern," he said when asked about missed time with Smith. "We've done a lot up to this point. I'm feeling very confident. You can ask Alex, we are very comfortable."

Posted By: Kevin Lynch (Email) | September 09 2010 at 12:43 PM

Of Tatum, T.O., Crabtree and Jerry Lee

Even though he was part of the evil empire across the Bay, the entire Bay Area sports community had to be saddened by the passing of former Raider Jack "The Assassin" Tatum. Unfortunately, Tatum will be known most for the lick that paralyzed Patriots receiver Darryl Stingley in a preseason game than anything else in his Pro Bowl career.

In a story today written by the esteemed Vic Tafur, it was suggested by a good friend of Tatum's that Tatum was plagued by the hit. Tatum and Stingley, who died three years ago, never communicated about the situation. Stingley, rightly so, was miffed that Tatum used the circumstance to promote an autobiography.

Nevertheless, most of Tatum's hits were clean and vicious. Tatum's talent, unlike his more notorious safety mate, George Atkinson, landed him in the Pro Bowl for three straight years. Atkinson never went to a Pro Bowl, but he tried to keep up with Tatum by cuffing players around after the whistle or away from the ball. Atkinson infamously belted Steeler receiver Lynn Swann with a forearm while running back Franco Harris thundered past him. Atkinson's only mission in that preseason game was to deck Swann and send a message rather than tackle the 230-pound Harris.

Former Raiders coach John Madden tells the story of calling a timeout to get Atkinson and Tatum to communicate with each other. Tatum apparently refused to talk to Atkinson after he set him up with a less than attractive woman. Madden now laughs about the situation.

Who's going to be laughing in Cincinnati this year? Speaking of notorious, Terrell Owens, the former 49er, is now a Bengal and has united with his friend, Ocho Cinco. The two apparently tweeted the good fortune to each other, and through that communication, Owens has already staked his claim as the primary prima donna. Owens called himself "Ocho Uno" in the tweet and said he was the "Batman" to Ocho Cinco's "Robin."

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Posted By: Kevin Lynch (Email) | July 28 2010 at 09:50 PM

Can Ted Ginn be Willlie Gault?

I received an e-mail from one disgruntled fan. He doesn't understand why the 49ers are signing and trading for players like quarterback David Carr and receiver Ted Ginn Jr., when they could be trading for Donovan McNabb, wide receivers Santonio Holmes and Brandon Marshall or cornerback Antonio Cromartie, all high-profile players who were traded recently.

The answer may be many fold. First, the 49ers probably don't want to trade away their picks in what's expected to be a deep draft. Second, they probably don't want to become the Redskins - a team that dealt picks for veteran players who often failed to live up to expectations. Third, the 49ers might feel they aren't that far away from being a playoff team so why mess with chemistry by bringing in someone like Marshall, a troubled soul.

However, speaking of expectations, Ginn failed to live up to his after Miami picked him ninth overall in the abbreviated Cam Cameron regime. As a receiver, Ginn has never caught more than two touchdown passes in any one year. He lost his starting job at receiver and he's not known as one who relishes contact. He also drops passes, with a drop rate of 9.3 percent, fourth highest in the league.

But the news isn't all bad here. Ginn immediately fills the screaming need for a kick and punt returner. He has returned two kickoffs and one punt for scores and he's also what's known as a lid lifter. Meaning his speed can lengthened the field and open underneath routes. And all this for a measly fifth-rounder.

"He's a bundle of potential and his upside is off the charts. This guy can fly," 49ers coach Mike Singletary said in a statement. Singletary probably did his usual extensive research on Ginn and obviously feels Ginn could jump-start his career in San Francisco.

The key for Ginn will be impressing receivers coach Jerry Sullivan. The veteran coach doesn't like players who don't love the game and Ginn might find it hard to lift lids or anything else unless he works hard enough to get on the field.

But say Ginn never really plays much from scrimmage, he's worth a fifth-rounder if he merely solves the team's riddle at returner. Also, trading for Ginn means that Singletary recognizes his team lacks speed. Now if Ginn turns out to be Singletary's Willie Gault, then everybody's happy.

Posted By: Kevin Lynch (Email) | April 16 2010 at 10:07 PM

Passing of a passing era

You wonder if Isaac Bruce wonders about his decision to return for a 16th season. Now he's being de-emphasized after being slowed by an ankle injury. Bruce's expected retirement at the end of this season is the end of an era. Bruce, Kurt Warner, Torry Holt are the last remnants of the explosive Mike Martz chapter of offense.

It seems unlikely that Martz will be hired as an NFL coordinator any time soon, and that greatest Show on Turf may no longer be viable with all it's seven-step drops against today's voracious pass rush.

The Bruce demotion also says something about the 49ers' offensive changes, or dare we say, evolution. Bruce developed into one of Shaun Hill's most dependable targets towards the end of last season, in fact, Hill bestowed him with the label, "Old Reliable."

The Hill-Bruce hook-up was about guile and instincts. Bruce knew where to find holes in defenses even if he had to venture outside his route, and Hill had the instincts to find Bruce.

Now the offense is no longer constructed on fooling anybody. With the re-emergence of Alex Smith, the drafting of Michael Crabtree and the production of tight end Vernon Davis, it's about brute athleticism. The offense hopes to get by on that quality while they learn what the heck they're doing under Jimmy Raye.

On Wednesday, Alex Smith was asked if he ever makes suggestions about plays during games. He said he basically is just trying to run what's called. It seems he's quite a ways from actually making suggestions, something he did with regularity in high school and college.

If this offense is going to evolve it might be up to all of you. If the fans and media get frustrated with the pace of learning by Smith and Co. then, once again, more wholesale changes could be in the offing for this offense. But if there's a modicum of patience, the 49ers could actually develop an offense that's built for the modern day.

Going with Smith, Davis and Crabtree and going with a more open game plan might not come to fruition until next September. But is that a reason to abandon it now?

SNOW DAY: It was coordinators' day at the 49ers, and Raye related a story about one of his ventures to Green Bay in a transcript of comments made available by the team. Ray was the coordinator when the Bucs and a young quarterback named Steve Young went to Wisconsin in the mid 1980's on a day of record snow fall. The Bucs lost and Young was nearly asphyxiated when his facemask filled with snow after a sack. That isn't likely to occur this time, the forecast for Sunday is for scattered clouds and a high of 51. Good football weather.

HEY BUD: OK, we all saw Bud Adams got docked for 250 large for flying a double bird. It's his right to flip people off isn't it? So why should Adams get fined and Larry Johnson get away with nothing for his homophobic slurs? Just asking and I might be sorry I did.

Posted By: Kevin Lynch (Email) | November 18 2009 at 04:58 PM

Morgan and the magic man

Hey, should we get back to talking football?

The 49ers were back at work Tuesday in full pads for an immense task in Green Bay on Sunday, a place the 49ers haven't won since 1990. That's when Don Majkowski was the quarterback. Actually I remember after that 24-20 loss to the team of the 1980's, Majkowski aka "the Magic Man" put his helmet through an ambulance window in a fit of frustration.

Now the 49ers will face possibly the most ferocious defense in the league and they'll do it with a new receiver. Josh Morgan will replace Isaac Bruce as a starter and he'll line up opposite of rookie sensation Michael Crabtree. This is why 49ers fans should be optimistic about the future.

"I think Josh Morgan is extremely talented, extremely physical," coach Mike Singletary said. "I'm looking forward to the time, hopefully soon, where he presents a lot of issues (for the defense)."

Singletary met with Morgan and told him he wanted to see him progress faster. To become an elite threat, Morgan needs to refine his route-running and in that area, he's behind Crabtree, who came from a spread offense. Conversely, Virginia Tech is a run-dominated offense where Morgan only ran three or four routes.

Morgan's sometimes plodding routes tosses off timing and may have been a reason for Alex Smith's two interceptions he threw when trying to find Morgan in the loss to the Titans. Smith and Morgan had a training camp together this year, and they worked together in the off-season, but their history has been limited.

Smith doesn't appear to have gotten to a place where he can fire away to Morgan with confidence. Interestingly, the one who is helping Morgan become more precise in his routes is the man he's replacing, Bruce.

When told by Singletary that Morgan was taking his job, Bruce acknowledged that it was time for it to happen.

"Josh is an ascending player," Bruce said. Morgan was first exposed to Bruce's wisdom last year after tearing a groin muscle when Cardinals linebacker Karlos Dansby fell on Morgan long after the whistle. Without the ability to cut to the right, Bruce showed him how to get by with head fakes.

"I wasn't as fast, but the head fake if you do it right, can get the defensive back to stop his feet," Morgan said of his skull session with Bruce. "You can get the same separation. Little things like that really help you out a lot."

Morgan also said a competition has already been sparked with Crabtree.

"Both of us want to be great, we are going to push each other," Morgan said. "We'll compete with each other ... It's not something you think about, it's just instinctual."

HELP ME HELP YOU: That's been the message from Singletary to Alex Smith. The coach meets with his quarterback every week to ask what he needs, and Singletary said Smith isn't always forthcoming with his desires. But Smith will ask for more details with plays or for time with receivers after practice.

Just how different is that from what Smith got from Mike Nolan? It's another reason to be optimistic about where the team is heading.

HILL'S ROLE?: Jason Hill will get some time in a few of the three-receiver packages Singletary said. Hill might already be thinking that maybe he'll never fit here. He has one more year left on his deal. "Whether I'm the first receiver or the sixth receiver I want to put my best foot forward," Hill said. "You want to put down some good tape; there are 31 other teams out there."

Hill has kept his head despite the frustration of limited opportunities this year.

Hill said confidence is what keeps him going. "I know I can play at the highest level," he said.

NOTES: Singletary said he has been pleasantly surprised with the play of Barry Sims at left tackle, but he said Joe Staley will re-take the job once he's recovered from his knee injury. Singletary said Sims wouldn't be contender for right tackle once Staley returns. Singletary said linebacker Takeo Spikes remains day-to-day with a pulled hamstring. Alex Smith said the Packers present a lot of fronts and coverages on defense, but not as many as Tennessee, a team that completely befuddled him.

Posted By: Kevin Lynch (Email) | November 17 2009 at 01:58 PM

Jennings Extended

The 49ers just announced that long-snapper Brian Jennings has signed a five-year extension. It means Jennings, who's about to enter his 10th year with the 49ers, will have his visage implanted on the team's 10-year wall, an honor that's becoming increasingly rare in this era of shortened careers and rampant free agency.

No one could have guessed Jennings would last this long after the 49ers snared him in the seventh round of the 2000 draft out of Arizona State. "My goal was to make the team and just not get embarrassed," he said of his rookie season.

But he honed his long-snapping skills and developed into a Swiss watch-consistent player at the odd chore of hiking a ball between his legs. Jennings admitted Saturday to being a peak experience addict, and he might be the most colorful and intelligent player on the team and yet he plays what he terms as a "don't-screw-it-up" position. A position that only gets publicity when something goes wrong at a critical time.

"Peak experiences is one of my mottos," Jennings said. "My job is to be as seamless and invisible as possible, which is completely different from my personality. ... It's a great challenge for me."

Jennings and linebacker Jeff Ulbrich share the title of longest active 49er and Jennings credits his devotion to Yoga training for keeping him supple as he progresses in his career. In fact, in his first five seasons sans Yoga, Jennings averaged 3.6 tackles a year. With Yoga for the last three years, he's averaged nine tackles.

Who knew the violence of football would marry so well with the contemplative practice of a quiet marshall art. Also, who knew a skinny tight end out of Arizona State taken in the draft's last round would make the 49ers' prestigious 10-year wall?

WHAT YOU TALKIN' BOUT WILLIS?: The 49ers took linebacker Patrick Willis and tackle Joe Staley in the first round of the 2007 draft and Staley was just awarded a five-year, $42 million extension with $18 mil in guarantees. But Willis, the team's twice decorated Pro Bowler and the widely acknowledged best player on the team, hasn't heard a peep.

"Not to my knowledge," Willis said when asked if the organization had approached him about extending his deal. "Right now I'm just thinking about playing ball and winning. ... I love the 49ers and I'm just taking it one year at a time."

What's scary about Willis's response? It's probably genuine. Maybe in his private moments he wonders why Staley got an extension and he didn't, but he spends far more time on how to get the 49ers 13th-ranked defense into the top five.

Defensive coordinator Greg Manusky made the team's rank a point of emphasis and Willis wants to carry it into next season. They have a shot at it if organized team activities are an indication. Already, the defense has been told to dial it back so the nascent offense can function.

PLUTO SHOES: Offensive coordinator Jimmy Raye wears two large circular pads beneath his shoes while spending hours on his feet at practice. Raye underwent major back surgery a few years ago and the padding limits the soreness.

Raye was using a foam pad to stand on but that didn't help as he moved around the field. That's when trainer Jeff Ferguson created the foam cutouts that Raye slips into before practice.

"It works great," Raye said, and he even mentioned that he's contacted a patent lawyer about possibly going commercial on the idea. No one's sure if Raye was joking or not. Raye said players dubbed Raye's new padded kicks, his "pluto shoes."

QUARTERBACK COMPETITION: Raye reiterated his desire to see his quarterbacks play in pads before determining a starter. Raye said the quarterbacks are improving at calling audibles, but mentioned that what they do off the script might determine who's the best quarterback.

"A guy that can stretch the field, and guy who has mental awareness and can create plays with his arm and his feet," Raye responded when asked about qualities he looks for. "A good part of the position is doing things that are not coached."

Alex Smith was the hands down winner of Saturday morning's session. He really excelled throwing to receivers who were working man-on-man against defensive backs. In one four-pass sequence, Smith hit Isaac Bruce on a perfectly-thrown long pass (who was well-guarded by rookie free-agent corner Carlos Thomas), then fired a on-the-money crossing route to Brandon Jones (Allen Rossum covering), then dropped a long touchdown pass to Mark Bradford (Jahi Word-Daniels covering) and finished hitting Michael Spurlock on a quick slant.

Smith's ability to transfer those passes to team drills and ultimately to games will obviously determine his success.

NOTES: Raye mentioned Josh Morgan, Dominique Zeigler and Spurlock as standouts in the receiving corps. ... Cornerback Dre Bly nearly intercepted a Shaun Hill pass and then yelled at Hill, "Don't throw that pass!" Bly was very impressive covering everybody except Isaac Bruce. Bruce, by the way, said Bly is an effective player because he's a gambler and quarterbacks are wary of him. ... Wide receiver Jason Hill stretched his hamstring in Friday afternoon's practice and was held out Saturday. ... Cornerback Nate Clements is out indefinitely with a touch of pneumonia, defensive lineman Khalif Mitchell (illness) and safety Reggie Smith (groin) were also held out. ... The 49ers are in the midst of seven straight days of OTA or minicamp practices. ... This coaching staff has no qualms about getting on players. Tight ends coach Pete Hoener got on rookie Bear Pascoe and Delanie Walker, while linebacker Justin Roland got an earful from Manusky.

Posted By: Kevin Lynch (Email) | June 06 2009 at 04:06 PM

Catching up with Vernon and Vontae

Fresh from five days in Barbados earlier this year, tight end Vernon Davis dominated Wednesday's practice catching at least six passes from a combination of Shaun Hill and Alex Smith during last week's OTA practices. Now entering his fourth season and with an offensive coordinator who likes to highlight the tight end, Davis has the best opportunity yet to realize his sixth overall selection potential.

"He (new offensive coordinator Jimmy Raye) told me the tight end is the focal point," Davis said Wednesday. "I'm looking forward it. He said he wants to get his playmakers involved."

Davis has a year of frustration to unleash after his minimized role last season in Mike Martz's offense. He went from 52 passes in 2007 to 31 last year, despite Martz's declaration in training camp that he was making a special play list just for Davis. Either Martz couldn't break his habit of having a receiver-dominated offense, or Davis never caught onto Martz's system. Either way, Davis said he spent some time in Mike Singletary's office pining for more opportunities.

"It was real frustrating," Davis said. "I thought when you pick a guy with the sixth pick (in the 2006 draft) that you pick him to make plays. So my thing, was I was just trying to be patient."

Raye's development of Kansas City tight end and former Cal star Tony Gonzalez is a highlight in Raye's resume.

"I talked to Tony all the time," Davis said. "He said Jimmy would take of me and make sure I would get the ball and stuff like that. I'm just looking forward to the opportunity."

If Davis is going to be an elite tight end, this will have to be his year, not only because of Raye but because he's showing the maturity to handle the responsibility of becoming a major piece of the offense. On Wednesday for example, linebacker Mark Washington ran down Davis from behind and tried to deck him during the non-contact team drills. The Davis of early days would have tried to punch Washington in the throat. Instead, Davis calmly walked back to the huddle while coaches admonished Washington.

"I don't have time for fighting," Davis said. "If it's during a game, that might be different. But out here, I got to concentrate on what I'm doing."

Despite learning a new offense, Davis said he's comfortable with Raye's scheme and it looked like it in the week of practices. In fact, the 49ers gave him the day off Thursday after he dominated on Wednesday.

Davis also said he tried to get the higher ups to take a hard look at his little brother Vontae, one of the top cornerbacks to come out of this year's draft. In light of Walt Harris's season-ending and perhaps career-ending knee injury, it would have been a good idea.

"He's going to be great," Davis beamed with brotherly pride. "Press coverage? Forget it. He'll kill it." Davis said he has trouble getting off of his younger bro's press coverage. Vontae was selected 25th overall by Bill Parcells' Dolphins, despite his prima donna rep. The younger Davis was demoted by Illinois coach Ron Zook for goofing off in practice.

On second thought, maybe two Davises on one one team is one too many.

Posted By: Kevin Lynch (Email) | May 23 2009 at 07:13 PM

Receiver Overload

I looked back on some of the comments from yesterday. S_ftbl1 mentioned the 49ers traded their second-round pick with the Panthers when West Virginia quarterback Pat White came off the board. Actually, White went at no. 45 to the Dolphins. One internet report said the 49ers were eyeing USC linebacker Rey Maualaga (38 to Cincinnatti) and UConn cornerback Darius Butler (41 to New England) in the second round and both went before the 49ers picked so they made the deal with Carolina. The Panthers took Florida State pass rusher Everette Brown with the selection.

I also heard of the 49ers' interest in Joe Horn, who sat out last year because of a contract dispute with the Falcons. NFLnetwork termed the investigation of Horn "at a low level." The 49ers already have a logjam at receiver with the signing of former Titan Brandon Jones and the drafting of Texas Tech's Michael Crabtree plus they have youngsters Josh Morgan Jason Hill, and Dominique Zeigler. Where would Horn fit, especially with Isaac Bruce deciding to return?

Here's a deeper look at the receivers:

1. Isaac Bruce - Proved last year he has plenty left and was also voted the Len Eshmont Award winner. He's the likely starter at Z or flanker.

2. Michael Crabtree - Jarod Mayo, the 10th-round selection last year, signed a 5-year, $18.9 million deal with the Pats with $13.8 million guaranteed. Crabtree, this year's 10th pick, expects to get more than that, and a guy who earns that kind of cake plays. He'll compete with Morgan at X (split end).

3. Morgan - From his first minicamp to the spectacular game-winning catch in December against the Rams, Morgan exhibited his flashy potential. He's 6-0, 219, likes to block and he has the leaping ability for the end zone fade route. He disappeared for a long stretch last year after he pulled his groin in the second Cardinals' game. For the rest of the season, he couldn't cut well on his sore leg and he counseled with Bruce on how to use head fakes in place of his natural cutting ability. This guy could be special and shouldn't be crowded out by higher-paid players.

4. Brandon Jones - If the 49ers knew they were going to get Crabtree, they probably wouldn't have signed Jones. Long on talent but short on production, hopefully Jones won't turn out to be last year's Bryant Johnson or Darrell Jackson the year before, or Ashley Lelie. The free agent receiver flops go back a ways with the current regime. Jones signed a five-year $16.5 million deal with $5.4 guaranteed, despite never catching over 42 balls or gaining over 500 yards in any one season. He's spent most of the previous five seasons as a backup on a team not known for its receivers. A head-scratching move even before Crabtree was drafted. Jones will compete with Bruce for the starter's job. He could be anywhere from the top receiver to the fourth option.

5. Jason Hill - He has a clear chemistry with Shaun Hill and is developing Bruce's route-running acumen. He's another receiver you hope doesn't get lost with the highly-paid group ahead of him. He probably half hopes he gets cut because that means he could go elsewhere and play more.

6. Arnaz Battle - He's coming off a foot injury, had chronic knee woes and is now 29. But Battle remains an elite blocker, a more-than-adequate punt returner, and is a reliable target. He's also the antithesis of the prima dona receiver.

7. Dominique Zeigler - A human highlight in his years on the practice squad and he performed when pressed into the service last year with five catches for 97 yards. He also made seven special teams tackles in limited duty despite never playing on teams before. He's the type of guy you'd love to have around, but obviously his chances are slim.

Posted By: Kevin Lynch (Email) | May 07 2009 at 10:24 PM

Boldin in the Picture?

Mike Silver of Yahoo provided an insider's view to Scot McCloughan's thought process before and during the draft. In the story, McCloughan said he would investigate trading for Cardinals receiver Anquan Boldin. With a first-round pick in next year's draft, McCloughan said he now has the ammunition to make trades. The Cardinals have lessened their demands and are looking for a second-round choice. Wide receivers coach Jerry Sullivan would love to Boldin, who could provide additional leadership for the team's collection of young receivers. But whould the Cardinals let Boldin slip to a division rival? Boldin is also a fairly old 28, who's had persistent hamstring injuries.

Posted By: Kevin Lynch (Email) | April 28 2009 at 08:06 PM

Rice is Still a Treat

Jerry Rice, the holder of records that will not be broken, appeared last week at the Santa Clara Hilton. Rice was touting the Capital City Football Classic, the first historically black college football to ever be played in Northern California. The game between Texas Southern and Shaw University is Saturday Sept. 13 at Hughes Stadium in Sacramento and will have all the festivities traditionally connected to HBC classics: Battle of the Bands, Greek Step show, gospel concert.

Rice began setting division 1-AA records before he was ever drafted by the 49ers, while playing for Mississippi Valley State University - a historically black college. Rice has another connection to the game, his daughter, JaQui, is hoping to break into the singing business and she will open for Jagged Edge in a free concert at the stadium after the game.

Here's where I toss in a disclaimer. I've been hired to promote the game and some of the activities, and I'd probably do it for free. Education is part of the Capital City Football Classic, with four college fairs in the week leading up to the game and another in Oakland the day after the game. The sponsor is U-CAN which specializes in getting students funded, housed and enrolled in a HBC, no matter what their high school transcripts say. The success stories at U-CAN are unbelievable - students with seemingly no prospects, get enrolled in a HBC, which are all small schools with small class sizes and a nurturing environment, and those students become doctors, lawyers, and financial analysts. I'm also for anything that celebrates the culture of being American and this certainly qualifies. For more information go to capitalcityfootballclassic.com and U-CAN

On a different topic, Rice has grown more controversial in his advancing years (you can hardly tell he's advancing, it looks like he could play right now and be the 49ers second or third receiver, maybe even the first) Rice doesn't hold a high opinion of the generation of receivers that's replaced him.

"Should I say prima donnas?" Rice asked rhetorically. "I think that's what it is. I think we played the game the right way. We really wanted to win, we really respected the game and the most important thing was team. So, I think it's a little bit different now."

Rice also seemed indifferent about Isaac Bruce wearing his hallowed no. 80 in practice.

"I guess the organization let's him do what he wants to do." Rice told channel 5 that day.

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Posted By: Kevin Lynch (Email) | September 02 2008 at 11:31 PM