Posted by ESPN.com's Mike Sando
Michael Crabtree's surprising knowledge of terminology, formations and pass routes explains why he could see more playing time than once expected Sunday.
That was the word Thursday from 49ers offensive coordinator Jimmy Raye.
"From where we originally started and what I said early on to you about starting him with a small package and playing 11 personnel package, we determined that it was (best) ... to let him go at 'X' in terms of practice and see how much he could retain and what kind of physical conditioning he was in and make the decision based on his availability that way," Raye told reporters.
Translation: The 49ers initially planned to work Crabtree into the one-back, one tight end personnel grouping the team used almost exclusively on third down before falling behind against the Falcons in Week 5. The decision was subsequently made to let Crabtree take over the split end or "X" position across all personnel groups, at least in practice.
The question becomes how to fill out those personnel groups around Crabtree. The 49ers migrated away from their base offense featuring two backs once Frank Gore suffered an ankle injury. Gore was comfortable running behind fullback Moran Norris. Once Gore left the lineup, the 49ers had a harder time justifying Norris' usage. Gore is returning Sunday. Crabtree's availability gives Raye options that haven't been available to him in past weeks. The offense has the potential, at least from a personnel standpoint, to become more exciting and dynamic in Week 7.
Raye said he expects Crabtree to play about half the snaps. That would probably include virtually all the third-down snaps with more than 1 yard to go for a first down, plus some of the other snaps.
"He is a natural football player, playing wide receiver," Raye said. "He has an uncanny knack to conceptualize the picture quicker than most young guys, so the words that paint the picture of the play, he gets it pretty quickly so far. So I would anticipate that will continue."
This is unusually optimistic talk coming from a veteran coach.
"The obvious risks is that it fails, that he lays an egg, that we lay an egg," Raye said. "But I'm willing at this point to take that, based on what I’ve seen. I think the rewards outweigh the risks because if we keep putting it on the back burner and giving three plays or four plays and then a month down the road you are looking at the same situation, what have you done? You haven’t accomplished anything."
Michael Crabtree's surprising knowledge of terminology, formations and pass routes explains why he could see more playing time than once expected Sunday.
That was the word Thursday from 49ers offensive coordinator Jimmy Raye.
"From where we originally started and what I said early on to you about starting him with a small package and playing 11 personnel package, we determined that it was (best) ... to let him go at 'X' in terms of practice and see how much he could retain and what kind of physical conditioning he was in and make the decision based on his availability that way," Raye told reporters.
Translation: The 49ers initially planned to work Crabtree into the one-back, one tight end personnel grouping the team used almost exclusively on third down before falling behind against the Falcons in Week 5. The decision was subsequently made to let Crabtree take over the split end or "X" position across all personnel groups, at least in practice.
The question becomes how to fill out those personnel groups around Crabtree. The 49ers migrated away from their base offense featuring two backs once Frank Gore suffered an ankle injury. Gore was comfortable running behind fullback Moran Norris. Once Gore left the lineup, the 49ers had a harder time justifying Norris' usage. Gore is returning Sunday. Crabtree's availability gives Raye options that haven't been available to him in past weeks. The offense has the potential, at least from a personnel standpoint, to become more exciting and dynamic in Week 7.
Raye said he expects Crabtree to play about half the snaps. That would probably include virtually all the third-down snaps with more than 1 yard to go for a first down, plus some of the other snaps.
"He is a natural football player, playing wide receiver," Raye said. "He has an uncanny knack to conceptualize the picture quicker than most young guys, so the words that paint the picture of the play, he gets it pretty quickly so far. So I would anticipate that will continue."
This is unusually optimistic talk coming from a veteran coach.
"The obvious risks is that it fails, that he lays an egg, that we lay an egg," Raye said. "But I'm willing at this point to take that, based on what I’ve seen. I think the rewards outweigh the risks because if we keep putting it on the back burner and giving three plays or four plays and then a month down the road you are looking at the same situation, what have you done? You haven’t accomplished anything."
Sort comments by: Most Recent | First Posted
Comments that include profanity, or personal attacks, or antisocial behavior such as "spamming" or "trolling," or other inappropriate comments or material will be removed from the site. We will take steps to block users who violate any of our terms of use. You are fully responsible for the content that you post.
ABOUT THIS BLOG
Mike Sando
Sando joined ESPN.com in 2007 after nine seasons covering the Seattle Seahawks for the Tacoma (Wash.) News Tribune. He lives in the Seattle-Tacoma area with his wife and two sons.