SANTA CLARA – Here’s what I saw from the running backs at Monday’s practice:
It’s interesting to watch Kendall Hunter and LaMichael James. They’re about the same size. They’re both quick, shifty running backs. Some people thought James might duplicate Hunter, but they’re actually quite different right now. They complement each other.
Hunter is an outstanding blocker, and James isn’t at this point. James got thrown onto his back by NaVarro Bowman in a blocking drill, while Hunter stood his ground against Patrick Willis.
Hunter also is a better pass catcher right now. He caught three passes today. James didn’t get targeted once for a pass.
James is more effective running between the tackles, though. He can string a few cuts together and weave through the line like Frank Gore does. Hunter is better at running around the outside – he gained about 20 yards on one of those runs today.
As talented as those two young guys are, Frank Gore is still the best running back on this team. He broke away from the defense for two long touchdown runs, and after the second one as he jogged back to the huddle he passed Matt Maiocco and me on the sideline and yelled to us, “I’m the best, dog!”
He was right.
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*fixed*
Frank Gore is still the best running back on most any NFL team.
Right now-and I really mean this- the Cohn family has got the edge on Harbaugh in verbal arm wrass’lin. Its like you nudged on top after a few “tweet” setbacks.
I dunno, Stan, that’s kind of a leap right there I think. See, Harbaugh is the stand-up comic and Grant & Lowell are the hecklers. But in the end who did you pay to see, and who gets paid? Are the hecklers ‘there all week’?
When JH lofts the Lombardi Trophy, what will Grant be doing?
I’m not hating on Grant, I keep tuning in, but ‘got the better of…..’?
Due to his initial candid reaction to the Jenkins draft pick ANY criticism of Jenkins by Grant will be suspected by some as being biased. I didn’t think his OTA comments were all that bad, but some saw them as continued from the draft comments. Remember too, the “wasted pick” remarks were a slap at Trent and Jim every bit as much as at AJ. Perhaps they didn’t like that much. Perhaps they think they might know a bit more about talent evaluation than Grant or pretty much any other writer. Hard for me to blame them for that.
I’ll still come here (and to MM) for observations though, because Harbaugh doesn’t tell me much on his own! LOL.
More importantly, did we try the veal?
Frank Gore is a “Warrior!”
He’s not going out without a fight.
Duh! More Freaking Gore!! Damn it’s too early to start getting lathered up. What a stable of backs the 49ers have. I can see it now, Anthony Davis with that sinister grin 20yds down field road grating anyone stupid enough to get in his way, while Gore/Hunter/Jacobs/James slice, dice, bruise and elude their way through to 49er gold.
From MMs eyes.
“Extra work: Rookie running back LaMichael James spent time before practice with special-teams coordinator Brad Seely working on catching punts. James had his back turned to the Jugs machine about 40 yards down the field. When the ball was in the air, James had to locate it and make the catch.”
James has a lot to learn, I suspect at some moment in time during the season he will emerge as the number 2 back.
No way. Not this year.
I dont know Razor, I really like Hunter but I think James is going to be even better. Did you happen to see the link I posted a few blogs back, on James. If not and if you would like to see it, I will re post it if you want, just let me know.
We can agree to disagree. Lets let it play out. Kendall Hunter is a special back who I think is going to have a breakout year.
I have zero problems with KH number 2. The Niners are real strong at the RB position. I have to be carefull as I am a strong proponent of LaMic and my opionion involving him maybe slightly slanted.
undercenter
So? You also know a lot more about him than most of us do as well. If you are excited about a guy you have watched a lot, that bodes well for us.
i think hunter will be the #2 between the 20′s with b.jacobs coming in neat the goal line but i think james will get about 10 touches a game i think they will game plan for him
From very limited OTA and TC clips, LaMichael James looks and plays a lot like Ray Rice. He could be something special.
Harbaugh made that comparison right after they drafted him msc. The thing that impresses me most about James is his ability to run between the tackles as well as outside. Normally guys his size aren’t overly eager to do that but like Rice, James welcomes it.
According to his former coach at Maryland, Rice has outstanding work ethic. In comparing Rice with LMJ, its obvious that LMJ has the talent. Let’s hope that he also has the same level of work ethic – which I don’t doubt. But that sometimes separates good players from great ones.
Don’t be surprised if Dixon outplays Jacobs and makes the team this year.
I’d be very surprised if that happened Nick. Dixon looks the part but doesn’t play like it. I like the fact he’s asked to play FB though.
Good article Cohn Jr.
grant always says that lj and kh are about the same size but they’re not. kh is about 2 inches shorter and 10 to 15 lbs heavier he is thicker and stronger and he does run outside well but in college he made his money between the tackles
Grant was probably seeing them from a distance Coach. Two inches and a few pounds would be hard to discern.
your probably right but it means alot on a football field
i have to admit its nice having a camp where alex smith is the biggest non story on the roster
Very nice. The focus should always be on depth, the rookies, and whether the team is ready to make a run at a Super Bowl title.
And Justin Smith knocking poor Kilgore into next Wednesday.
BTW – Twitter is atwitter about Harbaugh bashing local media over Kyle Williams. What did I miss?
Kilgore after being flattened: “Thank God I’m not on another team, or I’d be dead.”
Gore said”i’m the best,dog”. Thats singular. Pretty sure he was talking to Matt Maiocco. No offense but i dont think the niners players are to fond of anybody in the Cohn family. At least the ones that know who they are.
Niners hate Cohns. Sr Cohn is smarmy narcissist. Jr Cohn is too dumb to distance himself.
Obvious that Jim Harbaugh has no use for the Cohns, especially Lowell. Still, calling them out, as he threatened to do on Sunday, is childish. Same for Larry Krueger on KNBR this morning who supported Harbaugh’s rant and threats.
In college, James made the vast majority of his rushing yards out of a spread, shotgun like formation.
Both in college & with 49ers, Alex always has passed better out of a spread, shotgun like formation.
To the extent James gets playing time, I expect it will be to give 49ers a rushing threat when 49ers deploy in a shotgun like formation on downs that are not full passing downs. (Gore is not really good out of the shotgun.) However, James will not necessarily play in full passing situations, since Gore is the best pass blocker, was well as a good receiver and runner.
Grant how has Konrad Reuland looked so far?
He’s been solid, but Demarcus Dobbs is improving quickly. He was terrific yesterday, made the catch of the day on a very high pass as he crossed the middle. He is surprisingly fast, too.
Yeah, it’s looking like Reuland will play eventually for some other team, unless he makes it through practice squad all season, and Walker and the Niners cannot agree on a contact extension in the off-season.
By the way, nice column, Grant.
do you think the harbaugh sees dobbs as more than a short yardage blocker?
I think so. Dobbs ran plenty of routes yesterday.
Grant
What does this mean for Miller?
With FG/KH/Jacobs/James and now some other guys playing the FB position, where does Miller get any action?
I liked him last year. I think he can become quite good. But not if he doesn’t get any snaps.
I think Miller is safe because of his versatility. Plus having him on the team opens up our defense more.
midwest
You meant offense right? How does Miller open up the D?
Yeah I did.
Besides Nathan Palmer, which rookie has impressed most from your point of view?
LaMichael James. He’s a tough, elusive runner and he’s improving as a punt returner.
I also think Brian Tyms is an impressive young receiver. He’s big and athletic and he makes acrobatic catches.
Grant,
How did Owusu do?
Braylon Edwards signed with Seattle
It’s their headache.
Ours too! He can still play, despite last year. Don’t get me wrong though, I’d much rather have Moss.
He’s got to want it though. Besides, I don’t think he can stand up against our secondary.
Just proves that the Seahawks still don’t like their WR depth. Don’t know who their QB is, Oline is a mess. I like it.
Edwards will show the Niner how bad a QB Smith is. He will have a good year with Seattle. Book it!
I’m just not sold that Mr. Edwards has the desire deep down in his heart to play anymore when adversity slaps him across the face.
With Jackson or Flynn as the QB? You’ve got to be kidding! I’ll take your word for it 23. After all, we’re a QB away from a playoffs win! Oh, wait…
Jordan,
If Edwards has a good season, that won’t prove AS isn’t good. Edwards was hurt much of the year last year, and ended up getting cut. That’s why last season wasn’t good for him.
Book it!
Should we locknot in?
Jordan, Book it Dano
Edwards signing in Seattle will definitely reveal to us the real story about what happened last in San Francisco. I can’t wait to hear what Edwards has to say about Smith and his accuracy. Oh that’s right, Alex went to footwork and confidence camp this summer.
Welcher, your back, not nice to see you. See things in your world have not changed, still full of Alex hate, how nice!
>>I can’t wait to hear what Edwards has to say about Smith and his accuracy
Or maybe Edwards is classy guy and won’t fulfill a fan’s warped fantasy.
@jordan:
Right, because Edwards isn’t likely to provide a self-serving account of his failed tenure with San Francisco.
Speaking of summer activities, it looks like you missed the bus for Honor-Your-Word-and-Don’t-Be-a-Welcher summer camp. Please tell me that you didn’t waste your summer hanging out at the Still-Bitter-Over-Being-So-Wrong-About-Alex-Smith pool hall. You’ll never get the help you need there.
Edwards had a bad year because he injured his knee in the second game of the season and wasn’t the same for the rest of the year until eventually being released. Jordan is blaming Smith for Edwards hurting his knee now?
Edwards can be a good player if he’s healthy but the Seahawks didn’t sign him right away, choosing to sign Antonio Bryant of all people, and now they’ve signed Edwards because Bryant has a hamstring problem. Sounds to me like Edwards is a fallback option at best.
Thanks Grant!! Great reporting! Thanks for the insights into camp.
This question is for everybody. Who is the heir apparent to Gore: James or Hunter? I think the team will go to a two-back system, but Hunter will be the lead back.
+1 midwest
I can see James as first, but neither really being a bell cow. 1st and 2′nd won’t mean much.
Agreed.
Right now I’d say James simply because I think they see him as a Ray Rice type player and the fact they took him with a 2nd round pick with Hunter already on the team. That leads me to believe they see Hunter as a contributing piece but not the main part of the puzzle. I still think they could draft another big RB next year and keep this 2 and 3 RB system going for the forseeable future.
Going off topic, but I came across an interesting post by Matt Barrows. It looks like Donte Whitner ruffled some feathers on the New Orlean Saints. Saints LB (Scott Shanle, who?) took to twitter with some serious trash talking. I can’t wait for the re-match with these punks on November 25.
Check it out:
http://blogs.sacbee.com/49ers/
@ Nick:
I love how Shanle thinks it’s none of Whitner’s business that Gregg Williams instructed his defenders to go after the heads, knees, etc. of Whitner’s teammates.
I just that article too. How did they get that Super Bowl win? Did they do it through a physical defense wanting to stop the opposing offense, or was it through a punk defense that was more interested in purposefully maiming any player on the opposing defense? I used to respect the Saints, but now I just see them pathetic whiners that can’t handle the fact they got caught. Oh yeah, don’t we have five Super Bowl victories to the Niners name? So who needs to keep up with who?
…on the opposing offense… Better.
Bill Mahrer calls tweets “brain farts”. He uses it and apparently farts a lot himself.
I think that is a good description of all this nonsense (tweets) back and forth. At most, you get a good chuckle.
Looks as though Mr. Looney passed his physical. Cleared for practice. Might be an indication that the injury was low grade. Have to keep an eye on how he looks tommorrow.
Pro Football Focus was at training camp yesterday. Here is the report from that visit:
https://www.profootballfocus.com/blog/2012/07/31/camp-tour-2012-santa-clara/
Of interest is the writer’s opinion that, notwithstanding CK’s win in the accuracy contest, JJ looked like the better of the two QBs yesterday. The writer predicts Johnson will win the backup job.
Good article. I especially liked this excerpt from it:
● I got a quick chat in with Frank Gore at the end of practice and asked his thoughts on all of the new blood in the running back group. He shot a question back, “how do you think I looked out there today?” I told him I thought he looked quick and strong (I did, he was sharp today). He smiled and said: “Good. Tell everyone that.” Frank, this is me telling everyone
You think Frank is taking the additions at RB as a personal challenge? A motivated Frank Gore is a very good thing for this team.
Thanks for sharing the link Claude
Their take on Brandon Jacobs is interesting but not surprising.
I saw two forms of Brandon Jacobs today. One being a pads-down, high knees, snorting yardage-eater, and the other being the feeling-his-way big man looking for the easy path through the line. Was far more impressed with the former, shame it’s not an every-down persona.
The knock on Jacobs – while he was in NY – was that he played too soft, that he he ran east- west more than north-south. The RB he’s competing against – A. Dixon – has been called a ‘dancer’. I’m very interested to see how this RB battle plays out.
Its been tweeted that Damon Bruce made veiled critical comments about Grant. I dont know what they were-did anybody hear?
He said he was told who the person was that Harbaugh was referring to…then later said it was the son of an established bay area writer…then proceeded to say the person in question was a blogger who had covered the team for all of 7 mins, had no previous experience and wasn’t ready for a job covering the team in no particular order.
Grant is getting some negative pub no question, but some pub is better than no pub. What Grant needs to be careful of is getting himself banned from the building.
Who is Damon Bruce?
KNBR jockey. He might be something else as well.
Thanks DS.
Nick
You’re welcome.
D.Bruce is now on a espn radio affiliate station in the Stockton, Modesto area. I give 6 months before he’s canned.
Today he quoted another reporter as saying that the U.S. would bring home a Gold if there was a Water-Boarding event.
Yeah, good job D.Bruce, anything for a cheap laugh I guess.
*give him
Shanle? Really? A fringe player like him should never open his mouth. That team will be lucky if they make the playoffs with the emergence of Carolina and atlanta. Lmfao @ Shanle…
When did Carolina emerge? Just asking!
Cam newton is putting his fingerprints all over the team. They will be better this season. Also assuming that the Saints take a step back with their whole ordeal, makes me think they’re not a lock for the playoffs. Also don’t forget there defense will stink this year with all of those suspensions.
D. Bruce, L. Krueger and L. Cohn i cant think of 3 more similar personalities i think they are triplet brothers from different mothers.
Anyone who’d like to get to know Brandon Jacobs a bit better watch this piece from Josina Anderson (INFL). It’s mostly about Plexico Burress’ but in the middle is a big chunk of Jacobs.
I’m not a huge fan of Jacobs as a running back but he seems like a really good dude.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0vDumy49Cxo
Grant,
Were you at practice today?
No practice today
Thanks JT. Awesome name btw, A+ for creativity : )
There was no availability on Tuesday. Practice starts at 9:15 this morning and I’ll be there.
Thanks Grant
Looking forward to your report.
On a personal note, I’m pulling for Nate Palmer to be the gem of TC. I’m doing my best to keep posted on his practices.
Can you give me your analysis of the OG battle?
Thank you sir.
Grant, I am curious to know your thoughts on Tolzien compared to Josh Johnson. Matt Maiocco has Tolzien listed as the number 4 qb but says behind Alex Smith, the other three are all about even. Do you think the team will keep 4 qbs or do you think Tolzien has a chance to beat out Johnson for the number 3 spot?
Ugh, no Crabtree again.
On the positive side, Manningham back at practice.
If crabtrees injury is a calf pull it could be a long time. i think they take the longest to heal 2nd only to groin pulls of all the leg muscles
oldcoach
Does MC have to be 100% healed before starting up practice if it is a calf injury? Or is it one of those things a player can fight thru, and still do his job?
I know a WR would be screwed with a groin injury. Not so certain about a calf pull.
Thanks Coach. I want him to be fully healed before coming back so it doesn’t linger into the season. I just wish he was on the field.
Injuries are injuries DS and regardless of the severity or type, you have to let it heal. Otherwise it does linger and can cause further injury to the exsisting one and or others.
Who knows with Crabtree, maybe coach is right in saying that he does not have the body to endure the NFL game, maybe he cant get into the right form of conditioning. I mean 4 years of missing training camp is cause for concern. So is the lack of production. We might be talking bust at the end of the year?
I think your right FDM, we might be talking bust sooner rather than later. There is obvious concern by the front office to go out and get 2 free against WR and then spend a 1st on another who would play the exact same spot as Crabtree.
I chalk it up as a guy who hasn’t trained his body to endure the NFL punishment. How else do you explain the consistent injuries each year during camp, four years and counting.
If Crabtree was sitting out every preseason with muscle pulls or minor ailments then I could see the skepticism that many have about his desire to play in the preseason.
But the truth is, he has had a different injury every time. The first year he missed because of his holdout. Second year he had a neck injury. 3rd year he broke his foot before TC started.
I want him practicing just like everybody else, but football lends itself to injuries. It’s part of the game, and if they are sitting Crabs out because of a calf pull or whatever else it may be, then who are we to question it? You don’t rush a player back this early in TC and risk the problem getting worse and lingering into the season. Unlike in previous years, Crabs was in for all OTA’s and mini camps so I’m not worried about the cohesion between he and Smith. I just want the guy healthy and contributing when the season starts.
FDM
I don’t think bust would be the right term. Bust implies the starting material was explosive to begin with. lol
Seriously, MC will have left a huge angry mad ? by the end if he spends much more time in the doctors office. We would not know how good the #10 pick was. Prime is onto something though. MC gets hurt a lot, and the best ever, JR worked like mad and didn’t get hurt for a decade. JS is a machine, and he has started like 160 games straight.
Luck plays a part, sure. But all players who have started a lot of games straight have 1 thing in common. They work out a ton. And I’ve never heard MC working out like JR/JS does. Doesn’t mean MC is lazy per say. But he isn’t as motivated as he needs to be, to be great for sure.
I’ve heard lots of times where it is said a long time after an injury that a player is injured. Having gone weeks of the player participating.
At this point, we are all still guessing anyway. MM reported tape around the calf. Not an actual specific injury.
DS if he doesnt let it heal he will hurt it again. i had one about 20 yrs ago didnt let it heal and i ended up pulling the calf muscle in both legs then i was out about 6 weeks. i think its just another example that proves he does’nt have an nfl body.
That sucks coach.
Do you know if MC works out with the Niner fitness guy all year long? He got credit for the Niners relatively healthy team last season, and it would seem obvious that MC would want to train with him year-round. Espcially given that the Niners loaded up on WR this offseason, and given MC’s injury past, I’d be shocked (not in a good way) if MC didn’t train with him all offseason.
I understand why you call into MC’s body, but the guy was twice voted best WR in the country in college. That is impossible if he is injured all the time.
Point being MC took the hits /strain in college fine. What happened to his body when he came here? And it isn’t just his foot either.
I have to disagree with that last statement oldcoach. Crabtree has missed 2 regular season games due to injury in 3 seasons. Missing preseason shows that Coaches don’t risk a players health for meaningless games; not that Crabs body can’t hold up.
You might be right rocket.
But you are ignoring all the games we hear MC’s foot just isn’t right and is used as an excuse for his lack of explosiveness. And if his lack of explosiveness isn’t due to injury, he isn’t remotely above an average WR with a chronic injury problem, and is a less than stellar teammate. Not something a Super Bowl team has as its starting WR.
DS,
I’m not ignoring anything. The foot problem lingered into the regular season last year but he played anyway. He doesn’t have a chronic injury problem. That is your perception and it’s wrong. He has missed 2….again….TWO…regular season games in 3 seasons.
You are putting far too much emphasis on TC injuries when you comment on this topic. Coaches do not rush players to get back on the field in preseason. Many times they err on the side of caution and just hold them out until the regular season starts.
We all know your thoughts on Crabtree DS. You’ve made no secret of your dislike for him both as a player and person. However I think you really need to look at MC the same way you look at AS. Crabtree suffered from the same poor Coaching and system Smith did before Harbaugh arrived last year. Even with the broken foot continuing to be a problem into the regular season, he was the teams leading receiver. Give the guy the same benefit of the doubt you give to Smith.
rocket
More than 1 story has come about MC not working hard. Not suporting teammates. Not taking responsibility for his own actions.
All things that are independent of coaching/QB/etc. All things that are 100% controlled by him, and him alone.
I have said repeatedly. If AS acted like MC, I’d like neither all that well. I wouldn’t want AS as our QB.
Please read that last paragraph as many times as necessary till it gets thru that thick head of yours. The 2 may have gone thru MS as their HC. But how they chose to handle that as well as how they both chose to sign/paticipate in TC/handle the lockout/what they say in interviews have signicance for me. If they don’t to you, you’d best skip any MC posts of mine (I’m ok if you do. No hard feelings). Because you aren’t open to the things I grade players by (in terms of me liking them) and any reply from me won’t make sense to you at all.
Of all the Super Bowl starting WR’s who you can recall, where does MC rank to you? Only answer if you are open to my grading system and respect it. No need to reply otherwise. Thread won’t go anywhere.
FYI I did give MC a chance. He ended the year playing horribly and blaming anybody but himself. So stop saying I didn’t give him a chance. I did. If you say I didn’t, you are lying. And I’ll ask you to stop please. I won’t give him a second chance so easily.
Its the McNuggets with BBQ sauce and fries:)
FDM says:
August 1, 2012 at 2:15 pm
“Injuries are injuries DS and regardless of the severity or type, you have to let it heal. Otherwise it does linger and can cause further injury to the exsisting one and or others.
Who knows with Crabtree, maybe coach is right in saying that he does not have the body to endure the NFL game, maybe he cant get into the right form of conditioning. I mean 4 years of missing training camp is cause for concern. So is the lack of production. We might be talking bust at the end of the year?”
@FDM,
Interesting how the words ‘bust’ and Crabtree got a quick rise from Prime. Strange isn’t it, since MC is one of his favorite players (lol).
But let’s say that your theory proves to materialize. And MC has to retire because his body could no longer take the physical contact.
Question FDM:
How does that make him a ‘bust?’
We all know your thoughts on Crabtree DS. You’ve made no secret of your
Rocket:
“However I think you really need to look at MC the same way you look at AS. Crabtree suffered from the same poor Coaching and system Smith did before Harbaugh arrived last year. Even with the broken foot continuing to be a problem into the regular season, he was the teams leading receiver. Give the guy the same benefit of the doubt you give to Smith.”
@Rocket
This line of reasoning does not work with MC. I’ve tried using the same logic with DS, but he won’t budge.
It’s his right to hate (my word, not yours), but to continue to treat MC’ season numbers as ‘meaningless’ is more a form of ignorance than hatred.
Sad indeed, coming from person who passes himself as a 49er fan.
AES
FYI The purpose of the regular season is to get into the playoffs. Not to put up stats. The Niners finally did that last year. And, MC sucked. Those regular season stats meant what? How did VD’s stats matter? AS? Everybody?
The playoffs are the purpose of the regular season. If you look great in both, the regular season was awesome. If you sucked in the regular season,and show up in the playoffs (VD), the regular season failures are meaningless. The playoffs wipe the slate clean of all the bad.
But the balance of that is that if you look ok in the regular season (MC) and suck in the playoffs, it (regular season) was meaningless, wasn’t it. If MC maintained what he had done in the regular season, we are world champs, no doubt. He didn’t. He stank. Those regular season stats mean zilch now.
DS94everXev says:
August 1, 2012 at 3:46 pm
AES
“FYI The purpose of the regular season is to get into the playoffs.”
@DS
So is this a veiled apology for saying that MC’ 2011 season leading receptions were “meaningles?”
Now you are making a 180^ turn by saying that the purpose of the regular season is to get to the playoffs.
So did MC’ regular season receptions help get us to the playoffs?
FYI, you are contradicting yourself DS.
At least try to stick to one statement for a few days before contradicting yourself bud (lol).
AES
How did you score in rading comprehension as a child?
I never said MC didn’t help the Niners get into the playoffs. I said he was the only half way decent WR left by the title game. Don’t know how/what your point is here.
By the same rule, TG, KW A. Dixon helped get us into the playoffs as well. And, as fans we speculate these 3 may not make the team. So, MC is fair game as well.
I’ve said the whole time. I want to see big plays in big moments in big games. You are cutting pasting parts of one post to parts of another and saying Haa! No. Can’t do that. Look at the whole of each. It is consistent. MC sucked when it mattered most is the conclusion.
FYI
My previous post was a repeat of a post to you a while ago. That is consistency.
AES,
Yes I’m finding out that conversing with DS involves a lot of time and patience and many times throwing logic out the window.
DS,
I’m not going to try and get you to change your mind as it’s pointless when you have already dug your heels in and have formed an opinion. What I will say is that you’re taking a myopic view of this subject imo. Football success relies on those around you as much as your own effort. Crabtree was the only WR with experience we had in the playoffs last year. The Saints and Giants had no respect for Williams and the other assortment of nobodies that lined up opposite of him. He dropped a couple against the Saints but also scored a TD. Against the Giants he didn’t get any opportunities to make a play which is why he was frustrated after the game. Whether it was because he was covered or Smith didn’t look his way or the play broke down, doesn’t matter. Crabtree wanted to be involved in the game and he wasn’t. You can deride him for that, but I won’t. I saw a guy who cared and wanted to help the team win. I would have been more concerned if he’d come off as apathetic and shrugged it off.
Alex Smith has spoken glowingly of him this offseason. Harbaugh has raved about his selfless attitude and willingness to everything asked of him including blocking downfield.
I’m not sure why you feel the need to hold this grudge (your explanation seems petty to me) but that’s your problem. You always remind the Smith naysayers that Harbaugh has endorsed him, yet you don’t adhere to that same standard when talking about Crabtree. That seems hypocritical to me.
rocket
When JH announces the starting WR’s, and if MC is one of them as AES says he is, then I’ll give him some props for earning the spot for the first time in his career. And JH could have announced the staters if he wanted at end of mini camp as he did AS as QB. Put an end to any speculation. He didn’t for a reason. He doesn’t know. So, please stop the BS you write saying you know when JH doesn’t yet. Why so many here are offended by me saying TC determines all for WR’s is dumb-founding. I said the same about QB. But JH ended any speculation at mini-camp.
AS won’t insult anybody. I’ve read some stuff from TB who is not so nice, say nice things about KW. Not so much about MC. You dismiss personality traits for reasons to like somebody for some reason. That is how I determine if I like somebody. Why this is so difficult for you to grasp…I just don’t get it.
Can you name another player you like rocket who held out into the regular season after the draft, blames others for his own mistakes? Please list them.
*does not work with DS.
I do not hate MC, In fact I like him and want him to do well but im frustrated. (with him , his injuries, the situation, in general)
I guess it all stems from expectations. When I watched him at TT I was drooling at the thought of him in a 9er uniform. He was everything a dynamic WR should be. When OAK took DHB I did a little dance cuz I couldnt believe it we finaly had a beast #1 WR after all the years and the A. Bryants and R. Woods’. I saw MC as a TO YAC type with slightly better hands and less speed. When everyone said that he was slow “so is A.Boldin” i thought.
What we got is quite different from what I expected or what I was hoping for. MC is not a home run threat he is a posession receiver (similar to J Gaffney who in 2011 had 68 rec 947 yds 5 td) Every O needs posession receivers its just that ussualy u draft those guys in the third round. When we draft a guy in the top 10 I expect Megatron, LF or Andre johnson, Gamebreakers who need to be doublecovered at all times.
I have rarely seen him break tackles and go for a long gain and the only long plays he generats are the times when its a ball thrown downfield.
He is a quality receiver and if we picked him in the 2-5 th rounds I would be satisfied but he was billed as the best WR in that draft coming out so its natural that we should expect more from him than we would a Jabar Gaffney.
Unmet expectations is why MC frustrates me and why he is such a lightning rod for critisism IMO
Bos,
Hypothetical thinking here, but do you think MC’ numbers would have been better in a Green Bay or NO type offense where passing the ball comes in high percentages?
It baffles me that MC receives the bulk of criticism in an offensive scheme that does not require much passing. The fact that this very important point is ignored is what leads me to believe that MC is being judge unfairly.
I respect your position Bos, but I believe that there are many variables involved in MC’ case that are not given proper support.
I, along with every 49er fan should be frustrated with his TC injuries. The fact that appear during TC smacks of a bad pattern on the surface.
But when MC is being lauded by his coaches and teammates who dispel any notion/talk of bad attitude and laziness, then I’m ALL IN.
AES
I considered that thought (how MC would do in NE NO or GB) but Im not frustrated at his numbers or production, rather his style of play.
First things first, he is an excelent blocker, has reliable hands, and appears to work hard (DS opinion aside)
Would he break more tackles in NO or GB? I dont know. it could be that a more accureate pass that hits him in stride leads to more YAC. What I want to see MC do is what KW did vs the rams. Took a short slant planted his foot and exploded for a 50+ yrd TD.
It could be that his injury woes robbed him of some of that explosiveness, I just havnt seen it from him.
Dont get me wrong he is not a bad receiver, Ive just been underwhelmed with him
Am I being unreasonable in what I expect from him?
Bos,
Your take on expecting an Megatron, Andrae Johnson type with a top ten pick becomes dicey, because one easily use the that same barameter when measuring AS.
AS was the number 1 overall pick, but has yet to even come close to the A.Rogers and D.Brees’ of the league even in his best season.
But I have to look at all the variables as I mentioned regarding MC before judging AS harshly.
Bos,
Good comment. The disenchantment many feel with Crabtree is the result of perceived missed expectations.
He put up huge numbers in college playing for an offensive minded head coach, in a system that called for 50-70 passes per game. He is then brought here and plays in a very balanced system that averages about 25 passes per game, the fewest in the league and his numbers reflect the 50% reduction in opportunities.
If you compare his percentage of receptions for the team to the top 5 WR’s in 2011 you will find that he ranks 3rd (26%), behind only Wes Welker (30%) and Roddy White (28%). You will find similar results if you look at his percentage of receiving TD’s for the team.
As for his style of play that is a misconception as well. In 2011 he was in the top 10 of NFC WR’s in YAC. It would be great to see him catch a short pass and explode for a TD like he did against the Rams in St Louis, but it is still pretty good considering that his QB threw the fewest passes in the league, and defenses were able to focus all of their attention on stopping just him and VD.
I expect to see him get even better in 2012. He will be in the Harbaugh/Roman system for a second year, and based on their history the numbers for all involved should improve.
*they
It was all just a “learning moment”.
>AJJ learned he ran the wrong route
>AJJ learned a couple of new words for his vocabulary
>Coach Morton learned not to be so candid when The Press is on site
>We learned that coaches do have high expectations and will get after their players for brain farts (I didn’t read about anybody getting chewed out for drops).
What conclusion can we draw from all that learning? That Harbs probably had a Seinfeld moment when he heard about Grant’s post. You know, like when Jerry would say “Newman!”. Can’t you just see JH going “Cohn!”? I can. ; >)
LMAO BROTHA! Hahahaha.
Can totally see that. Harbaugh reads the piece on his computer, turns, takes off his glasses and says, Cooohhhhn.
Thanks for the good morning laugh.
Bos,
Crabtree low volume on breaking tackles can also be subjective as well.
This is not a slam on AS, but an honest review of many of MC’ catches were not caught in full sprint. MC (along with other WR’) had to break their momentum to make a catch because they were often led with an accurate throw.
Stopping or breaking your momentum to make a catch is not very conducive to re-setting yourself to break tackles.
I played WR in school and I can say that it is much easier to break tackles when running in full stride, then it is when you have to stop or adjust your momentum for an inaccurate throw.
AES
I was afraid to open the whole AS can of worms but oh well
You are correct in stating that AS draft position contributed to his criticisms here in SF.
With the 1st overall pick u draft HOF OB not “game managers” so when a later rd QB plays like a HOF (tom brady) he is lauded as a steal etc. and when a 1st pick plays like a manager (AS 2011) there is grumbling and dissatisfaction.
If AS was a 4th rd pick then
1) hes on another team by now because he would not get as long a leash being a late rd pick.
2) while here he doesnt face nearly the criticism that he’s goten over the years. we look at him as another Gio Carmazi, ken dorsey waste of time
Lastly we as SAN FRAN fans are partially to blame. In our history we have had YA Tittle J Brody, JM SY so every QB that comes through gets a side by side comparison to those guys. thats a tough call for anybody to live up to those guys. Like PIT centers CHI middle LB, SF Qb’s are held to a higher standard.
To come full circle MC faces the same challenge. Rice and Owens set the standard high for WR so many expecting to see that type of production are grumbling at MC (myself included)
Good points Bos,
These two players are hot topics.
But it may be best to judge both of them after their careers are over.
I’m hoping the best for AS and MC because that translates to good things for our beloved 49ers. If they win, we as fans win!