Last week, Michael Crabtree had the best performance of his 16-game career.
This week? The Niners’ second-year wide receiver might have a decent chance to top it.
Crabtree, who had career highs in receptions (9) and yards (105) against the Eagles, faces an Oakland secondary Phillip Rivers torched for 431 yards in the Raiders’ 35-27 win over the Chargers last week.
“You just watch what (San Diego) did and things that worked against (the
Raiders) and go out and do the best we can,” Crabtree said.
Maybe it’s the play-calling of new offensive coordinator Mike Johnson.
Or maybe it’s better chemistry with Alex Smith after Crabtree missed
substantial time during training camp due to a strained neck. Whatever
the reason, Crabtree has emerged from his early season slump.
In the season’s first three games, Smith had a 6.6 quarterback rating
when targeting Crabtree, who had just six catches. In the past two
weeks, Smith (14 of 20, 163 yards, 1 TD, 0 INT) has a 111.0 rating when
throwing in Crabtree’s direction. That 6.6 rating has spiked to 39.9 for
the season.
Against Philadelphia, Crabtree had a 17-yard, second-quarter reception
that he caught two yards from the line of scrimmage. Crabtree created
the big gain with his legs — something he’s been eager to show off this
season.
“Getting a little YAC (yards after the catch)? I gotta do that,”
Crabtree said. “If we’re going to throw these short routes, then I have
to make something happen. Getting that YAC is very important from now
on, really. That’s really what I’m trying to do right now.”
Perhaps Crabtree isn’t enamored with “these short routes” (just reading
between the lines) — and he also wasn’t thrilled when the Raiders
surprisingly passed him up with the No. 7 pick in the 2009 NFL Draft in
favor of Darrius Heyward-Bey. Crabtree, who went to the Niners three
picks later, says he’s thought about the snubbing with Oakland up next.
“I’m thinking about it,” Crabtree said. “I mean, it’s probably just more
motivation for me to go against them. Like I said, I’m just ready to go
out there.”
• Matt Barrows of the Sacramento Bee reported that Crabtree was fined
$2,500 for his hit on Philadelphia cornerback Tervard Lindley at the end
of Sunday’s game. Crabtree, who was called for unnecessary roughness on
the play, made the hit after Lindley intercepted Smith’s pass on the
final drive. Lindley fell to the ground without being touched and
Crabtree hit him, knocking the ball loose before Lindley recovered it.
Crabtree plans to appeal the fine.
• TE Delanie Walker (ankle) and S Curtis Taylor (quadricep) will not
play Sunday. T Joe Staley (shoulder), G Adam Snyder (quadricep) and QB
Troy Smith (abdomen) are probable.
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