| FBG Mobile Home |
Receiving: 5 / 56 / 0 on 6 targets
Crabtree's entry in to the NFL was impressive. He caught 5 passes for 56 yards and despite an early drop, he looked very fluid in his cuts and comfortable with the speed of the NFL game. Crabtree's best catch came on an out pattern to the right side of the field where he gathered a low Alex Smith pass in for a reception, making sure to get two feet down before going out of bounds. Crabtree was used primarily on routes 10-15 yards downfield and was only sent deep once. Crabtree did not run any incorrect patterns (at least none that were noticeable) and seems to quickly be gaining the confidence of his teammates and --- more importantly --- his coaches and quarterback.
Receiving: 6 / 81 / 0 on 9 targets
Crabtree had a good game by the numbers, and it likely will get better from here. For every good play, though, he had an equal number of rookie mistakes. He lost a fumble, tipped a pass that resulted in an interception, and bobbled a couple of short passes that were well thrown. The good is that QB Alex Smith went right back to him after a mistake, and he had a couple of notable plays. One was a nice sideline catch, where he showed that he wasn't afraid to go up and take a big hit, and on another play, Smith caught him in stride at full speed for a 27 yard gain. Crabtree was targeted a couple of times on swing passes, but didn't get much yardage. For the most part, he was getting open, and while there was good and bad to take from this one, it looks like he is already the number one target for Alex Smith.
Receiving: 3 / 30 / 0 on 8 targets
Rookie wide receiver Michael Crabtree struggled to get open against Tennessee in Week 9, who used their better cover corners to blanket him most of the game. Crabtree still led all 49er wide receivers in targets but his three catches and 30 yards was a fantasy disappointment. Crabtree will still see the field most of the time and continue to start for San Francisco, so look for a bounce back effort against Chicago next week.
Receiving: 4 / 48 / 0 on 7 targets
Rookie receiver Michael Crabtree started again for San Francisco and nearly made a great 30-yard catch on the 49ers' opening drive but was ruled just out of bounds on the play. San Francisco did not throw much in Week 10 (23 attempts) so Crabtree's team lead in targets (seven) was more significant than it would appear at first glance. QB Alex Smith is certainly trying to get the ball down the field to Crabtree and make more explosive plays happen, but they just do not appear to be quite on the same page yet. The Bears were also keying on shutting Crabtree down as much as possible, which further limited his upside. Crabtree did lead all 49ers in yards receiving and had the two biggest completions of the night with 15- and 20-yard catches.
Receiving: 4 / 77 / 1 on 6 targets
Crabtree caught his first NFL TD with a subtle veteran pushoff and perfectly timed leap against Al Harris in the end zone on a deep pass. He also adjusted well to an underthrown ball later in the second half. Those two receptions accounted for nearly all of his production, but Crabtree did have a few short catches, including one that he followed by making two tackles miss in the open field for a modest gain. He is held back by the 49ers mediocre passing game, but Crabtree is showing the skillset of a future stud during his first season.
Receiving: 4 / 54 / 0 on 8 targets
Crabtree showed excellent moves, but also had a couple of drops, one that would have been a touchdown. He was used effectively on crossing patterns, and was able to gain yards after the catch on almost every catch. He and Vernon Davis appeared to be options 1a and 1b for QB Alex Smith.
Receiving: 6 / 60 / 0 on 12 targets
Crabtree is exciting to watch, as he tries to catch them all, even when it looks like he has no chance. After coming close with a few, he proved that work is worthwhile on a comeback catch that was heading for the turf out of his reach --- or so it looked --- but he snagged it for a first down. Right now, he is a good option, not a great one, but all signs point to his numbers increasing. He plays in a pass happy offense and is arguably the number one target of his QB, and has still only played in 7 NFL games. It's easy to forget he's a rookie; right now Crabtree is a serviceable fantasy option each week, and as he gains consistency, he'll be a must start in any format.
Receiving: 5 / 67 / 1 on 10 targets
This is the Michael Crabtree we expected to see when he went 10th overall in April, just not this early. It is astounding that he is this good after missing all of OTAs, training camp, and the first five weeks of the season. He went up high to snag a pass in the middle of the field and ran away from the defense to score, and he also fell down and still got up and converted a long first down to show his perseverance and run after catch ability once again. Crabtree did seem to be out of sync with Alex Smith on at least three throws, suggesting even better things to come in the future. His balance, hands, and effort all look elite.
Receiving: 4 / 26 / 0 on 7 targets
Michael Crabtree was shut out in the first half of the Week 15 contest against Philadelphia, but later he was able to reel in four short catches against the Eagles. Crabtree was kept in check all game by a swarming secondary that allowed him short catches but quickly clamped down on him to prevent much yardage after the catch. Next week against the Lions should provide him better chances to make plays.
Receiving: 4 / 68 / 0 on 5 targets
Crabtree was the best of the San Francisco receivers in this game, but the majority of his production came on the 50 yard bomb that set up the 49ers first score late in the first quarter. On that play, Crabtree broke away from the defense, and Smith hit him on a deep pass over the middle after rolling out away from the defensive pressure. Crabtree bobbled the ball but eventually came down with the reception. He was also the main cause of Frank Gore's big 48 yard catch and run because he drew all of the defensive coverage away from Gore. As the defense broke down trying to cover Crabtree, Gore released into the flat and was wide open. When he turned up field, there wasn't a defender within 20 yards of him thanks to Crabtree. By the fourth quarter, the 49ers had the game well in hand and they turned it over to Gore to grind out the clock.
Receiving: 3 / 58 / 0 on 8 targets
Crabtree could have had a bigger day if Smith was more accurate on his throws to the rookie wideout. Crabtree did get free deep once, but Smith underthrew him, limiting the gain. Smith was also high on at least two of the incompletions that went Crabtree's way. He did juggle one possible completion away, but Crabtree made up for it by skying for a floater from Smith when he was under pressure.