Could Crabtree finally live up to the hype?
- Thread starter Miller
- Start date
chrisslabaugh
:dunno:
He just doesn't look like a special player at the NFL level imo. Some of that might be the poor QB play, but in the end I think he was simply the product of the Texas Tech spread O
Remote Controller
Well-Known Member
I think he can, and I feel he has his best chance with his new Coach. I think he can give Crabtree what he needs and help him keep his trap shut! It helps to have Vernon Davis stretching the middle and Gore very able to catch the dump off passes on the edges.
efactor
Coming at you
I have seen enough flashes of brilliance from Crabtree to think he can be a top 10 receiver with a couple years in the new system. This will be the first year since Norv Turner left that they will have any type of system in place. The offense under Jimmy Rae was predictable and uncreative. I think that Harbaugh will light a fire under people and install an offense that will bring fun and excitement. Crabtree is the kind of player that needs to be pushed, but in a positive, excitable way. I think he will respond to a guy like Harbaugh much better than a guy like Singletary.
I don't expect huge numbers out of him this season, but wouldn't be surprised with 1000-8. I see an offensive transformation similar to when Walsh took over in 79. Even when SF sucked in 79-80 before the Super Bowl leap in 81, their offense improved dramatically with the change in the system. There is talent on the offensive side of the ball in SF. If Harbaugh can turn Smith into even an average QB while Kap learns the system, good things will happen this season.
I don't expect huge numbers out of him this season, but wouldn't be surprised with 1000-8. I see an offensive transformation similar to when Walsh took over in 79. Even when SF sucked in 79-80 before the Super Bowl leap in 81, their offense improved dramatically with the change in the system. There is talent on the offensive side of the ball in SF. If Harbaugh can turn Smith into even an average QB while Kap learns the system, good things will happen this season.
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Efactor has my basic concerns. The fact they are installing a new offense this year, and the Qb situation is a mess....doesn't lead me to be too high on Crabtree. I was one of the few who were down on Fitz last year, but knew the Qb situation would hurt him, and I think that may part of the issue here as well.
efactor
Coming at you
In Crabtrees situation though, he had the same QB last year AND a horrible offensive system that had no direction. I think having a competent coach and offensive system will hike his numbers naturally. Fitz went from a great QB to a horrible QB so there was no place to go but down and still, he had a good year by most receivers standards. Just not a Fitz year.
I don't expect greatness out of Smith, but I will say that the guy hasn't ever had a combination of a good offensive system and good players surrounding him. He has both this year, so maybe, just maybe, he can be a decent (low expectations) QB for a season or two while Kap develops.
We can hope............
I don't expect greatness out of Smith, but I will say that the guy hasn't ever had a combination of a good offensive system and good players surrounding him. He has both this year, so maybe, just maybe, he can be a decent (low expectations) QB for a season or two while Kap develops.
We can hope............
JScott
Administrator
Agree with this 100%
Remote Controller
Well-Known Member
I tended to agree with this , then Harbaugh became the Coach. I think he can get the best from him most of the time.
WesDawg
'Burghapologist
I expect him to be a 2nd contract player. He was way way too talented at Tech to just fall off the map as a pro. Those systems tend to adversely affect QB's at the pro level as opposed to WR's, and I think we can expect a huge breakout when he's playing for his next contract. Now whether he matures enough afterwards to continue working hard remains to be seen, but his game films speak for themselves from college. It's not the same as these guys from Conference USA or the WAC who run gimmicky offenses and put up crooked numbers. He was going against BCS competition and they knew he was coming, but couldn't stop him.
I guess the guy who comes to mind that's succeeded most in the pros would be fellow Red Raider Wes Welker, although Crabtree is much more athletic. I'd stay patient and see how the Harbaugh influence affects him for a year.
I guess the guy who comes to mind that's succeeded most in the pros would be fellow Red Raider Wes Welker, although Crabtree is much more athletic. I'd stay patient and see how the Harbaugh influence affects him for a year.