Crabs shows up, still a diva
John Walsh
0
In Michael Crabtree's short tenure, he has a habit of inspiring more
questions than he answers. That was the case Monday, when Crabtree
showed up with most of the 49ers offensive skill players for the first
of four days of workouts in a player-initiated minicamp.
Crabtree became notable for his absence in the two months of workouts
quarterback Alex Smith organized at San Jose State since the NFL
locked out players. However, on Monday, Crabtree said he's been in the
Bay Area since the season ended working out on his own. By why? Why
not workout with Smith and fellow quarterbacks David Carr and Colin
Kaepernick?
Crabtree said he likes to workout on his own where he can "embarrass"
himself and no one will notice. Crabtree also said he has a copy of
the playbook and has been doing the same thing he did Monday with his
teammates, namely, "running routes." He also maintained he's been
"texting" Smith and even helped organize this week's minicamp by
texting another player who showed up.
Jerry Rice also liked to work out on his own when he was a 49er. The
problem is Crabtree is no Jerry Rice, at least not yet and the lack of
chemistry between Smith and Crabtree has, at times, been glaring. But
that's not surprising since Crabtree missed the last two training
camps with a holdout and a neck injury. By the time Rice worked out on
his own, he had established a hugely successful working relationship
with Joe Montana and then Steve Young.
For his part, Crabtree wouldn't even acknowledge Smith as the starter.
Coach Jim Harbaugh said that if was a betting man, he would wager that
Smith would beat out Kaepernick as the starter. Harbaugh has not
mentioned Carr as a starting option. Now, Crabtree might be right, but
it seemed strange to question Smith when all signs are pointing to him
as the starter.
NOTES: Several defensive players were also in attendance. ... The only
main offensive skill player not in the fold was running back Frank
Gore, who's still rehabilitating his broken hip. ... Smith showed some
plays on a video board before the team engaged in practice. Running
back Anthony Dixon said he was as fluid as a coach in explaining
plays.
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