2012-GameRelease-Divisional

understanding of what we're doing. He can play all the positions. You can move him around. He can
literally do it all."
"You definitely see growth in him," says Davis. "Just like with any young guy that comes in, he had to go
through some trials and tribulations and things like that. But he learned from that. He's in Year 4 now and
he knows that he has to help this team win. That's his No. 1 priority."
Crabtree had a few rough moments his first couple of years with the team. Beside the injuries, there were
issues with route-running and technique, things that take on heightened importance with receivers like
Crabtree, who lack elite speed. This year, however, the 6-foot-1, 214-pounder has been more consistent
in his approach and performance, and is on pace for a 104-catch, 1,144-yard season.
It would be easy for Crabtree to wonder what kind of pinball numbers he could put up in an offense that
was pass-centric, instead of a 49ers attack that attempted the second-fewest passes in the league last
season and ranks 26th this year. But he won't go there. In his mind it's not about the offense, it's about
the player making the most of his opportunities.
"A lot of people say a lot of things about coaches when they're not getting the ball," he says, "but ... to me
it's more about the player on Sundays."
One reason the 49ers' run game is so good is because Crabtree is a fearless blocker. He'll go after
cornerbacks with the same zeal he will a football in the open field. "If you turn on the film and look at the
type of stuff that he does on film, you'll see that he's a complete player," says Gore. "He blocks his ass
off. A lot of receivers don't want to do the dirty work. But he'll clean guys out."
His development has made him a bigger part of the passing game. Despite the free-agent signings of
Randy Moss and Mario Manningham, as well as the selection of A.J. Jenkins in the first round of the draft,
Crabtree is Smith's favorite perimeter option. His 16 targets are double that of the next guy, Manningham,
and his 143 yards are 86 more than Manningham has. But what jumps out at Crabtree is that Moss has
the wideouts' only touchdown.
"I want to score touchdowns. That's what I'm here for," he says with a smile and shake of the head. "I
need to get into that end zone. It's kind of hard when you first come in and they're already double-teaming
you and you can't get your touchdowns. Those other guys, they're able to get all those touchdowns in or
are sneaking them. But I'm just taking one practice at a time and focusing on me. That's where you have
to start. I know a lot of people say 'team,' but you can't do the team without you doing your part. That's
what I try to preach."
Can the congregation say AMEN?!