Forty-niners fans might be sore at Michael Crabtree for putting them through a 71-day contract impasse, but the team itself - from the GM down to the players - struck an decidedly accepting tone today. "We're a team, so we accept Crabtree," team captain Vernon Davis said. "He's here, so everybody's happy." Heck, GM Scot McCloughan even went as far as thanking Crabtree's negotiating team, which primarily consists of agent Eugene Parker, for their role in getting the deal done. "It's a business - it's a tough part of the business, but that's the NFL for you," McCloughan said.
Crabtree, meanwhile, made his first public comments since OTAs wrapped up in late June. "It's a very humbling experience," said Crabtree, who was dressed in gray sweatpants and his red, No. 15 jersey. "And I felt like going through that, it made me look at the world in a different way, look at my teammates in a different way. And you know, hopefully it will work out for the best."
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As for Crabtree's immediate role, Singletary said the rookie wideout would not play this week against Atlanta. The 49ers have a b ye the following week before going on the road to play the Texans Oct. 25. Singletary said that Crabtree likely would be part of specific packages initially. As he grows more comfortable with the offense, the role would then start expending. Said Singletary: "I know he's in great shape. He's been working his tail off the whole time, so that's not an issue. So all he has to do is really understand the nuances of the offense."
Asked what he hopes to accomplish in such an abbreviated season, Crabtree said, "Oh, I'm gonna do the best job I can do, man. Anything coach asks me to do, whether it's block or run go routes for no reason. I'm doing it all just to win. Anything I can do to help this team win, I'm good."
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Asked if he thought his teammates would resent him for missing a month of the season as well as the toughest training camp any of them had been through, Crabtree said, "I wouldn't know if they were upset with me or not. All I can do is just come in here and be the best teammate I can be and do the best job I can do."
Singletary, meanwhile, said he had one conversation with Crabtree during the standoff: "The conversation was just basically - whatever you do, just continue to work your tail off. I don't know when you're coming in. But whenever it happens, just know that we'll be here. But make sure you stay in great shape because there will be no balloons, no parties and nothing else. Just get here, we've got to work. That's what we're doing."
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The media is only allowed to watch the individual portion of the Wednesday practice, so I can't say how good Crabtree looked catching passes from Alex Smith or Shaun Hill or Nate Davis today. (That'll be tomorrow). He did take part in individual drills -- officially his first practice session with his new team.
And in non-Crabtree news .... Frank Gore said he thought he might start running on his injured right ankle this week. The 49ers are eying Oct. 25 for his return. Gore, however, wants to be back sooner. Is it possible? "I won't know until I start running," he said. Gore did say his ankle was feeling much better. He hasn't been using a boot and he noted that it looked just like his left ankle. "It looks normal," he said. "That's what's crazy."
-- Matt Barrows
