Michael Crabtree is in a contract is in a contract season and trying to prove why he is worthy of getting a top-dollar deal this offseason. However, the San Francisco 49ers has found his targets on the field get fewer and fewer and now he has no idea where he stands with the team. Crabtree likes to think of himself as Colin Kaepernick's No. 1 target, but that is turning out to not be the case and the wide receiver is not happy about it.
Crabtree was looking to have a redemption season this year. He and the 49ers failed to negotiate a contract extension in the offseason as Kaepernick's deal took priority. Coming off an injured-marred 2013, Crabtree was looking to put up big numbers in hopes of that reflecting in the amount on his next pay check. However, this season Crabtree currently ranks second in receiving for the team as Anquan Boldin has over 200 more yards while Stevie Johnson comes close in number of targets. Crabtree is complaining that he is simply a third-down receiver to the team now.
"Third down. I'm a third-down receiver," Crabtree said, via the San Jose Mercury News. "I mean, I'm like the third option. So I come in and I do my job. I guess when they need me, you know, I guess that's when I play."
Crabtree has come up big when asked to. He put up a 51-yard catch on a crucial fourth-down play as the 49ers went on to beat the New Orleans Saints. However, the receiver is still unhappy about his lack of involvement on the team and his lack of playing time. Head coach Jim Harbaugh denies that there is growing frustration from Crabtree regarding the game plan each week. He simply praised the receiver for the great catch he made on the field.
"And again, I just caught the end of it, but what I heard the two reporters asking him was, 'You don't seem like you're getting the ball as much. Are you not part of the offense? Why aren't you getting the ball? You dropped some balls.' Again, I didn't see the whole thing, but I felt a little defensive for Michael. Here's a guy who makes a great play and now he's answering this question or that question. Maybe I might've gotten a little defensive too," Harbaugh said.
Much will be made about these comments going forward, especially as Crabtree seeks out a new contract. The 49ers also have to worry about new deals for players like Frank Gore, Vernon Davis and Aldon Smith. If the wide receiver continues to voice his frustrations, he might find himself on the outside looking in.
