San Francisco 49ers coach Jim Harbaugh has done his best recently to paint a happy, rosy picture of things in the locker room, and more specifically, as it pertains to wide receiver, Michael Crabtree, and his involvement in the offense.
"I don't think so," Harbaugh said, according to Matt Barrows of the Sacramento Bee, in response to questions of whether or not Crabtree was unhappy with his role. "Seems to be doing a fantastic job and getting the ball a lot."
The only problem with this assessment is that it doesn't seem like Crabtree agrees.
Crabtree, who caught a 51-yard pass at the end of regulation that led to a game-tying field goal against New Orleans last weekend, seemed displeased when asked about the play by The San Francisco Chronicle.
"Third down. I'm a third-down receiver. I mean, I'm like the third option. So I come in and I do my job."
Reminded that his catch came on fourth and 10, Crabtree said, "Fourth down. I guess when they need me, you know, I guess that's when I play."
Crabtree is second only to veteran receiver Anquan Boldin in snaps and targets, though Boldin has 51 catches for 635 yards, while Crabtree has 40 receptions for 424 yards.
Crabtree does lead the team in one dubious category - drops. He has seven on the year.
"It happens," Harbaugh said, per Barrows. "I mean Anquan had a few. There have been a few overthrows, I've had a few play calls that didn't work. I have no problem with Michael Crabtree's hands or Anquan Boldin's or the way our receivers have been catching the ball."
Crabtree, in the final year of his rookie deal, said that he thought he'd be making more of an impact this season.
"It ain't where I want it to be," he said. "That's why I work hard every day. That's why I try to catch every pass. Whatever they give me, I just try my hardest to work with it. I've been here before. You guys see what you see."
Crabtree is not the only member of the team's offense producing at a rate lower than expected - tight end Vernon Davis' production has been nowhere near his career average - back injury or not, he's too talented not to be putting up better numbers - and quarterback Colin Kaepernick's downfield accuracy has fallen off this season (he has the second best completion percentage of his career, but by far the lowest QBR).
The team, in general, is struggling to perform to the level they've managed in the past. Crabtree's situation could simply be a symptom of a much greater and more widespread problem.
