One thing the San Francisco 49ers wanted to make sure they did this offseason was to improve their receiving corps. While it is yet to be seen if the additions of Randy Moss and Mario Manningham are what the 49ers need to make the leap from a good to playoff-caliber offense, there is one other lingering factor - Michael Crabtree.
Since Crabtree joined the 49ers in 2009, the 24-year old wide receiver has left an unpleasant taste in the mouths of some 49ers fans - myself included. His selfish attitude and all-around pompous personality only attribute to the fact that he hasn't been quite the receiver that fans were hoping for. He has developed marginally since being drafted, with 2011 being his best year of production, but he hasn't burst onto the scene as some expected.
I'm curious to see what Crabtree will do in 2012 and if it could be the year he breaks out. So I turned to my trusty Facebook account and posed the question, "Will 2012 be the year Michael Crabtree breaks out?" Here are some of the responses:
"I don't believe he will. He doesn't have great size or speed. He's just average." - Danny T.
"Nope, he's a good receiver, but Vernon Davis will forever be Alex Smith's go-to receiver, while Mario Manningham will be his other favorite target." - Benji M.
"No, Crabtree was drafted with the intentions of being placed on a run first team. He barely can get his blocking assignments right." - Jordan C.
"I think he will have a good year; 800 yards and 5-7 TDs. He will still be our number one or two receiver because Randy Moss will quit like he always does. He quit on Daunte Culpepper, Tom Brady, and will quit on Alex Smith the moment he overthrows him." - Brian F.
"While I don't think Crabtree will ever live up to his draft slot or his college accolades, I do think that Crabtree in 2012 will become one of the better WRs in the league. He will benefit (hopefully) from his first full off-season working with the team, an offense and coaching staff implementing the same system for the second year which is where teams usually make the most progress, and some wide receiver additions to take the load off of just him." - Victor T.
"Maybe if he holds out for more money…" - Max D.
"Michael Crabtree will not evolve into the receiver that 49ers want until he becomes committed to the team. Over the past couple of years he has reported late to training camp. The one question asked is where is the commitment? Before he evolves into the WR the 49ers want he must grow up and step up to the plate." - David L.
What about the rest of you? What will happen with Michael Crabtree in 2012? Will he flourish and have an amazing year or will he continue to put up his usual numbers?
David is co-founder of wrapupp sports blog where fresh content is posted daily and present sports blogs and sports opinions - all with a West Coast bias. Growing up in the Bay Area, David is a huge supporter of all the local sports teams; the Giants, Athletics, Warriors, Sharks, 49ers, and Raiders. His one fault, admittedly, as many of his friends and family would say, is his love for the Los Angeles Lakers. Growing up, Magic Johnson was his favorite basketball player and he fell in love with the team. He chalks it up to, "Not knowing any better". Now his love for sports has turned just as academic as it is intuitive and he follows most all sports all over the nation.
You can follow David on Twitter: @officialwrapupp
More from David Mehrwein and the Yahoo! Contributor Network:
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