Michael Crabtree has a history of entering seasons fashionably
late, and this time, he’ll be wearing a
”
pretty sweet
”
custom cleat on a twice-broken left foot.
By Cam Inman – Contra Costa Times
Michael Crabtree has a history of entering seasons fashionably late, and this time, he’ll be wearing a “pretty sweet” custom cleat on a twice-broken left foot.
“I’ve been here before,” Crabtree said Thursday. “It’s nothing new to me. I’ve got to take on that challenge and be my best.”
A contract stalemate delayed Crabtree’s rookie debut until the 49ers’ sixth game of 2009, which he started at Houston coming out of the bye week.
Will he start, or even play, in Sunday’s season opener against Seattle? Crabtree said he is “ready to go,” but offensive coordinator Greg Roman would only say he “hopes” Crabtree plays alongside potential starters Braylon Edwards, Ted Ginn and Joshua Morgan.
Roman saw Crabtree in a full-pad practice for the first time Wednesday and plans further evaluation before determining any game-day rotation.
“He’s a very gifted individual, so we hope we can have him out there,” Roman said.
Crabtree discovered he had a “serious problem” with his left foot after injuring it June 6. That was the first day of player-organized workouts at San Jose State, “when I was in camp, the little Alex Smith camp,” Crabtree said with a smile. “I don’t think that’s the best turf to run routes on.”
Crabtree said he can run at full speed two months after undergoing surgery on the same foot that was operated on before the 2009 draft. While this injury was “somewhat the same,” he said it required a “little tweak,” but no pins as were needed for the 2009 procedure.
Crabtree agreed with his coaches’ and teammates’ assessment that he is caught up mentally, at least with the basics, thanks to his daily notes in meetings. However, he added: “It’s pretty different when you get on the field and have to run those plays.” Further complicating that integration is a new scheme demanding precise routes and timing.
Once Crabtree steps onto the Candlestick Park field, he’ll be in Jordan-brand cleats that have been molded in the shape of his foot. “They’ll be real good for me this year,” Crabtree said. “They’re pretty sweet, too. You’ve got to look out for them.”
Crabtree started 15 games last season and set career highs with 55 receptions, 741 yards and six touchdowns. Upon his rookie arrival, he had 48 receptions for 625 yards and two touchdowns, including a five-catch, 56-yard effort in that losing debut at Houston.
– Safety Dashon Goldson expects to miss Sunday’s opener because of an inflamed knee that’s kept him out of practices for a week. He said it’s a “good possibility” he will play the following week against Dallas. Madieu Williams, a free-agent acquisition from Minnesota, would start in Goldson’s place.
– Roman said his game-day calls likely will be relayed to quarterback Alex Smith’s helmet through quarterbacks coach Geep Chryst if coach Jim Harbaugh opts not to handle that chore. Harbaugh did it for the first time in the exhibition finale. Roman said Smith will continue to wear a wristband featuring play calls, because “it helps with time.”
– The 49ers reportedly tried out wide receiver Donnie Avery, according to the Sports Xchange’s Howard Balzer. Avery was a St. Louis Rams 2008 second-round draft pick.
