NFL teams
Paul Gutierrez, ESPN Staff Writer 9y

Michael Crabtree has answer to offense's issues

SANTA CLARA, Calif. -- Michael Crabtree insists he’s healthy and his foot issues are a thing of the past.

“What [are] you talking about, about a foot?” an incredulous Crabtree said Thursday. “We done played eight games since then and you talking about my foot. We good, man. That ain’t even a question to even ask me.”

And yet, his production for a fit wideout is down. The San Francisco 49ers pass catcher is on pace for 74 catches, 724 yards and six touchdown receptions, all marks which would be his lowest since his second season in the NFL.

And his 9.8 yards per catch average is a career low.

“I can’t do nothing about it,” he said Thursday. “I play receiver.”

Fair enough. Purported playmaking pass catchers can’t do much if the ball is not thrown their way. Then again, he does have seven drops thus far.

A case could be made, though, that the Niners’ offense has unit-wide issues that outweigh whatever is ailing Crabtree as they ride a two-game losing streak into New Orleans this weekend.

“We have all the faith in the world in Crab,” said offensive coordinator Greg Roman.

Crabtree’s solution? For every player to make every snap, every rep count, and to win individual matchups.

Sounds easy enough.

“We’re just not playing how we need to be playing right now,” he said. “I mean, obviously, you guys see that. We’ve got to play better.

“I mean, we done been here before. It’s not our first time going through difficult times or losing or something like that. But it’s something you can overcome, something you’ve got to just prove. It’sa  new Sunday.”

And as far as his assessment of his own season at the midway point?

“I always have high expectation for myself,” he said. “But like I said, it ain’t where I want it to be. That’s why I work hard everyday. That’s why I try to catch every pass that’s thrown my way. That’s why, whatever they give me, I try my hardest to work with it.

“Can’t wait to go back out there this Sunday and do my job.”

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