Quote:
Originally Posted by Messier
Crabtree caught 44 passes from Smith and 41 from CK. I know in two fewer games, and his ypc went way up, but it wasn't like Smith wasn't targeting Crabtree.
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You must always look at what the numbers mean.
Kaepernick only hit Crabtree 6 times in his first 2 NFL starts.
In his 1st NFL start vs Chicago on MNF, Vernon Davis was Kaepernick's primary receiver with 6 catches.
By Kaepernick's 3rd NFL start, whether he was seeing Crabtree open on game film or whether it was from coaching, Crabtree went 7 catches for 101 and Kaepernick's first 100 yard receiver. In Kaep's 4th start, Crabtree went 9 catches for 93 yards.
No, Alex didn't flat ignore Crabtree. I think Alex just went to his 1st read or checked down, and if his first read wasn't the rare deep pass to Vernon Davis up the seam, it was whoever was under the linebackers. Kaepernick on the other hand, could find Crabtree wherever he was open and wasn't afraid to deliver the ball.
So going behind the numbers I would say Kaepernick targeted Crabtree specifically, while Alex just went to the 1st read or whoever was under the linebackers or in the flat.
I simplified that as it is far more complex and involved that than that, but I'm just trying to go behind the numbers. Kaepernick is able to look for Crabtree where open and put the ball in his hands. It is not as if Alex never threw to Crabtree. It is no secret that receivers skill dropped off badly after VD, Crabtree and Manningham. All things being equal, Alex looked for Vernon Davis first.