Niner Noise
FanSided

San Francisco 49ers: Disastrous 2015 Offseason Not to Blame for Current Team Woes

By Peter Panacy

facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
5 of 8
Next
Dec 29, 2013; Phoenix, AZ, USA; San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Michael Crabtree (15) against the Arizona Cardinals at University of Phoenix Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 29, 2013; Phoenix, AZ, USA; San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Michael Crabtree (15) against the Arizona Cardinals at University of Phoenix Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports /

Offensive Playmakers in RB Frank Gore and WR Michael Crabtree

Yes, both running back Frank Gore and wide receiver Michael Crabtree are still both contributing nicely at the NFL level.

Let’s start with Gore. He already crested the 30-year-old plateau back in 2014, but who would have guessed he’d still be a main feature of a pro offense through 2016? Few running backs ever come close, so that’s a testament to his abilities.

Jan 14, 2012; San Francisco, CA, USA; San Francisco 49ers running back Frank Gore (21) warms up before the 2011 NFC divisional playoff game against the New Orleans Saints at Candlestick Park. Mandatory Credit: Cary Edmondson-US PRESSWIRE
Jan 14, 2012; San Francisco, CA, USA; San Francisco 49ers running back Frank Gore (21) warms up before the 2011 NFC divisional playoff game against the New Orleans Saints at Candlestick Park. Mandatory Credit: Cary Edmondson-US PRESSWIRE /

The Niners replaced him with running back Carlos Hyde, who should be the team’s focal point moving forward on offense. Nothing wrong with that. It’s part of continuing a team’s success — albeit the 49ers haven’t done so.

As far as Crabtree? Well, his stat lines with the Raiders since joining them as a free agent in 2015 have been more than impressive. So this suggests his departure hurt the Niners, right?

Not exactly. You see, Crabtree was never a great fit in San Francisco’s offense between 2013 and 2014. His Achilles injury in 2013 didn’t help matters either. And Crabtree never really established the chemistry with then-starting quarterback Colin Kaepernick.

Between Kap taking over in the middle of 2012 through 2014, Crabtree had just four 100-plus yard receiving games. And zero in 2014.

Could things have been better in 2015? Probably not. It’s easy to see why Crabtree wanted a change.