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49ers looking for offensive spark against Texans
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The 49ers hope that Michael Crabtree can help their struggling offense (AP Photo/Paul Sakuma)
Much of the talk this week has been about the debut of Michael Crabtree, the 49ers wide receiver from Texas Tech who missed nearly half of his rookie season holding out for a better deal that he didn't get.
Most reports have Crabtree, who will be wearing jersey #15, starting opposite Isaac Bruce on Sunday.
According to Matthew Barrows of the Sacramento Bee, 49ers head coach Mike Singletary said that Crabtree, Bruce, and Josh Morgan would all see action Sunday and that Crabby's playing time "depends on how well he performs early."
The 49ers rank 29th in the NFL in total offense (16th rushing and 28th passing). Nearly half of their 531 rushing yards came in one game vs. Seattle in Week 2 but Frank Gore is back and will pose a significant threat to the Texans defense, as will tight end Vernon Davis. Quarterback Shaun Hill has been sacked 16 times in five games.
Daniel Brown of MercuryNews.com points out that the 49ers offensive struggles start with their offensive line and that without a big-play threat (which they hope they have in Crabtree) "defenses are putting eight or nine men in the box because they don't fear (quarterback Shaun) Hill's arm or the speed of the 49ers' wide receivers."
Brown also notes that the 49ers will be 'tweaking' their offensive line this week, moving Adam Snyder from right tackle to right guard where he will share time with Chilo Rachal who has been struggling. Tony Pashos will take most of the snaps at right tackle.
Amobi Okoye will line up against the Snyder/Rachal tag team and Antonio Smith and Mario Williams will share duty against Pashos.
Katy native Eric Heitmann starts at center for the 49ers and Cody Wallace (Texas A&M, Cuero TX) backs up the interior line.
Carey's crew
Mike Carey's crew will officiate the Texans - 49ers game on Sunday. The reason I mention this is because recently while onboard a Delta Airlines jet, I found myself sitting next to Tommy Moore who is the replay official on Carey's crew. Needless to say, the conversation made that trip quite interesting. Moore lives in Conroe and was an on-field NFL official for many years before moving to the replay booth.
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