Wide receiver Michael Crabtree finally experienced the breakout season last year the San Francisco 49ers had been waiting for after taking him in the first round of the 2009 NFL draft.
Crabtree posted his first 1,000 yard season catching 85 passes for 1,105 yards and nine touchdowns for the 49ers. However, it was the second half of the year, with Colin Kaepernick serving as the quarterback, when Crabtree became a consistent threat for the 49ers. In 10 starts including the postseason with Kaepernick under center, Crabtree caught 61 passes for 880 yards and eight touchdowns.
Crabtree said Tuesday on the NFL Network he felt a better connection with Kaepernick than former 49ers starter Alex Smith.
“I think he trusted me more. Playing wide receiver, you need a quarterback who trusts you. I feel like he trusted me,” Crabtree said, via Matt Maiocco of CSNBayArea.com.
Crabtree didn’t want to throw Smith under the bus as he avoided saying he didn’t have the same trust factor with him as he does with Kaepernick.
“I don’t want a controversy,” Crabtree said.
But the message was pretty clear anyway. With Smith now in Kansas City, Crabtree will have a full offseason to continue to develop that trust factor with Kaepernick as the 49ers try to defend their NFC Championship crown next season.