How much will Josh Morgan play?
The Santa Rosa Press Democrat's Matt Maiocco -- one of the best beat writers in the business, if not the -- ran through the entire 49ers' 81-man roster on Tuesday. He provided short nuggets on each player, all the way down to the longshot undrafted free agents.
Next to Josh Morgan, who by all accounts is having another awesome spring, Maiocco writes:
Even with Crabtree playing his spot, he should work into a position to get ample playing time.
Why is playing time an issue? Morgan plays the same "X" receiver spot as No. 10 overall pick Michael Crabtree.
When blurbing on Rotoworld about Maiocco's comment, I added admittedly speculative analysis:
The 49ers could get creative in three-receiver sets, using Morgan at split end with Crabtree in the slot -- where he often played at Texas Tech -- and Brandon Jones or Isaac Bruce at flanker.
Unless Morgan beats out Crabtee for the starting job, this is the only way I can imagine Morgan getting the playing time necessary to flirt with fantasy value. The catch is that Mike Singletary favorite Jason Hill is a slot receiver. I'm not sure new coordinator Jimmy Raye would move Hill out of that role, because Samurai Mike loves him there.
Crabtree is due back from foot surgery at the start of training camp. Say he picks up the offense quickly and his performance/high draft status is too much for the Niners to begin the season with on the bench. In that scenario it's Crabtree split left, Hill in the slot, and Bruce/Jones on the flank. Could Josh Morgan still be a rosterable WR4/5 in a presumably run-first offense? How would you project him?
Comments
i dont see crabtree having an impact at all this year. too many variables. i'll prob get comment-killed for this because hes such a talent, but he's a) hurt - who knows where that'll lead, b) a rookie, c) in an unfriendly offense for wr's and d) blocked by a talent - morgan is no slouch, plus he has more experience and is by all accounts the better nfl player now.
they were 7-9 last year and need to win now. they'll play the best players and morgan is just that. he's still a wr3/4 in my book untill proven otherwise. of course this will be another position to watch come preseason but until then its just speculation for dynasty owners. when in doubt, go with talent. as long as morgan can play, they'll find a way for him and crab to play if thats the best line up.
Posted by: scott c | May 13, 2009 05:18 PM
How about this. Put Crabtree in http://tspmutt.mybrute.com/ and then put Morgan in http://tspmutt.mybrute.com/
Have them fight each other. See who emerges victorious in the virtual arena.
Either way none of these guys are much more than a WR3/4 so why split hairs?
Go with proven commodities and take a flyer on these guys in the mid to late rounds where they belong
Posted by: Anonymous | May 13, 2009 05:20 PM
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Posted by: Juggs | May 13, 2009 05:59 PM
lol
Posted by: scott c | May 13, 2009 06:38 PM
Here's how I see 49ers WR depth:
X Crabtree, Morgan
Z Bruce, Jones
Y Hill, Battle
I expect Morgan will start over Crabtree until Michael gets healthy. Jones has also been fragile in his career, so I could see Morgan picking up snaps at the Z too. I love Morgan as a fan, but I would probably wouldn't take him as anything more than a WR5/6 in fantasy.
Posted by: StevenG | May 13, 2009 08:37 PM
P.S. Stupid Brandon Jones signing...sigh.
Posted by: StevenG | May 13, 2009 08:39 PM
didn't Morgan learn or at least practice at all three spots last year? Maybe I'm mistaken... but, he (or Crabtree) could certainly play the z. by say, week 7, I could envision both starting.
Posted by: jimmo | May 13, 2009 11:51 PM