Is the recent handling of wide receiver Michael Crabtree sending the right message to the rest of the team?

Crabtree complained to a pair of reporters that he was a third option on third down after he caught a crucial 48-yard pass in New Orleans on 4th-and-10. The play salvaged the season. It set up kicker Phil Dawson for a tying field goal and then the 49ers won the game in overtime on another Dawson 3-pointer.

Asked about the play afterwards, Crabtree volunteered that he was the third option on third down, suggesting that he should be higher in the progression. “I’m a third-down receiver. I mean, I’m like the third option,” Crabtree said.

With his statement, Crabtree broke with his fellow receivers, who adhered to the same all-for-one-and one-for-all creed all year. Receivers will usually say that they don’t mind when a teammate gets highlighted in a particular game and they don’t.

Crabtree, however, is in a contract year. He is bucking for more opportunities for himself and doing it after a win, no less. Outwardly, this didn’t appear to rankle his fellow receivers. They are a tight group; they bring their own food to team meetings and wear hoodies, along with quarterback Colin Kaepernick, in wide-receiver solidarity.

They even have nicknames for each other. Stevie Johnson is Cool, Anquan Boldin is Q, Crabtree is Smooth, Quinton Patton is P. Boy, Brandon Lloyd is Jesus, for the purity with which he runs routes. Elder statesman Kassim Osgood goes by a few different names including “O.G.” for old gangsta.

What was interesting about Crabtree breaking the code of selfless soldiers was the reaction he received from head coach Jim Harbaugh. Harbaugh, who listened to the last part of the Crabtree interview with the two reporters, said Crabtree was getting badgered by questions about his opportunities and his dropped passes.

“I just caught the end of it, but what I heard the two reporters asking him was, ‘You don’t seem like you’re getting the ball as much. Are you not part of the offense? Why aren’t you getting the ball? You dropped some balls.’” Harbaugh detailed. “Again, I didn’t see the whole thing, but I felt a little defensive for Michael. Here’s a guy who makes a great play and now he’s answering this question or that question. Maybe I might’ve gotten a little defensive too.”

But Crabtree’s beef is not necessarily with the media. It’s with the coaches, which includes Harbaugh, who is ultimately responsible for who gets the ball and when.

So what happens the very next week against the Giants?

Crabtree led the team in targets with eight — the first time that has happened since the week 3 loss in Arizona. Crabtree caught three of those offerings including a drop and the signature 48-yard touchdown pass that highlighted the 49ers’ 16-10 win. Is this a coincidence? Maybe, but wouldn’t it send the message to other players in contract years to voice their displeasure about wanting the ball more?

That remains to be seen. It should also be noted that the 49ers of old complained about wanting the ball constantly, particularly Jerry Rice and tight end Brent Jones. It would be just about this time (mid- to late-October) when Rice was complain about opportunities, and he did it often after wins. Of course, he was the greatest receiver of all-time, which Crabtree is not.

In Crabtree’s case, the 49ers might be feeding the persnickety Crabtree to keep him engaged. The drive for the playoffs has to include all hands, and that includes Crabtree’s.

What is your take?

Twitter: @klynch49