SANTA CLARA, Calif. -- By all outward appearances, Michael Crabtree does not seem happy with his place in the San Francisco 49ers offense this season.

When asked about his relative downturn in production last week he said he "can't do nothing about it" because he's "just a receiver."

And after his season-saving 51-yard catch on 4th and 10 late in the fourth quarter Sunday in New Orleans, Crabtree called himself merely "a third-down receiver ... I'm like the third option ... fourth down, I guess when they need me. I guess that's when I play."

Wednesday, asked to clarify his comments, Crabtree told the Bay Area News Group, "Call it how you see it, bro."

Doesn't exactly sound warm and cuddly now, does it? Especially not for a wideout in the final year of his contract.

And yet, coach Jim Harbaugh, who called the throw and catch a "dazzling, dazzling play," said he had "no problem" with Crabtree, whom he once said had the best hands he's ever seen. Yet Crabtree has eight dropped passes on the season.

"He's a tremendous competitor," Harbaugh said. "I'm not blaming him or anybody. We've talked about this before; I think we talked about this last week, concerning different players, separate players. The heat of the moment, 10 minutes after the game, I don't go by that."

Harbaugh was referring to Crabtree purportedly venting immediately after the game. And yet, Crabtree has obviously made his feelings known throughout the past week.

Quarterback Colin Kaepernick was asked if Crabtree was unhappy with his role in the offense.

"You would have to ask him," Kaepernick said.

Told it was fairly obvious that was indeed the case, Kaepernick was asked if he got the same vibe.

"He's out here doing everything he can to help this team win," Kaepernick said of Crabtree. "That's the vibe I get."

Crabtree's 10.6-yards per catch average is the lowest of his career, nearly three yards less than his career average coming into this season.

Against the New Orleans Saints, Crabtree was targeted eight times, and caught three passes. But he was not the only Niners receiver having issues in the Superdome.

Anquan Boldin dropped four passes.

"I think it happens," Harbaugh said. "Anquan had a few. We had a few overthrows. I've had a few bad play calls that didn't work, so, I have no problem with Michael Crabtree's hands or Anquan Boldin's or the way our receivers have been catching the ball."

Or, in Crabtree's mind, not being thrown the ball.