The 49ers are gathering for sporadic workouts at a South Bay location and on the surface, that would appear to be a good thing. They are also trying to replicate what they see in the 49ers new playbook to the routes they run. Private off-season workouts were a key for Alex Smith as a college quarterback at Utah. Between his sophomore and junior seasons, Smith worked daily with his starting receivers and he credits that time with his sizable jump between his sophomore and junior seasons. Now Smith has the opportunity to do the same thing, particularly with the news from Matt Barrows that wide receiver Michael Crabtree is coming to town.

However, 49ers general manager Trent Baalke brought up an excellent point during media sessions two weeks ago and that is that players could form poor habits or not run things correctly. It could mean that the 15 players or working out together in the South Bay, could be at a disadvantage when NFL finally unlocks its doors. Nevertheless, if I was a player, I wouldn’t take that chance particularly if I was a receiver. There’s a logjam at that position and with the coaches that drafted Crabtree now gone, the third-year player is no longer on scholarship. A protracted contract dispute kept Crabtree from engaging in off-season workouts and training camp in his rookie 2009 season. Last summer he was waylaid by a neck injury for most of training camp. Even through off-season workouts, one player said he didn’t think Crabtree was the best receiver on the team. That honor he bestowed on Dominique Zeigler because of his knowledge of the scheme, hard work, and reliable hands.

After a disappointing season last year, and a new coaching staff to impress, Crabtree is getting himself to the Bay Area. Known for his precise route running, this may be Crabtree’s best move so far.