Michael Crabtree is hurt and lost for the season

This injury is pretty rough. In the modern NFL you can't have the depth we did back in the Eddie D days. There is much you can do about an injury to a key guy.

We have only two proven WRs on the roster - Anquan Boldin (who turns 33 next season) and Mario Manningham coming off injury. Kyle Williams has never struck me as starting caliber.

While I like Quinton Paxton, a 4th round pick from LA Tech is no lock. I know Ricardo Lockette is getting good press clippings, but you can't assume a guy with two career catches (both in 2011) and who was cut by the Seahawks is going to be anything. I am sure this will thrill everyone, but I have to imagine that AJ Jenkins gets the first crack.

They'll lean on Vernon more, hopefully the 2nd round pick TE Vance McDonald can help some. I bet Chad Hall sees more time in the slot for whatever that is worth.

They will probably sniff around some free agents, but Harbaugh's MO has usually been to stay in house.

Not that there is much out there. Brandon Lloyd is the only proven starter. Saints deep threat Devery Henderson is out there (as is Darrius Heyward-Bey!!) You could take fliers on the likes of Ramses Barden, Early Doucet, or Captain Concussion Austin Collie (who I hope retires for his sake).

I believe the RFA window for Victor Cruz has passed - they probably wouldn't have paid the price to get him anyway.

Right before your hockey eyes

Watching the NHL playoffs I continue to not understand why GMs don't put more of an emphasis - both in terms of picks and salary - on goalies. A goalie can carry your team (or sink you) more than any other position. In game 2 of their series vs the Washington Capitals the New York Rangers were consistently out played in almost all phases of the game. Yet one lucky goal and they could have won what turned out to be a 1-0 overtime Capitals victory . That was because Ranger goalie Henrik Lundqvist was "standing on his head" as we put it. He repeatedly made great saves to stone good scoring chances. He finally succumbed to constant pressure in OT, but there had been repeated points earlier when the Caps held it New York's zone and cracked off several shots on goal. The Caps dominated that game save for one man, but because of that one man ONE bad bounce or crazy play could have won the game for New York and totally deflated the better team. A great scorer can't keep a team in the game if all his teammates are stinking out the joint the way a hot goalie has the ability to do.

A post your can write about any team's fans in any sport - overreacting

Many of my fellow Forty-Nines fans have been calling for last year's first round pick, WR from Illinois AJ Jenkins go be cut. He didn't have a catch last year as his anemic work ethnic kept him for suiting up unless other guys were injured.

I don't want to be in a position of having to defend AJ, or be painted as someone pretending he doesn't have significant work ethic issues, but if a guy had enough talent to be a first round pick you don't give up on him in a year.

If AJ had had 1 catch for 8 yards would folks still be calling for his head? How about 5 catches for 84 yards? 6 for 114? One of these seasons?

11 catches 164 yards
14 catches 186 yards
15 catches 246 yards

I'm sure you can see this coming but those are the rookie seasons of Cris Carter, Derrick Mason, Keenan McCardell, Irving Fryer, and Mark Clayton. The deep threat stud at the bottom? Hines Ward, he of the 12 yard career average. Jenkins isn't even in bad company with zero catches: say hello to Jimmy Smith and Victor Cruz.

In his rookie year John Taylor had 9 catches for 151 yards. He sure turned out to suck didn't he?

Yes I know that some of these situations are different, different eras, different rounds drafted (if at all), injuries, substance abuse issues - but my point is plenty of guys have turned it around. If someone can give up cocaine, AJ can workout a little more. Plus current #1 receiver Michael Crabtree is almost certainly going to want a monster contract (more than he is worth) when his rookie deal expires - so there a very legitimate chance he will be gone. Not the the time to get ride of potential talent.

[Facts - gotta love, er hate?, 'em. Also fascinating fact I learned doing this research - we've NEVER taken a receiver in the second round.]