Crabtree seems to be catching on

With each drop of sweat wide receiver Michael Crabtree produces as he rides an accelerated learning curve with the 49ers , the more playing time he will earn, starting with his first NFL game Sunday in Houston. The possibility exists that Crabtree could start the game in place of Josh Morgan. "To me, even though he's come in late, he looks like he's ready," coach Mike Singletary said Monday. "Right now, we're going to see how much he picks up. How much he plays depends on how much success he has in the game." Crabtree, the 49ers' top draft pick, spent the majority of his bye week working at team headquarters to make up for lost time. He caught passes from Alex Smith and a trainer, and listened to sage advice from running back Frank Gore. "Michael Crabtree's progress is excellent," Singletary said. "He's with the coaches all the time. I'm pleased with what I've seen. He wants to be out here. He wants to play and make a contribution. ... I'm excited to see him out here." The 49ers could use a boost in their passing game, ranked 28th in the league and ahead of only Carolina, the New York Jets, Cleveland and Oakland. Although the club has seven wide receivers on the active roster, only three have caught passes in a game this season: starters Isaac Bruce and Morgan with 13 each and Arnaz Battle with five. Even if Morgan loses his spot in the starting lineup to Crabtree the rest of this season, they will be the 49ers' starting wideouts in 2010. After running routes on the scout offense last week, Crabtree will work with the starting offense for the first time when the 49ers begin preparations for Houston on Wednesday. "I told him he doesn't have to justify anything," Singletary said of Crabtree, who did not speak with reporters Monday. "Just make sure when you're out here, know what you're doing. It's exciting to see him out here. I'm excited to see how it starts and the progress." After seeing Crabtree firsthand during the bye week, Gore said, "He looks explosive off the line. Got good hands and runs good routes. I told him he was looking good." Shaun Hill, who threw to Crabtree "a little bit" last week, said he was impressed with the physical presence the 6-foot-1, 214-pound rookie brings to the field. "He plays much bigger than he is," the quarterback said. "When you see him, you think he's a little on the short side, but when he's out there running, getting his hands on the ball, he's a big target. Just his stature out there, he seems bigger than if you walk up to him in person. It's the way he attacks the ball." Furthermore, Hill said, "I've been very impressed with what he's learned since he's been here. If a question does arise, he's not afraid to ask it. I feel very comfortable he'll know what he needs to know when he's in there." Singletary did announce two lineup changes along the offensive line: Tony Pashos takes the right-tackle spot. Adam Snyder and Chilo Rachal will alternate at right guard. "We want our best five on the field and we feel like Snyder alternating with Rachal will be good for us to find out who is best at that position," Singletary said. Pashos had been alternating with Snyder at right tackle. "Michael Crabtree's progress is excellent. ... I'm pleased with what I've seen. He wants to be out here. He wants to play " "and make a contribution." Mike Singletary, 49ers head coach