Few 49ers to remain in Bay Area for bye week; Crabtree and Heyward-Bey comparisons begin

Rookie wide receiver Michael Crabtree will stay in the Bay Area with quarterback Alex Smith to get caught up in the playbook. Smith has been working hard all season to stay on top of things on offense and his relationship with Crabtree (both had a lot of practice time together during hte OTAs) will help the rookie get comfortable in the offense.

Crabtree will make his NFL debut on November 25 against the Houston Texans. Also, running back Frank Gore will return to the starting lineup after missing the past two games with an ankle strain. Gore will also remain in the Bay Area to rehab and get his body ready for his first game in almost four weeks.

The 49ers will have their final practice today before resuming back to Santa Clara on Monday. During this time, many players opt to go back to their hometown and visit family.

As the anticipation for Crabtree continues to grow, one topic in the Bay Area has also grown with the wait: Who will have a better career: Michael Crabtree or Darrius Heyward-Bey?

As you all know, the Raiders took Heward-Bey at the #7 spot and the 49ers took Crabtree at #10. Crabtree believed he should have been drafted higher and heldout until last week. And now that Crabtree is in the 49ers offense, the camparisons between the two can now resume.

Heyward-Bey has had a huge struggle all season. Aside from his abysmal numbers (two catches for 36 yards) he has also been nursing a hamstring injury.

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