Happy Birthday, Michael Crabtree, but San Francisco Wants You to Party Elsewhere

Sunday was a big day for the San Francisco 49ers. The defense contained, frustrated, and even downright stopped one of the NFL's best offenses from a year ago. The offense shook off three-plus quarters of third-and-longs and three-and-outs to put together a seven-play, 69-yard drive when it mattered most. And these 49ers showed they don't need a bull-headed, self-obsessed, 22-year-old wideout to beat a tough opponent on the road. Monday, Sept. 14, marks Crabtree's 22nd birthday, but it's the rest of the 49ers who have a coming of age, of sorts, to celebrate. The team's 20-16 win over the Arizona Cardinals shows that for the first time in a very long time, this is a San Francisco team worth cheering. Amid new reports that Crabtree intends to sit out the 2009 season and re-enter the draft in 2010, the 49ers beat the reigning NFC champs on their home turf, and they did it as a team. From coach Mike Singletary's on-the-field huddle to fire up his defense, to Shau...