SANTA CLARA, Calif. — As Michael Crabtree ponders the next step in contract negotiations, he might consider the saga of former Cincinnati Bengals receiver David Verser.

Verser was a No. 10 overall draft pick — just like Crabtree.
Verser put up big statistics for a current Big 12 school — just like Crabtree.
Verser waged a tough contract battle, signed late, got buried on the depth chart and never got his NFL career on track.
Just like Crabtree?
The 49ers certainly hope for a different ending. But with less than a week before Sunday’s regular-season opener at Arizona, the Texas Tech star appears nowhere near accepting their reported offer of five years, $20 million.
Even if he does sign, the question at this point will be how much he can contribute in 2009. Receivers rarely make an impact as rookies even in the best of circumstances.
Since 1986, the offensive rookie of the year award has gone to 17 running backs, three quarterbacks and three receivers (Carl Pickens in ’92, Randy Moss in ’98 and Anquan Boldin in ’03).
Running backs can sometimes get by on sheer athleticism. As 49ers rookie Glen Coffee, a third-round pick said: “It’s the most instinct-based position. Running back is just a mindset: ’I don’t want you tackling me. I’m going to hit you before you hit me.’ “
Receivers, on the other hand, need to understand the nuances of an NFL playbook, establish a rapport with the quarterback and be able to outwit defensive schemes rarely seen at the college level.
It’s a position where sheer athleticism doesn’t always count for much. The Cincinnati Enquirer once described Verser as “the best receiver in the draft. He had 4.4 speed in the 40-yard dash, great hands and could jump to the moon.”
But by the time the University of Kansas star reported in 1981, after missing minicamps in hopes of scoring a bigger contract, he had fallen behind fellow rookie Cris Collinsworth.
Verser wound up with just six catches in 1981; Collinsworth had 67 catches, 1,009 receiving yards and made the Pro Bowl.
Don’t be fooled, Collinsworth said. The transition to the NFL was tough for him, too.
Noting his law degree, he said:
“I’m not a genius by any means, but I consider myself to be a pretty smart guy. And I can tell you that nobody has ever made more rookie mistakes than I did.”
An NFL receiver, Collinsworth said, must understand zone blitzes, bump-and-run coverage and what to do on an option route against a Cover 2 or a corner blitz. Joe Gibbs once told Collinsworth that a receiver has to be the second smartest guy on the team, after the quarterback.
That’s why the learning environment of camp can be crucial. During minicamps a year ago, the 49ers assigned assistant coach Adam Gase to shadow wide-eyed rookie Josh Morgan downfield and point the way to the correct route. “I had my own personal assistant,” Morgan said. “That’s how lost I was.”
A year later, Crabtree was rehabilitating a foot injury and unable to fully participate in minicamps or summer practices. These days, he isn’t even allowed a copy of the playbook “” not until he signs.
It has the makings of a tough introduction to the NFL. Verser (who did not respond to an e-mailed interview request) is hardly the only cautionary tale.
Desmond Howard signed late after a contract squabble and had just three catches for 20 yards as the fourth overall pick in 1992. Howard was described by Sports Illustrated that season as showing “fewer moves than his Heisman statue.”
As the No. 4 pick in 1995, Michael Westbrook held out for nearly a month. Then he turned in a disappointing season, with 522 yards and one touchdown catch.
Now, Crabtree and the 49ers are risking a similar path.
“It’s really too bad. I do think Crabtree was the best receiver taken in the draft and I think he can be a difference-maker for the organization,” said Collinsworth, now an analyst for NBC. “I don’t think it’s a lost season for him by any means, but they’re going to have to really simplify things for him.”
Only three receivers in 49ers history have topped more than 600 yards as rookies: Jerry Rice (927 yards in ’85), Gene Washington (711 in ’69) and Dave Parks (703 in ’64.)
No 49ers rookie has had more than four touchdown catches in a season since Jimmy Thomas had five in 1969.
It’s a similar story throughout the NFL, although one of the rare exceptions will be on the opposing sideline in Arizona this weekend. Boldin, the last receiver to win rookie of the year, debuted with 101 catches for 1,377 yards and eight touchdowns in 2003.
Heck, Boldin had 217 yards in his first game.
Not long ago, the 49ers envisioned Crabtree following suit. Minutes after making the pick, general manager Scot McCloughan said of Crabtree: “He’s the closest thing I’ve seen to Anquan Boldin in college. He’s got excellent hands and he’s got the physical attributes to play on the NFL level and to make plays.”
Yes, Crabtree can catch.
But can he catch up?