Torry Holt Nicknamed Big Game, As a player, Torry’s Holt’s nickname was “Big Game.” As an NFL Network analyst, the former star NFL wideout would like San Francisco’s Michael Crabtree to earn a similar moniker. Starting Saturday, please.
Holt, a 12-year NFL veteran who had seven catches for 109 yards and a touchdown as a rookie in the Rams’ win against the Titans in Super Bowl XXXIV, has noted Crabtree’s improvement this season. After a slow start tied to his surgically repaired foot, Crabtree was on an 89-catch, 1,079-yard pace in the season’s final 11 games.
“He’s still a young ballplayer, he’s still developing and he’s on the rise,” Holt said in a phone interview Thursday. “Now he’s got this platform called the playoffs. This is where your true ballplayers – if you consider yourself an elite guy – c’mon, this is when and this is where you step up. He has a tremendous platform here with the playoffs.”
Crabtree, the Niners’ only consistent pass-catching option along with tight end Vernon Davis, figures to get his chances to shine on the bigger stage. He’ll likely see plenty of Saints cornerback Jabari Greer, an eight-year veteran who had two interceptions in last week’s wild-card win against Detroit.
According to Pro Football Focus, quarterbacks have a 72.3 rating when throwing against Greer this season. Crabtree, 6-foot-1 and 214 pounds, will have a size advantage on Greer (5-11, 180).
“If he can come out and play at a high level for four quarters, he gives Alex Smith a consistent weapon on the outside — along with Frank Gore, along with Vernon Davis,” Holt said. “He takes pressure off Frank and Vernon, because now you have Crabtree stepping up and making plays on a consistent basis. I’ll definitely be paying close attention to see how he matches up.”
Holt, a 12-year NFL veteran who had seven catches for 109 yards and a touchdown as a rookie in the Rams’ win against the Titans in Super Bowl XXXIV, has noted Crabtree’s improvement this season. After a slow start tied to his surgically repaired foot, Crabtree was on an 89-catch, 1,079-yard pace in the season’s final 11 games.
“He’s still a young ballplayer, he’s still developing and he’s on the rise,” Holt said in a phone interview Thursday. “Now he’s got this platform called the playoffs. This is where your true ballplayers – if you consider yourself an elite guy – c’mon, this is when and this is where you step up. He has a tremendous platform here with the playoffs.”
Crabtree, the Niners’ only consistent pass-catching option along with tight end Vernon Davis, figures to get his chances to shine on the bigger stage. He’ll likely see plenty of Saints cornerback Jabari Greer, an eight-year veteran who had two interceptions in last week’s wild-card win against Detroit.
According to Pro Football Focus, quarterbacks have a 72.3 rating when throwing against Greer this season. Crabtree, 6-foot-1 and 214 pounds, will have a size advantage on Greer (5-11, 180).
“If he can come out and play at a high level for four quarters, he gives Alex Smith a consistent weapon on the outside — along with Frank Gore, along with Vernon Davis,” Holt said. “He takes pressure off Frank and Vernon, because now you have Crabtree stepping up and making plays on a consistent basis. I’ll definitely be paying close attention to see how he matches up.”
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