Morgan takes advantage of Crabtree's absence

<p>SANTA CLARA — Young receiver Josh Morgan was on hand at the 49ers’ draft-day party in April to fashion the team’s new/old uniforms for the public unveiling.</p><p>A couple hours later when the 49ers made their first-round selection, Morgan’s prominent role with the club was issued a direct threat.</p><p>But Michael Crabtree, the No. 10 overall pick in the draft, remains unsigned and out of 49ers coach Mike Singletary’s mind. And Morgan is capitalizing on the rookie’s absence to become more and more entrenched as a starter.</p><p>“I go about every day preparing to be the No.1 receiver,” Morgan said.</p><p>Crabtree’s agent, Eugene Parker, and the 49ers remain at an impasse in contract talks. Crabtree did not practice with the 49ers in the offseason as he recovered from surgery to repair a stress fracture in his left foot.</p><p>Now, Crabtree is missing valuable time in the classroom and practice field as the contract haggling continues. The sides are no closer to an agreement, a league source said. Parker is believed to be seeking a contract commensurate with a top-five selection.</p><p>Singletary said he has not even asked to be updated on the contract negotiations because his focus is on the players who have already reported to camp.</p><p>“The most important thing I can do is make the team understand that one guy coming in will not make the whole picture different,” Singletary said.</p><p>Morgan and veteran Isaac Bruce have lined up as the starting receivers through the first two days of practices. But Morgan knows the 49ers will find a way to get Crabtree on the field after he reports.</p><p>“Of course, if you draft a guy that high, they’re going to play him. They’re going to play him. I’m not worrying about that,” Morgan said. “I saw Crabtree play in college. I know the sky is the limit with him. When he gets here, he can help open things up for myself, Isaac and everybody else.”</p><p>The 49ers might feel more desperation to sign Crabtree if they felt less secure about their current crop of wide receivers.</p><p>“We have seven, eight, nine guys that can legitimately line up there as a starter and go and play, and the quarterbacks would feel completely confident in them,” 49ers quarterback Shaun Hill said. “It’s a good problem to have, for sure, and something we haven’t had at least since I’ve been here.”</p><p>Morgan was a star in training camp last year, but his rookie season was dealt a major setback when he lost 15 pounds while battling a staph infection. During the season when he was on the verge of supplanting Bryant Johnson as the starting split end, Morgan sustained a groin injury that kept him out of action for a month.</p><p>He finished his rookie season with 20 catches for 319 yards and three touchdowns in 12 games. The club made no attempt to re-sign Johnson, figuring the position would be in good hands with Morgan.</p><p>“Josh has a lot of potential,” Singletary said. “We have a lot of confidence in him.” As a sixth-round draft pick, Morgan did not have to worry about contract problems keeping him out of his first training camp. He reported on time and worked extra hard to learn the offense as a rookie.</p><p>“I was still a deer in the headlights,” he said. “I didn’t miss any camp, but there’s so much to learn. You have to recognize coverages and know all your assignments. When you finally get to the point where you don’t have to think about what you’re doing, that’s when you’re able to play fast and just be yourself.”</p><p>Morgan is a popular teammate whom has yet to be called a “diva.”</p><p>“Josh has come a long way since he got here,” Hill said. “He’s such a hard worker and a good kid — a good young man, I should say. I can’t say enough good things about him. Usually, whenever a receiver has a good work ethic, a good attitude and all that talent, something really good is going to happen for him.”</p><h3>EXTRA POINTS</h3> <p>Linebacker Parys Haralson (hip flexor) and cornerback Tarell Brown (toe sprain) did not practice. Fullback Moran Norris (personal reasons) reported to camp during practice and is expected to take the field for the first time this summer this morning.</p><p>Quarterback Alex Smith took the snaps with the first-team offense. Both Smith and Hill completed 5-of-8 passes during 11-on-11 work.</p><p><i>For more on the 49ers, go to Instant 49ers at http://blog.pressdemocrat.com/49ers. You can reach Staff Writer Matt Maiocco via email at matt.maiocco@pressdemocrat.com </i></p>