49ers' offense suddenly looks pass-oriented

SANTA CLARA — The 49ers’ ever-changing offense this week includes a strong-armed quarterback and a No.1 wide receiver presented with his second game plan as a professional.

And while offensive coordinator Jimmy Raye says the offense will not change, perhaps there will be alterations to how he calls a game with his new toys.

Quarterback Alex Smith had a promising one-half showing against the Houston Texans, as he entered a game in which the 49ers trailed by three touchdowns at halftime. Smith threw for 206 yards and three touchdown passes to tight end Vernon Davis, but the 49ers still lost.

Now, Smith will start from the beginning of the 49ers’ game Sunday against the unbeaten Indianapolis Colts, and he’ll have Michael Crabtree, who appears more comfortable with his role as the team’s top wideout.

Raye said Smith enables the 49ers to become more of a drop-back passing team than Shaun Hill, who started the first six games of the season.

“He (Smith) is more comfortable in a drop situation, throwing the ball to all areas of the field, horizontally and vertical,” Raye said.

The 49ers broke training camp believing they would feature one of the top rushing attacks in the NFL. However, the 49ers’ ground game has been a major disappointment.

The club ranks 22nd in the league in rushing yards per game, and only two teams in the league — the Raiders and Cleveland Browns — have produced fewer first downs.

“We’re not going to be stubborn and try to jam a square peg into a round hole,” Raye said.

It might mean that the 49ers will become more of a passing team because of Smith’s arm, Crabtree’s arrival and the emergence of Davis, who leads the NFL with six touchdown catches.

The 49ers opened the game against the Texans in a three-wideout package that the club had used only for third downs in the first five games. But Hill was sacked on the first play, running back Frank Gore gained 2 yards on second down, and Hill threw incomplete to Davis on third down.

“I think it depends on the opponent that we’re playing,” Raye said.

Crabtree said the 49ers have the ability to be able to win games through the air or on the ground.

“We can be whatever we want to be,” he said. “I feel like we have the talent to do it. We have running backs, we have receivers. I think we have the full package. We just need to put things together and go out and execute.

Smith has not started an NFL game since the middle of the 2007 season. He said this is the best talent he’s had surrounding him since he came to the 49ers as the No.1 overall pick in 2005.

“In fact, I don’t think it’s very close,” Smith said. “I think we have a big opportunity in front of us with the guys that we have in this locker room and the guys that we have in this huddle. This team has a lot of depth and a lot of talent.”

EXTRA POINTS

Linebacker Takeo Spikes (right shoulder strain) did not practice Thursday and remains questionable for Sunday’s game. Spikes might not be needed much anyway. Because the Colts play a lot of three-receiver sets, the 49ers figure to be in their nickel package, which does not include Spikes.

Receiver Brandon Jones will suit up for Sunday’s game, and he’ll be used as a backup behind Crabtree at split end, coach Mike Singletary said.

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