49ers in no hurry to change offensive philosophy

<p>SANTA CLARA — Alex Smith's promotion and Michael Crabtree's arrival might lead to changes in the 49ers' approach, offensive coordinator Jimmy Raye said Thursday.</p><p>But, he cautioned, those adjustments will be made gradually.</p><p>In other words, do not expect the 49ers to line up in the shotgun formation with a spread attack for large portions of Sunday's game against the Tennessee Titans — or any upcoming game.</p><p>“(If) we were going to take this deal and become a shotgun, wide-open and throw the ball 48 or 52 times a game, then we'd have to do an awful lot of changing,” Raye said.</p><p>“The quarterback (Smith) has played six quarters, and people are now starting to refer to his history in that offense in college, which is five years removed. ... Going forward, if it is something that will help us, we'll gravitate toward that.”</p><p>Smith excelled his junior season at Utah in Urban Meyer's spread offense. The 49ers selected him with the No.1 overall pick in the 2005 draft. Upon coming to the NFL, he had to learn the basics — such as how to take a snap under center.</p><p>Coach Mike Singletary fired offensive coordinator Mike Martz at the conclusion of last season because he did not endorse Martz's offensive philosophy. Raye was hired because of his preference for a power-run game.</p><p>Smith said if the 49ers were going to be a team that utilized a spread offense as its main offensive package, the club would've had to installed that system in the offseason months.</p><p>“If there's no run threat, then I'd probably rather be in the gun,” Smith said. “But it's that balance we have with Frank (Gore) in the backfield and when you're under center. You give a defense multiple things to think about. They have to worry about if it is a run or pass. They have to be thinking about both things and that will help us.”</p><p>The 49ers' run game has been inconsistent this season. Raye blamed the lack of production on changes along the offensive line, coupled with Gore getting just one carry over a period of three games because of an ankle injury.</p><p>Crabtree has given the 49ers' offense an added element. He has 11 receptions for 137 yards in two games. But he is still catching up to learn the basics of the team's offense after his 71-day contract impasse.</p><p>“It's difficult because we're still, in certain things, trying to get No.15 (Crabtree) to line up in the right place,” Raye said. “There are more elements to it than just the physical body of the people we have. So there are a lot of things that go into that before we can say, ‘We're going to switch gears and go in another direction.'”</p><p><b>EXTRA POINTS</b></p><p>Speedy Titans quarterback Vince Young has been known to dash downfield for big chunks of yardage after a pass play breaks down. He might find himself in a footrace or two Sunday with 49ers linebacker Patrick Willis.</p><p>“You try to get your best athletes out on the field and have them matched up on certain guys,” 49ers defensive coordinator Greg Manusky said.</p><p>Linebacker Takeo Spikes (shoulder) did not practice, but is expected to return to the field today and be ready to play Sunday against the Titans. Safety Reggie Smith went through a full practice for the first time in more than a month and is expected to be available to play. Smith sustained a severely strained groin Sept.27 against the Minnesota Vikings.</p><p>With veteran defensive lineman Demetric Evans out three weeks with a shoulder injury, rookie Ricky Jean-Francois might see some action for the first time and Kentwan Balmer will get more playing time.</p><p>“We just want to rotate the best we can inside to keep the guys fresh,” Manusky said.</p><p>For more on the 49ers, go to Instant 49ers at http://blog.pressdemocrat.com/</p><p>49ers. You can reach Staff Writer Matt Maiocco via e-mail at matt.maiocco@pressdemocrat.com.</p>