49ers Blog and Q&A

Michael Crabtree held court today for the first time since Aug. 1, but the most significant thing about his five-minute interview Thursday happened at the 30-second mark. That's when Vernon Davis came up behind Crabtree and gave him a hug. "Hey, Michael. Good to see you, buddy," Davis said. All's well in the 49ers locker room .... right?

Asked about last week's argument with Davis, Crabtree offered about as much information as Davis did Thursday night. "Ah, man. That's just something inside, you know?" Crabtree said. "It's something I don't really want to talk about. Because it's not a problem. And by me talking about it, it's going to make it a problem, so ... It's nothing."

Crabtree missed a large chunk of training camp with a strained neck and he sat out all four preseason games. Earlier in the day, offensive coordinator Jimmy Raye said he had no concerns about Crabtree's knowledge of the offense. Crabtree will line up in the slot this season in addition to the split end position he played last year. Raye did say, however, that he didn't know how Crabtree's conditioning would be after missing so much time.

Crabtree said there should be no concern. "Like I said, we've done a lot up to this point," he said. "I'm feeling very comfortable. You can ask Alex (Smith) - we feel comfortable about what we're doing. Like I said, I'm just ready to go out and play."

Smith and Crabtree worked out together throughout the offseason, watching film and working on pass routes. Crabtree said the chemistry between receiver and quarterback is better than it was last season. He also declared his neck injury a "minor setback." "My neck's good," he said. "I'm ready to go. I'm 100 percent."

Odds & Ends

* Asked about Davis' leadership qualities, Raye said that Davis was perhaps a better leader through his actions than he was with words. "When he tries it with words, it can sometimes get a little out of bounds," Raye said.

• Defensive coordinator Greg Manusky said that Travis LaBoy would be part of a three-man rotation at outside linebacker with starters Parys Haralson and Manny Lawson. Ahmad Brooks (kidney) will not play in the game and it's questionable whether Diyral Briggs (concussion) will suit up.

• Asked whether he thought the Seahawks might pick on safety Reggie Smith, Manusky said, "Sure. I would." Smith is playing the No. 3 safety role Mark Roman played last year, and he likely will get plenty of action Sunday especially if the Seahawks go with three wide receivers. "Reggie's a good ball player," Manusky said. "He's starting to mature. Attack him. Go ahead. He's fine."

• Raye indicated that Brian Westbrook's hamstring injury last week has stunted his learning curve a bit and might limit what the 49ers can do with Westbrook Sunday.

* New quarterback Troy Smith already has changed lockers. Yesterday, he was next to Ted Ginn with the wide receivers. Today he was next to another former teammate, Alex Boone. Smith is still not with his fellow QBs, but the move puts him closer to the QB's section of the locker room.

-- Matt Barrows