Jack,

Musical chairs, chess, poker, pick an analogy, but in a one-week preparation scenario like this - as opposed to last Sunday when both SF and Atlanta had two weeks to refine their game plans - it's usually a fine-cut line that separates two teams. Setting native strength and talent aside, you never know which roster will have the ducks in the right row come kick-off. But I was struck by the confidence expressed by the Falcons' Weatherspoon in the game plan they have in place for this week. I can only assume it involves some combination of neutralizing Crabtree and/or Kaepernick, since those have been the 49ers' biggest offensive playmakers over the last three weeks. You're right, Crabtree has become a more dangerous player than he was a year ago at this time. But I haven't particularly liked how much he's become Kaepernick's favorite target so quickly. In some ways it's been great to see, because Kaepernick's proclivity to seek out Crabtree and throw him the ball has brought out something in Crabtree that wasn't quite as evident when Smith was selecting receivers - at least in terms of plays that result in TDs - but the sudden focus on this one receiver, with maybe Walker being the only alternative who comes close, has me worried about the effect on the offense if this target is taken out of commission.