NFL lockout would hit 49ers, others hardest

By Mike Sando

The San Francisco 49ers had grand plans for Michael Crabtree when the gifted Texas Tech receiver fell to them in the 2009 NFL draft.

Those plans took a detour when a contract dispute kept Crabtree away from the 49ers well into his rookie season. Now, another kind of dispute -- the one between the NFL and its players -- could block Crabtree and every other player from getting the offseason work they need to approach their potential.

The 49ers, sensitive to rules discouraging organized interaction between players and coaches during the labor dispute, have already shut down the informal coaching that often takes place this time of year. No meetings, no passing out playbooks, no hands-on instruction and possibly no shot at installing the new schemes that come with having a new staff. It only figures to get worse. An expiring labor agreement and potential lockout could wipe out offseason conditioning programs, minicamps and training camps, leaving teams scrambling if a deal does come together in time for the regular season.

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Cleveland, Denver, Carolina and San Francisco hired new head coaches from outside their organizations. These teams are starting over.

http://espn.go.com/blog/nfcwest/post/_/id/33836/nfl-lockout-would-hit-49ers-others-hardest

Only 4 paragraphs but interesting article that I think makes good points. I also read a lot of Mike Sando(He covers the NFC West).

Only David Carr is under contract. BTW, if training camp is curtailed or wiped-out it'll make the third one in-a-row Crabtree will have missed since being drafted. He held out in year one and was injured in year two.

that suggest 49ers resigning Smith is a high possibility because like you said, they only have Carr and could resign Smith if no other options are clear. No idea where that article is now though.