San Francisco 49ers: Timeline of the Michael Crabtree-Alex Smith Rift

Michael Crabtree isn't afraid to speak his mind. As we recently discovered, neither is Alex Smith. The two have an ongoing string of passive aggressive comments that are fueling a quarterback vs wide receiver rift.

It's unclear whether or not Smith is going to be the quarterback in 2011, as he is not currently under contract. If his actions are any indication of his intentions though, he will take the offer that the 49ers have given him.

Going into the season with the No. 1 wideout and the quarterback at odds is not ideal. In case you haven't been paying attention to the rift, here is a timeline that lays everything out in chronological order.

"Mike Johnson Can't Throw the Ball" -Michael Crabtree

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SAN FRANCISCO - DECEMBER 14: Wide receiver Michael Crabtree #15 of the San Francisco 49ers stands on the field prior to their game against the Arizona Cardinals at Candlestick Park on December 14, 2009 in San Francisco, California. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Get

October 4th, 2010

After Jimmy Raye was let go from the 49ers, Mike Johnson stepped in as the new offensive coordinator. Johnson did not have the resounding effect on the game plan that fans were hoping for, but Michael Crabtree shot the blame elsewhere.

After the game, Crabtree stated, "[Johnson] got everybody the ball. Only thing is, Mike Johnson can't throw the ball."

It's hard not to see this as a direct shot at Smith's quarterback play. The 49ers were in the midst of an epic collapse. Publicly pointing fingers at the quarterback might not be the best way to turn around a struggling team.

"Great Question" -Alex Smith

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SANTA CLARA, CA - AUGUST 02: Alex Smith #11 works out during the San Francisco 49ers training camp at their training complex on August 2, 2010 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)

June 1st, 2011

At this point, the lockout is in full swing. If the 49ers are going to resist falling behind other teams who aren't installing a new playbook, player organized workouts are a necessity.

Players not taking part in player organized workouts were Frank Gore, Vernon Davis and Michael Crabtree. Davis and Gore get somewhat of a pass. They are both Pro Bowl caliber players and Gore is rehabbing a fractured hip. Davis even tweeted that he would be there on Monday for "Camp Alex".

So what about Crabtree? Smith told reporters, "Great question, asking the wrong guy."

Fans and reporters can speculate that there may be some animosity over Crabtree's absence, but hearing it from a player is completely different.

If this wasn't a rift before, this statement validated the tension.

"Who's the Quarterback?" -Michael Crabtree

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OAKLAND, CA - JANUARY 11: San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Michael Crabtree watches the Cleveland Cavaliers play against the Golden State Warriors at Oracle Arena on January 11, 2010 in Oakland, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and

June 6th, 2011

All eyes were on Michael Crabtree as he entered "Camp Alex." His presence alone would have been enough to alleviate some of the heat he has been taking.

Maybe working out in the Bay Area away from the team wasn't that big of a deal. Maybe he is going to be the No. 1 receiver the 49ers brought him in to be.

Before he could shake negative perceptions, he made sure to take a dig at Alex Smith.

When reporters asked him about building chemistry with the quarterback, Crabtree inquired, "Who is the quarterback?"

Reporters said they were speaking of Smith, and Crabtree still needed clarification. He asked, "He's the quarterback? I'm just asking."

As is commonplace in this strung-out feud, Crabtree backtracked a bit by saying:

"I wish I could tell you that. I know what you're all scratching at. I wish I could tell you who is going to be the quarterback. I don't know. I don't know. Whoever the quarterback is, I'm 100 percent down with it and I'm ready to go. That's it."

The media can make a mountain out of a molehill, especially in the offseason. Even so, it's hard to see what context this could be in if he wasn't taking a direct shot at Smith.