Michael Crabtree is star of Oakland Raiders camp

OAKLAND, Calif., Aug. 3 (UPI) -- In somewhat surprising news, former San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Michael Crabtree is the "star" of Oakland Raiders training camp.

Crabtree, 27, looked to be headed into the depths of an underwhelming NFL career. Crabtree totaled 4,327 yards, 26 touchdowns and 347 receptions in six seasons in San Francisco.

But he appears to be heading toward a revival, even upstaging flashy first-rounder Amari Cooper.

San Francisco Chronicle reporter Vic Tafur tweeted that "Cooper has been fine; Crabtree star of first 3 days."

Crabtree has held a consistency throughout the beginning of camp that was rarely seen in San Francisco.

"He stood out today, made some nice catches," coach Jack Del Rio told the Contra Costa Times on the first day of camp. "Mike's a proven player. I don't think we have to worry much about Mike, other than becoming a good teammate, getting himself in tiptop shape and being ready to have a great year."

Raiders quarterback Derek Carr is happy to have Crabtree and Cooper in an improved arsenal.

"It's just easy to throw to him," Carr told the Times. "And that's a credit to his route-running abilities, that's a credit to the extra work he put in in the off-season. That guy works his tail off. You can tell when he gets out here, because he makes it look so easy. He's making one-handed catches on go routes one foot off the ground like, 'Oh, I do that every day,' which he does."

Crabtree is under contract for one year and $3 million this season.