With Grissom gone, Willows (Marg Helgenberger) will be supervising the team, with assistance from "CSI3" (senior CSI) Nick Stokes (George Eads). Fishburne's character will be joining the team as a "CSI1" (baby CSI). As Carol put it, "[Willows and Stokes] are the natural people to lead the team."
Yea, because they are the natural people to lead the team.
Yes! Yes! Yes!!!!
On the other hand....why would Fishburne join the show if he's not going to be the major player??