(AP Photo/Paul Sakuma, File)
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Five years, $20 million base salary with $16 million guaranteed upon signing.
And somehow, that's not enough money for a player that hasn't done anything in the NFL to deserve such a paycheck.
And whatever paycheck Michael Crabtree wants for this year, it's not going to happen in Week 1. If Crabtree does not sign by the 49ers' first game of the season, that's a paycheck he will miss out on if he does eventually sign after that first game.
Each contract is paid in weekly increments. Crabtree's absence from the first week means that's one paycheck he will not get. The more weeks he misses, the more money he will not see.
Obviously, the holdout from Crabtree stems from his belief (along with agent Eugene Parker) that he deserves a lot more money than the initial offer by the 49ers. But the 49ers aren't willing to pay the rookie something he doesn't deserve.
And there's the rumor that Crabtree might sit out the entire season if he doesn't get that big contract.
If Crabtree does sit out until the entire season, he cannot participate in any other football related activities until next spring. And the 49ers have the right to trade him then. Crabtree could re-enter the draft, but the 49ers would probably have dealt him to some other team willing to pay wide receiver that kind of money way before the draft.
But what value do you get from a player coming off foot surgery and has been out of action for over a year? Not to mention all the baggage he carries with him. He won't see a contract offer like he has right now.
ESPN's Trent Dilfer said that he had a throwing session with Crabtree recently in the Bay Area. That must mean that Crabtree is around and probably has an intention to sign. But why hasn't he?
The 49ers opened training camp on Aug. 1 and Crabtree has not seen any action with the team since OTAs. There is a lot he is missing out from missing all that time. But the 49ers have made it clear that they weren't going to budge on their initial contract offer to Crabtree.
Head coach Mike Singletary has made it clear that the Crabtree situation is something he is not worried about. The 49ers have six wide receivers on their roster that want to play. The team is fortunate enough to have a collection of talent that have the potential to help them win. Crabtree absence doesn't make a huge difference at this point.
Maybe that's the reason why Crabtree doesn't want to sign. The staff doesn't want to think about him. The team will run for 60 percent of the time. The 49ers don't seem to want to make Crabtree a huge priority.
Deion Sanders might be right on the nose about how this all might go down.
There have been two teams that have contacted the San Francisco 49ers desiring a trade and who will pay this kid and he knows that."
Follow me on Twitter for updates. Check me out here @SLam49ers
Comments
Nothing more than Craptree to me right now, if he doesn't want to be a niner then I don't want him to be a niner. Lets get someone who does.
Crabtree wants to be a cowboy & he thinks Jerry Jones will draft him next year and sign him to a fat contract in a no cap year - he didnt want to be a raider so it shouldnt be a surprise he doesnt want to be a niner - he would if the money was right but with average money he'd rather wait and go to his ideal situation with dallas ... he's a self entitled little punk who wont earn it on the field anyway so whatever - karma will come back around bite him on the ... too bad - his fruity antics wouldve earned him a lot of fans in Frisco lol
I'm really disappointed in Crab, and this behavior I'm seeing is somewhat reminiscent of why he red-shirted in 2006. A former teammate of Crabtree's at Tech and family friend once commented: "He has all the talent in the world, but he's a self-centered (jerk) and not a good teammate."
I thought he had turned the corner with his breakout year in 2007 and showcasing his wicked skills nationally in back-to-back wins against Texas and Oklahoma State. Sad to see that my thoughts were wrong.
I guess once a thug always a thug. Bummer because I was really pulling for him and even bought some 49ers gear this year, hoping to follow the team closely.
Wish he could talk to a voice of reason (Leach maybe?) to get his head out of the sand and just sign. He's being brainwashed by an evil agent and an "advisor" (cousin) with a checkered past.
Here's hoping things turn around.
-DM
'99 Tech Alum
Great news! I never wanted the niners to draft Crabtree anyhow! Matt Maiocco also mentioned in a piece how Crabtree's attitude at spring training rubbed several people the wrong way. If we can get back a first round draft choice, and another pick or two, Ill be very happy.
They need to sign him and then trade him to the broncos for brandon marshall. Go 49ers 2009!!!!!!!!!!
Mendoza, I share your sentiments, but if the Niners did that they would have to pay a very sizable Cap Penalty the following year - so its probably not gonna happen...
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