Niners may
lose Crabtree over contract dispute
Article &
photos by Andy Lopusnak of Bay Area Sports Drive
August 7, 2009
When Texas Tech star receiver Michael Crabtree fell to the tenth pick in
the 2009 NFL Draft this past April, the San Francisco 49ers quickly
selected the two-time Biletnikoff award winner. Fast forward almost two
weeks into training camp and Crabtree still isn’t signed. Now there are
threats from people in Crabtree’s inner circle that he might sit out the
entire 2009 season and re-enter the draft in 2010.
On Thursday (8/07), one of Crabtree’s associates, David Wells, told
ESPN.com
"we are prepared to (sit out the 2009 season). Michael just wants fair
market value. This week is crucial." Crabtree’s actual agent, Eugene
Parker, denied the allegations
In the NFL, a draft pick is traditionally slotted to get a certain amount
for their first contract based on draft position, with a gradual and
sometimes dramatic drop off from the very top of the draft. Georgia QB
Matthew Stafford, the number one selection, received a six-year,
$72-million deal from Detroit; while Darrius Heyward-Bey, who the Raiders
took just six picks later, received a five-year, $54-million deal. Players
drafted eight through 12 have yet to sign. The 13th pick, defensive end
Brian Orako, got a five-year, $20-million deal from the Washington
Redskins. Overall, eleven of the top 19 picks are still unsigned.
San Francisco has been without a 1,000-yard receiver since Terrell Owens
departed in 2003, so having Crabtree fall into the 49ers’ lap was perfect.
No collegiate player was as dominate as Crabtree over the past two
seasons. He caught 231 balls for 3,127 yards with 41 touchdowns. Compare
that with Heyward-Bey’s numbers over the same stretch (93 catches for
1,395 yards and eight TDs) and one can argue that Crabtree deserves more,
but Heyward-Bey was selected three slots earlier and got a higher contract
based on that number not his actual on-field performance.
Is the pay structure flawed? Absolutely, but that’s the way it is and
Crabtree should just take the millions that San Francisco is offering
based on being the tenth pick. He can prove it on the field and get a
bigger deal later.
If Crabtree does decide to sit out a year and re-enter the 2010 draft, the
49ers would retain his rights until draft day and Crabtree could not
contact any teams during this timeframe. The most notable player to sit
out a year and then re-enter the draft was running back Bo Jackson, the
1985 Heisman Trophy winner. He was selected with the first pick in the
1986 draft by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, but opted to play baseball instead
of playing for the 2-14 Bucs. A year later, he was drafted by the Los
Angeles Raiders in the seventh round and had a brief, but productive
four-year NFL career. Others have sat out a year, but none of them were
drafted higher they were the previous year. Sitting out a year will cost
Crabtree millions this year and there’s no way that he’d be picked earlier
than tenth next year, which would mean he’d be paid less anyway.
Check back with Bay Area Sports Drive for more on the Crabtree situation
and all your 49ers news.
--- BASD ---
