Stat Update - Bonehead of the Week: Week 1
by Revshawn on Sep 12, 2009 1:53 PM EDT
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PrintUpdate by Jaxon: It seems a key piece of info is needed to continue this discussion so I added the salary stats. After the jump I've added the salaries for the signed rookies around Crabtree so we can evaluate whether he has been given a fair deal. End Update
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Today is the beginning of a new season. Tonight the Tennessee Titans face off against the Pittsburgh Steelers, bringing together a clash of two of the best defenses in the league.
With this new beginning comes a new article series directly from me, Revshawn. The Bonehead of the Week. Throughout the season, there will be crimes committed, strange trades made, words said, insults thrown, rules broken, farts committed, and other such shenanigans that will have you scratching your head and wondering if all is right in the world. No matter how hard we try in life, we're only human. We're bound to make mistakes. However, some people are more 'human' than others. This article series is dedicated to them, the stupid ones in the NFL which make us laugh, cry, or otherwise become offended. Enjoy.
Now the first thing you may ask: Who would be worthy of such a title? Who would be stupid enough to earn this grand title before the regular season even begins? Well that's simple. The award for the first Bonehead of the Week belongs to none other than Michael Crabtree, #10 pick overall for the San Francisco 49ers.
Let me take you back to the NFL Draft. The Oakland Raiders are on the clock. The Raiders have a tremendous need at receiver. Michael Crabtree is kicking back, drinking his tea and waiting for his name to be called. He's ready to begin his NFL career. All of the training, all of the catches, all of the tremendous things he's done at Texas Tech are about to be paid off in a big way with a nice fat rookie contract.
Oh yes he's proud. Why shouldn't he be? He came into college football and became a 1st team All-American his freshman season. He was the Big 12 Offensive Newcomer of the Year, and took over all the Texas Tech records in only his 2nd year. He broke the NCAA record for receptions by a freshman. Why, he even made it to the front of NCAA 2010, the video game. Yes, he's on top of the world and soon it's going to get even better. Any moment now the Raiders are going to call his name, and he's going to be recognized as the best wideout in the NFL Draft. What a wonderful day this would be.
Then all of the sudden, life slows down to a whimper. He watches the slip of paper being placed into the eager hands of Roger Goodell. He watches as he lifts his voice to speak. "With the 7th pick in the 2009 NFL Draft. The Oakland Raiders select Darrius Heyward-Bey, WR from Maryland."
Do whaaaa? Who the heck is this guy? No one has ever heard of him before. No one has ever seen him before. No one knows that he even exists. How the hell could the Raiders think that this unknown is better than him? How could anyone but he be the best receiver in the NFL Draft?
So he's filled with envy. This unknown guy stole his spotlight. All of his hard work, all of his natural ability, everything he did at Texas Tech was thrown away in a single moment simply because of a random guy and his 40 time. How dare they? How dare they shame him in front of the entire NFL? He deserves better than this.
So the San Francisco 49ers select Michael Crabtree as the 10th pick, three picks later. The 49ers thought they had received the steal of the NFL Draft. Head coach Mike Singletary said, "Of all the draft scenarios we had gone over, taking Michael Crabtree at #10 was near the bottom of the list."
What they got instead was a irritated wideout whom was butthurt he wasn't picked by the Raiders. He demanded that the 49ers sign him to a large contract, while the 49ers wanted to sign him to the usual money that #10 picks get in the draft. Never mind he could opt for a smaller contract and get the big bucks if he showed he had the talent, he deserved his money! Like a oversized child, he seemed to throw a fit. "I want my money! And if I don't get it, I won't play for your stupid team and I'll enter the 2010 NFL Draft! Haha! I win!" That seemed to be his argument, even though it was completely stupid.
Yes! Never mind that there is going to be a solid draft for wide receivers and talent in general in 2010. Never mind he's going to have a whole year of football he missed out on. This guy is convinced that a team will feel sorry for him because the mean old Raiders passed on him at the #7 pick. He is convinced he's going to be a top 5 player next year, and he's willing to put his entire career on the line to serve those ends. With the regular season just around the corner, his contract situation is still unresolved.
That's a good enough reason for me to make him Bonehead of the Week. Congratulations Michael Crabtree.
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1. Detroit - QB, Matthew Stafford, Georgia - Signed (6-years, $72 million; $41.7 million guaranteed)
2. St. Louis - OT, Jason Smith, Baylor - Signed (5-years, $62M max; $33M guaranteed)
3. Kansas City - DE, Tyson Jackson, LSU - Signed (5-years, $57M; $31M guaranteed)
4. Seattle - LB, Aaron Curry, Wake Forest - Signed (6-years, $60M; $34M guaranteed)
5. NY Jets (fr. CLE) - QB, Mark Sanchez, USC - Signed (5-years; $50.5M real/$60M max; $28M guaranteed)
6. Cincinnati - OT, Andre Smith, Alabama - Signed (4-years, $26M; $21M guaranteed)
7. Oakland - WR, Darrius Heyward-Bey, Maryland - Signed (5-years, $38.25M real/$54M max; $23.5M guaranteed)
8. Jacksonville - OT, Eugene Monroe, Virginia - Signed (5-years, $35.4M; $19.2M guaranteed)
9. Green Bay - DT, B.J. Raji, Boston College - Signed (5-years, $28.5M; $17.7M guaranteed)
10. San Francisco - WR, Michael Crabtree, Texas Tech
11. Buffalo - DE, Aaron Maybin, Penn State - Agreed to terms (5-years, $24.6M: $14.24M guaranteed)
Here's Crabtree's offer:
Crabtree has turned down the 49ers’ reported offer of $20 million over five years, with $16 million guaranteed. Wide receivers are divas, understood.
Analysis: So if Crabtree has been offered a 5 yr deal with $20M $16M guaranteed that would mean he has been offered more than the 8th pick and just 15% less than the WR Heyward-Bey at #7. What am I missing? he's been offered guaranteed money right between the two players drafted before and after him. The total of $20M though is low comparatively so he a bit of a bitch there. I would think they are close enough to meet in the middle.
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Can't argue with you there Revshawn...
It’s got to be one of the biggest boneheaded moves in NFL history!! If he enters the 2010 draft, I doubt he’s picked b4 the 2nd round and could concievably (sp?) slip even further. GM’s have short memories and will not have seen him do anything for over a year.
He better sign w/the niners and do it quickly. Even if he does, he’ll probably be ineffective this year b/c of all the time he’s already missed. It irks me b/c the 49ers were my surprise team for this year. w/out him…not so sure.
short memories
Everyone saw the way he handled this offseason and won’t want the headache of a diva WR that he appears we will be.
if he doesnt sign
with the 9ers his career could be over…but then again mike vick has a job so u never know
JAKE IS THE BEST OPTION FOR CAROLINA FOR THE NEXT 2 OR THREE YEARS GET OVER IT!!! AND JULIUS PEPPERS IS THE BEST DE IN THE NFL 100% EFFORT OR NOT!!! PERIOD! WE CANT DO ANY BETTER SO SHUT THE F#@K UP
Can Shawn Merriman get an honorable mention?
Nothing says ‘Hey we’re getting ready for the season’ than an off the field controversy with a reality TV star!
Maybe Merriman should have talked to Lendale White earlier and gotten tips on how to give up tequila.
+1
This would have been my nomination too… Just some friendly advice for ya Shawne from the ole Doc here…. Don’t EVER mess with a woman whose nickname it Tequilla. Trying to invite one of the biggest attention whores on the planet into a four-some (yes him and 2 girls were already going at it) where she isn’t the center of attention is just plain boneheadded. Now his business is splashed all over the news and he may be in trouble with the league… Not to be outdone in boneheaddedness is the way he was arrested. Tila performed a citizens arrest on him… Can anyone picture her hopping up and down and shouting “CITIZENS ARREST CITIZENS AREST!” like Gomer Pyle ?
Boneheadded….
(BTW – I love the column RevShawn – this is the kind of thing I would write!)
Was it ever established?
Did he choke her with his hands, or something else??
Stupid that she was there
But Merriman is definitely the victim here. He tried to stop a drunk (maybe naked) woman from driving home, and she proved that she was a complete loony.
If trying to initiate foursomes is wrong, I don’t want to be right.
by the bomb dot com on Sep 10, 2009 7:10 PM EDT up reply actions
I'll tell you what's wrong...
Trying to initiate a foursome without a bodyguard or witness nearby.
What will it take before players learn from the Kobe/Roethlisberger situations? Merriman is lucky that he’s only being charged with trying to restrain her.
I don't blame Crabtree
For rookies this first contract could be your only chance in life to negotiate big money. Of course he you play really well you get another opportunity. But SanFran is a run first team. Crabtree knows he might not be in a good situation to prove himself. So his stance is either pay me now, or I’ll take my chances on possibly going to a team with more passing opportunities next year. So it’s not just about the draft position. He’s thinking about future contracts also. That is smart.
on behalf of tha dirty south: soul food, carolina blue, southern hospitality, and tha queen city
by southtunnel on Sep 10, 2009 12:01 PM EDT via mobile reply actions
I fully blame Crabtree
Like it or not, he was the #10 pick in the draft and the payscale for WR’s was set by Darius Heyward-Bey. Why should he be demanding more money simply because he believes he’s a better player. While I agree that he will be the better pro, now is the time for humility.
The diva WR is starting to be frowned upon, now more than ever, and especially in this economy. Like it or not that also plays a factor particularily in a player’s public image and marketability. I don’t think he’s being forward looking. If he signed the deal for less than Heyward-Bey and made his impact on the field the amount of additional revenue streams from local and national endorsements would put him far over the top. As it stands, he is looking like a spoilt, petulant child whining to his parents that he’s not getting enough allowance.
Even if the 49ers finally cave and give him the money he wants his image has been severely damaged and he will need to work hard to improve his public image to get those advertising dollars. As for ‘taking his chances going to a team with more passing opportunities’; where exactly would he like to go? The 49ers will most likely be looking at getting a 1st round QB next year, especially with two first round picks. If the niners land a Bradford, McCoy or Snead then Crabtree could be lined up to form a very potent future offense. He could be part of a Manning/Harrison-esque combination, who knows? As it stands now he’s willing to go to an established team and get buried, or worse end up on a team like Oakland.
The biggest problem in the NFL right now is the rookie contract situation. There is no way, shape or form a rookie should be making 3-4 times the amount of a 5 year veteran, add to this holdouts and drama and Crabtree has proven what’s wrong with the system. He needs to shut up and play ball.
Here’s another angle. Maybe he’s afraid, too afraid to play in the NFL. Perhaps his dominating game wont be able to translate to the pros. Last time I checked the vast majority of rookie’s who hold out for significant time are normally busts (see Cedric Benson) perhaps Crabtree wants to cash in while he can because he knows the second contract will be far less. Who knows?
by James Dator on Sep 10, 2009 12:18 PM EDT up reply actions
What he should of done
was to suck it up and take the money the 49ers were gonna give him but only agree to a 1 year deal. That allows him to prove himself to get paid what the 7th gets paid and he can get a new contract after he actually does something other than sit on his ass expecting more money. He doesn’t realize that being out for an entire year will only knock him down in the draft even MORE plus with all the negative attitude and diva’sh behavior, he will be lucky to have a job! And hopefully then he’ll appreciate it. I have no time for these childish antics. I’m sure it would take me years to make what he would be making in his “lousy” contract he refuses.
In life, as in a football game, the principle to follow is: Hit the line hard.
-Theodore Roosevelt
You guys completely miss the point
It has nothing to do with draft position, or how much his current position should be paid. He doesn’t want to play for SanFran because he won’t have the opportunity to prove himself. If he goes to a team that utilizes receivers a lot, then regardless of his draft position or salary, he can make a name for himself and get a huge 2nd contract. But if he’s stuck in a place where receivers can’t shine then he won’t have the money now or later. Get it?
on behalf of tha dirty south: soul food, carolina blue, southern hospitality, and tha queen city
by southtunnel on Sep 10, 2009 4:08 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions
I understand your position, but virulently disagree
What’s the point of the draft at all if players should be able to choose where they want to go out of college? Right? They should all be able to pick where they should sign.
So he doesn’t want to play where recievers can’t shine? I see that as a very slippery slope if his behavior is condoned. What’s next?
“I can’t get my advertising dollars in a small market like Carolina” or “I was born in Californina… I’ll only play for a team on the West Coast”
It could get more and more ludicrious. Crabtree should shut up and play… if Calvin Johnson can look like an all pro with Detroit’s QB debacles since he’s been in the league then I’m sure Crabtree can survive San Francisco.
Sorry to double post... but
But if he’s stuck in a place where receivers can’t shine then he won’t have the money now or later
Since when was $20 million guaranteed “Not getting the money now” lets put this is perspective a little.
No doubt he's taking a huge risk
But you must admit that if the guy is willing to turn down 20Mil and a year’s salary, that it is obviously NOT about the money. He wants to go somewhere where they will help him become a star. And he’s willing to risk a lot to make that happen… that’s pretty ballsy!
And there are tons of examples where players aren’t able to play to their potential because of the system they are in. Why do you think Chicago fans think Moose sucks, but in Carolina we love him?
on behalf of tha dirty south: soul food, carolina blue, southern hospitality, and tha queen city
No doubt its ballsy...
But I disagree that it isn’t about the money. If the 49ers were willing to pay him more than DHB then he’d be in camp right now.
As for the Moose analogy: I think there is a big difference between bringing in a 10 year veteran as an FA and a rookie. As for Moose’s trouble in Chi-town. How much of that was the system, and how much of that was on Rex Grossman being the starting QB? Moose is the same reciever.
And even if we are to believe it is ‘the system’ then Crabtree hasn’t taken one snap… not one. Who is he to decide which system he should be in? In order to be ballsy you need to have balls and right now he’s whining like he’s been nuetered.
Strong words I know… but I have no respect for divas… none at all. Imagine our troubles right now if D-Will and J-Stew were divas and both bitching about their carries, or if D-Will was bitching about J-Stew making more money than him
And as Deion Sanders, Marshall Faulk, Steve Young and other hall-of-fame athletes have said
SanFran is not the place that will help him become a receiver that can earn the money later…
on behalf of tha dirty south: soul food, carolina blue, southern hospitality, and tha queen city
by southtunnel on Sep 10, 2009 11:08 PM EDT up reply actions
Well... it's a pity he got drafted by San Fran
He’s being a little bitch, just like Eli was. The only difference was the Chargers caved to Eli (pity the Giants got the better end of the deal).
If Crabtree didn’t like the way the draft was set up then he should have gone to the CFL. He could have chosen his team there.
I don’t want to hear about how ‘this is his only chance to make real money’… boo freakin’ hoo. Oh no! $20 million isn’t enough! If paid in installments that’s $307,000 a year until he turns 85 years old. The average median income in this country is right around $27,000 per year. So that ‘real money’ card is obscene.
I personally don’t care… let him ruin his career. If Calvin Johnson can make his name on an 0-16 Lions team, then Crabtree should be able to survive in San Francisco… it’s obscene to think otherwise.
by James Dator on Sep 10, 2009 11:27 PM EDT up reply actions
Don't blame Crabtree, blame the league
Until a player signs, it is all business… And a successful business gets as much as they can. This is just like the Pep thing. I never blame a player for trying to get as much as they can… Most of us would do the same. If the NFL doesn’t like it then they should install a rookie scale.
on behalf of tha dirty south: soul food, carolina blue, southern hospitality, and tha queen city
by southtunnel on Sep 10, 2009 11:59 PM EDT up reply actions
When you get drafted you get hired....
from there you just need to work out the terms. In the case of Pep the franchise tag rules are built into the NFL by laws. He signed the tender, no harm, no foul.
The 49ers are offering Crabtree more than fair compensation for a player selected as the second WR and #10 pick in the draft. His agent has had since April 26th to work out a deal, but is adamant to the point of hurting his agent and hold the drafting team hostage.
There are 32 teams in the league. Not every player can go exactly where they want, but Crabtree has behaved like a petulent child since he was drafted and has been incredibly classless throughout this whole situation.
by James Dator on Sep 11, 2009 12:51 AM EDT up reply actions
So if you were offered a job...
For a position that you didn’t think would help you grow in your career, and for less money than you thought you were worth… You would just suck it up and take the job?
A smart business man weigh their options and risk it if they felt they could do better. The amount is relative. You dont take 50K if you think you cam get 55K, you don’t take 20M if you think you can get 25M… UNLESS the position is beneficial enough to compensate for the money. Pro Athletes don’t all have to be dumb jocks.
on behalf of tha dirty south: soul food, carolina blue, southern hospitality, and tha queen city
by southtunnel on Sep 11, 2009 10:20 AM EDT via mobile up reply actions
You know, if I was still a kid fresh out of college and I had the option between making zero money and some money
I’d take some money, any day of the week. The regular business world is not the NFL. Crabtree knew that there was a possiblity he could be taken by a poor team.
Sorry kid, you can’t have your cake and eat it too. You either go to a great team and make less money, or you’re a top 10 pick and you go to a poor team.
I find it fascinating that his concerns didn’t get voiced before the draft… he waited until after he was picked. If he was that concerned about his future team then he should have said ‘I won’t sign a rookie contract for any team that was less than .500 last season’ but no, he wanted it both ways.
Basically he defrauded the league.
by James Dator on Sep 11, 2009 12:42 PM EDT up reply actions
The real loser here will be the 49ers
Next year Crabtree will either be in a better or worse situation, but he will be somewhere. SanFran should have been happy they landed the top receiver in the draft, paid him and got to work… But instead they wall away with NOTHING. They are the real bonehead.
on behalf of tha dirty south: soul food, carolina blue, southern hospitality, and tha queen city
by southtunnel on Sep 11, 2009 3:17 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions
What happens to the team if you cave?
If you allow a player to hold your team hostage before the season starts what does that tell the team about your front office?
Would Brandon Marshall be acting up now if the Broncos didn’t cave to Cutler?
It tells the team
That we will pay our players a lot of money. Players get unreasonably big contracts all the time. But not negotiating the players value tells the team you care more about saving a buck.
on behalf of tha dirty south: soul food, carolina blue, southern hospitality, and tha queen city
by southtunnel on Sep 11, 2009 5:42 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions
What exactly is Crabtree's value?
A wide receiver who was injured and couldn’t participate in the combine. Where is the value in that?
You can’t negotiate based on theories and potential, you can only negotiate based on tangibles. In this case the tangible is Heyward-Bey; he set the standard for what a WR should be paid in the 2009 draft and was deemed by a team in the NFL to be more valuable than Crabtree. It doesn’t matter if you, or I, or Mel Kiper thinks he’s better… for that first contract the negotiating point has to be less that DHB.
You are correct
Crabtree was offered 20Mil, Heyward-Bey signed for 38Mil/54 max… and his guaranteed is more than Crabtree’s whole offer. The argument Deion made is that even if SanFran would meet Crabtree half way, they would still have Crabtree at a steal, but they won’t budge… So they lose a draft pick and get nothing for it.
on behalf of tha dirty south: soul food, carolina blue, southern hospitality, and tha queen city
I heard that Crabtree's offer was:
$20 mil guaranteed and highly incentive laden that could reach $58 million, but he declined because he didn’t think SF could reach the incentive targets.
by James Dator on Sep 12, 2009 10:34 AM EDT up reply actions
I think SF is a good place for him.
1. He has Jerry Rice around to help him develop and train with in the off-season
2. SF may suck this year and he could end up with Sam Bradford, Colt McCoy or Jevan Snead next year
3. He would be the unquestioned #1WR on a run first team sure, how did that work out for Steve Smith, Roddy White, or Michael Irvin? If he truly wants to cash in on his second contract, then he needs to stop worrying about this silly current contract request and start improving as a football player. If he is a good player, then he will produce and then and ONLY then will he get a fat 2nd contract!!
Will Parker
by WillParker81 on Sep 10, 2009 11:18 PM EDT up reply actions
Steve Smith? Michael Irvin? Are you kidding me???
John Fox loves to throw the ball down field. Steve Smith can easily amass 100 yards on only 3 catches. And Irvin had freakin’ Troy Aikman throwing to him!
on behalf of tha dirty south: soul food, carolina blue, southern hospitality, and tha queen city
by southtunnel on Sep 10, 2009 11:39 PM EDT up reply actions
No I am not kidding you!!! :-)
All of those WR had some commonalities.
1. They are/were in run first offenses
2. They are/were GREAT football players
“John Fox loves to throw the ball down field.”
Well, I would say that Fox LOVES to run the ball and is happy to pass successfully. What makes Singeltary any different? Show me where ole’ big eyes said he does not want to throw the ball down field.
Will Parker
by WillParker81 on Sep 10, 2009 11:46 PM EDT up reply actions
SanFran's former hall-of-fame QB called their current passing attack "mediocre"
on behalf of tha dirty south: soul food, carolina blue, southern hospitality, and tha queen city
by southtunnel on Sep 10, 2009 11:55 PM EDT up reply actions
Well, adding a top 10 WR will surely help.
Will Parker
by WillParker81 on Sep 12, 2009 3:09 PM EDT up reply actions
A WR can't shine in SF?
I think a WR can shine anywhere if he’s good enough. Calvin Johnson shined in Detroit. Smitty shines in a run-oriented offense in Carolina. Why not take it to an arbitrator? If only they could right? Here’ s my answer:
Rookie Salary Scale
I blog the Carolina Panthers at www.catscratchreader.com
I disagree. I fully blame Crabtree.
He is asking for top 5 $ for a top 10 pick. That comes out to tens of millions of dollars. Plus if he waits unil next year, then he loses the money he would have gotten this year. Finally, he will get picked MUCH lower next year and lose even more $. This is an all around stupid move.
Will Parker
by WillParker81 on Sep 10, 2009 11:06 PM EDT up reply actions
Please provide a link of him asking for that
Or at least of somebody who knows him quoting him on that.
on behalf of tha dirty south: soul food, carolina blue, southern hospitality, and tha queen city
by southtunnel on Sep 10, 2009 11:14 PM EDT up reply actions
Sorry, he isn't demanding top 5$, but top WR or top 6$.
He wants to be the highest paid WR in the draft.
http://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/news?slug=dw-michaelcrabtree080609&prov=yhoo&type=lgns
Will Parker
by WillParker81 on Sep 10, 2009 11:30 PM EDT up reply actions
This is written a month ago quoting profootballtalk.com
And profootballtalk.com is the same site I quoted above who is now saying it is because of SanFran’s “mediocre passing attack”.
Moreover, Crabtree’s cousin’s quote doesn’t mention any numbers.
on behalf of tha dirty south: soul food, carolina blue, southern hospitality, and tha queen city
by southtunnel on Sep 10, 2009 11:50 PM EDT up reply actions
I guess...
that Crabtree is going to opt out of the NFL Players Association too, since they sanctioned the rookie pay scale that he has disagreements with. Remember the last player that did that? Lavar Arrington Yeah where is he now?
Sorry...
Lavar Arrington opted out of the Union and then later tried to claim the Redskins contract was unfair and negotiated in bad faith…his agent didn’t read the contract properly and was later banned by the Union. etc. etc. Of course I think a motorcycle accident really was teh reason his career ended.
I was wondering who you would go with here in week 1
Good pick. In my book $20M is better than 0$M. Just because the Raiders overpaid Heyward-Bey doesn’t mean the 49ers are now obligated to do the same. I hope he does sit out the season and the NFL implements a rookie salary scale that give him about $1M a season. Then how stupid would he look?
I blog the Carolina Panthers at www.catscratchreader.com
He won't look stupid at all
If he goes to a team that helps him become a star, because down the road his value will soar.
Everyone assumes that this is about draft position and money. But those close to him have said it’s really about going to receiver friendly team, which SanFran is not!
on behalf of tha dirty south: soul food, carolina blue, southern hospitality, and tha queen city
by southtunnel on Sep 10, 2009 4:13 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions
I disagree
Look at Megatron last year- the guy had a rotating cast of inept also-rans throwing the ball his way and still had a monster year. I don’t care what NFL team you play for or what scheme they run, if you’re the #1 WR, you’re going to get a ton of grabs, regardless of who is slinging the ball.
Like the Aussie said, he’s hurting his endorsement potential, (potentially) taking away a year of his football life (finite), stunting his own development (remember the last guys who spent a year out of football following college? how are Clarett and Mike Williams doing, btw?), falling further down a draft board, conjuring little support or sympathy in the eyes of fans (of any team) during this economic climate, playing right into the “diva” receiver stereotype, and all for what?
The chance to either a) get a contract in line with what DHB got (which obviously included the “I have to play for Al Davis/ a psychopath” pay bump) or b) re-enter the draft next year to go to another team not as desperate for WR help.
I’m sorry, but I don’t think Crabtree is as principled as you seem to. Like another poster said, if the contract was the same as DHB’s, there isn’t a chance he would walk away.
This guy is far and away the bonehead of the week.
by the bomb dot com on Sep 10, 2009 10:08 PM EDT up reply actions
The players that know him all say the same thing
A rookie’s contract is often their only chance to negotiate real money. And unless he becomes a star receiver, he will probably never have this leverage again… in his entire life! And Deion Sanders, Marshall Faulk, and others all say that SanFran is NOT the place that will help him develop into that big time receiver.
Maybe it is boneheaded, but regarding his motivation… I tend to listen to them before I do all the loofy, sports analyst that say anything just to boost their ratings.
on behalf of tha dirty south: soul food, carolina blue, southern hospitality, and tha queen city
by southtunnel on Sep 10, 2009 10:50 PM EDT up reply actions
Add Steve Young to that list
But who cares what these guys who have “been there and done that” say, let’s just take the word of the money hungry media.
on behalf of tha dirty south: soul food, carolina blue, southern hospitality, and tha queen city
by southtunnel on Sep 10, 2009 11:13 PM EDT up reply actions
Ever heard the term "where receivers go to die"?
Crabtree is just trying to avoid going to one of those teams. Because it doesn’t matter how good you are if nobody will throw to you.
If he has to “die” there then he wants the money. But if he has to take less money then he wants to go somewhere where he can prove himself.
If a pass happy team like the Saints would have picked him, he’d have been signed long ago.
on behalf of tha dirty south: soul food, carolina blue, southern hospitality, and tha queen city
by southtunnel on Sep 10, 2009 4:19 PM EDT via mobile reply actions
all about money
The man has never said that he wanted more money to deal with lack of WR star power with the 49er’s, but that he is a better player then Heywood-Bey and deserves more money. If this was about playing time and throws his way he would say he would never play for this team even if they gave him a better contract then Stanford. No he said he would play for $10million more. This is about leverage and money, and a kid who never learned that his life is no more important then anyone elses off the field.
by bleed_in_blue on Sep 10, 2009 8:02 PM EDT up reply actions
He never said he deserves more money than Heywood-Bey
That is just what all the sports pundits have been saying. The athletes that know him have said it is about his career and not about how much he deserves now. We should be more careful about who we listen to.
on behalf of tha dirty south: soul food, carolina blue, southern hospitality, and tha queen city
by southtunnel on Sep 10, 2009 10:34 PM EDT up reply actions
Politely disagree on this one ST
This is a rookie’s one chance to get overpaid for his services. I don’t see JaMarcus Russell giving any of his salary back. Play a season, kick ass, and then you can negotiate on more than potential.
I blog the Carolina Panthers at www.catscratchreader.com
If you guys haven't noticed, I don't usually agree with the status quo
So please forgive me if I’m not always on board with the popular opinion.
on behalf of tha dirty south: soul food, carolina blue, southern hospitality, and tha queen city
It makes it fun to argue...
But I don’t buy that any one player is more important than a team. In a perfect world he’d re-enter the draft and the niners would draft his ass again and offer him $100K guaranteed.
I’m aware that will never happen though.
by James Dator on Sep 10, 2009 11:29 PM EDT up reply actions
It's all about the team
After you sign the contract. Try that in a business meeting… Um, lets not try to negotiate more money with our client, because it’s really all about the industry.
on behalf of tha dirty south: soul food, carolina blue, southern hospitality, and tha queen city
by southtunnel on Sep 11, 2009 12:02 AM EDT up reply actions
There's negotiation, and then there's attempted extortion.
Which of these sound more applicable to the Crabtree situation:
negotiation/
1. mutual discussion and arrangement of the terms of a transaction or agreement: the negotiation of a treaty.
extortion/
1. to wrest or wring (money, information, etc.) from a person by violence, intimidation, or abuse of authority; obtain by force, torture, threat, or the like.
by James Dator on Sep 11, 2009 12:52 PM EDT up reply actions
Are implying crabtree
Was violent, tortured or threatened somebody? I haven’t heard anything about that.
All I know is the real bonehead “the 49ers” could have had the best receiver in the draft, something they desperately need, but instead they threw their pick away. They needed him more then he needed them. They will be the biggest loser.
on behalf of tha dirty south: soul food, carolina blue, southern hospitality, and tha queen city
by southtunnel on Sep 11, 2009 3:24 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions
The commas indicate different possibilities in that definition.
No, he wasn’t violent or using torture but can you deny he has threatened the team (re-entering the draft) or intimidated them (holding out)?
Obviously they don’t need him more than he needs them, if they did they would have caved to Crabtree. Last time I checked the 49ers will still be making millions in shared league revenue… how much in NFL dollars will Crabtree be making by sitting on his ass?
Tell me whose the loser.
I think you are really stretching this one
He didn’t do anything he’s not allowed to do. And please, Steve Young is calling his former team’s passing game mediocre… And you are saying they didn’t need the best receiver in the draft? And that they can afford to throw away draft picks? We are talking about the 49ers right?
on behalf of tha dirty south: soul food, carolina blue, southern hospitality, and tha queen city
by southtunnel on Sep 11, 2009 5:47 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions
Steve Young is being an objective analyst.
You have DeAngelo as your avatar. When he came into the league our O-Line was pretty mediocre too. Should he have held out because our running game was ‘mediocre’?
Crabtree is being part of the problem, not the solution for the future of the passing game. They drafted Nate Davis to push their incumbants, drafted a WR in Crabtree. Building a team takes time. I’ve said it again and again and you haven’t had a counter for this:
Calvin Johnson was 10 times the talent Crabtree is when he went to the Lions. The Cardinals were aenimic when Fitzgerald was drafted. These two players became regarded as top NFL recievers by battling through bad situations and prevailing. Perhaps Crabtree knows he doesn’t have what it takes to be a fighter, who knows.
The 49ers spent a #7 overall draft pick on a guy
assuming he would negotiate in good faith.
I blog the Carolina Panthers at www.catscratchreader.com
#10
A rookie pay scale would fix all of this, it is simple, X position gets Y amount total, Z amount guranteed, at W spot. Example, a QB gets $40 million total, $18 million guranteed, when picked at the #1 overall slot. There would be discussion over the numbers, but I think it would work really well.
by Flowing Willow on Sep 13, 2009 3:12 AM EDT up reply actions
Here is my opinion.
Here are Michael Crabtree’s options.
1. He can sign his 20 million contract and play for the 49ers.
2. He can negociate for a shorter contract simply because he does not want to play for the 49ers.
3. He can demand that a team trade for his rights.
What he cannot do is sit out the entire season and expect another team to pay for TO 2.0. Southtunnel, you keep saying that San Fransisco is not a place where he will be able to live up to his talent. I say that he’s not going to live up to anything if he doesn’t get on the football field.
In addition there are several cases where wideouts have succeeded in spite of their QB play. ((See Megatron, Andre Johnson, and arguably Steve Smith))
The sad fact of the matter is that most teams that reach the pinnacle top of the draft usually don’t have a very strong QB. The teams with the franchise QB’s are at the bottom of the draft winning Super Bowls and earning playoff runs. I’m sure that even a player with Crabtree’s intelligence can figure that out. Barring a trade, he’s not going to end up with one of those teams, period.
No, he’s just butthurt because a unknown wideout was taken in front of him, and he thinks that he deserves to be paid that money. Tell the 49ers that they’ll have to pay him that much before they draft him a few months ago, and I can promise you they would have never touched him. He wants his money.
Ask any veteran on the field how they feel about the rookie payscales to begin with. They’ll tell you that it’s rediculous. In addition to all the harm he’s doing for his career, he’s not earning any popularity with players around the league for throwing a tantrum.
He is a bonehead.
"Once again the trowsers of evil are yanked down by the mocking hands of justice!"-Revshawn
There are no rookie payscales
That is why the players don’t mind… they blame the league not each other.
I guess you’ll also have to admit that Marshall Faulk, Steve Young and Deion Sanders are all also boneheads for supporting his position.
on behalf of tha dirty south: soul food, carolina blue, southern hospitality, and tha queen city
by southtunnel on Sep 11, 2009 12:07 AM EDT up reply actions
Of the ones you listed, Deion Sanders has been the most supportive of him.
He also shares the same agent, which means he’s in cahoots with him. I listened to him make his comments on ESPN and he sounded more like an apologist from the Crabby camp than a guy thinking in dollars, cents, and good common sense. He’s going to take the side of his agent just to help him out. And for every supporter you can find, I guarantee you I could find ten unsupporters both in the field of journalism and fans alike.
But everyone is entitled to their own opinion. I just thought I would point that out really quick. Same agents=same side.
"Once again the trowsers of evil are yanked down by the mocking hands of justice!"-Revshawn
So who's the bigger bonehead?
The 49ers or Crabtree?
Crabtree wanted more than what his draft position calls for. Now he will make either more or less next year, with a better or worse suited team.
SanFran needed a receiver, had the best one in the draft at a position he shouldn’t have been at. Yet instead of paying his value, they were stubborn about only paying a draft position. and Now they walk away with nothing.
on behalf of tha dirty south: soul food, carolina blue, southern hospitality, and tha queen city
by southtunnel on Sep 11, 2009 3:33 PM EDT via mobile reply actions
They retain an intact locker room.
That is far more important than one WR… see my above comments regarding Denver.
Marshal and Crabtree
Are going through 2 completely different situations. Marshal doesn’t have any leverage but to act like a fool, Crabtree is working within his full rights. No comparison.
Lol. I think me and you are the only ones still checking this :)
on behalf of tha dirty south: soul food, carolina blue, southern hospitality, and tha queen city
by southtunnel on Sep 11, 2009 5:52 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions
I think so too... but its a fun debate!
Marshall’s concern is the same one you’re using for Crabtree… that the changing of the guard in Denver combined with the departure of Cutler will adversely effect his future contracts. San Fran didn’t do anything to make their passing offense worse in the offseason, on the contrary they improved. Meanwhile Denver went from have one of the best QB situations in the NFL to one of the worst in six months.
The Broncos need Marshall far more than the 49ers need Crabtree. The niners know what their offense is without Crabtree, the Broncos did not count on being without their probowl WR.
The fact Marshall is a proven probowl caliber player gives him more leverage. They still need to include him in their 53 to have any chance of the playoffs.
by James Dator on Sep 12, 2009 12:33 AM EDT up reply actions
Marchall is property of the Broncos
Crabtree is not. He has full rights to make his own decisions, even if it seems unorthodox.
on behalf of tha dirty south: soul food, carolina blue, southern hospitality, and tha queen city
by southtunnel on Sep 12, 2009 10:53 AM EDT up reply actions
Revshawn has not accurately reported the numbers
Crabtree was offered… $20 million over five years, with $16 million guaranteed. That’s less than the 11th pick, less overall than HB’s guaranteed, and about half of HB’s overall.
http://fifthdown.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/09/11/michael-crabtrees-curious-route/
Unless the NYTimes has reported this wrong, but I have read this other places as well. Dieon Sanders reported that Crabtree’s agent tried to get SanFran to meet them half way between 20Mil and HB’s, which would have been about 29Mil. SanFran could have had the best receiver in the draft, at 9Mil less than the 2nd best receiver, and they didn’t do it. That is why SanFran is the bonehead.
A wise man always questions the mainstream media.
on behalf of tha dirty south: soul food, carolina blue, southern hospitality, and tha queen city
Yahoo also reports 20Mil total, not guaranteed!
http://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/rumors/post/49ers-offer-to-Crabtree-worth-20-million?urn=nfl,185476
SanFran was trying to low ball a guy who has the potential to be the best player in the draft. They offered him only half of HBs contract. Crabtree is fully justified, and that is why the player analyst have almost all been behind him.
on behalf of tha dirty south: soul food, carolina blue, southern hospitality, and tha queen city
Okay, I updated it
Here’s more:
Crabtree’s camp said Thursday that he is even willing to sit out the year and re-enter the draft next spring unless he gets more than the $23.5 million the Raiders guaranteed Heyward-Bey. The news was first reported by profootballtalk.com. Anything less than that stratospheric number is "unacceptable."
"We are prepared to do it," David Wells, a cousin of Crabtree, told ESPN. "Michael just wants fair market value. Michael is one of the best players in the draft, and he just wants to be paid like one of the best players."
Seems like a dumb gamble. Is the extra few million worth more than the millions he would make this year? And that’s supposing he would get drafted even higher next year which given his tactics with the 49ers, is no guarantee.
I blog the Carolina Panthers at www.catscratchreader.com
Why do you guys not look at it from SanFrans position?
That the best receiver in the draft fell in their lap, and they could have signed him at less than he was worth, but they didn’t. If the Panthers potentially could have had him opposite Smith, but let him walk… I’d be ticked right now!
on behalf of tha dirty south: soul food, carolina blue, southern hospitality, and tha queen city
by southtunnel on Sep 12, 2009 5:55 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions
Even if the 49ers are lowballing him at 20 million.
It’s still a dumb move for Crabtree. No one is going to draft him that high at next years draft. It’s pretty much taking a match and lighting big piles of money on fire.
Even if you grant the point that the 49ers are lowballing him, it still doesn’t make sense for him to sit out the entire season and put his entire career on the line simply because he thinks he’s better than the overpaid Bey.
In the end, he’s still being paid millions of dollars to play football. If he truly thinks that he has talent and that the rest of the NFL should pay for it, then I believe he should try to sign a 1 year deal. If he proves his point over that year, the 49ers should either sign him an extension to what he deserves or he can be let go to free agency. If he has talent, the rest of the NFL will pay for it.
It seems a lesser gamble than giving up an entire year worth of money because you can’t get a deal you want and then losing the ability to get a big deal in the first place.
"Once again the trowsers of evil are yanked down by the mocking hands of justice!"-Revshawn
Another solution....
Would be to change the rules of the NFL Draft. When a team picks a player from an NFL Draft, they gain the rights to sign that player for an entire year. However, once that year has come to an end a player has a chance to opt out into FA and sign with whatever team he desires.
That’s another idea we can throw into this mix, but it would require the attention of Goodell first.
"Once again the trowsers of evil are yanked down by the mocking hands of justice!"-Revshawn
Nobody knows where he'll be drafted next year
There are too many factors. But as Faulk pointed out, if he can get with a stronger passing team next year and become a star, then his draft position will be meaningless. At a mil per game, do you think Julius cares what his rookie contract was?
Again at least he has options. SanFran walks away with nothing! You know we’d all be furious had Carolina thrown away it’s 1st round pick.
I know Im talking in circles now… It’s just hard to walk away from this one :)
on behalf of tha dirty south: soul food, carolina blue, southern hospitality, and tha queen city
by southtunnel on Sep 12, 2009 10:56 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions
I doubt anyone would predict that Crabtree would get drafted any higher after sitting out a year.
Especially after what has happened to guys like Maurice Clarett and Mike Williams.
Will Parker
by WillParker81 on Sep 13, 2009 9:46 AM EDT up reply actions
Crabtree will fall at least one round, more likely 2 or 3 rounds more if he sits out.
He can’t go to the combine, he can’t tryout for anyone, he can’t talk with any team until 1 week before the draft.
No-one will know if he stayed in shape well enough to play, he’ll have a year away from football… to many variables to say undoubtedly that he’ll be a star. It’s a tricky situation because of this statement you made ST
Why do you guys not look at it from SanFrans position?
That the best receiver in the draft fell in their lap,
Anyone can think that, but in the end, tangibly the NFL draft deemed that Darius Heyward Bey was the best WR in the draft based solely on position. As for San Fran “lowballing him” history really isn’t on his side.
2008 #10 pick- Jerod Mayo: 5 years, $18.9 mil, $13.8 guaranteed
2008 #13 pick, 2nd RB taken- Jonathan Stewart: 5 years, $20 million, $10.7 guaranteed
by James Dator on Sep 13, 2009 10:22 AM EDT up reply actions
Can I borrow you guys crystal ball when your done with it?
Because Ive never known anyone that could predict the draft, especially a year out.
I find it funny that you have so much confidence in Al Davis’ picks that you would say the entire NFL deemed the draft this way. Last I checked everyone saw Crabtree as the best receiver in the draft, and everyone was shocked when Oakland picked HB.
I’m not budging on this one. SanFran should have atleast met him half way between 20Mil and HBs 38Mil, like he requested. Then they could have improves their “mediocre” passing game. But as it is, to quote Waterboy, “Oh no we suck again”!
on behalf of tha dirty south: soul food, carolina blue, southern hospitality, and tha queen city
by southtunnel on Sep 13, 2009 10:59 AM EDT via mobile up reply actions
You have to admit though....
Sitting out an entire year is never a good thing for your draft position, right?
I’m not budging either. I’m confident he’ll drop out of the top 15 category when it comes to the draft, and no one is going to sign him to a contract bigger than the 49ers in next year’s draft when he’s still unproven in the NFL. There have been wideouts coming out of the draft as talented as Crabtree and then they go lay an egg once they get their big rookie contract.
A prime example is a wide receiver back in the 2005 Draft. Troy Williamson. He was a 1st round pick by the Vikings, 7th overall ((Coincidence?))
He has proven to be a big massive bust, and he was traded to the Jags for a 6th round pick because they couldn’t put up with him. He has the talent, but he can’t put it together on the football field.
No matter how much natural talent he has, Crabtree still has to put it together on the NFL level. I could argue this all day, but in the end we might have to just agree to disagree.
"Once again the trowsers of evil are yanked down by the mocking hands of justice!"-Revshawn
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