@SPARTACHRIS
If its all about the money then he will sign this year, if he misses a year salary it will take him years to make that up or even to break even.
You're assuming he's a smart guy who realizes the value of money. I'd argue he isn't. Plus, his agent has already gone on record as saying Crabtree expects to get paid top 5 money. His stance is he should have been picked in the top 5 so he expects to be paid like he was. Even though he wasn't.
We don't know whats being discussed between Crabtree and 49ers, Crabtree is not talking to the press. For all we know he has asked to be traded. The general press with little information is making him out to be the only NFL player who is upset about going to a certain team and at what money.
I agree we don't know what is being discussed behind the scenes. However, when guys ask to be traded, the word usually gets out one way or another. Looking at it from a strategic standpoint, wouldn't it make more sense for the Crabtree camp to say something about wanting to be traded as opposed to staying silent? A subtle word to the media could have potential teams contacting the 49ers to gauge their interest.
To date, the 49'ers organization has stated they haven't had any requests for a trade from either interested parties or Crabtree. And so far, neither Crabtree nor his agent have hinted at a desire to be traded. This again tells me it's not so much his lack of interest in playing for the 49ers as it is the money.
Eli had a dad and bother giving him advice, especially what his dad went through with the saints. Its like a card game, Eli showed his hand early. Crabtree is allowing things to be played out, plus Eli was a #1 pick and he knew the Chargers had the pick and had months to consider if he wanted to play for them. Crabtree never thought he would drop to the 49ers. Eli was able to play his hand early where as Crabtree is still playing cards.
Meh, I think you're reaching. For starters, if Crabtree didn't think he would fall that far, he should be grateful for being picked where he was. Next, if the issue is which team he wanted to play for, why would he want to be picked in the top 10 in the first place? Most teams picking in the top 10 are there for a reason, and oddly enough, also have a history of always finding themselves in the top 10. I mean, really, why would he want to go to a team like the Lions, Rams, Raiders, or Bengals? Because the money is better!
If it were simply about not wanting to play for the 49ers, he could have said something early on, so I don't buy this whole "letting it play out" theory. It's a crap argument.
I am only going by what is happening, Crabtree will only play for the 49ers if they pay him big money up front, otherwise he is willng to go back to the draft where he has a little influence on where he goes if he chooses to pull an Eli this time.
Well, they offered him a fair contract for where he was picked. It's 20% more than what the guy picked 10th got last year, so it's not like he's getting screwed. Just because
he feels like he should get top 5 money doesn't mean he should.
If he does re-enter the draft, one of two things will happen- One will be he gets picked by someone who's committed tampering and gives him his contract. Truth is, I feel this has already happened. I think another team told him to sit it out and they'll pick him next season and pay him what he wants. Deion Sanders alluded to two teams talking to him already, which is a violation of the NFL's tampering rules, so I think this needs to be looked into.
But I digress. The other thing that could happen (And I hope happens) is he'll fall out of the first round, to maybe the late second or third. Since the 49ers own his rights, he can't work out for anyone without their permission. He can't attend the combine and he can't negotiate with anyone unless the 49ers give their permission or draft day comes, whichever happens first. So given his lack of workouts and his **** poor attitude, taking him would be risky by any team.
And if he does fall to late first or worst, what will he do then? Hold out again for top 10 money?
