Would Crabtree be a holdout even if he had been a top three pick?
by Ryan Van Bibber on Aug 6, 2009 8:56 AM CDT
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PrintBack in April, as the draft debate heated up, St. Louis Rams fan batted around three names they would have liked to see the team take with the second overall pick in the draft. Most of the debate was between LB Aaron Curry and OT Jason Smith (or Eugene Monroe) with more than a few carrying the water for Texas Tech WR Michael Crabtree. When the team released future Hall of Fame OT Orlando Pace, it was 99% clear what direction they'd take with their first round pick, and eventually they surprised nobody by drafting Baylor OT Jason Smith. Curry went to the hated Seahawks and the hated almost as much 49ers drafted Crabtree.
Two of those players have signed deals; one has not. [Ed. Note: Curry actually has not signed a deal.] Now, players drafted in the slots around Crabtree's 10th spot are sitting on their hands to see whether or not the 49ers cave to the receiver's demand for a contract more akin to a top five pick than the "lowly" tenth spot, creating a logjam of unsigned picks drafted in those spots and pissing off more than just the 49ers management and fans.
The main reason for drafting Smith over Crabtree is fairly obvious: the Rams wanted to rebuild their team around a young, stout offensive line, that was the point they are at this year. That said, I can't help but wonder if some of the "character" concerns that were cited regarding Crabtree didn't have something to do with the receiver's potential for a holdout.
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I think you mean “one of those players has signed deals, two have not” … Curry is still a holdout as well, a week into camp.
RamsHerd.com - Graphic Rams Discussion
I don't blame Crabtree as much as Al Davis
Had Crabtree been the first WR taken, this could have all been settled weeks ago. Instead, ‘Tree & the Niners are left to attempt to negotiate his assessed value as a top 3 consensus #1 WR.
Hey-Bey nabbed 5 years with 23.5 guaranteed. The Niners would be very, very hard-pressed to deliver a similar contract for the #10 pick in the draft. Here’s a good piece from the Sacramento Bee on Eugene Parker’s role in this debacle. This goes back to what I was saying at the Draft – this is the biggest business issue facing the NFL. It has become an absolute shitstorm, and if the league ignores this, it will face the same kind of economic downfall that our economy has.
Your uncle molests collies.
The thing is, given the current system, Crabtree is playing the game to the hilt
You can’t blame him for asking for top dollar. The slotting system in the first round isn’t always adhered to. And teams like the 49ers and Raiders (who suck) do have to pay a premium to sign their talent. Look at the Detroit Tigers, in baseball — they didn’t get better until they started shelling out contracts that were over and beyond top dollar, to Magglio Ordonez and Ivan Rodriguez and others.
Yes, I find it stupid to skip camp. But at the same time, the onus is on the 49ers to pay up. If they didn’t think Crabtree was the biggest impact player available, they shouldn’t have ignored their offensive line needs and drafted him. This whole situation creates a stink on both sides of the negotiating table, and even though fans will be more vocally opposed to Crabtree’s stance, you can bet there is a growing sentiment that the Niners are willing to cheap out, and damage their playoff aspirations for the sake of a few bucks.
RamsHerd.com - Graphic Rams Discussion
Wow how the times have changed since LA
Now it’s the almost hated as much 49ers? It’s sad to see that the 49ers aren’t the most hated rival to St. Louis fans. I hope those of us still in CA hate the 49ers more than the Seahawks. Damn norcal with their Giants, A’s, Sharks, Raiders and 49ers… heck I’ll throw in Cal, Stanford, Warriors, Kings, Stunner shades, Hella, Ghostriding the whip, and getting Hyphy.
by BruinHalo on Aug 6, 2009 11:53 AM CDT via mobile reply actions
Regarding the deal
Crabtree is somewhat wrong. But mostly wrong. The only obvious argument he has. Is that he is in fact much better then DHB ($23.5 MIL Guaranteed???? WTF) But clearly. You have to sign and get into camp. And you were still drafted only 10th.
And like 3k mentioned. The NFL needs to fix the rookie salaries! It’s getting outta hand.
The name's Rams, St. Louis Rams.
If Crabtree is, as you say, in fact better than DHB
it is hard for me to understand in what way he is wrong for wanting to get paid at least as much. Are you arguing that because Al Davis is borderline senile (or whatever), that Tree should be willing to settle for a few million less than he otherwise would have gotten?
I still think Crabtree will be a great asset to whoever signs him.
Maybe he’s like most of us, not a Niner fan. I sure hope Aaron Curry turns out to be not a Hawks fan too.
49ers drafted another T.O.
They had the same issues with T.O. and they drafted another drama queen. I love T.O. as an athlete but off the field issues always plague liking the person. Crabtree will be the same. Hasn’t proved a thing, besides playing tough college teams and believes he is owed money. I am just happy that the Rams took care of all their off field issues quickly. The team seems to be blending well
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