NFC West schadenfreude: Dr. Scholls edition

by Ryan Van Bibber on Jun 10, 2011 11:01 AM CDT in 2010 St. Louis Rams offseason

As Sam Bradford and a gaggle of players from the St. Louis Rams get together in Arizona for another series of informal lockout workouts, I thought it seemed like as good a time as any to take a stroll around the rest of the division. Mostly, we want to take a moment to point fingers and laugh at the misfortune of the other teams in the division, deserved or otherwise.

San Francisco
It's almost too easy when players like Michael Crabtree hand you a gem like shoe-gate. Crabtree, not unanimously liked by his teammates, failed to join them on the field for informal practices because new shoes were hurting his feet. He also took a veiled shot at free agent Alex Smith, who is organizing the workouts, questioning his status with the team. Say what you will about the Rams not having a "number on wide receiver" they're better off not having a guy this self-centered on the roster. You have to wonder if at some point in time the new coaching regime in SF won't sour on Crabtree, as soon as they can find an adequate replacement. It could provide an entertaining sideshow throughout the season.

Seattle
Matt Hasselbeck, a free agent, has been the driving force for the Seahawks' informal lockout workouts. He organized them, ran them, taught the classes, etc. Naturally it fueled speculation as to whether or not he'd be back in Seattle. Doubtful say any number of NFL insiders. Running the practices is good marketing for the free agent, reminds teams that he can be a leader and maybe even still get the job done. Peter King says Minnesota will take a look; Jason LaCanfora says Tennessee. Jesus lookalike and ostensible starting QB Charlie Whitehurst has been criticized by some in the media for missing a golden opportunity in ceding the leadership to Hasselbeck. Sure he beat the Rams

Arizona
Not having a QB at least means no QB controversy, but this ain't the bright side edition. Their pass protection stinks, and they've done nothing to fix it. It seems likely they'll overpay for a free agent guard to replace Faneca, but that's just the tip of the iceberg for their needs up front.

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Crabtree's alienating fans too

if Niners Nation is any indication. And once the fans turn, the coaches turn or get swept under (see: Mike Singletary, 2010).

Turf Show Times editor, Mocking the Draft writer, and I gots that Twitter too, yo.
"my keyboard won't corporate, neighter will my smell check." - Knoxfan

by 3k on Jun 10, 2011 11:05 AM CDT reply actions

As a Texas Tech Student

and having been here when Crabtree played for us I’m not too surprised. He is well known by anyone that met him to be completely full of himself. He got away with it for being an unbelievable receiver and that catch against Texas (I’ll always remember that). However he has yet to live up to his expectations and because of that his diva attitude will continue to be ill-received.

by flramsfan on Jun 10, 2011 12:35 PM CDT reply actions

Love that the 9ers have the Crabtree headache

He is talented, but so was TO and he ran himself out of SF. And every other team he has played on, come to think of it. I think the Rams have a good thing going with their WR corps. After having heard interviews with the rookies, I think the Rams have a solid group on their hands with good heads on their shoulders. I have seen some on here bringing up Moss, TO, et al and I, for one, would want no part of a diva screwing up the chemistry, no matter how talented he is.

by mcihaelT on Jun 10, 2011 12:38 PM CDT reply actions

Sounds to me like the rest of NFC is in chaos...

Could you tell I was smiling when I typed the comment title? Here’s to sweeping our NFC West games!

by Douglas M on Jun 10, 2011 1:11 PM CDT reply actions

By the way Van: Great post title!

by Douglas M on Jun 10, 2011 1:14 PM CDT reply actions

i remember reading an interview with coach mangini, saying he basically soured on crabtree as soon as he opened his mouth!

guys like this i relish on seeing them fail. miserably.

by Mark Jaramillo on Jun 10, 2011 3:12 PM CDT reply actions

As long as non-roster QBs are leading practices

Maybe Kurt Warner can lead the Cardinals. Then he can teach them to Conga (or whatever dance he learned on DWTS).

by Tini Ram on Jun 10, 2011 4:04 PM CDT reply actions

Crabtree always seemed an overrated prospect

in my eyes.

What is interesting is how little swag he has for such a stunter. Those high top black cleats look lame and on the field he lacks the kind of poise of an NFL player. He looks like a kid in oversized pads.

Bradford to Onobun!

by Infemous on Jun 10, 2011 4:52 PM CDT reply actions

When a prospect doesn't workout.....

When a prospect doesn’t workout for scouts, GM’s and coaches you have to wonder how much of an ego he has. Crabtree is only 1 of 2 receiver prospects of the last decade to completely ignore pre-draft workouts all together. The other being WR Malcolm Kelly, 2nd Rnd Pick Washington.

He used his foot injury to exclude himself from working out during pre-draft sessions. I knew he was hiding something. Look at the last 2 guys who come into the combine with questions about either being injured or delaying their workout, yet they still worked out and blew up and are now beasts. Calvin Johnson worked out in another players shoes and still posted a disgusting 40. Julio Jones worked out and ran with a fractured foot yet still posted the single greatest workout during the combine 4 months ago. Those 2 guys want to be great and only care about being the best and showing it on the field. Crabtree is a turd, another Braylon Edwards type receiver who was crowned God in college by all the draftnik pundits like Kiper, McShay and Mayock and Crabtree start to believe his own hype. You ever notice how humble and low key guys like Calvin Johnson, Andre Johnson, Larry Fitzgerald and now Julio Jones are? That’s the kind of team mates and definitely the kind of receiver you want on your team. Crabtree may never be a bust in the conventional sense, but he is a hype bust. The same way Reggie Bush is a hype bust. Prospects that were considered to be elite prospects because of their college highlights and when they get to the NFL they are no different than the other 1,000 plus players in the league.

by DaFranchiZe on Jun 10, 2011 6:10 PM CDT reply actions