Crabtree getting ready to sign?
by Dubs fan in Boston on Sep 24, 2009 11:41 AM PDT
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PrintSo, I woke up this morning to see Crabtree's fast splattered all over the ESPN front page, as well as other discussions of him in the local media with pro-Crabtree spin. The Elizabeth Merrill article waxes poetically about how dedicated he is, and how he was doing push ups getting ready for the Niners watching a TV movie instead of watching the Texas Tech vs. Texas game and practicing with Trent Dilfer in the Bay Area (i.e. he's superawesome, super-dedicated, and keeping in game shape). Scoop Jackson's article goes on about rationalizing Crabtree's stance (that the Niners would go nowhere without him and should pay him accordingly) but saying that the Niners' success is throwing a monkey wrench in that stance (i.e. He and his agent were hoping they'd have more leverage and now are finding out that they don't). The Bruce Jenkins article talks about how the Niners will need a guy like what Crabtree should be (i.e. WR threat) in the long run (The Niners still need a guy like him, which is why they drafted him and why we fans should still want him on the team).
Three separate articles, with three separate main points: "he's still in football shape," "this is why he held out, but aw shucks, the Niners are good," and "the Niners still need him." Sounds like a pretty well coordinated PR job to me: "Hey, Niners fans! He's still ready to play, he's still the awesome guy you drafted, your team is awesome, but think about how much more awesomeness the Niners could achieve with a super-awesome WR to complement the running game!!! Get excited for Mike Crabtree!!!".
Now, I may be biased (I like Crabtree and hope he signs ASAP), but does anybody else see this as evidence of him getting ready to sign? If I were his PR team and I knew that he was getting close to signing, I'd have people speak to various media sources (both local and national) to get out the idea that he's not such a bad guy and to explain why there was a hold out. Furthermore, if I knew he wasn't going to be getting what he wanted, I'd put out an explanation of why not (i.e. It's not the agents' fault, so if you're looking for an agent, Eugene Parker is still a good option).
Regardless, it'd be incredibly dumb for Crabtree to hold out the entire season. Likewise, it'd be incredibly dumb for the Niners to go above the #9 pick's money, and they're already offering as close to that as possible. So, given that Crabtree's threat is as close to empty as possible and that the Niners have a very strong incentive not to offer him any more money, he's going to sign that contract eventually. At this point, it does the Niners little good to rush to bring him in because he's already so far behind that you can't expect much of any positive on field impact this season, they can wait to sign him as long as he wants. The final nail in the coffin is that the Niners are winning (hopefully that'll continue) and there's no appearance of "something wrong," thus no incentive to rush to "get a deal done."
Crabtree and co. are realizing that they have absolutely zero leverage. He will sign soon. The only thing that happens from here on out is he keeps losing game checks.
This is a FanPost and does not necessarily reflect the views of Niners Nation's writers or editors. It does reflect the views of this particular fan though, which is as important as the views of Niners Nation's writers or editors.
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Elizabeth Merrill article
I read over that article and it doesn’t seem like anything more than a compilation of everything we’ve read the last few months. It’s a ton of recycled information. I’m not a big fan of Scoop Jackson but I love the first line of his article:
“Ever wonder what it feels like to be a jackass?”
No he’s not talking about 49ers management.
Sure, recycled info
But it’s still the first time this has been blasted to the ESPN front page. He’s been the only hold out for a few weeks now, and it’s just strange to me that ESPN is throwing this up on the front page instead of more stuff about east coast teams. I just smelled a rat. There are other articles to publicize. Why Crabtree? Why now? Unless things are coming to a head…
You have been DFiBrillated.
by Dubs fan in Boston on Sep 24, 2009 12:16 PM PDT up reply actions
I'll believe it when I see it
It’d be nice to believe that things were coming to a head, but I don’t see a reason why this time is different than any other. ESPN just realized that PFT and nationalfootballpost.com were getting all kinds of Crabtree-related traffic and wanted to join the bandwagon.
1 more note:
the one interesting thing about the Merrill article is that she simultaneously explained how Crabtree could be an entourage guy AND a loner. I mean playing dominoes with a state senator? What?
Morgan breaks through in 2009!
ESPN just realized that PFT and nationalfootballpost.com were getting all kinds of Crabtree-related traffic
Is there really that much Crabtree traffic? I guarantee there’d be more traffic for the Niners Vikings game, but instead it’s Mike Vick, Patriots, Adrian Peterson’s back, and the Lions failing to sell out. Maybe they’re waiting till tomorrow or Saturday to push the game, but I doubt it.
You have been DFiBrillated.
by Dubs fan in Boston on Sep 24, 2009 12:27 PM PDT up reply actions
More Crabtree traffic than Favre traffic...
and that a G-damn miracle.
"Or, as Randy Jackson would say: Not feelin’ it, dawg."
-bench-blob- posting virgin.
Carp
I forgot about the tabloidness of the entire world now. Hey, did you hear the Jon & Kate Plus 8 people are…
Sigh. Is this really the world we live in? Really??!?!?!!?!
You have been DFiBrillated.
by Dubs fan in Boston on Sep 24, 2009 1:48 PM PDT up reply actions
I care less with each passing week
The worst case scenario is Crabtree sitting out the whole season and the 49ers will trade him after March of 2010 because it doesn’t benefit neither side should Crabtree enter the 2010 draft again. I doubt anybody will give up a 1st rounder for him, but a 2nd rounder is likely. All in all, it sucks that a #10 overall pick turns into a 2nd round pick but at least they will have 2 1st and 2nd rounders in 2010 while not having to overpay Crabtree.
Win the inning.
No change.
This article seems to be nothing more than an attention grabber. In conclustion, however, it is milk toast.
Reasonably, dollars and sense says he should sign. I don’t think he will be offered more money and his PR will continue to be in the it can.
I’m sick of hearing about Crab as much as much as anything.
With some respect though I do sense some winds of change coming to Crabtree. He must weigh the cost of his actions vs the benifits. I don’t see him benifiting from this fiasco. He feeling it.
Poll Options
Should have been one or two more options like
say after 17 Nov but before the Draft or Signed and traded after the season!
Interesting theory Dubs Fan.
I think that with each passing week, Crabtree is losing more and more leverage. The Niners are rolling into Minny at 2-0 to face another big name rookie receiver who fell slightly in the draft but who has put up nice numbers to start his career. Crabtree should be gearing up for a rookie show down while putting his stamp on a pretty vanilla offense. In a perfect world, the Niners win again, shut down Harvin and the Jets are quickly found guilty of tampering. In a realistic and shitty world, Minny drops the Niners to 2-1, Harvin busts out for 100 yds and a touch and the Comish puts the kibosh on our 1st round tampering penalty pick- leaving Crabtree’s plight revitalized.
I agree that eventually the Niners need a player like Crabtree- his big play ability, even in a conservative offense could open up lanes for Gore, Vernon Davis and Josh Morgan. I agree that he probably isn’t quite as bad a guy as we all have grown to believe- this negotiation is about a lot more than 5 years of football. And lastly, I think I agree that these press pieces appear to be the work of a spin campaign, either for the fans of SF or the teams standing in line to draft someone other than Michael Crabtree next season.
I’m not going out and buying a Crabtree #15 jersey anytime soon but I would like to see another dynamic offensive player enter the fray while Frank Gore still has a few years left in the tank.
"Or, as Randy Jackson would say: Not feelin’ it, dawg."
-bench-blob- posting virgin.
Curious
I saw that Crabtree is listed on the Niners depth chart at the official website. Could that be an indication?
I Don't Remember
Crabtree being listed on the 49ers depth chart when i looked. But i am not sure if that was on ESPN or the niners site. Wish i could remember because that would be a major sign of things to come
Papa Smurf Told Me To Do It!!!!!!
by nocal81(Vincent) on Sep 24, 2009 3:34 PM PDT up reply actions
Okay
after some investigation i found that Crabtree was not on the 49ers week 1 depth chart, this according to NFL.com who gets their information from team sites.
Papa Smurf Told Me To Do It!!!!!!
by nocal81(Vincent) on Sep 24, 2009 3:40 PM PDT up reply actions
http://www.nfl.com/teams/sanfrancisco49ers/depthchart?team=SF
Papa Smurf Told Me To Do It!!!!!!
by nocal81(Vincent) on Sep 24, 2009 3:41 PM PDT up reply actions
No Problem
Now i am going to wonder aloud why did Crabtree get added to the depth chart? And why is this not being reported? It seems like a big deal to me
Papa Smurf Told Me To Do It!!!!!!
by nocal81(Vincent) on Sep 24, 2009 3:45 PM PDT up reply actions
depth chart
Meant to chime in earlier. He’s listed as other on that depth chart, which covers unsigned players. When the 49ers email out the game release it includes a depth chart each week and he is always listed as an other.
by David Fucillo on Sep 24, 2009 4:12 PM PDT up reply actions
Umm...where are you seeing him?
I’m looking at what you put up as an URL and it has Bruce,Jones, Spurlock on one side and Morgan, Hill, Battle on the other. No mention of Crabtree
by ChesapeakeBay9er on Sep 28, 2009 4:58 PM PDT up reply actions
PR ploy?
No way. Read them again, they were far from flattering for Crabtree. Why would your PR people put out bad publicity about him? I mean Scoop called him a jackass for christ sakes. How is that touting him as about to sign?
Symantics but.....
Now, I’m not saying Michael Crabtree is definitely one [a jackass like Kanye] (unlike Rodney Harrison, who called Crabtree “the biggest idiot I’ve ever seen in the National Football League”). But with the San Francisco 49ers jumping off the season 2-0, the only unsigned rookie has to be feeling like one.
Scoops piece is one of many pieces discussed by Dubs Fan- and I think he puts the proper context it.
Scoop Jackson’s article goes on about rationalizing Crabtree’s stance (that the Niners would go nowhere without him and should pay him accordingly) but saying that the Niners’ success is throwing a monkey wrench in that stance (i.e. He and his agent were hoping they’d have more leverage and now are finding out that they don’t).
The other pieces have some pretty fluffy stuff- not a Diva, just wants to play, cried when he couldn’t as a freshman, doesn’t have an entourage but an roving bad of wealthy professionals with only altruistic interests, working out and having heart to heart discussions with everyones favorite Trent Dilfer…………….
"Or, as Randy Jackson would say: Not feelin’ it, dawg."
-bench-blob- posting virgin.
Partially
Some of it was placed ‘golly gee, shucks’ stuff, some of it was ‘gotcha’ journalism but mostly it was just irrelevant.
The only salient aspect I took from it all was the ‘independent, stubborn, his own man’ (paraphrased) revelation which means this really is all his own doing which in turn indicates that he has more ego than brains.
Meanwhile Parker is swinging helpless in the breeze while his reputation takes some lumps ~ too funny.
The future ain't what it used to be. Go Niners!
Meanwhile Parker is swinging helpless in the breeze while his reputation takes some lumps ~ too funny.
The only way Parker takes any real lumps is if Crabtree signs to less than he was originally offered. The whole “the only reason this failed is because the Niners are winning” further cements the fact that it was a “smart business move” by Parker that didn’t work out, but also likely won’t end up hurting his client in the process. I don’t really see this hurting Parker that much.
You have been DFiBrillated.
by Dubs fan in Boston on Sep 24, 2009 1:51 PM PDT up reply actions
As an aside
Take a look at Rosenhaus. He still represents high profile clients, despite his numerous hold out fiascos. If you were a player, you’d want an agent experienced in all forms of negotiation, especially hold outs.
You have been DFiBrillated.
by Dubs fan in Boston on Sep 24, 2009 1:52 PM PDT up reply actions
Curious
At what point do draftees typically hire an agent? F’rinstance, did we know Parker was Crab’s agent before we picked him.
The future ain't what it used to be. Go Niners!
Parker could really get screwed here.
There is always the chance that Crabtree fires him and then signs with the Niners. Not only would Parker miss out on the commission but he would probably take all the blame in the mean time. If the league finds the Jets guilty of tampering, they can also ban Parker for his involvement so I see all of this as a lose lose for Parker. At this time, he has two choices- talk Crabtree into signing or fire his client and shift the blame. I would try #1 and then quickly do #2 if #1 doesn’t work.
"Or, as Randy Jackson would say: Not feelin’ it, dawg."
-bench-blob- posting virgin.
Actually
Parker could file suit against Crabtree if that happened. There is a clause in the contract that stipulates payment of commision even in the event player signs another agent.
I’m a real estate agent and have been agents in other industries, this is most often the case. If someone else signs another real estate agent besides me once we have signed a contract to list thier property, then I can still get paid my commission on top of what they would have to pay the other agent… its really a bad deal to switch. I dont think Parker would “not” have that in the contract.
It's now
like a “who won” type of situation. Unless there is some kind of compromise, we will be trading rights in March.
Nobody from either party wants to conceed and won’t. In the public eye at least. Crabtree and Eugene Parker are too conceeded, and the Niners aren’t gonna let rookies come in to the organization and dictate how things are gonna be. It will be a stalemate until there is a face-to-face meeting. Until then, this is where things will remain. I hope all the talk about the situation comes to a rest soon…or at least until something happens. Its all recycled info until he signs or “formally” doesn’t
EFF craptree
to hell with him……..i hope he sits out because now all he’ll do is ruin the positive, winning, family atmosphere that is being re-created with the 9ers this year
"There is no pressure. Pressure only exists when you're not prepared."
-The Samurai
Next week.
If the niners win against the Vikings then he will sign within 48 hours. He was hoping for the niners to be 0-2, so he can have the upperhand.
Singletary's Approach
I gotta agree with the man. If he’s not signed, what can be done? We have a roster of guys doing a good job and adding a talent like Crabtree would be a benefit, but until he signs, we can’t worry about it. Focus on what we have on the field and focus on this weeks game. The league is handling the tampering charges and thats not in the control of the niners FO. Keep trying to get him signed and pay no attention to the talks about re-entering/offseason trade.
49ers players attempted to call crabtree and his number has been changed
What does it mean? Not much, bt he doesn’t want to hear from us and only the FO wants to hear from him. Play Ball!!
"Catchin a ride on the Muthaship" Optimist Prime is just the co-pilot!
"Go Sing GO"
X's and O's? don't need 'em. Perrenial all pro's? just stat guys, not important!
Culture of Winning? Can take you places, especially while hitting people in the mouth!!
I'm getting the feeling he's not getting ready to sign
GROUGTHINK ALERT
The first Chester Arthur fanboy ever.
I guess he's not
But we didn’t lose because he wasn’t on the team.
Maybe if Crabtree was an O-lineman……
What we've got here is a failure to communicate.
by SportsChicken on Sep 27, 2009 9:27 PM PDT up reply actions
i put this in the nugget
but its how crabs money situation and trade picture looks like
+1 Well
It just looks like he is dumber then we first thought. Secondly according to this article his contract would be part of the 2010 rookie pool which means the team that trades for him would have to squeeze his contract in with all the other rookies they draft. That could be taken two ways, one that teams may be hesitant on trading for him because they have other picks they will have to sign. Or two what the 49ers receive in terms of compensation from a trade may be higher then we all originally thought. The latter simple due to the fact that a team may have to trade two or three draft picks in order to meet his contract demands and still be able to fit all the rookies in under the rookie pool. Interesting story and i thank you for it
Papa Smurf Told Me To Do It!!!!!!
by nocal81(Vincent) on Sep 28, 2009 3:44 PM PDT reply actions
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