That statement might not be the most shocking statement you've read in your life. During his playing days, as great an athletes as he was, Deion Sanders definitely coveted the media coverage. Whether it was during his Neon Dein days, or once he became Prime Time: Deion Sanders loved the spotlight.
Since the Michael Crabtree contract holdout first began to take a turn for the absurd, Prime Time has managed to fit himself right into the center of it. Eugene Parker was Deion's agent during his playing days so he certainly has an in with him (not sure what their relationship is at this point). Thus, Sanders has had plenty to say about the contract situation and has managed to get himself embroiled in the tampering charges.
Yesterday, Deion Sanders once again inserted himself into the spotlight of the Michael Crabtree contract holdout. During the 49ers-Rams highlights, Rich Eisen would announce the Davis and Morgan touchdowns as going to Crabtree before correcting himself. After the Morgan TD, the following exchange took place:
Deion: "Not yet. It could be brewing."
Eisen: "Are you dropping hints?"
Deion: "I’m dropping hints."
It's entirely possible Deion Sanders is right and Michael Crabtree will sign soon. The 49ers have a bye week coming up after Sunday's showdown with the Falcons (yes all future games are now showdowns...except against the Rams!). If Crabtree signs this week or by early next week, he could at least get some extra non-game time to learn the playbook and get in some kind of sync with Shaun Hill. This is of course all just speculation.
However, even if Sanders is correct about Crabtree, I still don't have to like him (Sanders) for it. Crabtree certainly deserves plenty of blame in this and I don't want this to be viewed as deflecting the blame to Deion. Of course, maybe that's exactly how he's working it. Deion blabs about the situation and people don't hear a peep from Crabtree or Parker. Thus, Deion diverts at least a little of the heat from Crabtree. Personally, I just think that Prime Time simply wants to be center stage. Part of the reason for that thinking is Barrows' update this morning that a league source indicated there have been no new conversations between Crabtree and the 49ers. Oh, and Crabtree is working out in Orlando since leaving the South Bay. So chalk one up for Deion wanting the spotlight.
I will always respect the athleticism and talent Deion Sanders brought to the field. He was as good a cornerback as we may ever see in the NFL. And yet his mouth and off-field action continue to get in the way of recognizing a great athlete. While I wouldn't say Deion had become "irrelevant" these last few years, he had definitely fallen out of the media spotlight. And I think Deion has decided to change that...much to the annoyance of this particular 49ers fan.