Mitch's Musings

In April’s 2009 NFL Draft 256 players were selected. Since that time, 255 players have been signed leaving one sole holdout, Michael Crabtree. The Texas Tech standout, two-time All-American and Biletnikoff award winner (Given to College Football’s top Wide Receiver) is sadly the only draft pick to not have a contract in place.

An absolute freak athlete, Crabtree was drafted by the San Francisco 49ers last April as the tenth overall pick. Many, Crabtree himself included, believed he would be the top wide receiver taken in the draft and had top five pick potential. Which would give Crabtree a forty million dollar payoff. This is not how the story panned out, however. Taken tenth as the second wide receiver behind Oakland Raider selection Darrius Heyward-Bey, Crabtree still feels he deserves top five-pick money. The 49ers said no way.

Crabtree has said he wants a contract worth more than the contract seventh pick Heyward-Bey received even though he was taken after the new Raider wide receiver. Crabtree wants at least $40 million dollars while Heyward-Bey only received $38.5 million.

The 49ers have reportedly offered Crabtree a contract worth around $20-$23 million dollars, the correctly scaled contract for his draft position. So what’s all the fuss about? Why does Crabtree think he needs more? I’ve got one word for you: selfishness.

Crabtree was drafted by the 49ers to save a franchise that has had great success with wide receivers in the past (does one Jerry Rice ring a bell?). While Crabtree complains about being paid $20 million his teammates and coaches have to go on with their business and try to compete at the highest possible level, without their potential game-changing wide receiver.

San Francisco is one Brett Favre miracle away from being 3-0, and at 2-1 still leads the division early in the season, even without Crabtree. Coach Mike Singletary is not one to whine or lay down and he has this 49er team playing at a very high level already, but I have to believe another star on that team would be welcomed with open arms, especially by inexperienced quarterback Shaun Hill.

Crabtree has a big personality and star potential and I can’t help but wonder how many product endorsements he would have, had he signed and actually been playing so far this season. Star players in all sports typically make just as much if not more of their money on endorsements. Why couldn’t Crabtree follow that same path? If he wanted $40 million dollars, why not prove it on the field, why not go out, and be the star you think you are. Sell Gatorade or tennis shoes, anything really, just get on the field.

Crabtree needs to realize he has proved nothing, and he should be happy he made the NFL since not many do. If he decides to continue to hold out, he either could be traded later or could chose to re-enter the NFL draft in 2010. I suggest he grow up, sign a contract and do what he should be doing, catching footballs and helping the San Francisco 49ers win football games.