Warning signs were there about Crabtree
In an article written by Charles Robinson of Yahoo! Sports, several unnamed NFL front office people said that there were warning signs before the draft that receiver Michael Crabtree was going to be a problem to sign.
He wasn’t alone in that cynicism. While public and media sentiment have been overwhelmingly against Crabtree and Parker, all seven executives agreed the impasse marks a significant failure by the 49ers, too. While second-guessing is easy in hindsight, it didn’t stop some from suggesting that they saw a nasty impasse coming as soon as Crabtree slipped out of the top five and then had Oakland’s Darrius Heyward-Bey(notes) selected in front of him at No. 7 – particularly considering Crabtree was represented by Parker, who has a history of holdouts with draft picks.
“[Crabtree] didn’t even work out for teams, and he still had it in his mind that he was the best player in the draft,” the NFC North executive said. “People were in his ear telling him that from jump street. Honestly, I thought it could have been a problem if Seattle would have taken him [at No. 4]. Then they would have been asking for No. 1 money.”
Added an NFC general manager: “He was represented by Eugene Parker. That was kind of a giveaway right there.”
There was a report that surfaced before the draft that Eric Mangini of the Browns was so turned off by Crabtree’s attitude during a pre-draft visit that the Cleveland head coach said that he wouldn’t select the Texas Tech product at No. 5. So obviously there’s a lot of truth behind the notion that the 49ers should have known that Crabtree was going to be a problem.
That said, what where they supposed to do? Nobody is arguing Crabtree’s athletic ability; he was a top 5 talent that slipped to No. 10 and San Fran had a major need for a receiver. Even if they did think he would holdout, I doubt they believed it would go into the season like it has.
So yeah, there were warning signs. But I still don’t blame the 49ers for taking a shot on a dynamic playmaker that fell into their laps at No. 10. If they can get a deal worked out, then Mike Singletary can get his hands on Crabtree and hopefully straighten out his attitude. Of course, that’s a big “if” in terms of getting him signed.
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The only problem I have with this article is calling Crabtree a ‘top 5 talent’. He’s never run a professional route tree, was in a spread offense that allowed receivers to simply ‘free-lance’ and played in a conference with zero defense (Big 12 has the defensive talent, mind you, they just opt to not play defense in games.)
I think Crabtree is talented, but hardly top 5 and argueably not even top 10 in an era of NFL football where running backs and wide receivers are the most disposable position in football. Calvin Johnson is the type of exception to that rule, but he also ran a 4.3 40 yd dash. Crabtree was likely around the combine average of 4.65 – 4.7.
I hear what you’re saying CSS, but I was specifically referring to Crabtree being a top 5 talent in April. You may still disagree with that statement, but based on the lack of top prospects in this year’s draft, I’d say that Crabtree was a top 5 talent.
John, nfldraftscout times you’re referencing is an ‘estimation’ on their behalf. He was never officially timed, didn’t have a campus workout and didn’t run in the combine. Next time you try to say somebody else pulled something ‘out of their butt’ you should reference actual data that, you know, exists. Take a look at how far off many of their estimations were compared to official times, it’s significant and in the wrong direction (they estimate fast). Nice try.
Oh, and the average NFL combine time each of the last two years for wide receiver invites was indeed 4.65 – 4.7.
Your contention is that Crabtree’s 40 time, if he were to run it, would be around the combine average, yet you provide absolutely no data or anecdotal evidence to back that up. That is the very definition of pulling something out of one’s butt.
I didn’t say that the average range for the combine was inaccurate, but placing Crabtree in that range with no evidence is.
Nice try.
I agree with CSS on most of this.
Crabtree was a built up top 5.
He never showed burner speed, he was listed at a bigger height then he really even is.
The spread and lame routes in certain programs dont develop players. Too much for proving nothing
ad coming in with a busted foot.
I also agree with Anhony, that the draft was harsh offensive players and he was the best wideout.
I think the one thing you guys are forgetting about Crabtree is how good his ball skills are. No, he doesn’t have top end speed. But he catches the ball away from his body, he uses his frame well in coverage and he can be a mismatch against smaller callers. He can also be a physical receiver.
And this isn’t a slow receiver by any means. He was very good after the catch in college and he has enough speed to create separation. The system he played in at Tech doesn’t help his learning curve in the NFL (and he’s putting himself more and more behind by the day), but I still think he was a top 5 pick in THIS DRAFT.
I agree Anthony.
He is top 5 in this past draft for Offense.
Top 10 is fine where he is, but he thinks he deserves top 3 money.
Part of being a top pick is mentallity.
He has shown his, and his trust in an agent is
costing him his career.
Now on the seperation issues in the Pros’ no way.
He is a solid #2 reciever if he learns NFL playbook and routes. I never questioned his ball skills though he is a solid player in a spread in college against teams that dont have 4.3 CB’s.
thats all.
How are the WRs looking for the 2010 draft? How does Crabtree compare?
John – I’m with you on him wanting to be paid like a top 3 WR. It’s ridiculous.
JP – too early to tell, but I can’t see any team taking a shot on him in the top 10 (or maybe even the first round) if he skips all of this year.
I agree with sitting out, not learning a playbook, not learning to condition himself NFL ready he drops to 2-3 round depending on team needs. I doubt anyone would choose him knowing the path he decided to take in the first round.
NFL Europe anyone lol…
The ironic part is that if he and his agent decide to roll the dice and have him sit out, he could wind up being significantly less than he would had he just signed what the Niners are offering him.
Stupid.
Exactly bro.
He will have a terrible time fooling any team next year for money. His gamble is not looking like it will pay out.