With week 3 games only two days away, I’ve got a few thoughts bouncing around this skull that I just want to throw out there.
Rants
What is Michael Crabtree hoping to accomplish with this holdout?
Every year a 1st round pick holds out for a better contract and in almost every case his first year is wasted. I don’t think that players realize how much impact it has on their ability, and playing time, to miss camp, and especially pre-season games. NFL playbooks are infinitely more complex than college and training camp is needed to get players into game shape. When a pick holds out, he misses all of that preparation and usually never recovers in his first season. So are the extra couple million dollars on a 5 year deal worth more than starting your career off right. How many players never get a 2nd contract because they don’t play well enough in their first one?
In this case, Crabtree was thought to be the best receiver in the draft and the most NFL-ready offensive player available. He may have been the second receiver taken, but who wants to play for the Raiders anyway? Instead, he went 10th overall to a good organization in the 49ers, who desperately need a #1 receiver. If Crabtree really wanted to make an impact in the NFL, he would have got into camp, earned a starting spot and played like the rookie of the year. Many first round picks have to wait their turn for a starting spot. Crabtree could have earned his from day 1 and learned from a great veteran receiver in Isaac Bruce. He blew it, plain and simple.
Crabtree and his agent, Eugene Parker are arguing that he is a better receiver than Heyward-Bey and therefore deserves to get paid more. Here’s a little note for Crabtree and Parker, life doesn’t always turn out the way you want, but you have to suck it up and deal with it sometimes. You’re lucky enough to make more in the first five years of your working life than most couples ever hope to make in their lifetime. If you really want to prove that you’re a better receiver, get out on the field and show everyone, don’t whine about who should get more money.
Speaking of money, here’s how it breaks down.
The first receiver taken, Darius Heyward-Bey got a 5 year deal worth $38M with ~$23.4M guaranteed after being picked 7th overall.
The 9th pick, B.J. Raji signed a deal that is essentially 5 years worth $22.5M with $17.7M guaranteed.
The Niners are offering Crabtree almost exactly what Raji is making, but Crabtree is holding out. So essentially, Crabtree is holding out for $16.5M overall, but only $5.7M guaranteed over a 5 year deal. If you’ve spent any time following the NFL, you know that the guaranteed money is the only thing you can count on. Given that Crabtree has already missed 2 games and will most likely miss another this weekend, he’s probably already given up close to $1M is lost salary, even if he was stuck sitting on the bench.
In the end, Crabtree is holding out for an extra $4-6M, but ruining his dream of playing in the NFL in the process.
Raves
I love watching great defensive ends rush the passer. I used to think Bruce Smith and Reggie White walked on water and I stand up every time the Colts hold someone to 3rd and long so I can watch Dwight Freeney work his magic. So when I saw that the leading sack-master in the NFL was Antwan Odom with 7 after two games, my remote control finger got itchy.
I’m not saying the Odom is the next great pass rusher. He’s 28 and has never had more than 8 sacks in a season. That said, some guys blossom later in their careers or find a coach that uses them to the best of their ability.
All I can say, is that with 7 sacks in 2 games, and facing the porous Steelers line this week, I’ll be watching to see how many times he catches up to Big Ben on Sunday.
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