Every sport has its share of athletes dissatisfied with their contracts or roles with a team, and those willing to sit out games or a season at the expense of their team. Interestingly enough, we see it happening with a rookie this season in football.
Michael Crabtree was named as the top wide receiver in the country entering the draft, but for whatever reason, Al Davis decided to make a bad decision (what else is new) and drafted Darrius Heyward-Bey over Crabtree at number 7.
Heyward Bey is fast, but Crabtree is one of those rare receivers that comes along every few years, with a unique blend of speed, talent, and all of the intangibles you look for in a receiver. Named as an All-American during both of his seasons with the Red Raiders, Crabtree is as good as they get.
The second mistake that Davis made, and more likely the cause of this whole debacle, is the $38 million contract Davis rewarded to Heyward Bey, still an unproven rookie. Looking at Crabtree's point of view, not only does he feel he got the shaft having been bypassed by Oakland, but he also believes he should have a higher valued contract than Heyward Bey does.
With the 49ers seemingly willing to let Crabtree sit out this year and re-enter the draft next year, they are not only dramatically hurting whatever slim chances they had for this year, but Crabtree's NFL future is being threatened. I mean, he's a great WR, but he won't be seeing any NFL-caliber action for a whole year. Who knows what kind of impact that will have on his skills and attitude?
Why are rookies getting $38 million to begin with? Someone who hasn't even caught a ball on the professional football field must prove himself first, as many athletes are required to do in other sports. There's no reason that Davis should have given so much money to someone who's never played a game in the league.
While Crabtree may have a point regarding his theory of relativity, $38 million is a boatload of money. $28 million is. A guy who's never made a dime in his life playing football before this should be thrilled to make such a healthy living at it, especially during these economic times.
Crabtree needs to learn to appreciate the situation he finds himself in, and must play a full season of football with the Niners - even if it means we walks away a few million dollars poorer for it. This is no way to set off on what should be a very long career. - 16887
Michael Crabtree was named as the top wide receiver in the country entering the draft, but for whatever reason, Al Davis decided to make a bad decision (what else is new) and drafted Darrius Heyward-Bey over Crabtree at number 7.
Heyward Bey is fast, but Crabtree is one of those rare receivers that comes along every few years, with a unique blend of speed, talent, and all of the intangibles you look for in a receiver. Named as an All-American during both of his seasons with the Red Raiders, Crabtree is as good as they get.
The second mistake that Davis made, and more likely the cause of this whole debacle, is the $38 million contract Davis rewarded to Heyward Bey, still an unproven rookie. Looking at Crabtree's point of view, not only does he feel he got the shaft having been bypassed by Oakland, but he also believes he should have a higher valued contract than Heyward Bey does.
With the 49ers seemingly willing to let Crabtree sit out this year and re-enter the draft next year, they are not only dramatically hurting whatever slim chances they had for this year, but Crabtree's NFL future is being threatened. I mean, he's a great WR, but he won't be seeing any NFL-caliber action for a whole year. Who knows what kind of impact that will have on his skills and attitude?
Why are rookies getting $38 million to begin with? Someone who hasn't even caught a ball on the professional football field must prove himself first, as many athletes are required to do in other sports. There's no reason that Davis should have given so much money to someone who's never played a game in the league.
While Crabtree may have a point regarding his theory of relativity, $38 million is a boatload of money. $28 million is. A guy who's never made a dime in his life playing football before this should be thrilled to make such a healthy living at it, especially during these economic times.
Crabtree needs to learn to appreciate the situation he finds himself in, and must play a full season of football with the Niners - even if it means we walks away a few million dollars poorer for it. This is no way to set off on what should be a very long career. - 16887
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