Michael Crabtree Threatens To Sit Out 2009

Pop Quiz: When is $20+ million chump change?



A. When you're the US Government

B. When your name is Bill Gates

C. When you're a rookie player who has never caught in a pass in the NFL

D. All of the above



The answer of course is D, but only because Michael Crabtree fits the bill on answer C. Crabtree has come out and said that he is willing to sit out the 2009 season and ask to be re-drafted in 2010 if the 49'ers can't do better than the $38 million awarded to Darrius Heyward-Bey by the Oakland Raiders. Heyward-Bey was selected 3 spots ahead of Crabtree in the NFL Draft, but Crabtree contends that the Raiders made a mistake and Crabtree is the better player. Certainly better than $23.5 million.



According to ESPN, David Wells (Crabtree's cousin) said "We are prepared to do it. Michael just wants fair market value. Michael is one of the best players in the draft, and he just wants to be paid like one of the best players."



One can't help but wonder why Crabtree is so short-sighted. He has missed the OTA's and is in danger of missing out on training camp. Neither of these actions contributes to his potential success once the season starts.



According to Yahoo, Alex Smith simply shook his head when told about the news. "I haven't spoken to him since the summer," said Smith. "It's something I haven't thought about to tell you the truth. We're pretty focused on the guys we have here right now. I'm not worried about it. As a rookie, you're already behind the eight ball. You're just trying to catch up, all the timing that goes with it and trying to know your position, it's hard."



The 49'ers remained positive with the statement "In our view, there have been open and positive conversations on both sides."

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