For the sake of the 49ers, I really hope the report about rookie WR Michael Crabtree wanting top-three money isnt true because a holdout could ruin this guys first season.

Ive mentioned before that rookies need to be in camp, and although Im the first guy who wants players to get as much as they can in this league, missing time can set first-year players so far back and draw the ire of vets who are practicing and making half the pay that they have a hard time getting on the field.

...And once they do get on the field, they have a hard time producing, especially at the wide receiver position.

Crabtree didnt participate this offseason due to his foot injury, and for him to sit at home while his team is practicing is not a good thing for the ballclub.

I expect him to have a hard enough time adapting to the pro game after living in the spread offense at Texas Tech, and dont be surprised if the Niners move on and treat him like an afterthought if his holdout becomes lengthy.

The time in NFL training camp is precious, and missing one day sets you back three in terms of practice, meetings and learning to become a pro.

Plus, Crabtree was the 10th pick in the draft.

The Niners dont have a single reason to meet his demands of top-three money.

It isnt on them that he slid down the board on draft day.

The league needs to establish a rookie pay scale as the current system is broken, and breaks teams for years if they spend wrong on the wrong player...a player who has never done a thing in the league, no less.

"digsthepack" wrote:

"digsthepack" wrote:

As he welcomed all his rookies to camp, except the unsigned Crabtree, Singletary mentioned that twice in his career as a player he held out - one week as a rookie in 1981, and three weeks heading into Chicago's Super Bowl season in '85.
"I was drafted in the second round and, of course, I thought I should have been drafted in the first round, so I held out for a week," Singletary said.
In 1985, his holdout stretched to three weeks after a difference of opinion with the Bears' general manager.
"I'm a guy of principle," Singletary said. "I was prepared to sit out for the whole duration. It worked out."
Just as it eventually will for Crabtree, Singletary implied.

The difference with Crabtree, taken by the 49ers with the 10th pick in April's draft, is, according to online reports, that agent Eugene Parker is believed to be looking for top-five money for his client based on the perception of where the Texas Tech wide receiver was expected to be taken.

Perception met reality April 25, when Crabtree lasted until No. 10.

The draft's top five were quarterback Matthew Stafford (Lions), tackle Jason Smith (Rams), defensive lineman Tyson Jackson (Chiefs), linebacker Aaron Curry (Seahawks) and quarterback Mark Sanchez (Jets).
After Sanchez went tackle Andre Smith (Bengals), wide receiver Darrius Heyward-Bey (Raiders), tackle Eugene Monroe (Jaguars), defensive tackle B.J. Raji (Packers) and Crabtree.

Since Crabtree wasn't even the first receiver taken in the draft, Parker might have trouble getting top-five money from the 49ers, if that is his intent. Parker did not return phone calls and e-mails from The Chronicle seeking comment on his contract negotiations with the 49ers.

Crabtree, as it turns out, is the linchpin of the entire first round.

Only four of the 32 first-round picks have signed, as of Tuesday - Stafford at No. 1, Sanchez at No. 5, center Alex Mack at No. 21 and Ziggy Hood at No. 32 - and Parker's fellow agents are waiting to see what his guy gets before crunching numbers on behalf of their own clients.
NFL rookie contracts are normally slotted according to where a player was drafted.

"As a coach, I think every situation is different," Singletary said. "I don't know his agent. I do know we have been fair. We're hopeful of getting it done. In time it will work itself out."

If Raji holds out I'd sit him on the bench ... heck the guy hasnt even proved himself with the big boys yet.

Sure he had some nice moves with brace backing him up and some light college guys. Lets see how he does vs 350 pound linemen in his face.

I totally agree on rookies shouldnt be getting this kind of money. They should need to prove themselves first. Give the guys with more experience and ones that play more the most money.

from 10th to 3rd is alot of dough (not sure how much but its alot).

and ya its funny how MS defends his star pick.

I think the guy could still be good ...

speaking of holding out ... whats up with collins?

"Dulak" wrote: