Crabtree was a stand-out wide receiver for Texas Tech. He had 97 receptions for 1,165 yards and 19 touchdowns last season. He was definitely one of the best players in this year’s draft.
However, it’s a bit much to be asking for more money when you have yet to play a single minute of professional football. Be happy with the offer that you get. Better yet, play a season, and if you prove yourself then you can begin to ask for more money.
Heyward-Bey Gets $38 million
Despite all of the cons against Crabtree asking for money, Wells does make a good argument. Darrius Heyward-Bey, the seventh overall pick, is getting paid $38 million by the Oakland Raiders.
Despite the fact that Crabtree was drafted three spots below Heyward-Bey, his numbers dwarfs Heyward-Bey’s in every category.
Crabtree caught 231 passes for 3,127 yards and 41 touchdowns during his collegiate career. Heyward-Bey on the other hand had 138 receptions for 2,089 yards and 13 touchdowns while playing at Maryland.
In that respect, the San Francisco 49ers should award Crabtree just as much if not more than Heyward-Bey. However, these players are no longer playing college football.
The NFL is a completely different game than its college counter-part. Some players put up amazing numbers in college, and then don’t pan out in the pros.
Crabtree Should Not Sit Out
If Crabtree does not get the deal he is looking for, he has threatened to sit out the 2009 season and re-enter the draft in 2010. This seems more like a bluff than an actual threat.
Should Crabtree decide to sit out the season, then he will come back in 2010 having not played any football for an entire year. The NFL is very competitive and being away from the game for any extended period of time makes it very difficult to compete.
A perfect example of this is USC wide receiver Mike Williams. He played his sophomore season at USC in 2003 and did not play football again until the Detroit Lions drafted him in 2005.
He played two seasons with the Lions, but was never able to perform like he did when he was playing at USC.
Since Crabtree will be away from football for a year, he will have a difficult time getting drafted in the top 10 in 2010. Being drafted later will only hurt his chances of getting more money next year.
Crabtree needs to take a step back and think about his long-term future in football. He may not make as much money now. However, if he proves that he is capable of being a pro-bowl wide receiver, then the money will follow him.
