Crabtree to resume contract talks with Niners
49ers rookie receiver Michael Crabtree, who has held out through four NFL games, is heading to San Francisco to resume contract talks, per Calvin Watkins of ESPN.
Crabree, who won back-to-back Fred Biletnikoff awards at Texas Tech, was the second receiver drafted after Oakland selected Darrius Heyward-Bey. Heyward-Bey and Crabtree were drafted with the seventh and tenth overall picks, respectively.
Although Crabtree topped draft boards at the receiver position for virtually every team, Raiders owner Al Davis covets speed and selected Heyward-Bey, who posted the fastest 40 time at the NFL Combine and was a former track star.
Not wanting to be shortchanged, Crabtree has sought a deal that would make him the highest paid receiver in this year's draft and has reportedly turned down an offer in the area of five years and $20 million.
Crabtree has been widely criticized in the media by former NFL players including Hall of Fame running back Jim Brown for holding out. Brown gave Crabtree some unsolicited advice during an interview on Sirius XM radio saying, "Mr. Crabtree, get your butt in camp."
"We need all the good players we can get," said coach Mike Singletary, per John Crumpacker of the San Francisco Chronicle. "I would never say 'No, we don't need him.' I met him, I talked to him, I had a good feel for him. I haven't been wrong too often."
In order to play in the 2009 season, the diva receiver and the Niners will need to work out a deal by November 17th.
