Taking a closer look, it’s about more than money. Robert Boland
With 49ers President Jed York possibly moving to get a deal done with unsigned wide receiver Michael Crabtree before the Week 10 deadline passes to sign him -- when Crabtree would be forced to make good on his threat to re-enter the draft – it’s time for a deeper look at what’s keeping these two sides apart.
Like many troubled negotiations, this one is not about money alone. It would be easier if it were because both sides would at least be arguing about the same thing and reasonable minds could meet in the middle. But these negotiations have spun out of control because a variety of issues: leverage, ego and pride have all been inserted into the process, muddying the water.
APMichael Crabtree
Let me put my agent hat on one more time, since I’m now a former NFL agent, and break down where Crabtree and his agent, Eugene Parker, are coming from and what could potentially get a deal done. I should start with a warning that speculating on a negotiation you’re not a part of involves a certain amount of just that -- speculation.
Also, in a decade of representing players in a variety of sports, I have had only one client who was a first- round pick, a female soccer player who was the first pick in the WUSA draft. The fact the league went bankrupt may mean I did too good a job on her contract. If I’d had more first round picks, I probably would still be practicing as an agent and not a professor of sports talking law and negotiation theory.
What’s Holding Up A Deal
A First-Round Agent
Eugene Parker is a much different agent than I was; he’s a guy competing exclusively for first-round clients. When you’ve had Deion Sanders, Emmitt Smith and Larry Fitzgerald as clients, you are more concerned with how a contract projects on your reputation rather than just getting a deal done. That isn’t necessarily a bad thing, but it is a double-edged sword.
It gives Parker the leverage to let a client remain unsigned and not be pressured to get a deal done on less than optimal terms, even if a holdout might impact negatively on that client. Sometimes it works out tremendously to a player’s advantage, and sometimes it doesn’t.
Only Chance to Cash In
The natural inclination for Crabtree, or any young player unhappy with his initial contract offer, is to take a shorter or voidable deal. But the increase in the threshold for free agency, from 4-6 years, accompanying the uncapped year in the CBA removes that choice. Crabtree and Parker both know that this could be Crabtree’s only chance for a good contract under the current rules, so there’s additional pressure to get this one right and put Crabtree where he would be if he had free-agent eligibility sooner.
Bad Feelings
APThe Raiders opened up the vault for DHB.
Clearly, Crabtree was shocked and hurt when the Raiders passed him over for Darrius Heyward-Bey with the seventh pick in the draft, and that has colored everything he and Parker have done. It was obviously important to Crabtree that he be the first wide receiver taken. The Raiders’ decision to tap Heyward-Bey, who most observers (including the NFP’s own Wes Bunting) thought was a reach, and then pay him so lavishly explains a lot about Crabtree’s and Parker’s stance.
It also doesn’t help that still more bad blood is at play here. If it were the Giants or the Cowboys rather than the 49ers, negotiating the situation might be different. There would not be the same irrational competition between the Raiders reaching for and possibly overpaying Heyward-Bey and the Crabtree situation. But because both storylines play out in the same media market, the anger of Crabtree and his camp hasn’t cooled. Finally, it was Parker who represented Deion Sanders when he broke the bank with the old Eddie DeBartolo-owned 49ers. The intra-family rivalry between the glory days of the Niners and the current version, run much differently by DeBartolo’s sister Denise, can’t be underestimated. There is more pulling these sides apart than pushing them together.
Trying to Reach a Deal
Getting Beyond Anger
To reach any deal, both sides have to want to reach one. If I were representing Crabtree, I’d start by trying to unravel all the bad feelings and get this conversation about what’s in Crabtree’s best interests. It’s doubtful that Parker can force a trade until after this season as the salary cap makes that nearly impossible with the season already begun.
It is also unrealistic to think that he would improve his stock by continuing to hold out, given the restrictions Crabtree would have on contact with teams if he were to re-enter the draft. Michael Lombardi detailed those last week. The fact that this years’ college receiver crop appears strong further limits Crabtree’s leverage. So I would start by recognizing that if Crabtree plays, it will be for the 49ers, and however hurt he may be for having been passed over in the seventh slot, any anger at San Francisco is misplaced.
Comparative Contracts
APWhite cashed in big this offseason.
But if this were only about money, the sides might not be that far apart. The 49ers’ previous offer to Crabtree was reportedly five years and $20 million, with $15 or $16 million guaranteed. Using figures provided by ESPN, Heyward-Bey signed for five years and $38.25 million, with $23.5 million guaranteed. Lee Evans extended in 2008 with Buffalo for four years/$37.25 million/$18.25 million guaranteed. Roddy White extended with Atlanta, becoming the second-highest-paid receiver in the NFL, before the season for six years/$50M/$18.6M guaranteed.
And Larry Fitzgerald, another Parker client, who lowered his cap number this offseason but remains football’s highest-paid receiver, signed for four years/$40M/$30M guaranteed ($15 million up front). One last comparative contract, OT Eugene Monroe, selected eighth by Jacksonville, signed for five years/$25M/$19M guaranteed.
Guaranteed Money and the Sweet Spot for this Deal
The NFP’s Andrew Brandt has taught everyone to ignore the length and total compensation and focus only on the guaranteed portions of any contract. Since Crabtree isn’t likely to be eligible for true free agency for six years, the length of his contract isn’t that relevant. And San Francisco has offered to guarantee 80 percent of its reported offer to Crabtree. So what we’re fighting over here comes down to the amount of guaranteed money.
Name Amount Guaranteed Percentage of Contract
Larry Fitzgerald $30 million 75
Darius Heyward-Bey $23.5 million 61
Eugene Monroe $19 million 76
Roddy White $18.6 million 31
Lee Evans $18.25 million 49
The sweet spot for Crabtree then is $18-20 million in guaranteed money and a percentage guaranteed greater than 75 percent. It would represent a huge win for Parker and Crabtree, and getting there means Crabtree would have outperformed his slot (and possibly the eighth slot, too) and already have guaranteed money better than two top veterans at his position.
The 49ers are also relatively cash poor -- they rank in the lower tier of the league in both revenue and operating income -- so guaranteeing salary is more workable than bonus money, and no one can tell how Parker and Crabtree feel about this. But by being late, the 49ers have a finite amount of rookie pool left for Crabtree.
But looking at these comps, assuming the 49ers are at $16 million and Parker and Crabtree are asking for $24 million (more than Heyward-Bey) in guaranteed money, they would have a midpoint of $20 million (again a huge win for the slot where Jerrod Mayo got $13.8 million guaranteed last year) and the sides would be less than $1 million a year apart over a five-year deal. The difference might not be worth missing even a couple of more game checks in the holdout.
But as we said before, this negotiation has been about more than just money.
Is it possible Crabtree is just afraid of getting hit by NFL DB's and is merely looking for an excuse to not sign? Unless he's completely uneducated he has seen what happens to the careers of rookies who hold out for long periods of time.
One of the best articles I have seen on the subject of M. Crabtree. It would be interesting if the comment about medical treatments is true. I had concerns about his medical health.
The SF 49ers are all about "TEAM" now. It may be in there best interest to let him go and use the money towards a provend receiver next year. I say let him go and trade him if you can. He does not fit in with the "TEAM" mentality and his skill is unproven at the NFL level.
When can Crabtree sign with another team as a free agent?
Does he have to re-enter the draft every year until he signs a contract?
When can Crabtree sign with another team as a free agent?
Does he have to re-enter the draft every year until he signs a contract?
Good post Ed. That's got me re-thinking about the guy. Now you could say once the business sides all done & under the rug can Crabtree now concentrate on football, mastering his craft, & being one with the team??
I didn't hear any problems with him getting along with his teammates at Texas Tech. Any TT fans out there who could chime in on this? I'm still 60-40 on wanting the guy here & seeing what he's got. I too would like to know if that ankle treatment story is true. For me I'll give him until the Bye week before I'm through with all the BS & through with him. This is dragging on too long now. It's time for it to all come to a head soon hopefully.
Another factor to throw in there - the Niners have 2 first round draft picks. So caving to Crabtree now won't set a good precedent for next year's negotiations. If they don't sign Crabtree, they can just save the money that would have been spent on Crabtree and use it next year.
The market decided his worth . It is between the money 9 & 11 received . The smartest thing the 49ers could do is cut bait . There is no need for a sitdown . Crabtree won't be ready to play this year & probably won't be able to gel with his teammates . Also , after Deion Sanders statement about how other teams were interested in his services & were willing to meet his salary demands , I would ask that the league looked into tampering violations . Lets see in the long run how this turns out for Michael Crabtree . I bet not well . He seems to forget his advisor Deion was a two sport athlete . I bet history will remember Crabtree more for his holdout instead of his career .
I went to TTU and I'm a huge fan of Crabtree. I don't think he is listening to the right people and it's hurting him in the media and his future with this team. But to suggest he is a selfish player and not a good teammate is absolutely ridiculous. He's one of the hardest working players I've ever seen and never had any problems with any of his teammates in his 3 years at Tech. I hope he signs soon so we can have another pro bowl receiver to go along with Welker.
Trade Crabtree's rights to Denver for Brandon Marshall and let them deal with him
Crabtree is not afraid of being hit.... also.. he has not been seen getting treatment in Lubbock.. if it was anywhere it would be in the Dallas area where he lives.....
and being a Tech fan.. I can tell you that on the field.. Crabtree is all about team.. he runs every play hard... he blocks hard... he runs his routes..hard.. he will work his butt off once signed.
Both sides have fault here and they need to get it done. It can be said that Crabtree hasn't argued this out in the press.. neither have the 49ers.. which does show some class on the part of both parties.
Crabtree is not afraid of being hit.... also.. he has not been seen getting treatment in Lubbock.. if it was anywhere it would be in the Dallas area where he lives.....
and being a Tech fan.. I can tell you that on the field.. Crabtree is all about team.. he runs every play hard... he blocks hard... he runs his routes..hard.. he will work his butt off once signed.
Both sides have fault here and they need to get it done. It can be said that Crabtree hasn't argued this out in the press.. neither have the 49ers.. which does show some class on the part of both parties.
Important to note that he cannot participate in any workouts next year, no combine, no interviews, no running routes for any teams other then the 49ers. Teams will not know anything about him, health, speed, etc. The Niners hold his rights up through the draft. GM's have short memories. He will be taken much lower in the draft. The Niners cannot trade him right now. They can trade his right after the year is over up until the draft, approximately a 6 week window. Seems like something fishy is going on here. Crabtree has absolutely no leverage at all.
All the SF fans need to quit being so butt hurt over the negotiations. Crabtree is healthy, would be productive and is a great teammate, not the selfish player all the so called pundit want to claim. He just wants to win and will do what is need to do so. I am a Tech and SF fan, so I would love to see Crabtree get this over with, but the other side needs to do what it takes as well. Crabtree gives you at least 6 more points per game just being on the field and is 10 times the receiver Heyward-Bey and that likely equates to 2-3 more wins and the playoffs for the 49ers if Shaun Hill plays solid.
They just need to get in a room together, clear the air and come to some common ground. Understanding why the other wants what they do will close this out quickly.
How about this... He HASNT caught a SINGLE NFL pass, and he is demanding $ that 99% of us cannot even phathom. AND, to b a crybaby about it, not being the 1st WR picked, and now he has to make more $ then him?? Brother, I can ONLY hope that when you catch your 1st NFL pass as you come across the middle, that a Ronnie Lott-esque type of defensemen cleans your clock! THIS IS EXACTLY WHAT IS WRONG WITH ATHLETES TODAY.. HE HASNT CAUGHT A SINGLE NFL PASS YET. WHAT GIVES HIM THE BALLS TO HAVE ANY BARGINING POWER... THis is when the league should stick together, and say, F this guy... and noone draft him.. teach his ass a lesson.. problem is, there is ALWAYS 1, that will give the cry baby what he wants (alla TO) to fill seats, sell more hot dogs and beer, and sell more JErseys.. Think of this..... Michael Vick was suspended for the 1st few games, but yet, as he was still in training camp, and his suspension was NOT yet handed down, the NFL had already started selling his licensed jersey.. Come on guys.. really??
Hilarious. Get ready to be a third-rounder next year Crabtree.
This is the best article writen about MIchael Crabtree on the net. I feel confident in saying that as a diehard 49ers fan I have read them all.....
Great prespective and for once a factual argument.
Crabtree needs to get over his hurt feelings and bruised ego from dropping and being bad mouthed in the draft. If he is so concerned about it he should sign a deal, get on the field and prove everyone wrong and play the game with a chip on his shoulder and help an improving 49ers team win football games.
But the entire situation is pretty farfetched and tough to rationize with as everyday americans. Sure he did not get dealt the hand he wanted dropping to #10 and being picked after a guy who is not of his caliber, but holding out lke this is like being mad at getting dealt pocket Kings instead of pocket Aces at a poker table. I'm sorry that you are only going to be guaranteeded 16 million dollars....
Crabtree is a draftee not a holdout. He is not under contract to any team nor is he obligated to sign a contract. The Niners hold his draft rights. All this means is if he wants to play NFL football then he has to play for San Francisco. Many persons are assigning blame to Crabtree or the Niners or both in varying degrees. The truth is that no one is to blame here. Crabtree's asking price is obviously more than the 49'ers are willing to pay. The 49'ers are paying Crabtree nothing. I urge NFL fans to stop with the namecalling and let's enjoy the season.
Thank you all for both kind words and very useful information and questions. As I said before Crabtree (or his rights) are unlikely to be traded until after the season due to the cap problems of in season trades and if he holds out for the season, the trade value of an unsigned player isn't that great. If we were to believe Crabtree were still injured and his receiving treatment is different than being still injured he and Eugene Parker would have rushed to sign and lock down money-near generational wealth- while getting healthy. So the not signing implies he can play. The only leverage Crabtree has is the kind he is using now because the 49ers still want him to play. It would be interesting if the 49ers made him an offer below his sweetspot but close enough to be intriguing say $17.25 million guaranteed and then set a deadline for the offer to be withdrawn.
Nice read Robert . You stress guaranteed money in this article . Wouldn't it make sense for the 49ers to call him out by using bonus or incentive money for certain goals reached ? In other words, if you want top 5 compensation , reach these stats & you will get x amount of dollars . Kind of a play for pay bonus package . I was thinking how the Bengals did with the Andre Smith contract & his weight clauses .
Robert, Crabtree's rights CANNOT be traded now. The deadline for unsigned drafted players has passed. He can't be traded at this point until the new fiscal NFL season, sometime in March. The Niners will have about 6 weeks to shop his rights.
I think Al Davis had it right in passing on Crabtree. I'm not certain that the situation would have been fundamentally different had he been picked at #7. I hope that he skips this year, goes back into the draft, and gets picked lower. That'd be hilarious.
Another good article, Robert.
I am curious what would happen if SF started the year off 6-2. At that point, they may be less inclined to do something.
evans, whites and fitzy'sdeal are irrelevant. kid is a draft pick, and all others have signed, therefore only comparables are picks 3 spots ahead and 3 spots behind. sf had to have a plan in mind at the time they picked him, if it has failed then they need to move on, if they have yet to execute their plan then we all wait and see. the kid will not re enter as no team would pick him unless he is the consensus # 1 amongst next years draft eligible wideouts. so amigos, we will wait and see. personally i'd rather have dez bryant next year than crabtree, unless of course eugen is repping him!
You are right PW. It would take a signing to make a trade possible, but not realistic. Sorry for misleading anyone. I was overthinking it.
Good article Robert,
I am a bay area fan and the only problem I have is "speculation" This is an issue that has
everybody guessing.
Unfortunately with this kid that is what is so hard to figure out. He is a very quiet individual
and very introverted. That makes him very hard to read. Nobody really knows how he feels.
However, he showed no dislike while he was here and was seen living in the bay area and
working out up until just a short time ago.
He and his agent have talked very little to the media, only occasional leaks and interviews usually around the time of each 49er game. Even the owner Jed York admitted that they haven't been able to talk to him, which is why he offered a face to face sitdown privately over 1.5 weeks ago and once again publicly about 3 days ago. Crabtree's camp's answer so far has been no answer at all. Not yes, not no, just no returned phone calls nothing, silence...
Now Jed York is going on KNBR again tomorrow morning at about 8:30 so we will see what he has to say. I would suggest you listen to the podcast once it is available online.
I think he's hiding the fact he's still hurt and trying to buy some time to recover, but he still wants his huge contract at the same time.
Very good article, I have seen on the subject of M. Crabtree. It would be interesting if the comment about medical treatments is true. I had concerns about his medical health.
Thanks
With all due respect, it is almost impossible NOT to see Crabtree as being selfish considering his situation. Competing in college when you know millions of dollars aren't coming your way is waaaayyy different from being a pro; now that big money is in play he has made a conscious choice to let his actions off the field--not on--speak for him and In doing so, he has all but guaranteed that he will NOT contribute in a meaningful way this season. And consider that his actions demonstrate 3 terrible qualities for any potential employee: Greed. A lack of pride in his craft. A lack of concern for his teammates/co-workers. The offer is fair--he has done NOTHING on an NFL field and he stands to make as much or more than far more accomplished and deserving players. I am a Niners fan who was excited to have him after the draft. Now I want to foist him off onto the Cowboys/Redskins/Raiders so that they can suffer through a less-productive, less talented, equally disruptive T.O. and continue to self-destruct while we spend our money elsewhere. Dez Bryant--welcome to San Francisco! That is the rule of addition by subtraction.....
THE scales of balance in this stalement favors the forty-niners in that they are fighting
for control of the NFC WEST this weekend, had they lost to the Defending NFC Champs
(soon to perhaps become [Chumps] given the track record or emotional letdown of ex-super bowl loosers)well then Crab would have the advantage. The transition to excellence in professional sports from the Collegiate level involves more than just talent but requires hard work, a professional and exemplary work ethic, (see JERRY RICE)and chemistry with your team(all of which Mike Singletary has resurrected with the resurgent 9ers. He really is just an 8er, not a 9er until he proves he can contribute to the team(see countless Rashad _somebodys_, who were drafted in the first round and although talented were busts). If the 9ers are cash-strapped, let's not forget that they still need millions to build that new stadium.
Maybe he's waiting till his sytem clears and he can take NFL mandated tests?
I have not seen anyone talk about the "cost" to Crabtree of this holdout in terms of endorsement dollars. Running up to the season his jersey was the #1 seller in the bay area and I expect he could have endorsed any number of products. Now sales have talked and I expect nobody wants him to be the "face" for their products. Over time doen't this have to cost him more than the difference between what the niners are offering him and what he wants contract-wise? Is thee a danger than an agent does not factor this into the calculus since he does not get as big a pce of this revenue? (or does he?)
Matt
This writer does not know what he is talking about.
1. The 49ers cannot trade him until March 1st.
2. If the 49ers pay him more than the number 9 picked player, then they will guarantee that all future first round picks will hold out to try and get a similar deal. The 49ers are better to let him reenter the draft than to let that happen.
3. The only hope that the 49ers have here is to offer him LESS guaranteed money, and instead give him lots of incentives and contract trickery to make his contract look like more than it actually is. Nate Clements (a 49er) has a contract like that. You look at the total figure, and it is excessive, but it is literally impossible for him to get the full dollar amount. Give Crabtree something similar to assauge his pride.
What if Crabtree's foot isn't doing that great? He may be stalling because he knows he won't pass the 49ers physical. What would happen then? There has to be more to this thing than just money
As Gritz Blitz said, Crabtree is slotted 10th. I don't care if his little feelings got hurt because Crazy Al chose someone else. Forty Niner fans don't even want this diva on the team. He works hard, he blocks hard, blah, blah, blah. We had a taste of this with Owens and we don't need to go through it again. Let Crabgreed go play for Jerry Jones in his taxpayer funded palace. Cashtree and his ego will fit right in there. We'll take the draft pick for tampering and move on. And no, BFORD both sides don't have fault here. The Forty Niners put a fair offer on the table and they haven't had any trouble signing 1st round picks in the past. This is Crabtree's fault.
When a player wants to play, you can't keep them off the field. Crabtree is asking for more than money. He Asking everyone to believe that he is more than the tenth pick. He ahs an injury that is suspect. That is is fact. Suspect is the key word. Now, he has gone on the record thru sources close to him that he will sit out the season.
The percentage of the greatest athletes in all sports provide those that pay them, those that watch them and those that comment on them decide what their true worth in the arenas they compete in. Crabtree wants to payed before he inters based on past contracts. He should honor that and get on the field and prove everybody wrong.
Being a USC fan I noticed the size and ability of two of their recievers. One handed catches, 225 and doing it while being mugged. That is just the tip waiting for the chance to play in the NFL. It is not in Crabtree's best interest to sit. The suspected injury, the waiting it out are not conducive to a contract based on what he thinks he should get.
Get on the field and drown ot the naysayers. Prove your worth and you get an extension. If he is a great reciever, then with Gore forcing teams to put 9 in the box Crabtree could come out way ahead because he would get the one on one that sends shivers up defensive coordinaters backs. A reciever that can't be covered and a reunning back that can't be stopped. Do it rocket MC and let the actions on the field be your spokesman.
BFORD, wrong, both sides are not at fault. The 49ers have offered fair value and have taken the high road in comments. They have also extended offer to meet, what have we heard from Parker and Crabtree?
His value is dropping by the moment. The 9 pick is slotted at X dollars, assumeing that he learns the plays and partakes in team activities and contributes. He does not meet the requirements. The offer should be shrinking as time goes by. How are the "feelings" of this artist going to deal with Sigletarys actually telling him to do something? Without bounceing it off his agent/ handlers first. Somebody needs to grow up real soon if they want to play at all.
Clearly, football is not as important to Crabtree as it should be, IMO. The Niners should save the money, realize the mistake, and pay someone or a few guys who want to play football. I would not want this guy on my team. He's not even suited up yet, and he's already showing the "diva" attitude that the Niners and their new coach don't need. Can't coach 'em, can't win with 'em!!!
The rules can't be clearer--signed or unsigned, Crabtree cannot be traded by the 49ers until 3/1/10. Not sure why the author keeps clouding up the issue with talk of the cap and difficulty of trading in season. He plays for the 49ers this season, or nobody.
I'm so excited that the Raiders passed on this guy. I'm sure he'd be asking for top three money if helwe had drafted him. Heyward-Bey is a nice haed-working kid and I'll take that anytime over Terrell Owens, Brandon Marshall, or Michael Crabtree.
I went to Tech and watched Crabtree for 3 years plus one year of HS as a QB.
He has a GREAT work ethic and if you EVER saw him in an interview, he NEVER took one bit of credit. He passed everything onto his teammates, Harrell etc.
When he did hurt his ankle, he still continued to play and Tech ended up winning a close game after the letdown in Oklahoma. Even though he was in bad shape he still got out on the field and at least ran decoy.
I personally think he just surrounded himself with lousy people. His agent from the start seemed shady and when you have Irvin, Sanders and others, they can't be giving him objective advice.
Bottom line is he busted his a-- in college and there is no reason he would not work as hard and show the same discipline in the NFL.
I'm sure he's feeling that he's getting penalized for an injury that could have happened to anyone. He's not out in public crying about his contract. He's keeping this strictly on a business level.
True, Crabtree has not yet caught a pass but so far: Heyward-bey 23 million: 1 catch and 18 yards in 2 games. Crabtree wil eventually get what he wants and will show he was a far better investment then Heyward-Bey.
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Sep 17, 2009
09:24 AM
Here is a tid bit for you. Michael is undergoing back door treatments at a Sports Rehab in Lubbock. Comes in the morning via the back door and is supposedly having trouble with the ankle. Maybe that has something to do with all this.