Kevin Lynch just said on knbr that he believes that this whole Crabtree fiasco is Parker's fault. He thinks Parker is using Crabtree to make a statement and to become a big voice and get a place at the table in the upcoming Collective Bargaining Agreement negotiations.
If Lynch is correct,as he probably is in this case(imho) ,then Crabs better wise up and quit being a patsy and fire the sleezy agent,who is not representing his clients interests but his own interests.
Fire the bum Crabs !!! We will forgive and forget if you fire the bum and sign !

Awwwww "Michael Cramtree"! So adorable!!!

Damn though Matt, you're Mr. Big Buissness now! Videos, podcasts! -We need a Matt Maiocco fan club, with T-shirts, mugs, and free balloons for the kids!!!

Keep up the awesome work Matt!

I'm predicting a TV gig in someone's near future ....

Nice report. I agree that the niners must have some prove. Or at least I hope so.

As you say when the Niners were penalized it was already after "no harm no foul". If they do find that the jets at fault what would you expect the results to be. Would commissioner Goodell be more stringent on the punishment.

Keep up the great reporting...

Frank Gore, NFC offensive player of the week......

Nice! Great job Matt! I love this new format. Even more so than the video recap! Keep up the good work!

Lol ditto on the "Cramtree."

I don't know man, MM is getting pretty big time on us lowly Niner fanatics. I predict a holdout by the 2010/11 season. PressDemocrat, you better be ready to SHOW HIM THE MONEY! Don't let the Jets take him!

Couple of points come to mind. Having been on the losing end of a tampering charge. The Niners must feel comfortable enough (with the allegations) as to have a reasonable amount of evidence for the league to investigate (beyond Deion's ramblings). As I recall the case with Briggs centered more on internal communication(emails) within the front office. As the Niners (at the time) eluded that Rosenhaus was also Gore's agent and communication could be related to that relationship. A point the Jets are quick to make note of between Parker and Dustin Keller.

In the end I believe the charges will accomplish three points. Curb the interest from perspective teams having internal discussions of adding him to their squad (via draft next year or trade). Stir up discussion in the league - regarding a rookie salary structure similar to the NBA. As most front offices would leave us to believe they wouldn't make a similar mistake of drafting a talented, but problematic ($$$ contract demanding) young man. Finally as opposed to being a distraction to the team it will have the polar opposite effect. I believe this will further galvinize the team into drinking the koolaid that Singletary is pouring. Remember the post game rant following the Seattle game last year. This is exactly the thoughtless actions of a player Singletary does not want on this roster...REGARDLESS of what he says in interviews

Your blog continues to develop and pretty soon I am sure you will be selling Maiocco Jerseys, then sea cruises with Matt.

Does the Press Democrat slot its reporters? Go for the big bucks, hired Eugene Parker!

Seriously Matt you do a good job.

Matt, Can the commissioner punish Crabtree’s agent, Eugene Parker, in any way if he the tampering charges are proved true?

Does Crabtree and his agent ever stop to consider the fact that the NFL has entered rough economic waters ? Is it not risky to assume that bidding will be as usual next year? There are already loud whispers that one or more franchises (Jacksonville, etc.) may need to relocate and/or contract. The NFL may have its own mini-bubble to contend with. The overall US economy is not out of the woods by any stretch of the imagination. ...If I were Crabtree, I'd get what I could get right now.

Louisville" Of course the Commish can punish Parker. He can ban him from doing business with the NFL for life or for a smaller period of time.
Parker could still do business with other sports Leagues,but he would be banished from the NFL.

My feelings on this matter is - He knows a team has told him "Your our #1 target this next draft/trade availibility and we WILL pay you what your worth, all you have to do is sit out and we'll take care of the rest". He hasn't tried to get ahold of the 49ers himself or through his agent thus proving Deion opened his mouth WAY to early and now we'll get a nice tampering reward AND possibly not sign Crabtree. I see him NOT signing with us honestly, but the TEAM that did tamper should be smacked alot harder than we were with the Lance Briggs because this is a 1st rounder we drafted and he's been swayed illegaly by another TEAM. Jets GM has a history of messing up with the Brett Favre injury ordeal and I can see him doing this.

Interesting, but dinosaur that I am, I prefer to see it in writing.

So Matt, let's accept your "comprable evidence to the Bears case" argument. Do you really think the commissioner would drop the hammer on the NYJ?

Back9 | September 22, 2009 6:45 PM | Reply So Matt, let's accept your "comprable evidence to the Bears case" argument. Do you really think the commissioner would drop the hammer on the NYJ?
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You hit the nail on the head! That is the million dollar question now,isn't it ?
NY NFL office the Judge between a NY team and a west coast team that the same Commish already railroaded in another tampering case!
That was a great article from Lowell cohn today about how McGloughan is not going to stand for that attitude any more !
http://www.pressdemocrat.com/article/20090921/NEWS/909219897/1055/SPORTS09?Title=McCloughan-tired-of-being-the-wimp

Cool podcast, Matt. You're a good journalist (and a good Dad)!

Question Lady is awesome.

Question Lady is awesome.

I don't trust Goodell to be fair.
I'd like to see Parker suspended and us get some kind of pick compensation.
I don't know if this would get by the players association, but what what Goodell needs to do is declare Crabby ineligible for the draft next year and let the 49ers retain his rights. This would to make up for the tampering and the lost year from him not signing. He'd either have to sign with us or we could trade his rights to be compensated.

Right on Jobiwon, I completely agree if any other team interfered with Crabtree by showing any interest while he was in the process contract negotiation with the 49ers than NFL better take a strong stand to punish the involved party in an effort to protect the business integrity of the league.

Furthermore, this is the time for Jed York to stand up to the league and make sure that this historic franchised is treated fairly and professionally.

For what it is worth John Clayton thinks Mr. Crabs will sign in 2 weeks.

Matt, is there a way to download the podcast? I prefer to listen to them offline. Didn't spot any direct link on the RSS feed.

I've come to this conclusion:
Let Craptree wait out the year, and let him go wherever he wants! If other teams want his stuck up ass (excuse me Matt) let them have him!
That doesn't mean there shouldn't be an investigation of tampering by the NFL! Teams have a right to know if another team or teams are poking their nose(es) where they don't belong and the 49ers should be WELL compensated if it is found out to have happened! But let Mr. Big sit out the year and find out what it's like to watch all the big money going to players who made teams this year.
By the way! Believe me, i'm not a real fan of Brian Billick, but I have to say that his color commentating was about the best I've heard in a looooong time!! He was right when guessing plays and opened the game itself up to the viewer. Great Job Brian! And I don't think he mentioned Farve or the Cowboys that I could remember.
And did you guys notice Madden sitting in a booth with the monkey man? Figures Madden would be at the Cowboys openning of that ugly, putrid memorial of Jerry Jones!!! And his team was beaten on that BIG Jones night!!! LOL!

If this guy signs it will be due to a tough,aggressive stance by the brass that showed they wouldn't be rolled by some two-bit hustler and his client.All those future paydays might look like dead-end traps at this point.

I am so FIRED UP by the LOWELL COHN's article referred above. Man I wish I could do something.

[cross-post to "Singletary wants line, not QB to make plays"]

The question of the week at Mike Singletary’s news conference Monday came from Matt Maiocco, who asked: Is Shaun Hill capable of taking team on his back and winning a game on his own?

---

Better question.

Can Matt Maiocco credibly cover the Niners while he continues to stew over the victimhood of Alex Smith?

Nonsense du jour a.k.a. the daily drivel from Maiocco:

Will the QB who put the team on his back to engineer an 80-yd game winning drive full of plays and completions against the Cardinals 9 days ago EVER be capable of putting the team on his back and winning a game on his own?

at one time it was said that parker admitted this was a fair offer the niners made.

i can only assume that "crying day" glavinized crabtree....was crabtree crying when talking to singletary that fateful day because singletary told him how much of a smashmouth run oriented team the 9rs were going to be....or crabtree holding out because he is only use to passes from smith figuring that hill does not provide crabtree much of an opportunity to shine....so is crytree really a weeping willow now?

soap opera

sorry, my twisting in the wind logic has me thinking crabtree is controlling this state of play, not parker

This could evolve into a very big, bad story for the NFL. The Jets are an NFL favorite and the media loves them too. Same for the Cowboys, who could very possibly be the other culprit. If Eddie is more involved now, Which he indicated he would be, we could really see some big- time fireworks. The best part for the 49ers is that, while Crabtree MIGHT be a future star, the 49ers don't need him right now as much as they need a big time QB, or pass rusher. That gives them the leverage to use Crabtree as a very valuable pawn ("tool" would be a better word) as they push for appropriate compensation in this major, messy, one of a kind scandal. Personally, I would much rather see some major draft pick(s), say, a #1 from any teams that tampered (plus heavy fines) as payment to the Niners while Crabtree gets hung out to dry and has to re-enter the draft next year.
Other teams saw the Niners inexperienced management and decided to fool around. Hopefully Jed will get uncle Eddy involved.
It's a beautiful thing.

funny take on craptree

funny take on craptree

http://realfakesports.blogspot.com/2009/09/jets-on-talking-to-crabtree-agent-never.html

Stampede - Great game last week huh! How did you like the Stinking Rose sandwich?

The Jerm - How do you even pretend to know what communication Crabtree or his agent have had with the 49ers the last week since York came out and said he wanted a meeting? Do you realize what you are saying? For another team to be talking to Crabtree about taking care of him they need to START the bidding at $30 mil. Because he is being offered $20 mil so they have to start at $25 mil just for him to draw even from the money he will not be making this year and that is just even so they need to offer him $30 mil at least. Now who in their right minds will do that after he has shown this attitude?

Like it or not he will be a 49er within 2 weeks.

If he evedry plays I am going to pesonally boo the heck out of him everytime his name is announced. I am sure all my fellow niner fans would do the same. This pig doesn't deserve to be in NFL legt alone in SF

Seriously latopia why do you even come on here. I think you must be really oh I will just say unknowledgeable about football since that is the absoulute nicest thing I can think of. What, Matt can't ask a legitimate question without you jumping in and saying Ha! See, I caught him . . . he must be thinking about Alex Smith. So hilarious. I didn't see Smith's name mentioned in that question? Could he possibly be talking about some of the many QB's in the league who are counted on to carry more of the load for their teams? Nah, must be some slam at Hill aimed at Matt's secret mission to get Smith named the smarter. Yeah . . .that makes sense . . . you developmentally challenged person!

The Niners need to re-think their approach to the Micheal Crabtree. I listened to Matt's Podcast about tampering, and how the Niners are knowledgable about tampering, but I don't buy it. Matt's saying McCloughan knows what he's talking about, and I couldn't disagree more. McCloughan's a fool, and Matt's McCloughan mouthpiece.
The Niners need to listen to Jerry Rice. Rice said this season is pretty much a bust for Crabtree. So why pay him? Parker has already leveraged Crabtree into the 9th spot, and Crabtree still isn't signing the deal, so that can only mean Crabtree doesn't want to play for the Niners.
Listen, also, to Crabtree's friend and advisor who said, "Crabtree is willing to holdout the entire season." If you add up the generous money offered, the threat to holdout, and Deion saying other teams are interested, that means Crabtree doesn't want to play here, and honestly, I can't blame him. Which rookie wide receiver would? The Niners are a ground and pound team with a backup qb. And before you go off on a tangent saying, "That's a slippery slope allowing a WR to pick his team," don't take your eye off the ball. What's done is done and now the Niners need to get value for their pick. They aren't getting a first rounder for Crabtree, period. But they could possibly get a second or third, and with no leverage, take it. You're staring at getting nothing if Crabtree goes back into the draft.
What the Niners need to do is pull their offer and instead of fighting with Crabtree they need to accept this has gone completely sideways for them and try to cut their loses. No more negotiation that's prove to be a waste of time - no more press conferences. Instead of trying to shut Crabtree down, give him permission to seek trade offers. Let him market himself. Let him blow up the TVs with spin and press conferences, and the like. If he gains value in the eyes of the other 31 teams, the Niners have a shot at someone stepping up two weeks before draft day and offering a second rounder for first round value. Shut Crabtree down and bash him, and the Niners get nothing. Crabtree won't be a Niner. Deal with it like pros.

ska - it was an awsome game my friend! Unfortunately I arrived at the Stick too late, barely made it on time for kick off. I wanted to hit it up, but I couldn't leave my seat the game was so good! I will definately be at the Stick again this season, next time I'll have to manage my time better. Thanks again for the tip!

Hey Spit, long time -
I see this move on Scots' part as a preemtive strike to force movement from Goodell and the League who chose to ignore the obvious message Deion delivered on LIVE TV.

There's a GROSS negligence issue here regarding the Exclusive Rights process to negotiate fairly with a Draft pick. Deion is an advisor to Crabtree, Parker his agent as well as Deions'.

Mix thoroughly and we can see pretty clearly that Crabtree is being sold on 'Better Offers'.

I'd take whatever I could get for him and move on, it's polluted and counter productive at this point.

What the heck are you guys smoking? I've never read so much drivel.

Goodall cannot punish Parker. The rules don't apply to Parker and he doesn't work for the league. And why would he be? Parker hasn't tampered with anyone or anything. Jeesh.

Tattling on the Jets proves you're not a wimp? That's a first. Non-wimps take care of their own business, they don't go running to mom.

100% of Cohen's article was made up. Did not contain a single fact supporting any of the rubbish he wrote.

Parker is a good agent. With Crabtree's "hold out" he's managed to get the Niners offer improved. According to Jed it's now one dollar less than the #9 pick. That's a significantly better deal than they first offered way back in June.

Parker will get his client signed with the Niners. When he is 100% sure he can't wring out any more compromises, Crabtree will be signed sealed and delivered. All the talk of holding out the season is media BS from other people. Not from Crabtree and not from Parker. They do not want to do such a daft thing.

Crabtree will be signed before Nov 17. Guaranteed.

By the way, holding out for the best deal doesn't make Crabtree a bad receiver, a bad team mate, a diva, a traitor to the 49ers, or any of the other dumbass insults flung in his direction. It makes him one and only one thing: a good businessman.

You are wrong Spitblood . . . he will be a 49er. Who would ever actually throw that kind of money away? And why wouldn't you want to be a 49er? They pay their players just fine. And if they didn't, which they DO but if they didn't he would be free to go elsewhere after he proves something on the field. Ridiculous . . . RIDICULOUS to think he could possibly get more money elsewhere.

Tattling on the Jets? If there's evidence to suggest they made contact wouldn't you try to obtain some sort of restitution? We've lost a Pick to the Bears for less?

The whole process is a joke, starting with Deion and his insinuation that others' are involved.

Crabtree is listening to bad advice and the Commish gave Scot no other option then to file for an investigation.

The whole process is a joke, starting with the premise that College Kids can make more then Vets when they've done nothing to earn their first dollar at the Pro level.

RealFan49,
Let me ask you this? If you personally are a good business man, you understand leverage, right? Like Rice said, this year is already completely lost to the Niners in regards to Crabtree's services. Would you agree? So if the year is lost, what do the Niners gain by negotiating and adding MORE money to the already offered Crabtree deal? Hence, you knucklehead, the closer this gets to the November 17th deadline, the more leverage Parker and Crabtree actual lose because of increased anamosity and the "damaged goods" label. If that's the case, why not sign right now and avoid the hostilities? Why? It's because they aren't signing anything. Crabtree doesn't want to play for the Niners. In this particular case (and yes, I know about the Fitzgerald deal), Crabtree and Parker aren't good businessmen unless Crabtree took Parker aside after OTA's and said, "I don't want to play there..... Singletary made me cry...." Then it's no skin off their butts either way. Crabtree will not be a Niner, and McCloughan won't get any value because he's an infant wrestling with Titans.

@ Realfan49

For talking all kinds of mess about how this person doesn't know what they're talking about and that guy isn't using any facts...look in the mirror (or at least read your own post)

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I've been reading alot of the comments left regarding Crabtree over the past few weeks. Posters keep talking about 'cutting bait', 'moving on without him', 'chemistry killer', and other comments of the ilk. Bottom line is, the 49er players understand what he's going through and respect the process. If you don't belive me (which you shouldn't) go read/listen to TKO's thoughts on the subject in his Sporting News Radio interview on 'The Monty Show' (9/22/09).

Spit, are you sure you are not a Jet fan?
Deal like a pro? You mean bend-over and take it like a pro?
What do you think Eddie would do? I am sure he told Jed to file tempering? Not McC...Its all about flexing your muscle which the 49ers haven't had since last decade....Regardless of who signs Crabtree, they have to make noise...

Interesting reading...there's a wide variety of opinions, that's for sure. I think the Niners were right to file tampering charges. Big-mouth that he is, I seriously doubt Deion was bluffing when he said at least two other teams were willing to pay Crabtree more money. We don't know what other evidence Mac has...but it was enough in management's minds to file the charges. Even if the Jets are found "not guilty", it minimizes Crabtree's options. It raises all kinds of issues...none of which the NFL wants to become headline news. The Niners have done a good thing here...it shouldn't be trivialized or ridiculed. I saw one comment about Parker being a good agent...if you're talking about getting his clients more money, then I guess that's one way to judge him. However, another is, agents like him are also a poison for the NFL. He uses the threat of holdouts in lieu of bargaining in good faith...I don't know, something about that just seems wrong. It's all about the greed...one of the original seven deadly sins. Nuff said.

The tampering part of this is much bigger than you guys realize.
The 49ers would not just dream up the charge against the Jets. Or the "other" team(s) that might be involved.
They have information that goes beyond Deion's blather. The league will not want to drag this out if they think the 49ers are serious about making a big issue of it. My guess is that Eddie D. told Jed to make the charge. This has nothing to do with McCloughan, who (hopefully) should be kept away from it.
While I am usually a cynic, I believe the 49ers will come out of this mess better off than if Crabtree took the first offer, and was wearing a uniform. They'll either have Crabtree AND extra pick(s), or no Crabtree (my preference) and even better picks.

Oh would you let Eddie D. RIP!! I doubt he is standing over his shoulder pulling the strings on the franchise. He has a sports agency to run and Jed has a franchise to oversee. Eddie D. was a great owner for his time and he was honored for that but his paying players under the table and keeping things off the books is what lost him the franchise, as well as his riverboat gambling. Get off his sack because he will have no say in what the franchise does because he is no longer the owner. At this time, McC is way more powerful than Eddie D.

even if I could agree about your statement, would you please accept that we as fan would prefer to have " proven real football players" in our team then good businessmen?

I do believe we can keep call him almost all of the above . Except for 49 traitor, MC gave me the idea of a a bad teammate, and sure he has diva attitude, because regardless to Singletary philosophy, (imho) any "team" sport to be succesful need to have a group committed and sharing same principles and the love of the game is among these one of the most relevant. Jerry Rice did the same but signed and he was already Jerry Rice not a college kid

You make some interesting points in your first post. But there's one thing about this situation that puzzles me, and that doesn't deserve to be used as leverage in my opinion. And that's the notion that Crabtree doesn't want to play in SF. Last I checked, the point of the NFL draft was to give bad teams the opportunity to obtain the best prospective talent, which indirectly is also supposed to "level the playing field" in the NFL. If the 49ers are a "bad team," how does a top talent get to decide where he wants to play out of college? That's not your decision, you go where you've been picked. I wasn't pleased with the Manning/Rivers debacle. Draft picks should not have a say in where they play initially, that defeats the purpose of the draft. I feel it has less to do with where he wants to play, and way, way more to do with money.

So latopia, if you think Matt's daily comments are drivel, what you doing here? You shouldn't be associating with Matt and his following 'cuz it'll bring you down. Your expertise is so great that you should start your own blog.
Good luck with that.

I'd much rather see it in writing as well. Videos and podcasts are not work friendly. ;)