Michael Crabtree is signed and will be on the practice field this morning. He is also expected to take part - I'm told, reluctantly -- in a press conference to announce his arrival.
The 49ers are expecting a two-week roster exemption, thus buying them some time before they are required to release a player to create a spot on the team's 53-man roster.
It seems highly unlikely Crabtree will be in uniform for this week's game against the Falcons, but look for him to have a strong chance to get on the field after the bye week, Sunday, Oct. 25, when the 49ers face the Houston Texans. (As was pointed out in scasmflop's comment, if Crabtree were in uniform, that would end any roster exemption, as the team would have to create a roster spot for him.)
* * *
The details of Crabtree's contract have not been made public, but keep in mind that the six-year equivalent of the five-year contract the 49ers offered him in late June would be $24 million total base with $18.2 million guaranteed.
Most of the picks in front of Crabtree, the 10th overall selection, signed five-year deals. That's why his contract will probably look more lucrative than the Packers' contract with ninth selection B.J. Raji, who signed a five-year, $22.5 million deal with $17.7 million guaranteed.
* * *
Now, onto this week's matchup. We just had Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan on a brief conference call. Here's what he had to say about watching the 49ers' defense on film:
They're very good," Ryan said. "First and foremost, I think their front seven is as good as anybody in the league. They do a great job of disrupting the run game and getting pass rush. The linebackers are phenomenal. (Takeo) Spikes and (Patrick) Willis do a great job of coming up in the run game, dropping into coverage, blitzing the quarterback.
"They're a very complete defense. I think in the secondary they've got guys who are physical on the edge and can make plays. Their safeties can come up and support the run, so I've been impressed with their defense. They're rock solid, and playing disciplined football, and playing physical."
* * *
I believe the 2-week roster exemption doesn't allow him to be an active player so you shouldn't see him on the sideline in a jersey this weekend.
Is this all real? Am I dreaming?
Are the 49ers actually relevant?
No, No and YES!!!!
Matt who in your opinion is the odd man out?
They thought Jed York was just some young kid off the streets.I'll feel Sing will make the kid into a man. and teach him about the NFL. The 49ers fans and players should forgive and forget we have more important things on our plate right now. he has no ideal how lucky he is coming to the 49ers. Sing will strip him down and then build him back up like VD.
....no you not dreaming...yes we are 100% relevant....
the west is back where it belongs....
Matt,
Is Michael Spurlock practice team eligible?
I noticed that the niners cut Dobson Collins on Monday, and a lot of people are saying Spurlock should be the odd man out, but if he's not eligible, that kind of kills that theory. I'm thinking it may be someone like RJF or Curtis Taylor. I'm really hoping it's not Jason Hill.
Jason Hill makes plays. Michael Spurlock can't complete a pass in the "taser." and if he is practice team eligible then get him there.
Spurlock is not PS eligible.
Question: Matt, Is Michael Spurlock practice team eligible?
My response: A player may serve on a practice squad for a maximum of three seasons. (A season is defined by at least three weeks on the practice squad.) Spurlock spent most of '06 on Cardinals' P-squad; he spent a month-and-a-half with Bucs' P-squad in '07; and all of last season with Bucs' P-squad. So, no, he is not eligible. --Matt M.
Glad this circus is over. If Crabtree's character is good enough for Singletary, he's definitely good enough for me. Crabtree did what he thought was in his best interest, trying to wring the maximum amount of money. I have no problem with that. In the NFL, one play can end the player's career or crate a life-threatening injury.
But when he will make an impact on the offense is another story. I'm sure Sing-Raye are not going to put him on the field until they are happy with his blocking technique. Very few, if any, receiver has made a substantial impact in their rookie year, let alone one who has missed the entire training camp and a quarter of the season.
When I see the youtube clips of Crabtree i see a technically sound receiver with good hands and an ability to move after the catch. But it remains to be seem how he will do when his timing is disrupted by bumping at the line of scrimmage, and how his quickness to gain separation fares against NFL corners. The spread offense discourages the defense double teaming receivers, and that's something he's going to face in the NFL, unless Morgan steps up adequately.
But I'm optimistic that he has good receiver instincts and will mature quick in the Singletary system.
It's time to focus on the Atlanta game.
As an aside, here's Joe's take on the spread system's effect on NFL QB prospects:
http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent/dws/spt/stories/092409dnspogosselincol.37a0841.html
Someday, Matt, see if you can find out what all these months of hold-out-horse-poop were really about, and who was really leading the parade--MC1 or MC2 or Parker or Sanders or cousin Charlie or whoever--and how/what the Jets contributed to the problem, and let us know, will you? Also--who really decided to pull the plug, and why?
What a pain in the ass. Hope it turns out to be worth it, but the impression that mr crabtree is a bit too full of himself, and that deion sanders not only dresses like a pimp but acts like one, is not going to go away easily.
Crabtree has missed so much time, I expect him to contribute little until December at the earliest... Matt -- with that in mind, can I switch gears for a minute? Singletary essentially called out Baas and Rachal for their play in the last game. Assuming Baas does not play significantly better going forward, would it be safe to assume he either comes back in 2010 at a number more to Scot's liking, or he is not resigned after this season?
Michael crabtree welcome to a special team. If anything be happy that our opponents D will be taking some eyeballs off gore and davis. Sf's D is good. Offense is catching up. Really excited!!!
The kid just better play! Stress fractures in the foot can be tricky. he better no crumple like aluminum foil the first time he takes an NFL hit.
Last but not least he better walk the walk. Guys that are playing on the team don't make 5% of what they are paying this brat a year and they are working their tails off.
Can't say i will ever be a fan of this guy, those are just my feelings....Today....Once he has a 200 yard game and 3 TD's in a winning effort in the Super Bowl I will send him flowers and a gift certificate to his favorite Texas BBQ Resturant and wash his cars....
Welcome aboard Crabs now go out there and make some plays...I suggest you and "Hank" spend an hour after every practice running routes and catching passes.
I don't know if Spurlock has any PS eligibility left. However, the official reason for cutting Collins was because Brandon Jones and Dominique Ziegler (who's also on the PS) both recovered from their injuries.
With only 8 slots on the PS, I'm not sure we would normally keep 2 WRs. Would we rather have Spurlock or Ziegler there? Tough call.
All in all, Spurlock does seem the most logical choice to cut. He hasn't shown much in real games yet. With Jones' return and Crabtree on board, we've plenty of WRs.
Matt,
Great reporting as always. I'm excited about Crabtree's potential - hopefully he stays motivated to show the Raiders that he's a better player than Heyward-Bey.
I look forward to reading your updates on Crabtree's practice and press conference performance.
First and foremost, I'd say he's mocking our coach...Please tell me I'm not the only one who got that...
From Trent Dilfer:
Dilfer thinks the 49ers should -- and ultimately will -- bring along Crabtree slowly. He thinks the team needs Crabtree at his best late in the season because they'll need what he offers to win playoff games.
"The first four weeks, I wouldn't really expect there to be much of him," Dilfer said. "If he is active or inactive, that might become a political issue, but you've got to get him used to the fire. I think there is a training camp period of time for his body, his mind, his teammates getting the trust level built up, finding a place to live, all that. He needs a four-week buffer and that limits his chances for injury as well."
I totally agree with Trent.
...Sing will strip him down and then build him back up like VD. ...
No, because first he doesn't need it. His reputation is he's as serious as a heart attack, so Sing will bring him in and make sure that he understands what is expected. If he does so he'll be part of the 'team' very quickly. This is Sing's strength, making sure everyone is motivated the right way, and every player is different.
He also has enough leadership on this team now that the team is taking care of the team. When someone like Vernon acts the way he's been acting and talking the way he's now talking you have to understand this is a very serious team focused on winning. Crabtree will fit in fine, the players will embrace him and you will too eventually.
More from Dilfer:
Dilfer and I (Mike Sando) both think the 49ers will not change their offensive philosophy upon adding Crabtree, beyond possibly sprinkling in an extra three-receiver grouping here and there while figuring out how best to use their newest weapon.
"Use the first four weeks as his training camp where he gets tons of reps in practice, lots of work after practice, he digests the playbook and focuses on the precision of route running, not Sunday game performance," Dilfer said. "Then you get to Weeks 8 to 12, the third quarter of the season, and use it for an adaptation of him into the offense. Where does he fit? Does he play 30 snaps a game as one of the two receivers? Do we add four or five three-receiver plays in the course of a game? Does he became primary in our progressions? Is he secondary? Do you give him 3-4-5 specific types of routes that he is running? This is an experimental phase."
By the final month of the regular season, the 49ers would have a good idea how Crabtree fit into their offense. Crabtree would have had time to earn quarterback Shaun Hill's trust on at least a few routes. Remember, Hill has never thrown a pass to Crabtree. Hill is not going to strong-arm passes to Crabtree. That is not his game. In order to anticipate Crabtree's whereabouts on a route, Hill will have to know he can trust the rookie receiver. Once the rapport is established and Crabtree's role defined, the team can maximize his talents.
"If that is done properly and you are the team I think they are, a playoff team, he is impactful in the playoffs," Dilfer said.
...Sing will strip him down and then build him back up like VD. ...
No, because first he doesn't need it. His reputation is he's as serious as a heart attack, so Sing will bring him in and make sure that he understands what is expected. If he does so he'll be part of the 'team' very quickly. This is Sing's strength, making sure everyone is motivated the right way, and every player is different.
He also has enough leadership on this team now that the team is taking care of the team. When someone like Vernon acts the way he's been acting and talking the way he's now talking you have to understand this is a very serious team focused on winning. Crabtree will fit in fine, the players will embrace him and you will too eventually.
"...I will send him flowers and a gift certificate to his favorite Texas BBQ Resturant and wash his cars...."
Right with you John. I'll fly in from Cali and bring my water bucket and sponge too.
I get dibs on waxing the Ferrari 458.
Ok, who is Brayon Edwards' agent??? Crabtree agrees to come to SF to restart talks while Jets negotiate Edwards trade and NFL is looking into what tampering????
As far as who to cut post bye week, maybe give Spurlock a shot at PR. If he's as shaky as Battle, dump him. If he can handle it, dump Rossum as Spurlock gives the extra dimension as wr (although it is way down the depth chart at this point, could be handy if injuries pile up).
Michael crabtree welcome to a special team. If anything be happy that our opponents D will be taking some eyeballs off gore and davis. Sf's D is good. Offense is catching up. Really excited!!!
The 8-man fronts the Niners see will make it very difficult to commit a double to any receiver.
He's going to take on the team's work ethic and be a force for years to come!!!
where could we watch the press confrenece?
where could we watch the press confrenece?
where could we watch the press confrence?
where can we watch the press confrence?
I agree with Trent too. And said so, a few posts earlier... Early December -- that's as soon as you can expect Crabtree to begin contributing in a meaningful way. (And I would not be surprised if it wasn't until next year, which is why the 6th year was so important to get.)
Note on the Niners’ site announcing the Crabtree signing that he red-shirted his freshman year while transitioning from QB to WR. So, the Niner roster will soon have 3 former college QBs now playing other positions – MRob, Battle and Crabtree. Maybe a consideration on whether Spurlock goes.
You can watch the live feed here.
I just hope this Crabtree signing doesn't become a distraction for the team this week. This game against the Falcons is HUGE! And until proven otherwise, Crabby is still a punk!
Is the Falcons game a GPS game? Seems like we've already had so many. Perhaps, as MM said in an earlier post, this is a GPS season.
Any place online we can watch the Conf coming up?
socaljeff | October 7, 2009 10:15 AM | Reply First and foremost, I'd say he's mocking our coach...Please tell me I'm not the only one who got that...
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What are you talking about ? Crabtree would certainly not mock Singletary,he is not that stupid and he is not that type of kid.
Again,maybe I misunderstand your post ,but what ARE you talking about?
Can watch it live here
csnbayarea.com
First of all,THANKS MATT for the GREAT coverage ! What would we do without you ?
Then I want to thank Jed and Scott and Sing (and Paraag !!! ) ,for handeling everything so professionally and showing that although they are a new regime, that all 3 of them have been around the NFL for most of their lives and have the experience to play with the big boys !
And I want to say to Mr. Parker...Go back under the rock you climbed out from under and hopefully Crabs will not keep you as an agent for his next FA contract but will get an agent that represents Crabs' best interests and not just the agents agenda !
Glad this is finally done ,now we can hopefully see the REAL Crabtree and not the Crabs that Parker put forward. The REAL kid was always a great team mate and hard worker and good guy,rather shy and never a diva type(although very confident).
If he can be half as dominant as he was in college ,then we got a great player with a great attitude for the future,to help us rise back to the elite of the NFL !
...And all those picks in next years deep, deep draft,won't hurt the future dominance either !!!
"I just hope this Crabtree signing doesn't become a distraction for the team this week. This game against the Falcons is HUGE! And until proven otherwise, Crabby is still a punk!"
I whole heartedly agree. While I hope he proves to have been worth all this nonsense, I know it will be quite some time before I become a fan of his. I hope that 9er management gets him involved so that they can measure his value and, if he cannot live up to the bill, trade him away.
Anyone know if he can block? In Coach's scheme it is important for WR's to block.
ESPN showing press conference within the next 20
Wow! Crabtree signs with the 49ers then the Jets traded for Braylon Edwards....hmmm, looks fishy all around. Maybe we will have an additional draft choice next year!
Rick: "still a punk" ??? When has he ever shown to be a punk? What did he say to make him a punk? Maybe he thinks you are a punk for writing that post? He has more evidence about you being a punk that you have of him personally ever being a punk to anyone.(but I don't think you are a punk,just making a point that you have no evidence). Now if you say his agent's pitiful PR portrayed him as a punk,that would be true.
But the history of the kid is a great history of a quality kid and a hard worker and great performer.
He has always been a good citizen on and off the field,according to everyone who knows him (you don't know him,right? but are just judging him by the last 2 months,when the Agent has done all the speaking for the kid,right).
Give him a clean slate and judge him on everything he was before Parker and everything he does now,after Parker. Be fair !
Matt
I just saw you on sports center waiting for the crabtree introduction haha
http://www.49ers.com/media-gallery/videos/Crabtree-Press-Conference-LIVE/55d7ccd6-c3b5-4f93-9fa2-3a4b3b6c330d
LMAO was that Matt who said "Michael what role did Hammer play in this" as MC was leaving the podium? Because it sure sounded like him...and it was HILARIOUS!
pefect.....now the pressure is on s.hill to get him the ball.....
s.hill will be judged on how well the receivers play......
starting with ATL, then indy ....let the games begin......
not sure but..i think it was espn clayton......
The defense is playing well. We are pretty solid there, though like any team we can always use more players.
Gore and Coffee give us a nice tandem at RB, and Sheets can help too if his blocking gets up to NFL standards.
VD is an emerging pro-Bowler (finally!) at TE.
We have a number of young WRs to develop and assess over the next season and three-quarters.
Shaun is good enough to win at QB. And Nate is there for the future.
That leaves the Offensive Line. Snyder needs to nail down right tackle, or Pashos needs to take it away from him. Chilo needs time to get through his growing pains.
And thus we come to David Baas.
Injured too often, not impressive often enough and looking for a new bigger contract.
Left guard is now our biggest concern, roster-wise.
Get the O-line playing as well as the rest of this team and we will really be a playoff team, maybe even a championship contender.
Yes, it is now incumbent upon Hill to get the ball to his receivers, something he has not done as effectively as I think most would like so far. We also need improved play from our line to give the receivers time to get down field and open -- something else that has not yet lived up to expectations. Let's hope both get better as the year goes on.
Matt;
I am not interested in speculation or drama, I leave that for others. But your work is fantastic,
I know many ,if not all of us ,from time to time comment on your dedication to your craft. Your work these past few days have again astounded me, you are the "Best!"
I fear that you will be scooped up by one of the major news/sport networks, as well you should. But in the mean time I will continue to enjoy the best sports writer in the business today.
P.
Singletary is the man, and Scott really showed his nuts today.
Thanks to the guys who posted links so I could watch the press conference!!!
Now, I've gotta ask, am I crazy or does this kid seem a little smug? Just my first impression......
Smug ??? No,he seems like the kid next door ,who KNOWS he can play great football. He is a shy guy but confident football player and to me seemed like a great kid at the press conference. The huge smile said it all !
....he does talk like an immature kid....
looking at him now....i really dont know much about him expect that big game against texas and his youtube highlight
..i not sure he passes the eye test comparing him to the WR in detroit or even T.O.....
...i cant figure out why he thinks he would be the best WR in the league.....something about him reminds me of reggie bush.....you know the kid that can't perform without the speed or cant perform without having space...
..i just hope this is end of the 49ers lacking a number 1 receiver since T.O
Alright, hopefully I'm wrong. He's definitely a shy kid, I hope he's not soft either... I really hope this kid is great-I'm pretty excited today!
He clearly said he stayed out of the business stuff and let his agent handle it all 100%. He is a football player,not a lawyer or a diva or a bad kid etc etc. Tool bad his agent did not represent him as well as would be expected from any decent agent.
It was great to hear everyone in the press conference say what I have been saying all along,that Mike Crabtree never said a word during this whole negotiation process.He showed class,as did the Niners !
Good kid and great football player and hopefully future Pro Bowl WR for the Niners!
Glad to see the Niners seem to have gotten even a better deal than their original offer,since they got 6 years(about $18 million guaranteed,as I have been speculating would be the case).Now the agent can lie and say he got him the $$$,but we know the truth,he was forced into a 6 year deal,that he wanted to avoid like death.Scott and Jed never blinked and won the day !Now if we never see or hear of Parker again,it will be good for Crabs and the Niners!
FYI - i heard your fav. uncle the drugster wants to be a part owner of the rams....
shouldn't yu be changing teams so you can align with your mentor.....
To me the kid seemed humbled, a little embarrassed, and nervous. He has good football smarts. A high school quarterback, so he should be able to pick up things fast. Its good to hear he's in good shape too. Matt should let us know how he looks on the field today.
i just read a headline on the nfl.ccom video of his conference that he signed 6 years for 32 mill. is this confirmed matt? that'd be quite an increase from the initial offer.
i just read a headline on the nfl.ccom video of his conference that he signed 6 years for 32 mill. is this confirmed matt? that'd be quite an increase from the initial offer.
After this debacle I can't understand why any kid would sign with Parker coming out of college next year...
I think that Parker's bad bluff is going to cost him more money than any 40 Million dollar deal would have netted him... what an idiot!!!
All he proved is that he can't get his clients what he promises and that when his back is against the wall he has to call on Hammer to get it done.
Hammer is the man!!! I see that guy driving around Tracy all the time in his Hummer... hahahaa
...whenever Crab catches a td - he should do the hammer dance .."cant touch this"
Crabs will be forgiven as soon as he gets in the end zone. Jerry Rice held out. Ronnie Lott held out. Fred Dean held out.
But if Crabs turns out to be the 2nd coming of JJ Stokes, he will get booed out of Candlestick faster than you can say "Rashaun Woods".
Is it me or does Crabtree look a little like Deion?
Traj
I cant believe that 49er fans think because we got Crabtree we are now a big time team. News Flash we have been a big time team since Coach Sing got the job. Our personal group has been good the last couple of years. They now have a leader. So all you 49er fans who are now thinking we are revelant go be Raider fans because we should have won the west the last two Years.
I want to play for Singletary. Watching him handle the questions in the straight forard no BS way one can really see how he inspires his players.
Sure, Crabtree looked extremely uncomfortable (not smug). But wouldn't you be? I mean he is supposedly shy, just held out for 57 days and has the press, gentle questioners that they are, firing away at him. Nervous and, "I want to be anywhere but here". Completely understandable.
Great, now we can trade Crabtree to the rams for their best OL and then hit him on crossing routes twice a year... OK, just kidding... Glad to have him finally aboard. Hard feelings wont last too long I think! It DOES seem more than coinicidental that the Jets sign a big name WR within 24 hours of the 49ers signing Crabtree. This and what Deon is saying along just fits too perfectly with the tampering accusation. I like alot of other people will be interested in seeing what the NFL finds in regards to the allegations.
I agree with you. Crabtree knew the only questions he was going to get were the 'why the holdout' ones. It looked like he didn't have strong feelings that he was justified. If Matt and Mindy had stood up the guy might have run out the door again. It's also interesting Parker wasn't there to support his client. It leads me to believe he was the main reason for the holdout, Parker obviously didn't want to answer those questions either.
Singletary's honesty is a breath of fresh air and what I would call professionalism. It's no wonder guys want to play for him.
Is it me or is Crabtree black?
Not sold on Snyder Grumpy.
He's like Baas....injured too often. Promising early on this preseason then got hurt & out of the lineup again. We need a real stud talent at RT ONCE & FOR ALL IMO. Even when healthy I'm not confident with Snyder. He might still surprise us but the track records not there. Pashos is on a 1 year deal. After this year let’s hope Boone is ready to step up to at least take the backup RT spot. Boone as of now can't play LT (by all reports he's only a RT) & as much as I'd like Snyder to be the backup on that right side where he's comfortable he’ll probably be forced to backup the left side to replace Sims since Boone can’t.
As for Baas at guard I wonder how this Cody Wallace is looking? We'd be real lucky if he could develop into taking Baas' spot. Wallace needs to put on more weight/muscle if I remember right. I think he's just right at 300 lbs.
Yeah but NJM if he cuts out that 6th year by reaching his production incentives (if their realistic) that would mean he's tearing it up in this league. That's what I'm pulling for then go for the extension in his 4th year.
Man that Dilfer is an average QB but he's a smart football dude. Good job on the analysis Trent!!
What the heck was Crabtree talking about being humbled. I mean does he even know what that word mean. Crabtree held out for 70 days, and all he had to say about it being humbled. I was scratching my head the whole press conference.
Jag: You were the only one !Everyone else was saying that Crabs sounds and looks like a nice kid.
Try some calamine lotion for the strange it on your scalp.
He was humbled by the process but hopefully still very very confident about his skills !
Jag: You were the only one !Everyone else was saying that Crabs sounds and looks like a nice kid.
Try some calamine lotion for the strange itch on your scalp.
He was humbled by the process but hopefully still very very confident about his skills !