Michael Crabtree probably would have signed at some point before Nov. 17, the deadline for a rookie to get a deal done and be eligible to play this season. But one person in particular is responsible for the timing of his contract agreement with the 49ers.
This week, the 49ers and Crabtree synchronized their watches to Hammertime.
During that engagement, Hammer asked
"We have a mutual friend who introduced us,"
Hammer did not take part in the negotiations, but he was on hand at a
Hammer assisted in the getaway by taking
Later, Hammer also helped Crabtree complete an end-around departure from the hotel to elude myself and Comcast Sportsnet's Mindi Bach, the only other reporter on the scene.
Hammer unquestionably deserves a lot of credit for the timing of the agreement, but
***UPDATE: Crabtree quipped softly enough for only the closest media member (SF Illustrated's Craig Massei) to hear, "He helped with my dance steps." ***
"I think Michael expedited the process because he wants to play football,"
In my brief encounter with Hammer, I found him to be good-natured and easy with a laugh - and we did share a hearty laugh about the situation. Honestly, I thought he looked like Hammer, but I did not confirm his identity until moments after he left the hotel property in an immaculate orange Dodge Charger.
Today, he acknowledged his involvement in the happenings on his Twitter page: "To all the Niner Fans and fans of the Bay Area and Bay Area Sports ...you're Welcome. :)"
I wish to thank him, too, for helping make Tuesday such a memorable day.
* * *
Still would like to download the interview at some point. To hear Young Jed's tone to questions and the situation, which is easy now, b/c the kid is signed. Thanks for putting up the summation.
Great job again Matt...
Go Niners!!!!
Thanks Hammer!
The 49ers have got to 3-1 nearly 4-0 by playing their hearts out. Lets not make the 9er news all about Crabtree until he sells out for this TEAM!!!
Matt, I posted this in your last post and am not sure if you saw it.
something has made me curious. Let me first say that you rock and your work is second to none. I've noticed that when Jimmy Raye speaks, you write it in such amazing detail. When Singletary, McCloughan and others speak, it appears to me that you "trim the fat" and give us the meaty good or what you feel is the relevant stuff. I've actually seen the same stories from other writers where they have transcribed the entire interview or press conferences. I'm also thinking that maybe it's just a creative spin of yours which I can certainly appreciate. I'm not complaining at all. Just curious. Is it Jimmy Raye? Perhaps the others? The other thing is that I didn't look back at your other stuff for specifics. It could be just me too. Just trying to get inside that head of yours.
Turn This Mutha Out!!!
man, crabtree is jokes. Even being asked about what could be considered a ridiculous situation and being plastered as a diva by the media, he has the cajones to throw out witticisms. he's gonna be a very good interviewer for the sideline reporters. play nice matt, he's only 22.
gotta do it one last time....ALRIGHT STOP.HAMMER TIME!!!!
Thanks, but no thanks. I hope I am wrong, but I predict Scabtree will bring nothing but headaches and disarray to this team. Only time will tell what Divaman will do for us.
I apologize if this had already been posted.
This is very cool video of Sing from last game. VERY COOL.
http://www.nfl.com/videos/nfl-films-sound-efx/09000d5d8133b564/Sound-FX-49ers-tough-love
He's from the hood he''s alright. LOL
now that we got crabtree signed, "let's get it started" and get him some practice time. once he gets up to speed, i would love to him "turn this mutha out" and get us some more wins! with crabtree's moves, "u can't touch this" guy with a 10 foot pole! and i know we'll "pray" that the niners' make it all the way to the superbowl. is that too much to ask?? nope, because they're "too legit to quit" and we're going to go all the way!
Comment: Matt, I posted this in your last post and am not sure if you saw it.
My response: I answered your question in the comments section of the previous blog. Thanks. --Matt M.
Matt,
Finally had a chance to hear your podcast with Jed. I have to say that I'm more & more impressed with Jed especially now after how he answered your questions. I'm more confident than ever that Jed is leading this organization in the right direction after his father drove it into the ground. Matt your thoughts on how he handled your interview?
MATT :
Scotty said yesterday that Crabs has had a 9ers playbook all along. Matt,I am pretty sure you reported that he did NOT have a playbook,as a matter of fact I think you may have reported that no player was allowed to ever bring their playbooks home from training camp.You better have a talk with Scotty,because he just said he didn't know where those "rumors" got started !!!!!! Those are fighting words,calling your reporting "rumors" lol .
WOW, maybe Crabs will be ready a bit sooner than we thought since he knows the playbook ,at least on paper.
Question: Scotty said yesterday that Crabs has had a 9ers playbook all along. Matt,I am pretty sure you reported that he did NOT have a playbook,as a matter of fact I think you may have reported that no player was allowed to ever bring their playbooks home from training camp.
My response: Here is what Jimmy Raye said on Aug. 8:
On what Michael Crabtree can do to study while he’s not in camp:
“As far as I know, now I’m not up on all of the rules for an unsigned rookie guy and all of that, but he cannot have a playbook, obviously. And he can’t be working with one of the coaches or outside influence from the 49ers organization. He can work out on his own. He has with him what he had in the OTA and offseason program. He has those notes and that would be what he would have to study and he had while he was here. But in terms of working with one of us from the organization or having a playbook, I don’t think that’s allowed by league rules. I don’t know that. You’d have to check with somebody else.”
On what Michael Crabtree’s notes include:
“His personal notebooks. We collect all playbooks at the end of the OTA or offseason training program. We collect all of our type-written material that we present to the players. We get all of that back, and he would have only with him his personal notebook and his notes from the sessions that he was here.”
I rest my case. --Matt M.
if he was a true student of the game, he would have copied everything verbatim. notes aren't enough to study without references. but most of all his top priority should have been rehabbing that foot.
Good stuff 49erthor.
Hey Matt
Next time Jed tells you that he ran away from you because he didn't want the negotiations (or anything else for that matter splashed in the media), answer him, "That's reasonable, but why not just stop, stay calm and tell me that, instead of running away from me?" The more he deals with the press he will realize this is the best way to handle it. Really, I'm surprised you didn't just say that to him.
Check out Mindi Bach's tweets too (MBachCSN). From the interacting messages, one can just imagine the 2 reporters deciding to team up during the stakeout, while staying in touch from early afternoon (time of arrival) through to 9 in the evening (trying to decide whether it was the rapper).
Update for Madden players: Crabtree and Edwards roster updates Friday. Crabtree has rating of 82 vs 84 for Edwards.
It looks like Crab cakes is going to debut against Houston.. If they can keep Mario Williams off Hill maybe Crazy Crab can catch 3 passes for 42 yards...
I'm wondering whether the 49ers will honor some of the old pre-Walsh/DeBartolo Niners: Brodie, Tittle, Joe Perry, Nomellini, St. Claire, Wilcox, etc. Especially Brodie, who apparently will not make the NFL Hall, but nearly got the Niners to the Super Bowl in 70-72, and suffered a stroke a few years ago.
Hammer deserves a Nobel Peace Prize....
I don't know about anyone else...but "2 Legit 2 Quit" has been in my head ever since this story broke. Bless you, and darn you Hammer!
Matt:
What's the word on Crabs getting worked double time this coming bye week? I can't see Sing not working this kid hard all week on the field and getting him familiar with the playbook.
ROFLMAO!
Alex is throwing to him in PRACTICE! For now! I'm trying to hold my laughter and tears back as I type this! Who do you think will be throwing TD's to him? I know! Wait, here's a guess. Shaun Hill! After the Niners clinch the NFC West, what makes you think Smith would dethrone Hill? Also what makes you think that come next year that Davis hasn't progressed enough to make Smith the 3rd QB? Plus the Niners have 2 first round picks next year. 1 will most likely be an O lineman and the other could be a QB! Then Smith is gone and you can follow him where ever he goes! Then you can remove the niner (NINERS!) from the end of your name and just be one!
Crabtree is on the scout team.
I'm much more interested in hearing about the guys who actually make the touchdowns, tackles and runs than the guys who hold out. I don't blame Crabtree for holding, it's his right. It's my right to care more about the team, though, than whether he gets $16 million or even more millions.
The team is bigger than any one guy. When Crabtree produces, I'll stand up and cheer.
But on Sunday, I'm going to be cheering for the guys who suit up and play. Let's go, 49ers!!!
I couldn't agree more. I realize all us fans are excited about the potential of our Niners this year but could we not vote Crabtree into the hall just yet. There have been many a college player drafted in the first round that looked very good and were complete busts playing against the big boys of the NFL.
GO Niners! It's a wait and see on Crabtree
Could not agree more. Well said.
hey matt, thanks for all the great reporting, i have a random, and rather pointless question. What is your adult beverage of choice?
Amen brotha.
How about a change to oneasmith?
man, thanks for sharing this video. this is so cool and real. i take my hats off to coach sing. just like what he said to the kid, i AM always praying every time our 49ers play, especially to cover the spread!!! hehehe. I think we found the best coach for the team. again many thanks for sharing. Godspeed Coach Sing and the 49ers!
Just glad the Kid is signed sealed and delivered. I hope the media circus doesnt continue with the kid, and he is given a chance to succeed. I know that the media is gonna be all over this kid every time he drops a ball or misplays a route. The fans will certainly be very quick to voice their opinions. The kid is realistically gonna need a month before he can really help us. 10/25 at Houston is the baby steps that will get him started. Hopefully, by the time the Niner's play Chicago at home, Crabtree, if he is a quick study, will be ready to help us win football games in ernest. Anything we get from the kid, including being a decoy to draw coverage to him will be good. But dont expect the kid to be a world beater in his first 3-4 games. I think that Crabtree will help us eventually, but this team has been wining without Crabby and should continue to do so. It sure would have been better if Crabtree would have signed the same deal in June or July and been in camp with the other rooks. He would just be hitting his stride coming into the Atlanta game. But at least he has signed and the 1st rounder is not totally wasted by having him reenter the draft. If he is as talented as we have been led to believe, we should hear his name more and more as the season unfolds. Good luck Crabtree and GO NINERS !!!