Read Bleacher Fan’s argument that the 49ers still should sign Crabtree. Read Sports Geek’s argument that the 49ers should let him reenter the draft.
Five months ago, San Francisco 49ers fans were tickled to death because their team had just selected wide receiver Michael Crabtree with the 10th pick in the 2009 NFL Draft. When combined with Frank Gore, this up and coming team (who showed promise under new head coach Mike Singletary late last season) might actually make a run at a division title, or at the very least a wild card berth. The 49ers have not made the playoffs since 2002, and their overall record since that time is 32-64 (Ouch!). But for the fans, Crabtree was coming to save the day just like he did in college at Texas Tech.
Something happened, however, to ruin this feel good story – Crabtree refused to sign. Among other things, he feels that he was the best receiver in the draft and deserves more money than what the Oakland Raiders gave Darrius Heyward-Bey, the wide receiver selected ahead of Crabtree at 7th in the draft. Heyward-Bey signed a five-year deal worth up to $38.25M with $23.5M guaranteed. The 49ers, at this point, are not willing to give Crabtree the money he wants.
There are now also reports that the 49ers have filed an official complaint with the NFL that accuses the New York Jets of tampering, but the Jets are denying the allegations.
With everything going on, this has not yet been a distraction to the 49ers who have started the season with two wins, including a road win over the 2008 NFC Champion Arizona Cardinals. Folks in the Bay area are starting to get excited about the 49ers again, despite the fact that the 49er offense is anemic without running back Frank Gore. Quarterback Shaun Hill currently sits 28th in the league in passing with 176.5 yards per game, and throwing to guys like Arnaz Battle, Josh Morgan, and an aging Isaac Bruce doesn’t help the passing attack.
What would you do if you were in charge of the San Francisco 49ers organization? Would you keep trying to sign Crabtree, or would you let him walk away and reenter the draft next year? No one is denying his talent and what his impact could possibly mean to the 49ers, but is it too late for the team to get any benefit from signing him this late in the season?
Enter the Sports Debates (cue dramatic theme music)!
Should the 49ers cut their losses and let wide receiver Michael Crabtree reenter the draft?
Sports Geek will argue that they should let him reenter the 2010 draft, while Bleacher Fan will argue that the 49ers should still sign him if at all possible.
The floor is yours! Ready, set, go!
