Either San Francisco 49ers coach Mike Singletary remains just as intimidating as he was during his Hall of Fame playing days or maybe rookie wide receiver Michael Crabtree might be a bit sensitive to criticism.
Or perhaps it's a combination of both factors because Singletary said he nearly made the first-round draft pick cry after criticizing him sharply for running pass patterns prior to being granted medical clearance following his foot surgery, according to Kevin Lynch of the San Francisco Chronicle.
Here's Singletary's version of his conversation with Crabtree, the former Texas Tech star drafted 10th overall.
"'I've got nothing against you," Singletary said. "I'm not angry or anything. I just want you to know, you have to do everything the doctors want you to do so that you can get better.' I said, 'I'm not worried about what you can do.' I said, 'I know. We drafted you at No. 10. We know what you can do.
"We just want to make sure that when you come out here, you're ready to go.' So, he's done the things that he needs to do, spending a lot of time with [wide receivers coach Jerry] Sullivan. I know Jerry is excited about what he's seeing as well."
It doesn't sound like enough to make someone so upset that they're nearly bursting into tears but, then again, it doesn't specify how loud, colorful, and wide-eyed that Singletary might have been during the exchange.
Per the report, Crabtree is on track to be ready by training camp.
JFC Florio are you F'n kidding me....
He wasn't LITERALLY brought to tears he was trying to express his dissapointment at being told that he had to stop practicing. He wasn't actually about to cry because coach yeld at him, he's frustrated that he cant go and practice.
Seriously, I mean seriously how do you miss that??
Maybe he dropped his pants to show what would be on the bench if he was injured.
Anyway, whatever he said, not a good idea to upset someone who hasn't signed a contract yet.
maybe no one ever grabbed little diva crabtree by the lapels before. or spoke to him pointedly. or did it with his pants down.
Maybe Singletary was saying this with his trousers around his ankles again. That'd make most people cry.
Why is the head coach bragging about how he made his player cry?
Seriously, watching Singletary fail is going to be the most hilarious part of the upcoming season. I can't wait.
Is Crabtree related to Dick Vermeil?
Crabtree will be another turd in a long list of turds in the NFL.
Give crabs a break!
I would be drenched of tears and cr@p in me pants if I FORCED to face the privates of mikey while his eyes are all passionate and yelling at me!!!
sounds like "his own personal version of 'the crying game' ".
Crabtree and Vernon Davis both on the same team! Kleenex would make a great pratice jersey sponser.
Why would you tell the media you almost made your 1st round draft pick cry? They're going to love you Mike.....just give it time.
A nutball coach combined with a nutball first round pick. A potent combination.
As I live in San Francisco, I do hope that the Niners suck (again), as I've decided its more fun to listen to their fans whine on talk radio all year than it is to listen to them gloat (not that anyone can remember what thats like).
Are you all mental? He didn't actually make him cry, it's called a figure of speech. He was emphasizing Crabtree's desire to be out on the field practicing. Holy shit you people will grasp at anything.
I don't understand the bashing of Crabtree in this case. He is clearly showing that he is so committed to getting ready for the season that he is fighting through a foot injury that required surgery. Singletary did the right thing and told him "Knock it off, you are going to hurt yourself and hurt the team in the process" and Crabtree stopped.
So Crabtree showed he is willing to play through an injury and Singletary showed that he is smart enough to tell a injured player to be patient and let his injury heal.
I don't see the problem here.
You all should read the actual story instead of Florio's take on it. The quoted text is what he said after the Crabtree 'crying' thing...Florio hates the Niners...
Maybe Crabtree should have dropped his drawers to show him he means business, and that "he's a winner!" (Not a whiner!) (...or a weiner!)
How can anyone down a guy for trying to rush to get out on the field, before he is medically cleared. That just shows how much he wants to get out there. I don't see anything Crabtree done wrong in this case.
What worries me more than Crabtree's rehab is when will Singletary learn to keep his mouth shut and stop spilling personal conversation details in the media?
Try telling Dickless Vermeil there is no crying in football
of course florio took it literally. he's a lawyer not a writer.
Maybe Crabtree just REALLY wanted the nickname T-Bone.
Seriously...I don't see how Singletary or Crabtree either one catch shit from this. I would think it's a positive sign on both of their parts...a coach smart enough to not let a player push to get back too early and make the injury worse and a player that wants to get out on the field and practice...you people are crazy.
Seems that Singletary was bragging about Crabtree's desire to play - he's so anxious that he is greatly disappointed by not being allowed to yet. Agree with the comments that "brought to tears" was likely meant as a figure of speech, not to be taken literally...
Wow - You missed the ENTIRE point of this story/article. As all the Bay Area beat reporters wrote, including Lynch who you site: This shows how hungry and competive Crabtree is to get on the field. In fact, those Singletary quotes were during a conversation in which he was raving about Crabtree, somthing Coach Sing doesn't do often with any players. Is PFT becoming TMZ.com right before our eyes?
has there been a report of DHB crying yet? lol
"Is PFT becoming TMZ.com right before our eyes? "
tooo late...
"Crabtree and Vernon Davis both on the same team! Kleenex would make a great pratice jersey sponser. "
Soulds like a recipe for slapdick soup.
"th-that's my wide receiver, man (sniffle)"
Did he shave his vagina and get his nails done after the talkin' to? I'm just sayin' ...
Softies like Davis and Crabtree belong in a town like SanFran, soft is as soft does.