As the impasse between the San Francisco 49ers and receiver Michael Crabtree continues, one thing Crabtree doesn’t have to worry about is getting a bad reception from his teammates.
If, that is, he ever joins then.
Veteran linebacker Takeo Spikes recently addressed the situation on Sporting News Radio’s The Monty Show.
“As players nobody is against Michael Crabtree,” Spikes said. “As players we understand the business of the game because if you’re fortunate enough to stay in it long enough you’re gonna go through some disputes as to whether or not you’re getting paid your value or you’re underpaid, or whether or not there’s a team that wants to pay you.
“Now one thing I can say is that I know he has to handle his business and we feel as a whole that we would like to have him in because a guy with such great talent that he has . . . it deserves to be shown on Sunday, period. But from our aspect though people ask, ‘What are y’all going to do, what do you think?’ Well, from players it’s hard to miss something you never had and so that’s the way we see it and until he comes here. . . . We’ll make adjustments but other than that it’s about the guys right now that are in the locker room.”
So, basically, they’re ready to welcome him with open arms once he does a deal. Until then, the current 49ers players don’t really care.
And why should they? They’re 2-0, and they’ve already knocked off the two teams regarded as the preseason favorites to battle for the NFC West crown.
Takeo is veteran leadership. Glad they brought him back. Crabtree has to wonder if the locker room hates him.
I think the bigger story here is that the 49′ers are 2-0. I certainly would have never called that. Singletary might just turn out to be a great coach. Just keep your pants on Mike.
Thats a perfect response and the right attitude, something thats lost in the Crabtree craziness is that he could still be a very good WR and Issac Bruce is almost certainly in his last season so even if the Niners are with out Crabtree starting all year he could still make a big impact down the road when Bruce retires. I hope other 49er fans understand that the best scenario for the Niners is to get Crabtree playing, and the second best is to trade him for something very good, and the worst is letting him go back into the draft.
Wow, Takeo Spikes comments were well-thought, sincere, and classy. That sucks, I was hoping he would just rip Crabtree…
Players understand the truth behind the NFL, it is a cold blooded business and NFL owners will discard them when it suits their needs.
I back any player getting as much as he can.
Screw Crabtree. Im so tired of it already. Move on already. Even if he does sign, he will be another WR bust comming from a spread offense. He will probably be hurt more than he will play anyways.
Rashuan Woods Jr!!
Crabtree to the Jets.
Sanchez to Crabtree sounds better.
Classy comments from Spikes.
I think Crabtree will be a fool to sit out the year. He will not get drafted as high next year as he did this year so he will be costing himself millions of dollars by sitting out the season. Just sign the deal and prove to everyone that you are as good as you think you are and the dollars will come….that is of course unless your name is Anquan Boldin.
Greed.
Where is Goddell on this?
It’s stupid!
Where is the league on this issue? What the hell is the matter with them?
Crabtree??????? Why pay 20 million for a pain in the butt when you can save 20 million and not have one???????
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
If I was in the Niners locker room, I’d be pretty pissed. He’s a stuck up diva that thinks he should be getting paid the money of the slot he was projected to go…in mock drafts. Pathetic. We need a rookie salary cap. I hope Singletary keeps his deal up, or decreases it after every game. Niners could really use him, but hell, they’re doing great with him. And we all know Singletary won’t be able to stand a guy like Crabtree, if he has that kind of attitude. As a team leader, Spikes sort of has to say this, but if this were him, he’d reach a deal in days.
I find it fascinating that NL Cy Young winner Tim Lincecum is playing pro sports here in the Bay Area for like $600,000 per year and Crabs is scoffing at 15 million guaranteed before running a route in the NFL.
Why in the hell does everyone think Crabtree is so talented? Calvin Johnson had a ton of talent coming out of the draft. Giant body, amazing speed, great hands, all the tools.
In my eyes, the guy actually LACKS talent (40 time, vertical leap, height) but he does run good routes and have good hands. The thing about his routes, however, is he’s never had to run dynamic routes, so you don’t know how he’ll do with that in the NFL.
they dont need crabbypatty. he is out of leverage.
HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!
What a joke.
Does Spikes REALLY believe himself and that all his teammates feel the same as he?!
Michael Crabtree is STUPID for holding out and Spikes is an IDIOT for believing it’s o.k. for him to holdout based on “disputes as to whether or not you’re getting paid your value or you’re underpaid”.
You have got to be kidding me!
Crabdiva has done NOTHING to “dispute as to whether or not he is getting paid his value or is underpaid”.
Why?
Because he has done NOTHING in the NFL.
He has a FAT 20 MILLION dollar paycheck just waiting for him based on POTENTIAL and he has told the 49ers who where stupid enough to draft this diva in the first place that the 20 MILLION is not enough!
When O when will the 49ers and their players stop kissing the ass of a diva?!
All they are doing is inflating an already oversized ego beyond recognition.
This talk that York wanted to have and Spikes making Crabdiva out as if he is smart for holding out because “whether or not he is getting paid his value or is underpaid” sends the message to diva that he’s the man and is making great decisions.
Really, the San Francisco 49ers have a problem child on their hands and KNEW it before they drafted him.
This is pure desperation on their part trying to get diva to bite and sign knowing good and well the consequences to their team if he doesn’t.
Good luck in Minnesota this weekend, that 2-0 record you have there is going to bring back an average team at best down to earth.
i hope Spikes isn’t speaking for his entire team…. the fact that players wouldn’t ostracize a player for demanding a salary higher than his draft spot is ridiculous.
crabtree has NO leg to stand on in that entire issue. unless the other players are trying to kiss his ass, they’re just stupid.