Let's Make a Deal

Michael Crabtree has finally ended his holdout with the San Francisco 49ers. They settled on a deal that seems to be a nice compromise.

Darrius Heyward-Bey got 5 years, guaranteed 23.5M. Eugene Monroe got 5 years 23M with 19M guaranteed. The Niners were offering 5 years, 20M with 16M guaranteed. What was settled on was a 6 year 32M deal with 17M guaranteed. The Niners give him more if he lasts the full six years, but were able to only add one million on the guaranteed money.

The thing about this was that you could make an argument for both sides in the impasse. Those who said Crabtree should take the money say that he should take what he can get because 16 million dollars is a crapload of money for anyone. Those saying Crabtree should get more counter by saying the Niners got lucky to get Crabtree, and had they had the 7th choice and taken Crabtree, they would have gladly given him the kind of money DHB got, so why should you not pay him just because he fell to 10th? Just be glad you have the chance and pay him the money. If you asked me, I would tell you I am on this side of the argument, but I could see both sides.

I wondered two things when I heard about the signing.

1. Did the Niners' hot start have anything to do with it? Was Crabtree more motivated to sign because the team was doing well? Or maybe were the Niners more motivated to sign because if the team had a strong wide receiver, it could put them over the top? If the team was 0-4, would anything have been different?

I'm inclined to say no. I don't think the Niners' record had much to do with the timing. I have a feeling that Crabtree and his agent knew that if they reached week 5 without a deal, they would go in and take the best they could get. I don't think Crabtree would have ever gone the whole season without signing. The only thing, though, is that I think the Niners would have been more likely to give him more if they were struggling. The fans would want it, and the Niners would need someone exciting to keep fans coming.

2. If Crabtree went the whole season without signing and then went back into the draft, would that be such a ridiculous situation that the NFL would create a definite rookie pay scale as soon as possible?

Yes. The NFL needs a rookie pay scale, and proponents for it (such as myself) lost a good opportunity for a much publicized situation to point to and say "THIS is why we need a rookie pay scale" However, I sure hope the new deal that WILL be reached between the players union and the NFL before the much dreaded 2011 lockout will include something that at least resembles a rookie pay scale.

The only question that is left to be answered is how much of an impact Crabtree will have this year on a surprisingly good 49ers team. We'll see soon enough.