Can Crabtree contribute to 49ers?
The San Francisco 49ers are leading the NFC West with a 3-1 record despite not having a wide receiver with more than 13 catches, 167 or 1 TD – and those numbers are courtesy of nearly 37-year-old Isaac Bruce. No 49ers wide receiver ranks in the top 62 in receptions after the first month of the season. Their leading receiver is tight end Vernon Davis with 17 catches.
So, yeah, you could say the Niners really need a top receiver.
And now they may have one.
After months of ugly negotiations with 2009 first-round pick Michael Crabtree, a receiver out of Texas Tech, the Niners and Crabtree have agreed on a contract. Crabtree, the No. 10 overall choice, was the only unsigned pick out of the 256 players selected in the April draft. The former Texas Tech receiver reportedly had rebuffed the 49ers’ five-year, $20-million offer that includes $16 million in guarantees. To be able to play this season, Crabtree was facing a NFL-mandated signing deadline of Nov. 17 – he reportedly signed a six-year deal that allows him to void the final season.
Crabtree went to San Francisco on Tuesday and began negotiating with 49ers officials after a month-long standoff. His advisors had suggested Crabtree would sit out the season and re-enter the draft if the 49ers didn’t offer favorable financial terms. But how good can Crabtree be this season after missing all of camp and four games of the season. He also sat out the 49ers’ offseason minicamps and organized team activities while recovering from a foot injury.
But there’s no doubt the guy can play. He caught 97 passes for 1,165 yards and 19 touchdowns last year during his sophomore season at Texas Tech. He finished his college career with 231 receptions for 3,127 yards and 41 TDs.
Don’t look for him to contribute certainly any time in the next few games as he learns the offense. But he could be a factor down the stretch for the Niners. San Francisco faces Atlanta this weekend – bet on the game at WagerWeb.com – but won’t have star running back Frank Gore again because of his ankle/foot injuries.
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