The biggest news in the NFL today is that Michael Crabtree might not come to terms with San Francisco, which drafted him 10th overall.
Crabtree’s possible draft re-entry not totally unique
Throughout the day news has gone back and forth on whether or not Crabtree is willing to hold out. His agent, Eugene Parker, said Crabtree has no intention of re-entering the draft. One of Crabtree’s “advisers” says otherwise.
Should Crabtree not sign with the 49ers, he would be eligible to enter the 2010 NFL Draft. However, he wouldn't be the first football player to refuse to sign.
In the 1986 NFL Draft, the Buccaneers selected Bo Jackson first overall out of Auburn. Tampa Bay didn't want Jackson to play baseball and Jackson refused to acquiesce. Jackson went on to sign with the Kansas City Royals. When the 1987 draft came around, Jackson was eligible to be drafted.
The Raiders used a seventh-round pick on Jackson and allowed him to play both football and baseball. Jackson famously became one of the most electric players in the NFL, but his career was cut short due to a hip injury.
The biggest draw back for Crabtree in this scheme is that he would be precluded him from working out with another team or conducting private interviews. For a player who couldn’t work out prior to the 2009 NFL Draft and reportedly interviewed poorly, it’s hard to believe Crabtree would get better drafting position in 2010.
If he held out, Crabtree might also have to compete with wide receivers Arrellious Benn, Dez Bryant, Dezmon Briscoe and Damian Williams.
It seems unlikely Crabtree would be able to beat out all four of them in the draft and would ultimately lose money by sitting out.
For more on this silly saga, stay tuned to Niners Nation.
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