Heartbreaking losses can often build character. The San Francisco 49ers gut wrenching defeat at the hands of Brett Favre and the Minnesota Vikings last Sunday proved they can also show glaring weaknesses.
The weakness? Their offensive offense. The solution? The 49ers need to give in (partly) to the demands of He-who-must-not-be-named. No, not Lord Voldemort, Michael Crabtree, the best wide receiver in college football last season that reportedly left $20 million on the table because he felt it wasn’t fair compensation for his services.
Shocked? Don’t be.
The 49ers currently rank 27th in receiving yards per game, averaging a meager 182 yards. But that’s not even the worst of it. San Francisco’s wide receivers have only mustered 255 yards over the first three games, one of the worst totals in the league this year. The last time the 49ers ranked in the top half of the league in total offense and receiving was the 2000 season when, you guessed it, “diva” wide receiver Terrell Owens was sporting the red and gold.
Now let’s have a look at Crabtree’s résumé.
In his two years as a starter from Texas Tech, Crabtree caught 231 passes while racking up 3,127 receiving yards and 41 touchdowns for the Red Raiders.
Yes 49er fans, it is possible for a wide receiver to have these gaudy numbers. Remember that Jerry Rice guy? Or even Owens?
Not only would Crabtree help stretch the field and take some of those extra defenders out of the box, giving running back Frank Gore room to run, but he would give San Francisco a home-run threat they haven’t had since their previous “diva” receiver, Owens, last left town.
Remember all of those long passing plays back in 2000 season, keeping defenses honest while giving opposing defensive coordinators nightmares? Yeah, neither do I. It’s been too long.
One of the biggest arguments against appeasing Crabtree and offering him more money centers on his personality. Would he really be a good fit for Mike Singletary, a man who places value on a team-first mentality over personal gain?
Singletary seems to think so.
When asked by ESPN’s Adam Schefter if the 49ers’ head coach was willing to say Crabtree would never be part of the team, Singletary simply replied, “I would never say that. Not at any point.”
So how does San Francisco up their offer to Crabtree without losing their negotiating leverage for future first round draft picks? Performance incentives. If Crabtree really thinks he was the best wide receiver in the draft, pay him like it… but make him prove it.
It would be win-win situation for both sides. Crabtree would be able to earn the extra money he thinks he’s worth by simply playing like a superstar. The 49ers on the other hand can still look like tough negotiators while reaping the benefits if Crabtree exceeds performance expectations.
In all of this contract uncertainty, there’s one thing for sure: If Crabtree and the 49ers don’t reach a deal soon, the future success of both will be in doubt.
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