After countless hours of research, it has been revealed that not once was the word “diva” used to describe former 49ers first-round draft picks Jimmy Webb or Ted Kwalick.
Obviously, Michael Crabtree’s absence from 49ers’ training camp will continue to be an issue until he signs a contract and joins his teammates. But the fact of the matter is that this is not a new problem. So there is no reason to blame it on the ungrateful modern athlete.
While all the rumblings are that Crabtree’s agent, Eugene Parker, is seeking the kind of contract that would ensure he misses a large portion of training camp, Crabtree – as of now – has missed two full days of meetings and zero practices.
The 49ers have taken a great deal of pride in the fact that no draft pick has missed a practice due to an unsigned contract since 2005. That’s a streak that includes six first-round draft picks in four years. Clearly, that streak is in serious jeopardy this year.
But anyone who thinks this is a generational problem is sorely mistaken, as 49ers coach Mike Singletary proved when he admitted to missing portions of training camp on two occasions during his career.
Singletary would look hypocritical if he questioned Crabtree’s judgment for missing time in training camp. Crabtree – and his agent – are entitled to play hardball in negotiations. However, Singletary did tactfully suggest he believes Crabtree should sign the contract offer the 49ers have already extended.
“I don’t know his agent,” Singletary said. “I don’t know all the other stuff. I do know that we have been fair. I do know that we are hopeful about getting it done and in some point in time it will work itself out.”
The 49ers have signed all their picks on time in the past because they’ve been fair. And Singletary says the 49ers are being fair with Crabtree. That means the 49ers have offered him a contract commensurate with what the No. 10 overall pick should expect to receive.
Parker probably made promises to Crabtree in the recruiting process that he would be one of the top selections in the draft. And, now, he is trying to at least deliver a big contract.
However, Parker is largely to blame for this mess. He did a lousy job of damage control in the weeks leading up to the draft. Parker did nothing to refute the negative talk about his client after a report surface that Crabtree made a less-than favorable impression with the Cleveland Browns with a so-called “diva” attitude.
Nine teams passed on selecting Crabtree. No team made an attempt to trade up to get him. At No. 10, Crabtree fell into the 49ers’ laps.
Was it a surprise that Crabtree lasted that long? Sure. But he was dealing with a stress fracture, questions about his speed and, of course, that whole “diva” thing.
Still, Singletary said on draft day that the possibility of landing Crabtree was barely discussed in the 49ers’ draft room because “it was one of the last scenarios that we would end up with.” In fact, the 49ers thought they had a better chance to get the other Parker client, defensive lineman Tyson Jackson, whom the Chiefs selected at No. 3.
Niners general manager Scot McCloughan said of Crabtree: “We got the best receiver in the draft, hands down.”
And that’s Parker’s argument for angling to get Crabtree gets more money than the Raiders award receiver Darrius Heyward-Bey, the No. 7 overall pick. Now, you see why Heyward-Bey has yet to sign, too. And now you see why so few picks in the top of the first round have signed contracts.
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One thing we can do is dispel the myth that contract issues are a new problem in the NFL. Thanks to 49ers historian Donn Sinn for compiling a list of the longest rookie contract stalemates in team history.
Longest 49ers rookie contract stalemates
1975 DT Jimmy Webb (Rd. 1, No. 10): 43 days.
1969 TE Ted Kwalick (Rd. 1, No. 7): 25 days.
1986 DL Larry Roberts (Rd. 2, No. 39): 16 days.
1997 QB Jim Druckenmiller (Rd 1, No. 26): 15 days
1989 LB Keith DeLong (Rd 1, No. 28): 13 days.
2000 LB Julian Peterson (Rd 1, No. 16): 12 days
1995 WR J.J. Stokes (Rd 1, No. 10): 11 days
This list does not include Bernie Faloney (1954, signed with CFL), end Tom Stolhandske (1963, 1953, CFL), Lance Alworth (1962, AFL) or Tim Anderson (1971, CFL).
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