Jets On Blast as 49ers File Tampering Charges
Jerrell Jones
September 22, 2009
Filed under Sports, Uncategorized
The San Francisco 49ers suspect that the Jets have been flirting with their unsigned 1st-round pick Michael Crabtree which prompted the 49ers to file tampering charges against the Jets.
Specifics were not known according to the Daily News. The Jets, who were trying to land a big-name receiver this offseason, denied any statements affirming or denying that they have been having serious talks with the Texas Tech standout.
“I wish we were playing them,” said Jets coach Rex Ryan. “We’ll let the NFL figure that one out; I think it’s ridiculous, personally.”
Crabtree hasn’t accepted any of the 49ers’ offers, with the most recent being a contract that offers 5 years and $20 million with $16 million guaranteed. Crabtree is looking for a deal closer to Oakland Raiders’ receiver Darrius Heyward-Bey, who went in front of Crabtree in the draft(No.7 overall), and signed a five-year deal guaranteeing him $23.5million.
49ers team president has tried to meet with Crabtree 1-on-1, but Crabtree’s agent, Eugene Parker, hasn’t replied back.
There have been reports that Crabtree would be willing to re-enter the draft if the 49ers don’t meet his demands.
After August 14th, the Niners could not trade Crabtree’s rights and he will be unable to be traded until the beginning of the trading period in the offseason in 2010. The 49ers have to sign him by Nov.17 if they want him to play this season.
“It’s a situation [that] the league is going to handle internally” said 49ers head coach Mike Singletary when he was asked on Monday.
In his collegiate career Crabtree caught 231 passes for 3,127 yards and 41TDs. Last season Crabtree recorded 19 TDs as Texas Tech went 11-2 in the 2008 season.
