The Saints are waiting for Malcolm Jenkins to come marching in and it looks as though the 49ers will be waiting a lot longer for their first round pick to sign. The battle over next year’s crop of talent is not a two company fight between CAA and Athletes First. At least Eugene Parker wants his name thrown in the mix. Many are contemplating that he is holding out his client, Michael Crabtree, because he has ambitions to represent the best football players in next year’s NFL draft.
Parker wants a lot more money than the slot value at pick #10. He feels that Crabtree should have been the first WR taken in the draft (the honor went to Heyward-Bey). Who needs this contract more, Crabtree, Parker, or the 49ers? Parker and Crabtree are banking that it’s the 49ers. According to ProFootballTalk.com,
Per a league source, agent Eugene Parker is telling the 49ers that Crabtree will sit out the season re-enter the draft in 2010, unless the team gives Crabtree what he wants.
I’m calling bluff on that. Crabtree already has a couple of big endorsements that he won’t want to disappoint. Plus, what does a year on the sidelines do for his stock? Stuff like this gives the NFL a stronger argument regarding slotting first round picks like the NBA does. Should make for an even more interesting Collective Bargaining Agreement discussion in the future.
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