What a season it has been. It is sad to see the regular season come to a wrap. But unlike years past, the San Francisco 49ers will finally see the post season. There is still some business to be taken care of before we look ahead to the playoffs. With a win against the St. Louis Rams, the Niners will earn a first round bye. It is a much needed first round bye with injuries piling up in the last few weeks. Most of the injuries have been occurring on the offensive side of the ball, which means the defense (the strength of the Niners) is still healthy. Do not think it will be an automatic win for the Niners. I understand it’s the sorry Rams, who are tied with the Indianapolis Colts for the worst record in the NFL. Let’s remember that the Rams do hold a victory over the New Orleans Saints and at the end of the day the players are grown men and will not roll over for anybody. The Rams will show up with plenty of pride. Here are some keys to the game. (more…)

Michael Crabtree Holdsout

Well, I have to say I am not surprised all of the 49ers rookies have reported to training camp with the exception of wide receiver Michael Crabtree.  After the NFL draft in April the only negative press about Crabtree was certain coaches, Eric Mangini was one, were turned off by his “diva” attitude.  Another reason is his agent is Eugene Parker who represented the Lam’s running back Stephen Jackson and the Bills Jason Peter with their holdouts last year.  Parker also represents another rookie drafted in the top ten, the Chiefs defensive end Tyson Jackson who has not signed as well.  The only positive thing right now is Crabtree is one of 28 rookies drafted in the first round who remain unsigned.  However each day Crabtree is not on the field his development of becoming an NFL wide out and an offensive force for the Niners suffers tremendously.  Crabtree needs to get into camp to learn the offense and develop a receiver-quarterback relationship with incumbent starter Shaun Hill especially because he missed the OTA’s rehabbing his injured foot and coaches have not seen him at full strength.

It is important to note that Mike Singletary held out twice in his career, once as a rookie and the other time the year before the Bears won the Super Bowl.  So, I would not expect Singletary’s usual intensity in criticizing Crabtree’s holdout.  That would be like former President Bush criticizing President Obama about starting an unnecessary war.

There have been numerous reports that Crabtree’s agent is seeking a contract for a top-five draft pick.  Was Parker paying attention at the draft?  He does realize his client was not the even the first receiver taken in the draft, right?  I understand holdouts to happen each year but with 28 of the 32 rookies taken in the first round not signed to deals is ridiculous.  I only care about Crabtree and with his agent acting like he was the best WR taken in the draft does not help him and more importantly his teammates.  GM’s and coaches have their reasons for why they did not select him.  Now I am hoping GM Scot McCloughan is not regretting drafting him with their 10^th pick because the WR position was not the most important need we had in the draft.  If Crabtree is not signed by this weekend when all players have reported the holdout distraction will be the only questions the media asks and the Hill vs. Smith QB competition, the implementation of Jimmy Raye’s new offense and Singletary’s first full season as a head coach will all be overshadowed.  The longer the holdout the more questions players will field about Crabtree which always upsets the player whether they show it or not because one man is eclipsing any other news during training camp.  The players and coaches and most importantly the fans will lose their patience.  The 49er Faithful have waited too long for another winning season and Crabtree is an important part of accomplishing the Niners rise back to prominence in the NFL.

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