When will Michael Crabtree be signed?

Originally posted by PatrickJira411:
Man I thought something would be happening this week but there isn't even a peep about him signing or even negiotations getting better. Dam

Originally posted by MadDog49er:

Originally posted by 4evrfan:
I don't know if it's arrogance, ignorance or both that has Crabtree and his agent not trying to defuse or abate the increasing fan negativity about his holdout. Business or not, fans are getting pi$$ed and rightfully so. If he and his agent cared anything about the people that ultimately support him (by buying tickets, jerseys, autographs, the products he endorses, etc), Crabtree would be doing some type of damage control to his image.
The current "strategy", if there is one, is backfiring and he's going to have to have a monster 1st year to overcome the backlash that ensues. Why couldn't he just make some kind of vanilla statement acknowledging the fans' impatience, his own desire to get on the field, etc., without necessarily acquiescing to management's proposals? Seems like a good PR move to me, and unless he's willing to sit out the season (Dumb!), you know he's going to ultimately have to take less than what he wants anyway. It just seems badly mismanaged to me. JMHO

Good questions raised.

First, Parker has never been a person to discuss contract situations with the general public, since it is a losing battle. Nobody ever supports labor over management. So, this would only stoke outrage, and distract him from working with his client.

Second, Parker honestly doesn't care about public sentiment. He is not a politician who needs to gain public support. There are no elections, he cannot be booted off an island. He is a sports agent, who is focused on his client. Public support, or lack of support, is meaningless.

Third, once Crabtree signs, all will be well. All the negative emotions that fans insert into contract negotiations evaporate. The fans welcome the player back as a hero (from chanting F#*^ Crabtree to buying his jersey), and everybody moves on.

Parker has been through these protracted contract negotiations many times, most recently with Steven Jackson and Jason Peters. Jackson was able to gain a huge contract last season. Peters eventually reported to camp, but demanded a trade once the season was finished. He got what he wished for. With his trade to the Eagles, Parker persuaded the Eagles to tear up the old contract, and offer a gigantic new one. The guy is really good at what he does.

One of the classic delayed signings was Barry Sanders, who ended up gaining a larger contract than the player drafted above him, Tony Manderich. Sanders signed just three days before the season began, the fans welcomed him, and the rest is history. Nobody but astute NFL fans even remember Sanders' delayed contract signing.

P.S. The delay in signing shows that both sides are going to have to move toward the middle to get this done. Neither side is going to get all they want, and neither side is going to cave completely to the opposition's wishes. Once the two sides can create a unique contract that satisfies both parties, it will get done.

Originally posted by 4evrfan:

Originally posted by MadDog49er:

Originally posted by 4evrfan:
I don't know if it's arrogance, ignorance or both that has Crabtree and his agent not trying to defuse or abate the increasing fan negativity about his holdout. Business or not, fans are getting pi$$ed and rightfully so. If he and his agent cared anything about the people that ultimately support him (by buying tickets, jerseys, autographs, the products he endorses, etc), Crabtree would be doing some type of damage control to his image.
The current "strategy", if there is one, is backfiring and he's going to have to have a monster 1st year to overcome the backlash that ensues. Why couldn't he just make some kind of vanilla statement acknowledging the fans' impatience, his own desire to get on the field, etc., without necessarily acquiescing to management's proposals? Seems like a good PR move to me, and unless he's willing to sit out the season (Dumb!), you know he's going to ultimately have to take less than what he wants anyway. It just seems badly mismanaged to me. JMHO

Good questions raised.

First, Parker has never been a person to discuss contract situations with the general public, since it is a losing battle. Nobody ever supports labor over management. So, this would only stoke outrage, and distract him from working with his client.

Second, Parker honestly doesn't care about public sentiment. He is not a politician who needs to gain public support. There are no elections, he cannot be booted off an island. He is a sports agent, who is focused on his client. Public support, or lack of support, is meaningless.

Third, once Crabtree signs, all will be well. All the negative emotions that fans insert into contract negotiations evaporate. The fans welcome the player back as a hero (from chanting F#*^ Crabtree to buying his jersey), and everybody moves on.

Parker has been through these protracted contract negotiations many times, most recently with Steven Jackson and Jason Peters. Jackson was able to gain a huge contract last season. Peters eventually reported to camp, but demanded a trade once the season was finished. He got what he wished for. With his trade to the Eagles, Parker persuaded the Eagles to tear up the old contract, and offer a gigantic new one. The guy is really good at what he does.

One of the classic delayed signings was Barry Sanders, who ended up gaining a larger contract than the player drafted above him, Tony Manderich. Sanders signed just three days before the season began, the fans welcomed him, and the rest is history. Nobody but astute NFL fans even remember Sanders' delayed contract signing.

P.S. The delay in signing shows that both sides are going to have to move toward the middle to get this done. Neither side is going to get all they want, and neither side is going to cave completely to the opposition's wishes. Once the two sides can create a unique contract that satisfies both parties, it will get done.

As always, very logical points. I'm just suggesting that a few non-committal words from Crabtree (not Parker) would go a long way, right now, to helping defuse negative fan emotions. Of course, once signed and he delivers on his promise, all will be forgiven, but RIGHT NOW, many of us are po'd and are starting to, if not already, believe that all the Diva, attitude problem talk was true. We could use a little reassurance, now, not later, that Crabs is a regular guy and actually cares about the fans enough to address the growing negativity he must, by now, bw aware of. Pollyannaish? Yeah, probably, but as you know, emotions run strong in sports, and especially Ninerland! Emotions have no business in negotiations, yes, but knowing that doesn't really help with each day that goes by with no word. Excuse me while I take a Valium.

Originally posted by hondakillerzx:
im gonna post "tomorrow" everyday until im right

Originally posted by PatrickJira411:
Man I thought something would be happening this week but there isn't even a peep about him signing or even negiotations getting better. Dam

Originally posted by cNiner:

Originally posted by PatrickJira411:
Man I thought something would be happening this week but there isn't even a peep about him signing or even negiotations getting better. Dam

actully on NFL network last night said that , the two sides are not talking it's kind of take it or leave it offer from the 49ers we are not paying you like the 7th overall !

Originally posted by Paul_Hofer:

Originally posted by hondakillerzx:
im gonna post "tomorrow" everyday until im right

Funny. I'll say "Day after tomorrow."