The last unsigned 1st round pick of the 2009 NFL Draft, wide receiver Michael Crabtree, has officially signed w/ the San Francisco 49ers.  Off to a 3-1 start and leading the NFC West, the 49ers were actually in a good position to negotiate w/ the wideout from Texas Tech – they really showed they didn’t need him (vs. the other way around).

Michael Crabtree had been holding out seeking more money from the 49ers, even though they were offering him fair (or above) value for the 10th pick in the draft.  Crabtree was especially peeved about the Oakland Raiders paying the 7th pick, Darrius Heyward-Bey, more than SF was offering… because Crabtree and his agent feel he was a higher pick than he ended up.  Unfortunately in the NFL, you get paid based on where you’re drafted – quarterbacks are often the exception – wide receivers not so much.

Crabtree, the No. 10 overall draft pick, received $17 million guaranteed from the 49ers in a six-year deal that has a base value of $32 million and a maximum value of $40 million.

Crabtree’s contract voids to five years if he has Pro Bowl seasons in two of the first four years. In that case, the base value would be $28 million.

The 49ers had previously offered a five-year deal with about $16 million guaranteed, and the sides worked hard through the night, making some tradeoff in terms of the length of the contract, as well as the guaranteed money, according to the league source. Crabtree expressed a strong desire to be a 49er during his meeting with team officials, which proceeded the heavy negotiating. The deal was completed around 2 a.m. Wednesday.  Source: NFL.com

For 49ers fans who already bought a #15 Michael Crabtree jersey in anticipation of the WR starring on the team’s offense… you can now relax, because he should be able to play (if not start) within a game or two.  It really shouldn’t take Crabtree too long to get the plays down and get into the games.

Michael Crabtree News, Highlights (Media)

For the San Francisco 49ers, the signing couldn’t come at a better time.  Minus a Brett Favre miracle w/ 0:04 seconds left, the Niners would be sitting at 4-0 instead of 3-1.  Despite the loss, the team still leads the NFC West by 2 games over the Arizona Cardinals.  They are playing inspired football – the offense isn’t so spectacular, but the defense is exceptional.  This is in large part, to head coach Mike Singletary’s strong beliefs & hard work ethic.  He is (so far) a great leader & motivator for his team and it is playing significant dividends on the field.

Michael Crabtree has signed a 6-year deal w/ the 49ers, including$17 million in guaranteed money.  Shortly following the draft, Crabtree’s 49ers jersey was a hot seller, but cooled off late in August as the (unsigned) rookie quickly began making enemies in the media (via his inability to reach a deal). His #15 uniform is likely to start rising on the list of top selling NFL jerseys (once again) now that he has officially signed.  He had previously peaked in the high teens, so look for him to be in that range again before the end of 2009.

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