Crabtree: Shut Up and Play

Michael Crabtree is reportedly prepared to hold out for the entire season.

The explosive 6-3 Texas Tech standout was projected as high as the fourth overall pick in April's draft — and some even slotted him as the top overall prospect in the entire '09 class.

But Crabtree slipped into the San Francisco 49ers' hands at the 10th overall position. A steal, right?

Wrong.

It looks like Crabtree, or maybe just the people talking in Crabtree's ears, have completely disregarded where Crabtree ended up. Instead, they seem more fixated on where Crabtree was supposed to be selected.

And thus, Crabtree is in the process of holding out. Of course, he isn't the only player in the league holding out. It's not a new trend, either. Holdouts go back to the days of dual-athlete Bo Jackson. However, it's not very likely that Crabtree could simply bolt to the MLB and become a multiple time All-Star selection, only to return to the NFL for another team as a Pro Bowler, like Jackson did.

Crabtree is reportedly not willing to settle for anything less than "top-three" cash, and is apparently willing to sit out the entire season before reentering next year's draft.

But this is likely an empty threat. And if it isn't, that's just a dumb move by Crabtree.

Refusing to play this season would only see Crabtree slide once again on draft day — but this time around, it would be much more dramatic of a drop. Instead of going 10th overall, Crabtree could see an extra zero added onto that. Then try getting "top-three" money. Hell, try getting even first-round money.

Now I know we are in an era of sports, particularly in the NFL, where salaries continue to climb and climb, rookie salaries in particular. But whatever happened to the days of being excited to play? Being passionate about the game? Settling for a guaranteed $10 million instead of $20 million?

It's arrogant for a rookie to be holding out, in general, let alone in a time like this when many people are struggling to reel in enough money to make ends meet, let alone get a steady job.

But God forbid Crabtree gets paid any less than Darrius Heyward-Bey, the receiver who was controversially selected ahead of him by the Oakland Raiders.

I don't care how many trophies you won. I don't care how many times you helped lead your alma-matter to victory over their most-hated rival. And I don't care how dominant you were at the college level.

College football is great and all, don't get me wrong. But the NFL is a completely different beast.

And sure, plenty of first-round wideouts have gone on to have successful careers, just look at Larry Fitzgerald, Santonio Holmes, Roddy White, and many others. But there have also been plenty that have been miserable disappointments. See: Charles Rodgers, Mike Williams, Peter Warrick, etc.

So here's my advice for Michael Crabtree:

Shut up and play.

photo credit ESPN.com