Report: 49ers Accuse Jets of Tampering With Michael Crabtree

The San Francisco 49ers have reportedly complained to the league office that the New York Jets tampered with their first-round draft pick, Michael Crabtree, an accusation that -- if true -- would constitute a serious violation of NFL rules.

The New York Daily News is reporting that the 49ers have asked the league office to investigate. It's not clear what, exactly, the 49ers think the Jets did, but the Daily News suggests that the 49ers believe the Jets contacted Crabtree's agent to express their interest in him, either in a trade with the 49ers this year or in the draft next year, if Crabtree refuses to sign with San Francisco and re-enters the draft.

Knowing another team is interested in his services would give Crabtree more leverage as he continues his contract negotiations, which are still going on, two weeks into the season. Crabtree is the only draft pick who did not sign a contract before the regular season.

The Jets have been accused -- and exonerated -- of tampering in the past. The Patriots filed tampering charges related to wide receiver Deion Branch in 2006, but the league cleared New York. There were also reports this year that the Broncos thought the Jets had tampered with wide receiver Brandon Marshall, but no formal tampering charges were filed.

"It's not accurate, it's not true, but we'll let the league figure this out," Jets coach Rex Ryan said at a press conference at Jets headquarters Monday.

Ryan added that he found out this morning that San Francisco had filed the charge, but was not aware of the specifics: "I don't care what the specifics are. It's just not true."

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

9-21-2009 @ 9:12AM

Bobby said...

crabtree is crazy for not signing he could drop as low as to the thrid round then some teams might not even sign him then

9-21-2009 @ 9:53AM

ondaroof02 said...

2 words, Mike Willams. How did that work out for him?

9-21-2009 @ 10:04AM

George said...

Bobby, you're absolutely right. Assuming that the allegations against the Jets are true, you have 2 scenarios: (1) You trade with the 49ers for his rights, or (2) he goes back in the draft and you pick him. Well, since the Niners just filed a complaint with the league against them for tampering, doing business with the Jets is most likely not going to happen, unless as part of some punishment the Jets forfeit a whole slew of draft picks to the Niners for Crabtree's rights.

Which brings us to #2. If-- IF-- the allegations are true, how exactly can the Jets guarantee that he's going to get more money from them? Either (1) they're assuming that 2010 will be an uncapped year and Woody Johnson will be willing to cough up huge bucks on a guy who sat out an entire year and hasn't proved that he can do anything on the pro level, or (2) they're planning on finishing so bad that they'll be able to take him early in the draft. What kind of message does that send to your fanbase? Of course, if the Jets do well this year and then take Crabtree toward the end of the first round, or even pass on him and he drops to the second or third round, that leaves him in a WORSE position than he's in now. Or suppose the Jets do well this season and take him, say, as the 15th-20th overall pick. I highly doubt that the Jets are going to honor whatever handshake agreement they have about compensation, and risk the wrath of Roger Goodell, to pay him like a top 5 or top 10 pick. As soon as his people bring up the compensation discussion they (allegedly) had, the Jets are going to tell them to go take a flying leap. And then what? He'll threaten to sit out ANOTHER year?

Michael Crabtree's position is an untenable one. Draft pick money is slotted according to where you were drafted. What you did in college doesn't mean spit. Where you should have gone in the draft doesn't mean spit. You were drafted 10th overall, you get paid what the 10th overall draft pick should get paid. You don't get to say "I'm better than the 10th pick, and the Raiders made a dumb move by taking Darius Heyward-Bey 7th, that should have been me so pay me the money that he's making". NOT GOING TO HAPPEN. Sitting out a year hurt Mike Williams, and if Crabtree thinks he's going to take on the NFL and win, he should talk to Maurice Clarett about the whole "snot-nosed rookie who takes on the NFL thinking the rules should be bent for him" idea.

This kid needs to stop listening to his buffoonish agent, sign his contract, get in there and play ball. Otherwise, he'll be a footnote in NFL history and the answer to some trivia question in a few years.

9-21-2009 @ 11:57AM

Magic said...

Crabtree neeeds to sign with the 49ers, the 49ers are very young and up and coming and within 3 years they will again be in the elite of the NFL, and if he gets onboard now he will make more money in the future if his stats are there

9-21-2009 @ 2:38PM

karel said...

This whole situation is a disgrace. First, why did the NFL never investigate the Deion Sanders comments on its own station. Bottom line, if his comments were true then either a team source told him or Crabtree's people told him. Either way, it is clear and undisputed evidence of tampering.

Second, I did not hear the comments made by that jackass Rex Ryan. However, it does not sound like he denied the tampering claims. Saying the claims are "ridiculous" is certainly not a denial. Unless someone in the front office denies the allegations, then the issue is up for debate and the NFL should man up and investigate.

They certainly did so when the Niners called Lance Briggs' agent. the same should be done here. Otherwise, it is clear that the NFL is playing favorites.

9-22-2009 @ 7:18AM

Wayne said...

You are the jackass. Rex Ryan said "it's not accurate, it's not true" Only a jackass doesn't thinmk that's a denial.

yamahawatercraft said...

THESE DAM SPORTS AGENTS ARE RUINING ALL PRO SPORTS I BELIEVE there should be a pay scale for rookies and strickly followed if the player does not want to play for that money slotted to were he was picked to hell with him black ball him from the league and no team may talk or presue him period he is out for life never to play or coach in that sport I for one am so TIRED of these ROOKIE players wanting MULTI MILLION DOLLAR CONTRACTS WHEN THEY HAVE NOT EVEN STEPPED ON A PRO FIELD let them go flip burgers in Burger King or Mickeeeey D's

9-21-2009 @ 3:26PM

olddutchlofts said...

From what I hear the Niners gave them permission, just like the Bears tried to tell the NFL when the Niners accused them of tampering with Briggs too.
I always thought this was a typicle dirty Packer trick, guess not. Anyway, way to go San Fran!!!

9-21-2009 @ 5:55PM

marc said...

I hope Crabtree re-enters the draft and does not get selected until the 5th round. Teach the unproven baby a lesson. SF does not need another T.O. on their team. On second thought, hopefully he won't play in the NFL because I don't want to hear about his whiny ass complaining anymore.

9-21-2009 @ 8:00PM

jm4279 said...

Same old JETS!! How many times are they going to tamper with another player before fianlly getting caught!!

9-21-2009 @ 11:51PM

pepsi21a said...

makes no sense whatsoever - the 49ers are no longer allowed to trade his rights - that time passed in August, Crabtree can either be signed by Nov 17 to play this season, or signed after the 17th and traded during the next trading window in March. If Crabtree isn't signed by the 17th he will re-enter the draft. What could a team tamper with? Hey Michale we will sign you for 45 million if we can draft you at 24 next season? Just a stupid ploy so the 49ers can save some face for not being able to sign their top pick. If they want him just jack up the salary to $19 mil guaranteed and get him in the line-up. In the grand scheme of things they wasted how much on Alex Smith? What's a few more bucks on a possible elite receiver?

9-22-2009 @ 4:38AM

fedsdirty said...

probable just F'ed the eyes out Crabtree

9-22-2009 @ 7:25AM

Wayne M. said...

To the best of my knowledge the Jets have never, repeat never, been found guilty of tampering with another team's players. Rex Ryan in his statement says that "it's not accurate, it's not true" and that's good enough for me. If any of you don't think this guy has made a difference with the Jets just look at what Mangini is doing in Cleveland. He fined a player $1700 for not paying for a $3 bottle of water in his hotel mini bar. What a loser he is.

9-22-2009 @ 7:30AM

dsmith2316 said...

It's official! The JETS are now the sleaziest organization in the NFL..........

9-22-2009 @ 7:15PM

welcome said...

Tamper-gate '09

9-22-2009 @ 8:01PM

bobbren1 said...

Jets Jets Jets.....like to point the finger but looks like they are in trouble quite a lot.....Fat baby faced coaches is why!!!!

9-23-2009 @ 5:19AM

generalchaos said...

crabtree needs to give 49er's a chance ther 2-0 and seem to be headed toward the right direction. heck 49's are winning if crabtree wants to enter draft and get drafted to this years loser so be it.