Davis Done Right: DHB Over Crabtree

A week into training camp and Al Davis seems to finally have gotten something right.

The tenth pick of the 2009 NFL draft, Michael Crabtree, has reportedly threatened to sit out the 2009 NFL season and reenter the draft if he does not receive the money he believes he is worth.

Darrius Heyward-Bey, the seventh pick of the draft, however, is in camp and working hard with the Raiders, demonstrating a diligent work ethic and a “team before me” attitude.

Now, if the Raiders had done what all the analysts wanted, Crabtree would be in silver and black (kind of, he technically still wouldn’t be wearing it).  As of right now, his agent has not even made an offer to the Niners, so we can’t know exactly what type of money he wants, but it’s clear that it’s greater than the $23 million guaranteed to DHB.

Following this logic, he most likely would be pulling the same holdout he’s currently in.  Once again, the Raiders would be in a hole, having their top draft pick sit out of camp over money.  We all know how that went with JaMarcus Russell and the detrimental effect it had on the team.

Even worse, if he sits out the 2009 season and reenters the draft, the Raiders would have wasted their seventh pick on a complete head case.

Crabtree is demonstrating just how much of a diva he truly is.  He hasn’t played a single down in the NFL yet he’s already pulling a TO/Ochocinco.  He hasn’t proved he can do anything.  Yes, his numbers in college are ridiculous, but that’s coming from a highly unconventional offense that flung the ball a majority of the time.  And spread receivers often don’t translate as well to the pro-style offense.

This past decade I’ve spent a lot of time questioning Al Davis and what he’s done to the team.  When we drafted Heyward-Bey I was very skeptical. 

Now though, seeing as how it’s playing out, I’m thrilled to have this rookie from Maryland in silver and black.