Maybe Michael Crabtree finally has his head screwed on straight.
Or maybe he realized re-entering the draft would be a terrible idea, especially considering his team is, without his contribution on any level, a playoff contender by virtue of being half decent and playing in the NFC West. Whatever the inspiration, Crabtree has signed with the 49ers. From ESPN:
Crabtree will get a six-year deal that he can void to five years if he meets undefined performance clauses, a league source told ESPN's Michael Smith.
The 22-year-old Crabtree is expected to report to the team's training facility Wednesday.
Crabtree and agent Eugene Parker met into the early-morning hours Wednesday with 49ers owner Jed York, general manager Scot McCloughan and Paraag Marathe, vice president of football operations. The two sides had gone almost three weeks without talking.
San Francisco selected Crabtree with the 10th pick in this year's draft and could use the wideout's game-breaking ability in the passing game. That said, he has a lot of catching up to do to learn the offense after missing all of training camp.
He also sat out the 49ers' offseason minicamps and organized team activities while recovering from a foot injury, but was a regular presence for rehabilitation and strengthening workouts at the team's training facility.
Coach Mike Singletary, whose 49ers lead the NFC West and at 3-1 are off to their best start since 2002, said Monday he would welcome Crabtree whenever he joins the team.
It's pretty hard to make salary demands when you haven't played snap one of professional football and the team that you're attempting to hold hostage is one Brett Favre laser from being 4-0.