Tech-Crabtree update
January 9, 2009 · Print This Article
BY DON WILLIAMS l AVALANCHE-JOURNAL
Mike Crabtree’s cousin and mentor said Wednesday the Texas Tech star still hasn’t decided whether to come back to school or leave early for the NFL draft. But it doesn’t help the Red Raiders’ interests, said David Wells, that Tech coach Mike Leach hasn’t signed the contract extension he was offered a month ago.
Many Tech followers assume they’ve seen the last of Crabtree, but his cousin, prominent Dallas bail bondsman David Wells, said Crabtree is “50-50’’ on whether to leave Tech.
“He loves the college life. He loves college. He loves his teammates,’’ Wells said. “He has a hard decision to make. He loses Graham (Harrell) as his quarterback. Leach hasn’t signed his deal. (Crabtree) is wanting to see that happen. There’s a lot of things to (consider). It’s a difficult decision. It’ll probably come down to the wire.’’
Asked if Crabtree’s camp was worried about Leach leaving Tech, Wells said, “Not worried. Concerned.’’
Asked if there were concern even with Leach having two years left on his contract, Wells replied, “Yeah.’’
But Leach said that need not be an issue. Tech officials and Leach’s agents have been in discussions since Dec. 5, when Tech offered Leach a five-year, $12.1-million deal.
“I think everybody’s concerned about it,’’ Leach said, “but they’re talking. Both sides are talking. I’m excited about the prospect of being at Tech, as I have been for the last nine years. I always have been. I don’t know how that would affect his situation. I’m going to be here next year anyway.’’
Tech wide receivers coach Dennis Simmons said the contract was one of several topics covered in a 90-minute to two-hour meeting among Leach, Crabtree, Simmons and Lincoln Riley, Crabtree’s position coach last year. The meeting took place at the Cotton Bowl stadium immediately after last week’s game.
“Leach brought up the whole situation and explained to them, ‘I’m going to be here. I want to be here. If that’s one of your concerns, let me put that rest,’ ’’ Simmons said.
Simmons said Leach also shared with Crabtree “what he’s trying to accomplish, what his vision is for this program, how glad he is and sincere he is and how happy he is to be here.
“I thought it was very big of them to sit down and address it and talk about it,’’ added Simmons.
Wells, who Crabtree mentions from time to time in interviews, is a bail bondsman who gained a higher profile in the mid-1990s by serving as a bodyguard for Michael Irvin, the then-Dallas Cowboys’ wide receiver. A boxing trainer, Wells also worked with the young Crabtree on developing his skills through drills in the ring.
Crabtree has said by his close relationship with Wells and having worked concessions at Texas Stadium during his childhood, he got to know some famous players such as Irvin and Deion Sanders, who have taken him under their wing.
Asked how many people were involved in Crabtree’s decision, Wells said five. He named himself, Crabtree, Crabtree’s parents and Sanders. Sanders lives in Prosper, a small community north of Dallas and attended one of Tech’s pre-Cotton Bowl practices at Texas Stadium.
Wells disputed recent reports by the Dallas Observer and DallasBasketball.com that Crabtree plans to hire Anthony “Paco’’ Montoya as a professional personal assistant. Montoya once worked in the same capacity for Irvin.
“That is a false statement,’’ Wells said. “That is not true on any level.’’
Simmons said he likes and respects Wells’ lifelong close relationship with Crabtree. Wells is a first cousin of Crabtree’s mother.
“David to me has been nothing but a positive light in that kid’s life,’’ Simmons said. “For someone to try to make him out to be (otherwise) is someone that doesn’t know David, nor do they know Michael. Michael is a very intelligent young man. He has a small circle people that he confides in, which are people that he’s known since he was a baby — his mom, his dad, his cousin (Wells), his family.’’
An underclassman can petition an NFL advisory board for an honest assessment of where he projects as a draft prospect and then has until Jan. 15 to declare for the draft.
Wells confirmed Crabtree is seeking medical evaluations for injuries he suffered this year — to his left foot in the seventh game of the season at Texas A&M and to his right ankle in the regular-season finale against Baylor. The latter might have been a factor in Crabtree catching only four passes for a career-low 30 yards in Friday’s season-ending loss to Mississippi.
Crabtree finished the season with 97 catches for 1,175 yards and 19 touchdowns.
“To be honest, Michael loves college life,’’ Wells said. “He thinks, what else could he do on the college level? Come back and be a three-time Biletnikoff Award winner? It’s no secret he submitted his name (to the advisory board), and they said he would be a first-round pick. It’s (a consideration) how much leverage he would lose after that.’’
Here’s something to think about, if he decides to enter this year he may get more $$ than if he waits til next year. Reasoning here is the economy isn’t going to get better anytime soon.
UPDATE? Where’s the update? This is a reposting of the 50 50 one!
Williams is going green and recycling his stories!
Don,
If he goes, he goes.
The question is, why are you repeating yourself?
I bet there are some good stories at the ahtletics department that you could be the first to break..
Go see if Gerald Myers is gonna get canned.
Now that would be some (GOOD) news!!!!
FYI – it appears that you left your editors comments (capitalized) in the published story…
Wells confirmed Crabtree is seeking medical evaluations for injuries he suffered this year — to his left foot in the seventh game of the season at Texas A&M and to his right ankle in the regular-season finale against Baylor. The latter might have been a factor in Crabtree catching only four passes for a career-low 30 yards in Friday’s season-ending loss to Mississippi. DID WE ASK HIM? … IS HE IN CLASSES?
He`s gone, i can see him already playing in the NFL
Sadly but playing for a bad team, he`s probably headed to Oakland,Ca And playing with the Oakland Raiders.
Here’s a REAL update: Tech finished the AP ABOVE Ole Miss!
Gots to LOVE POLITICS!
I hope that he goes to the Raiders, they are a very exciting team to watch. Jamarcus Russell, Darren McFadden and Crabtree. Fire up the NFL Sunday Ticket on DirecTV.
Leach will be back.
Crabtree, of course, still has a serious decision to make.
It probably depends more on his injuries than the coach or his place in the draft. He will be a first round pick whenever he leaves.
The best point is, they are changing the cap on the draft in years to come. Next year maybe ok, but after that, rookies won’t be getting huge signing bonuses.
If that’s his concern and he is healthy, he will go. Otherwise, Tech has a target for a QB, but is Potts that guy?
i really hope that Crabtree decides to stay i think that Steve is right if he does go to the NFL it will be to a crappy team. Hey do what you have to Mr. Michael Crabtree honestley it really comes down to you what Crabtree wants not what everyone else wants. GOD LUCK MAN !!
melvin block,
I imagine Tech finished ahead of Miss because Tech has two losses and Miss has four. They played great down the stretch and took it to Tech in the Cotton Bowl, but the bowl game is not the whole season. It’s just one game.
The final poll with OM finishing the season so strong beating a good TTU team but listing below TTU is another unjust circumstance fostered by the BCS. But the so called majors are treated well.
I just heard on ESPN Crabtree will announce at 1 o’clock on Tuesday that he is entering the draft….so long Crab and good luck
Do NOT believe all you hear on ESPN. They have been known to be wrong on some of their predictions.
they have also been known to be right on with some of their predictions.
In the Fox Mock draft, Crabs would end up the 1st round #6 pick with Cincinatti. That’s enough reason right there to stay in School!
Kiss Crabtree goodbye!!!
When you have buddies like Deion Sanders and Michael Irvin hangin’ with you when your chilling in Big “D”, going back to Lubbock and gettin’ yo education just don’t seem that important…
Whenever Crabtree sees all the other athletes leaving early for the draft, he’ll get the itch.
Why don’t we find a coach who wants to be here and isn’t looking for a new job every year. I’m tired of reading about players who would come IF Leach was more dependable.
With the talk of recruits and Crabtree wavering because of Leach’s indecision, how many good recruits will we never hear about because they know how he runs around the country shopping for a new job every year and therefore didn’t even consider Tech?
You know Stoops, Brown, Sherman, etc., are using that against us.
It makes you wonder.
I hope Crabs makes a great receiver in the NFL!
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GO RED RAIDERS IN 2009!!!