Michael Crabtree

[Wolf]

yes he declared. I hope he does well

http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/cfootb..._crabtree.html

PLANO, Texas -- Two years of college football, two years of being chosen the best receiver in the country. There wasn't much left for Texas Tech's Michael Crabtree to accomplish.

So now he's eager to see how he'll do in the NFL.

Crabtree said Tuesday he's giving up his final two years of eligibility because he thinks he's ready for pro football. The first challenge is finding out how high he'll go in the draft.

"As far as I've seen, top 5. That's what I'm striving for," Crabtree said.

Tall, strong and fast enough, Crabtree averaged 120.3 yards and 1.6 touchdowns per game in college, extraordinarily high numbers even in coach Mike Leach's video game-esque offense.

His career totals of 231 catches for 3,127 yards and 41 touchdowns would be remarkable over three or four years. Compiled over only two years, it's no wonder he was an All-American both seasons and was a two-time winner of the Biletnikoff Award as the nation's top receiver. He was fifth in voting for the Heisman Trophy this past season.

"I feel like the next level will be a big challenge for me and I'm looking forward to it," Crabtree said.

He's already taken to the lifestyle of a star pro receiver.

Crabtree held his news conference at an upscale hotel in a suburb north of Dallas. It was orchestrated by Deion Sanders, and there was talk of the advice he's gotten from another buddy, Michael Irvin.

In the parking lot outside, his car bore the license plate "Crab 5." The same message was attached to both front doors. The car was as shiny as the pair of diamond earrings Crabtree wore.

I hope the fame doesn't go to his head

[El Tejano]

I know it doesn't make any sense, but if this guy were to land all the way to #15, I would take it. Before everyone starts laughing at me hear me out. Say we end up getting that DB or DE in FA (positions that I think the ones we want will be gone before #15 and anyone else at those positions will not be worth #15), it would make sense to get a play maker like this guy.

I've stated before that we have to look at what our record is without Andre Johnson in the game. It's not good. Add to the fact that Andre Davis didn't have the best year (still is good though) and really is only our KR and Jacoby Jones not doing much as a receiver and really is just a PR (who drops the ball), it would actually make sense to get this guy. It would be a good scenario as he could be groomed into the position or if he is really that good could make our passing attack that much more powerful.

[BigBull17]

Originally Posted by El Tejano

I know it doesn't make any sense, but if this guy were to land all the way to #15, I would take it. Before everyone starts laughing at me hear me out. Say we end up getting that DB or DE in FA (positions that I think the ones we want will be gone before #15 and anyone else at those positions will not be worth #15), it would make sense to get a play maker like this guy.

I've stated before that we have to look at what our record is without Andre Johnson in the game. It's not good. Add to the fact that Andre Davis didn't have the best year (still is good though) and really is only our KR and Jacoby Jones not doing much as a receiver and really is just a PR (who drops the ball), it would actually make sense to get this guy. It would be a good scenario as he could be groomed into the position or if he is really that good could make our passing attack that much more powerful.

I understand what your saying, but our offense is pretty good, while our D is pretty bad.

[El Tejano]

Originally Posted by BigBull17

I understand what your saying, but our offense is pretty good, while our D is pretty bad.

I agree but after the Orakpos and DBs (I can't think of any other DB worth #15) are gone, who else really is there @ #15 that would make an immediate impact anyway that can't be taken in round #2 (really I don't know)?

I mean with Jacksonville up there that high, I don't really see him dropping to us but they've been known to not get good WRs. If he were to drop to us you got to go BPA then. I don't want guys like Jacoby Jones sitting around like their position is locked up when they had a pretty bad year with handling punts and costing or almost costing us games.

[gtexan02]

Too bad Matt Millen retired. This guy could have gone #1

[bah007]

If Crabtree somehow falls to #15, we better be on the phone trying to trade back with someone who wants him.

He is a great player who doesn't fill a need. Which is exactly why we should use him as trade bait in that situation.

[BigBull17]

Originally Posted by El Tejano

I agree but after the Orakpos and DBs (I can't think of any other DB worth #15) are gone, who else really is there @ #15 that would make an immediate impact anyway that can't be taken in round #2 (really I don't know)?

I mean with Jacksonville up there that high, I don't really see him dropping to us but they've been known to not get good WRs. If he were to drop to us you got to go BPA then. I don't want guys like Jacoby Jones sitting around like their position is locked up when they had a pretty bad year with handling punts and costing or almost costing us games.

Yeah, you have to trade back. I dont think he'll make it to us, and if he does I'm sure some of those DE/LB/S/CB would be around.

[Ole Miss Texan]

Originally Posted by bah007

If Crabtree somehow falls to #15, we better be on the phone trying to trade back with someone who wants him.

He is a great player who doesn't fill a need. Which is exactly why we should use him as trade bait in that situation.

I absolutely agree and I don't think its out of the realm of possibilities. With the teams drafting in front of us, they could easily have higher rated players that will be available to them (like LT, DL). If you take NEED into account, these teams all have more pressing issues at positions that have longer shelf lives than WR. If he gets passed the Bills, we have DEN, WAS and NO that could find the player(s) available like a top LT that slips, Raji, Jenkins, any of the LBs, Davis that they may deem more valuable than the trade down.

With that said I wonder what team(s) may be interested. Jets, Chicago... ? Of course now we're getting into way hypothetical situations that are impossible to predict... but that's my favorite part of the draft. It's a game of chess.

[The1ApplePie]

No way he is there at 15 but if he is, you take him and don't look back.

The Colts have gone by on a crap defense for years by having on offense loaded with talent. AJ & Crabtree could easily surpass the talent level of Harrison & Wayne when Marvin was in his prime.

[bah007]

Originally Posted by The1ApplePie

No way he is there at 15 but if he is, you take him and don't look back.

The Colts have gone by on a crap defense for years by having on offense loaded with talent. AJ & Crabtree could easily surpass the talent level of Harrison & Wayne when Marvin was in his prime.

The Colts never won the big game until their defense stepped up.

[The1ApplePie]

Originally Posted by bah007

The Colts never won the big game until their defense stepped up.

And the Ravens and Steelers only one the big one because their offenses stepped up.

There is a difference between good and stepping up. The Arizona Cardinals defense is stepping up right now, but no one would call them good.

[El Tejano]

Originally Posted by bah007

If Crabtree somehow falls to #15, we better be on the phone trying to trade back with someone who wants him.

He is a great player who doesn't fill a need. Which is exactly why we should use him as trade bait in that situation.

That, actually, is something I didn't think about. It could provide us with more picks and for our team, having more picks is good because we are possibly on the brink of a playoff season.

You do have to ask yourself two things though. How many teams would be willing to trade up and give away picks for a rookie WR and is Michael Crabtree the kind of player that can make our offense go from high powered to elite?

[Ole Miss Texan]

Originally Posted by El Tejano

You do have to ask yourself two things though. How many teams would be willing to trade up and give away picks for a rookie WR and is Michael Crabtree the kind of player that can make our offense go from high powered to elite?

I think teams will have to identify what kind of WR they see him being in the pros... well more specifically on their team. Is he a true #1 or is he going to be a #2 or slot WR? Obviously it depends on the team and their current situation but that will probably be an important factor when they are thinking of giving up draft picks to move up... or wait and potentially get Jeremy Maclin, Percy Harvin or Kenny Britt.

Will Crabtree be that much better than Britt (similar size)? I see Maclin and Harvin as somewhat different kind of WR's.

[JCTexan]

Originally Posted by El Tejano

That, actually, is something I didn't think about. It could provide us with more picks and for our team, having more picks is good because we are possibly on the brink of a playoff season.

You do have to ask yourself two things though. How many teams would be willing to trade up and give away picks for a rookie WR and is Michael Crabtree the kind of player that can make our offense go from high powered to elite?

Any team in need of a WR would probably trade up to get Crabtree. Do the Texans need him? No, but he's an elite prospect who reminds alot of people of AJ. Having two AJ's would be tempting but WR is one of the strengths of this team so I doubt we'd even think about him. I doubt he falls past Seattle or Cincinnati, though.

[jgl35]

The Eagles, with 2 late first roung picks,could be very interested in trading up for Crabtree at 15.

[infantrycak]

Originally Posted by jgl35

The Eagles, with 2 late first roung picks,could be very interested in trading up for Crabtree at 15.

Let's hope so. That could be a trade that works out very well for both teams.

[Kaiser Toro]

Originally Posted by infantrycak

Let's hope so. That could be a trade that works out very well for both teams.

Imagine that, a draft day trade with a team outside of our conference. It makes too much sense to happen. I am hoping for a Philly WR meltdown in the Super Bowl.

[mexican_texan]

Originally Posted by Kaiser Toro

Imagine that, a draft day trade with a team outside of our conference. It makes too much sense to happen. I am hoping for a Philly WR meltdown in the Super Bowl.

Another one?

Kevin Curtis is no Kevin Walter anymore. I thought he'd be more like Wes Welker with the Eagles.

[Texecutioner]

Originally Posted by mexican_texan

Another one?

Kevin Curtis is no Kevin Walter anymore. I thought he'd be more like Wes Welker with the Eagles.

He was. He had like 1,200 yards last year and missed a game or two as well. Those were very good numbers considering that Mcnabb was out for a good amount of the season as well. Curtis missed more than half the season this year as well and has been playing hurt, so he hasn't done so well this season, but he has been improving in the last few games as he is getting more healthy. If he comes back healthy next season he should be able to get 1,000 yards I'm sure.