Michael Crabtree accepted six-year contract from 49ers

On Wednesday, Michael Crabtree, a star wide receiver even as a rookie, finally headed out for his first practice with the San Francisco 49ers to prepare for the home game against the Atlanta Falcons on Sunday.

Before that, he had signed a six-year contract, which was said to offer him nearly $17 million in guaranteed money, after a drawn-out negotiation process that had some wondering whether the star wide receiver would ever show up this season.

Although the 10th pick overall had missed all of training camp and sit out offseason minicamps and OTAs, he still believes that he can learn the offense quickly and will play a big role for the team in his No. 15 49ers jersey. If so, Crabtree would provide the game-breaking receiving threat the 49ers have been lacking.

Crabtree was not satisfied with 49ers latest offer of $20-million contract

As the first round pick, Michael Crabtree thought he was worth more than $20 million, but the San Francisco 49ers seemed unwilling to offer more than that or what ninth-overall pick B.J. Raji got from the Packers.

Raji’s contract was for $28.5M and five years, and Crabtree could make up to $26.5 million with incentives and up to $16 million guaranteed from the 49ers. But the first-rounder still has not planned to accept that. He has told reported that he would like to sit out the 2009 season and re-enter the draft in 2010 if he doesn't get the kind of money he's seeking.

Crabtree was thus one of the two first-rounders who had not signed contracts. The other one is Andre Smith, who has not had deal done with the Bengals.

49ers planned to sign Crabtree before exhibition opener against Broncos

Although the deadline has passed Friday for the San Francisco 49ers to trade their top draft pick Michael Crabtree, the team president Jed York still insisted that the team will sign with Crabtree, most likely before the 49ers’ exhibition opener against the Denver Broncos.

Crabtree was the 10th overall draft pick, and he wants to get a contract that is comparable to the higher pick, such as the No. 7 pick Darrius Heyward-Bey and the 8th pick Eugene Monroe.

Receiver Heyward-Bey received a five-year contract from the Oakland Raiders late last month. The contract will guarantee him at least $23.5 million. As for Monroe, he signed with the Jacksonville Jaguars on Friday and also got a five-year contract, which will pay him $25 million with $19 million guaranteed for playing with jaguars jersey on.