San Francisco 49ers coach Mike Singletary has confirmed that he would still like to see Michael Crabtree playing for the team.
San Francisco coach has not shut door on wide receiver
San Francisco 49ers coach Mike Singletary has confirmed that he would still like to see first-round draft pick Michael Crabtree playing for the team this season.
Reports have been made that Crabtree and his agent are set to renew discussions with the 49ers and Singletary has not ruled out signing the wide receiver from Texas Tech, despite the fact that a contract impasse means he is yet to practice with the team.
A team source has revealed that there have been no discussions between the 49ers and Crabtree or his agent for two weeks, although there is optimism that the sides will schedule talks soon.
Number 10 overall selection Crabtree is the only pick from this year's NFL draft to remain unsigned.
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No official comment has been made, but there have been rumours that the former Red Raider is close to signing a deal with the 49ers and Singletary insists he would welcome him into his team if he could.
"Any guy that can play and help us win, I would never say, 'No we don't need him,'" said Singletary.
"We need all the good football players we can get."
Crabtree has turned down a reported five-year, $20million offer from the team with an included $16m in guaranteed money, provoking speculation that he is looking for money comparable to higher picks.
The 49ers top the NFC West after a 3-1 start without Crabtree, but their offense and passing game rank only 28th in the NFL, with none of the team's wide receivers placed among the league's top 50 in receptions.
San Francisco have until November 17 to sign Crabtree if they want to play him this season. The team have a seven-week window before the 2010 draft to trade Crabtree if he doesn't sign. If he is not traded, he will go back into the draft next April.
