My Michael Crabtree Blog

The Raiders had the 7th overall pick in the 2009 NFL draft and many thought when Michael Crabtree was available, Oakland would select him. Instead they threw the football world a curve ball and selected wide receiver Darrius Heyward-Bey. Why might you ask; was it because as all the pundits claim that old Al loves speed, speed, and more speed and forgets to look at what sits under the helmet and shoulder pads. Or was it because Al wanted to pull a surprise and wanted to continue to be that crazy old uncle none of us acknowledge when they have one too many at every family gathering. Whatever the reason plenty of raider fans are counting on him being the difference maker on the outside with Russell and McFadden taking control of the rest of the offense.

No doubt this move brought on much controversy, as after all Crabtree was a two time Fred Biletnikoff award winner (only receiver in college history to receive this award twice). Hopefully no Raider fan has forgotten that Fred Biletnikoff is a NFL Hall of Famer and played for the Raiders for those of you that don't know. He was also the guy who when you needed that tough catch or that extra yard, Fred would deliver time and again.

I can only speculate that the Raiders choose Darrius because of their obsession with physically gifted athletes. When it comes to physical skills Bey clearly has those, with his 6'2, 210 pound frame and a 4.3, 40 yard dash time. But where have we seen this old song and dance before, hmmm have we forgot already about Fabian Washington, Michael Huff, or Stanford Routt.

So what has Darrius been up to? We hear he is having hamstring problems in camp already. Not what any Raider fan wants to hear right about now but Heyward-Bey is battling hamstring issues throughout camp. If he cannot stay on the field, then his productivity will go into the gutter, for his rookie year at least. When you draft 7th overall, that can't be the pattern. After all, Huff was selected 7th overall and another 7th overall pick was traded for Randy Moss, yes that Randy Moss. It can't be a swing and miss pick anymore.

I hope that Darrius can overcome this lingering problem, because Crabtree is playing for the San Francisco 49ers. If Bey turns out to be a bust, the Raiders are going to look very foolish. It will hurt even more if Crabtree becomes the great player, that many people project he will be. How painful would that be having the guy you passed on starring right across the bay. How much more can the raider fan's take.

Look for the Raiders to use receivers Jonnie Lee Higgins and Chaz Schilens, if Bey cannot stay on the field this season. Not exactly a dynamic duo who are going to scare anyone.

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