Heyward-Bey is signed, sealed and delivered to camp

This is not an “I-told-ya-so” post. But it is a strong endorsement of the Raiders selecting Darrius Heyward-Bey over Michael Crabtree. Be warned, it is Raider propaganda and not suggested for those who have been brainwashed by Disney.

Just because Heyward-Bey is reported to be under contract and ready to participate in camp, while Crabtree continues his Quixotic quest to destroy the slotting system by netting a top five contract, does not mean the Raiders are validated.

However, it does speak to the nature in which Tom Cable has gone about rectifying a once toxic environment in the East Bay.

While most analysts took Al Davis behind the wood shed for selecting DHB, all acknowledged that the Maryland track star has a reputation for being a hard worker. Meanwhile, Crabtree has done little to justify the toddler fit Mike Leach pitched when Eric Mangini let the world know that the receiver believed to be the best in the draft was more diva than dynamic.

Again, this is not to say that the Raiders are validated. Only wins and production from Heyward-Bey will justify that.

The facts remain that Hey-Bey is doing his part to prove the doubters wrong and Crabtree is doing his part to prove the Mangenius right.

Since Mel Kiper’s initial Viagra induced reaction to Crabtree entering the draft, the Texas Tech dud has shown significant warning signs. Crabs shrunk at the combine from 6’3” to 6’1”, then it was discovered that he needed surgery on his foot and has yet to workout for the 49ers who took him 10^th overall. Mike Singletary nearly brought him to tears in an OTA in which he was simply watching from the sideline and now he’s holding out for a contract he feels he’s owed simply because Todd McShay says he should have been a top 5 pick.

What would Jerry Rice do?

Why was passing on Crabtree such a bad thing?

For the last time, I’m not saying that DHB will go down as the best receiver in this draft simply because his holdout lasted all of 24 hours. All I’m saying is that if this whole off-season has been about getting guys into the silver and black who are dedicated, hardworking and committed, then Cris Carter might want to take a trip to Napa and apologize now before that egg on his face goes sunny side up.

Good luck getting Crabtree into camp anytime soon and for a reasonable price. If Singletary is making the rookie cry in OTAs, then wait until he moons him in the locker room for a couple of drops in a game.

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