Resolution of the Michael Crabtree Issue

As you know, Michael Crabtree, who is an unsigned draft player for the 49ers, was drafted by the Seans in this 2009 draft. Between the fantasy draft day and the start of the NFL season, Michael Crabtree remains unsigned and has threatened to go back into the nfl draft next year, and has been listed as n/a by the Yahoo Fantasy site. An owner brought this issue to our attention per the rules and Sean were notified that the player could not be carried on his roster.

A couple of years ago a rule (i.e., "The Taco Wallace Rule") was put into place (Sections IV.5.a, IV.5.b, IV.5.c, IV.5.d at 11beers.com under rules) that disallowed n/a players to be carried on a team roster. This rule has come under debate as Sean has argued the following with our response in italics:

1) That Crabtree should fall under special circumstances because his rights are owned by the 49ers and is not a true free agent.

There is no argument that Crabtree is a special circumstance, we are all in agreement on this is. Even if he did not achieve a great deal this year, he does hold a potential to be a great player and also has trade value.The argument lies in the interpretation of the rules. Marshawn Lynch and Michael Vick are also listed as N/A, but they are both on short term suspension, so in essence both would be allowed to be carried on a team. Taco Wallace and Michael Crabtree are similar in that neither of them are signed to an organization. If Crabtree was a player holding out for a contract extension or upset about being franchised and refusing to report, then that is a very seperate issue. Although the intent on carrying Crabtree is not to "tank" the season, it doesn't change the fact that he is technically not signed to any team and to this office that makes him an illegal player.

2) That since we allowed them to draft the player that in turn we approved him being on the roster.

Since we draft prior to final cuts, etc. any player can be drafted. Michael Crabtree might have signed a contract the day before the season started and all of this might have been a moot point. So to limit drafting a rookie based on contract situation is outside a reasonable limitation to place on a team. We should be allowed to draft anyone we want because anyone get signed. It is at the beginning of the season when points count that this rule essentially goes into effect.

3) Sean should have the first waiver right to pick up Crabtree if they are forced to drop him.

This argument is without merit and no team will be adjusted waiver rights. If a situation arises in the future that this needs to be addressed we will tackle it then.

4) That there is no appeals process to the rules and the rules are not specific enough.

That is correct, there is no further appeals process outside the two commissioners. RE: the rules not being specific enough, the rules are very clear and allows us to review each issue case by case.

So, what is the resolution to all this? After some discussion, we felt that since this is not the same as taco wallace, but yet there needs to be some stipulation placed such players we are adjusting the rules immediately as follows and will be used in this situation:

Section IV.5.d: If a rookie is not under contract by the start of the season, he is considered n/a. If he is on a roster, the team is allowed to carry the player through the first 4 weeks of the season. If they player is still not signed by the time their team plays their fourth week game, the player must be dropped from the team. Also, a team carrying a rookie n/a player must pay the fine accordingly for all weeks he is carried on the team according to Section III.8.b

Section III.8.b: The fines for carrying a rookie n/a player is $2.50 per week that he is on your roster (in essence, a maximum of $10).

This change in rules does not change players that are free agents. So the fines still remain the same if an illegal player is on your team. this is strictly for unsigned rookies.