SANTA CLARA, Calif. -- The San Francisco 49ers won't comment on an Internet report that first-round draft pick Michael Crabtree is willing to hold out the entire 2009 season.
According to the report, Crabtree's agent, Eugene Parker, told the 49ers that his client is prepared to sit out the season and re-enter the NFL draft next year if the team doesn't meet his contract demands.
The 49ers on Thursday released a statement saying that the team doesn't negotiate in the media. According to the statement, the team believes there have been "open and positive" conversations on both sides.
Signing status of top picks
The majority of first-round draft picks have signed and are in training camp, but not every selection has a deal. Keep track as teams sign their top choices. **The list ...**
San Francisco took Crabtree, a wide receiver from Texas Tech, with the 10th overall draft pick this year.
When 49ers quarterback Alex Smith, the No. 1 overall pick in the 2005 draft, was told about the report, he shook his head.
"I haven't spoken to him since the summer," Smith said of Crabtree. "It's something I haven't thought about, to tell you the truth. We're pretty focused on the guys we have here right now. I'm not worried about it."
If Crabtree does show up, he'll do so having missed all the organized team activities and a growing chunk of training camp.
"As a rookie, you're already behind the 8 ball," Smith said. "You're just trying to catch up, all the timing that goes with it and trying to know your position. It's hard."
Copyright 2009 by The Associated Press
