SANTA CLARA, Calif. -- The 49ers have filed tampering charges against the New York Jets regarding top San Francisco draft pick Michael Crabtree, Jets coach Rex Ryan confirmed Monday.
"My understanding is they filed charges with the league," Ryan said. "I'm saying my response is it's not true. I mean, it's not accurate. It's not true, but, hey, we'll let the league figure this out."
When asked Monday if his team filed charges, 49ers coach Mike Singletary said it's a situation "the league is going to handle internally."
"I'm not going to get into that. We'll let that play out, the process," Singletary said. "I'm not even going to go there. We'll let the league handle that and go from there."
The 22-year-old Crabtree, selected No. 10 overall by the Niners in April's draft, is the last draft pick not signed. The wide receiver is seeking money comparable to higher picks and hasn't accepted the 49ers' offer for approximately five years and $20 million, with a reported $16 million guaranteed.
The Jets, in need of a game-changing wideout, declined comment. The tampering charges were first reported by the New York Daily News.
"Yes, and I'll stand by that comment," he told reporters later in the day. "That means we're in the Super Bowl, so I'll definitely take that."
NFL spokesman Greg Aiello said in an e-mail to The Associated Press the league doesn't comment on alleged tampering, but would announce any disciplinary action taken against a team found in violation of the NFL's tampering policy.
While Crabtree falls further behind with each passing day -- former 49ers great Jerry Rice questioned Sunday what kind of impact Crabtree would have if he did finally show up -- Singletary isn't ready to say he's better off without the Texas Tech star in San Francisco's run-oriented offense.
"I would never say that. ... We need every football player that can help us win that's supposed to be here, here," Singletary said. "I think he's a talented guy. Hopefully it works out that he gets here. If he doesn't, I feel comfortable with what we have."
The 49ers were caught tampering two years ago. They forfeited their fifth-round pick in the 2008 draft and switched third-round picks with the Bears after commissioner Roger Goodell said they tampered with Chicago linebacker Lance Briggs.
Goodell said the 49ers violated the NFL's anti-tampering policy by contacting Briggs' agent, Drew Rosenhaus, about his client during the 2007 season. Niners general manager Scot McCloughan said at the time the team believed it acted "within the NFL guidelines."
Crabtree caught 97 passes for 1,165 yards and 19 touchdowns last year during his sophomore season at Texas Tech. He finished his college career with 231 receptions for 3,127 yards and 41 TDs.
Copyright 2009 by The Associated Press
