This Sunday marks Week 2 of the NFL season, but you wouldn't know that if you hung out with Michael Crabtree. The former Texas Tech wide receiver was the 10th overall pick in last spring's draft, but still hasn't signed a contract, and may sit out the season entirely. Whether Crabree's holdout is due to pride, greed, or simple stupidity is an answer that only Crabtree and his ridiculous cousin/adviser knows, but whatever the case dude stands to lose a ton of cash.
Of course rookie holdouts are nothing new, but seldom have players stayed away into the second week of the season, with results ranging from a two-year career ending with a rape conviction to a 13-year career with multiple Pro Bowl selections. Here's our list of the best and worst of NFL rookie holdouts...
Mossy Cade, cornerback
YEAR: 1984, 1st Round, 6th pick
TEAM: San Diego Chargers
LENGTH OF HOLDOUT: One season, opted to play for the USFL instead.
• Cade spent two worthless seasons with the Packers in 1985 and 1986. In 1987 he was convicted of sexually assaulting his aunt through marriage, and was since dubbed the "Aunt Eater" (well at least according to wikipedia). Holdout or not, it seems like this guy might have had a few problems either way.
Success Rating:
Kelly Stouffer, quarterback
YEAR: 1987, 1st Round, 6th pick
TEAM: St. Louis Cardinals
LENGTH OF HOLDOUT: One season
• In 1988 his rights were traded to the Seattle Seahawks, where he was dubbed the "Quarterback of the Future" as a third stringer. Later that season Stouffer did receive playing time as a starter due to the injury of David Kreig and poor play of second string QB Jeff Kemp. However by 1993 Stouffer was left jobless in Seattle, and everywhere else for that matter.
Success Rating:
Bo Jackson, running back
YEAR: 1986, 1st overall
TEAM: Tampa Bay Buccaneers
LENGTH OF HOLDOUT: One Season, went to the MLB instead to play for the Kansas City Royals.
• After one season Tampa Bay gave up rights to Bo and he was entered into the 1987 draft where the Raiders picked him in the 7th round. Three years in the NFL and seven in the MLB earned Bo a Pro Bowl selection and All-Star honors, but most importantly the creation of Tecmo Bo. More proof that Bo Knows EVERYTHING, including when to holdout.
Success Rating:
Cornelius Bennett , linebacker
YEAR: 1987, Round 1, 2nd pick
TEAM: Indianapolis Colts
LENGTH OF HOLDOUT: Into Week 6
• Bennett began his career when he was traded to the Buffalo Bills in a 1987 blockbuster three team deal that also involved Hall of Famer, Eric Dickerson. Proving there were no hard feelings, Bennett ended his 13-year career with the Colts in 2000. He also earned five Pro Bowl selections.
Success Rating:
Jamarcus Russell, quarterback
YEAR: 2007, 1st overall
TEAM: Oakland Raiders
LENGTH OF HOLDOUT: Signed after week 1
• Russell's career so far has been pretty much identical to the Raiders as of late, that is, not worth shit. Russell did get a shitload of money, but since starting in 2008 Russell has an overall career QB rating of 72.2, so he probably could've used that practice he missed holding out.
Success Rating:
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