Las Vegas Raiders

Michael Crabtree: Presistent perseverance

Published Jun. 30, 2017 6:28 p.m. ET

foxsports

Michael Crabtree has been this close.

He has been the butt of Richard Sherman’s jokes, and then fired back. He has been the No. 1 receiver on a Super Bowl team. He has been compared to Lenny Kravitz because of his jean jackets, leather jackets and sunglasses he wore to press conferences during the height of his popularity as a 49er—and the similarities went beyond wardrobe or physical resemblance.

At that time, Michael Crabtree was a rockstar. He has been in the NFL for eight seasons, but it feels so much longer than that. It feels even longer ago since he has on the tips of our tongues and object of our attention. As if Crabtree’s exit from San Francisco in 2014 was the end of his significance.

If you believe that, you are wrong.

Just ask the Oakland Raiders, who signed Crabtree to a one-year, $3 million deal on April 14, 2015. If Crabtree’s remaining presence as a Raider in 2016 after earning a four-year, $32 million contract extension in December 2015 doesn’t convince you of his persistent worth, kindly look to Crabtree’s game-winning touchdown reception against Baltimore on Sunday. Listen to what those associated with Crabtree and the Raiders have said.

After Oakland’s win in Baltimore on Sunday, Raiders head coach Jack Del Rio told CSN Bay Area reporter Scott Bair that Crabtree “has been a great leader for us. … We’re getting a guy who is a great teammate, who works hard every day and is very friendly for our quarterback.” Del Rio went on to tell Bair that Crabtree has “sure hands” like Hall of Famer Cris Carter.

Bair later wrote that Crabtree is experiencing a career renaissance in Oakland, and that is exactly what’s happening.