Crabtree penalty trimmed to 1 game
The NFL reduced its suspensions for Raiders receiver Michael Crabtree and Denver cornerback Aqib Talib to one game each Tuesday for actions that ignited a fight between the teams Sunday.
Both players initially were suspended two games without pay. Both appealed the rulings, with NFL appeals officer Derrick Brooks hearing Crabtree’s case and appeals officer James Thrash hearing Talib’s.
Crabtree will miss Sunday’s home game against the Giants but rejoin the Raiders for a key divisional game at Kansas City on Dec. 10. Despite having lost six of nine, Oakland (5-6) is one game behind the first-place Chiefs in the AFC West.
Though Crabtree will have to forfeit only one game check, an NFL official said Tuesday the initial length of both suspen-
sions had been chosen for a further purpose.
“Listen, I think a two-game suspension is designed to both discipline appropriately a player, but also get their attention,” NFL spokesman Joe Lockhart said on a conference call. “I suspect this has gotten their attention.”
Crabtree and Talib have a history that boiled over in Oakland’s 21-14 win Sunday, with the two exchanging punches in a brawl that led to three players being ejected (Raiders lineman Gabe Jackson also was sent off the field after apparently making contact with an official).
The incident carried over from the teams’ finale last season, in which Talib snapped a chain necklace Crabtree was wearing. Talib again appeared to grab Crabtree’s necklace Sunday as Crabtree pushed him out of bounds by the Denver sideline while blocking on a running play.
Multiple players jumped into the ensuing fight and Crabtree had his helmet yanked off. While a separate skirmish broke out on the sideline, Crabtree and Talib continued to circle and swing at each other near the end zone before teammates separated them.
Crabtree did not speak with reporters after the game and was not in the locker room Tuesday. Raiders cornerback David Amerson said he understood Crabtree’s actions on the field.
“We’re in front of millions of people or whatever and you have to handle yourself accordingly,” Amerson said. “But at some point it becomes a respect thing. I’m pretty sure he (Crabtree) was tired of people making jokes about the chain snatch and this, this and that.
“Of course, you want to be a team guy, which he is — he is a team guy. But like me, personally, I understand everything, how he felt about that.”
Though some have questioned the importance of a chain, Amerson said the jewelry can have a deeper significance.
“In the streets, a chain around your neck is like a trophy, something that you work hard for, something that obviously costs a lot of money, something that you value,” Amerson said. “So somebody comes and just snatches that off your neck, it’s like they’re taking your manhood, taking something that you really value, you really care about. “It’s a sticky situation.” Raiders tight end Jared Cook said players were not upset with Crabtree for getting suspended during a critical point in the season.
Crabtree and Talib “have history between both of those guys,” Cook said. “Ain’t nobody tripping on it around here.”
With Amari Cooper’s status also uncertain following a hit against Denver that landed him in concussion protocol, Oakland might have to rely on Seth Roberts, Cordarrelle Patterson and Johnny Holton in their receiving corps against the Giants. The Raiders are expected to promote receiver Isaac Whitney, a rookie from USC, from the practice squad this week.
Roberts, Patterson and Holton combined for seven catches and 151 yards against the Broncos. Cook said the three “came out and gave us what we needed.”
“That’s what I’m talking about as far as this weekend and further goes,” Cook said. “Guys just stepping up in those voids, doing their jobs, doing what the coaches ask of them. It (doesn’t) matter who plays there. Anybody can go out for a good game; just have to stand up and do it.”