SAN FRANCISCO--There’s been a new development in the standoff between first round draft pick Michael Crabtree and the San Francisco 49ers: Crabtree, who believes the team is lowballing him, is threatening to play the entire season for free if ownership doesn’t increase its offer. The former Texas Tech star spoke to Dan Patrick on ESPN Radio this morning to outline his new stance.

“The 49ers are lowballing me and it's not going to work,” Crabtree said. “In fact, if they don’t give me the contract I deserve, I am prepared to play the entire season for free. It’s all or nothing. You either pay me like the elite player I am or you don’t pay me at all. Your move, Mr. York.”

Crabtree said he was acting on the advice of his agent, Eugene Parker, who decided to use the “nuclear option” in order to force the 49ers’ hand.

“Eugene calls it the ‘nuclear option,’” Crabtree said. “It's something that you never want to use, but if push comes to shove and you've exhausted all other options you've got to push that button. A lot of people probably think I'm bluffing. I'm not. I'm for real. And they'll find out when I'm on the field catching touchdown passes from that guy and um....the other guy there. The mormon.”

When reached for comment, Parker said he didn’t want to elaborate on his client’s statement, but did confirm that Crabtree was considering playing the season for free.

“I’m aware of Michael’s comments and I really don’t have anything to add,” he said. “All I can say is that we will continue to work with the 49ers to find a resolution for this. Honestly, all they really have to do is give Michael more money than that loser, Darrius Heyward-Bey. Either that or get Heyward-Bey to take a pay cut. That would work, too.”

Despite Crabtree’s threat, the Niners have shown no sign of changing their offer. According to league sources, they are perfectly willing to go into the season without signing their draft pick to a contract, even if it means letting him play for free.

“The Niners aren’t moving,” said the source. “Actually, the team would love to have him play the season for free. I expect them to call his bluff on this one. Actually, wait: These are the 49ers. They will probably freak out and give him whatever he wants.”

Whatever happens, coach Mike Singletary remains focused on the task at hand: beating the Arizona Cardinals.

“I'm really not paying much attention to all that stuff,” Singletary said. “When the player shows up, we'll welcome him with open arms. If he doesn't, who cares? The guy has bust written all over him. I predict that in five years he'll be out of football and designing dresses on Project Runway, getting scolded by Tim Gunn for using too much fabric in his cocktail dress. Not that I've ever seen that show.”

Copyright 2009, The Brushback - Do not reprint without permission. This article is satire and is not intended as actual news.