optimism wants me to think that crabs improves his second (and probably final) year.

it would be awesome if he stuck around, but why would he? Not a strong receiver year and barring anything unforseen, he’ll be the top receiver picked in any year.

I agree that the chance of him sticking around are probably less than 50%. Though I think his stats won’t be quite as good this year, I think they will be well above the average receiver, and he will find other ways to contribute that will impress.

There’s no way, barring injury or a statistically terrible year, that Crab comes back in ‘09. None. Zero. Why should he? He has already been labeled as a high first round pick. When that is what you are told by the league and various key people, you go.

All coaches tell their players that, as well. The money is just too high to pass up and he will have nothing left to prove in college. Very few high 1st round projection guys stick around for love of university – and they shouldn’t.

As much as I’d like to get four solid years out of him, I’m more excited to see him start paving the way for other Tech WRs in the NFL (In my opinion, Welker isn’t really associated with Tech to the young kids because it took him five seasons to make a name for himself. They were in junior high or elementary school when he was at Tech).

Crab leaving for the NFL – and having success – will do nothing but draw more and more quality WR recruits to Tech. Win – win.