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49ers meet in person with Crabtree

Three top San Francisco 49ers executives met in person Tuesday with unsigned wide receiver and top draft pick Michael Crabtree and his agent, Eugene Parker.

Team spokesman Bob Lange confirmed the meeting to The Associated Press but said the 49ers would not get into particulars of discussions or negotiations, though this development appears to be a positive step for both sides to getting something done.

"The 49ers were pleased to meet with Michael and Eugene in person," Lange said.

Crabtree and Parker sat down with team president Jed York, vice president of football operations Paraag Marathe and general manager Scot McCloughan, Lange said.

The former Texas Tech star is the only draft pick who has yet to sign, so this meeting could point to progress in him finally ending his contract impasse. It's not common for a player to join in on such contract talks.

The 22-year-old Crabtree hasn't accepted the 49ers' long-standing offer for approximately five years and $20 million with a reported $16 million guaranteed - instead seeking money comparable to the higher picks.

Eli Manning update: Eli Manning's teammates expect he'll make his 83rd consecutive start Sunday. Manning had an MRI on his right foot Monday, which revealed he has plantar fasciitis, an inflammation and swelling of the tissue on the bottom of the foot. The Giants are officially listing Manning as "day to day."

Big ratings: Brett Favre's matchup with his former team has attracted the largest cable television audience ever.

His Minnesota Vikings' 30-23 win over the Green Bay Packers on ESPN's "Monday Night Football" was watched by more than 21.8 million people. The previous record was more than 18.6 million viewers for last year's Monday night game between the Philadelphia Eagles and Dallas Cowboys.

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