Santa Clara, Calif. ? Michael Crabtree is confident he can play a big role for the San Francisco 49ers as a rookie even though he’s months behind.

Crabtree signed a six-year contract early Wednesday after a drawn-out negotiation process that had some wondering whether the wide receiver would ever show up this season.

“It’s a lot of relief off my shoulders,” Crabtree said when formally introduced at team headquarters.

While specific terms of the deal, which was completed around 3 a.m. Wednesday, were not disclosed, Crabtree will receive nearly $17 million in guaranteed money, according to a person familiar with the contract. The person spoke on condition of anonymity because the details weren’t made public.

Crabtree headed out Wednesday for his first practice as the 49ers prepare for Sunday’s home game against Atlanta.

“Everybody came to a reachable agreement and it happened,” Crabtree said, sporting a red No. 15 practice jersey and charcoal gray sweats. “I’m just glad I’m past that part. I’m very humble right now, man, it’s a very humbling experience. Just getting a chance to sit back and better myself as a person, as a player, as a teammate. … I feel like going through that it made me look at the world in a different way, look at my teammates a different way. Hopefully it will work out for the best.”

The former Texas Tech standout was the only draft pick who hadn’t signed; even rapper MC Hammer got involved to finally make it happen.

Crabtree could provide the game-breaking receiving threat the 49ers have been lacking, assuming he can quickly learn the offense after missing all of training camp. The 10th pick overall, he also sat out offseason minicamps and organized team activities while recovering from a foot injury, but was a regular presence at the team’s training facility.

Crabtree and his agent, Eugene Parker, met with three top 49ers officials Tuesday to work through his contract impasse. Crabtree balked at a long-standing offer of approximately five years and $20 million, with a reported $16 million guaranteed. Instead, he sought money comparable to what higher draft picks received.

NFL

Jets trade for Edwards

Florham Park, N.J. — Cleveland Browns coach Eric Mangini has dumped dissatisfied wide receiver Braylon Edwards off on his former team.

Mangini sent Edwards, a former first-round pick whose troubles have matched his immense talent, to the New York Jets on Wednesday. The trade involves wide receiver Chansi Stuckey, linebacker Jason Trusnik and undisclosed draft choices.

“It’s the right thing for us and for Braylon,” Mangini said.

Edwards, in his fifth season, has 10 receptions for 139 yards but was held to no catches for the first time in his career in the winless Browns’ 23-20 overtime loss to Cincinnati on Sunday.

Rookie cut from Ravens dies

Seattle — Tony Fein, an Iraq war veteran and NFL rookie linebacker who played with the Baltimore Ravens during the preseason, has died of unexplained causes after collapsing at a friend’s house in what his agent said appears to be “an accidental situation.”

Fein, 27, an undrafted rookie free agent from Mississippi, was lying face down and unconscious, vomiting and barely breathing when medics arrived at a house outside Port Orchard on the Kitsap Peninsula just before 9 a.m PDT Tuesday, said Mike Wernet, a battalion chief and medical officer with South Kitsap Fire & Rescue.

Jets’ Sanchez fined

Florham Park, N.J. — New York Jets rookie quarterback Mark Sanchez says he has been fined $5,000 by the NFL for his low block on New Orleans linebacker Jonathan Vilma last weekend. During Darren Sharper’s 99-yard interception return for a touchdown Sunday, Sanchez dived at the legs of Vilma, who was blocking on the play.

Manning’s status unclear

East Rutherford, N.J. — While his painful heel injury is improving, Eli Manning is not guaranteeing he will quarterback the New York Giants this weekend against the Oakland Raiders. Manning, who has started the last 82 games, was held out of practice Wednesday so he can get treatment on his plantar fascia, a band of connective tissue that runs along the bottom of the foot and inserts into the heel.

NBA

Iverson out three weeks

Memphis, Tenn. — Memphis Grizzlies guard Allen Iverson could miss up to three weeks after an MRI revealed a partial tear in his left hamstring.

The Grizzlies made the announcement before Wednesday night’s exhibition game against the Oklahoma City Thunder. If the timetable is correct, Iverson would miss all of preseason, and his status for the season opener at home against the Detroit Pistons on Oct. 28 would be in jeopardy.

West leaves Cavs again

Independence, Ohio — Delonte West has left the Cleveland Cavaliers for the second time during training camp. This time West’s absence is excused.

West was not at practice Wednesday after he missed Tuesday night’s exhibition game against Charlotte. He was expected to play 15 to 20 minutes in the game, but never joined his teammates on the bench.

GOLF

Woods, Stricker paired

San Francisco — Tiger Woods and Steve Stricker will be partners in the opening session of the Presidents Cup, and what already is a star attraction figures to get even more attention with who they are playing.

The Americans will face Ryo Ishikawa, the 18-year-old Japanese sensation who generates the kind of buzz in Japan that Woods gets around the world. Ishikawa will partner with Geoff Ogilvy, one of the best in match play over the last four years. Phil Mickelson and Anthony Kim, a strong partnership at the Ryder Cup, will lead off the foursomes matches today at Harding Park against Mike Weir and Tim Clark.

AUTO RACING

Earlier start times set

Charlotte, N.C. — NASCAR will attempt to halt its sinking television ratings through consistent, earlier start times that appeal to longtime race fans.Next season will have 20 races that begin at noon. The West Coast races will begin at 2 p.m., and night races will begin at 6:30 p.m. The one exception will be the Coca-Cola 600 held on Memorial Day weekend. That race will maintain its 4:45 p.m. start.