49ers GM Search 2011: Trent Baalke, Mike Lombardi, Ted Sunquist, Tony Softli At The "48-Hour" Mark

What if Baalke’s “probatiion period” as de facto GM ends shortly after the Orange Bowl is wrapped up.

Jed says, “Bring me Harbaugh and you got the job. Don’t and I’m looking elsewhere”.

Kawakami sort of alluded to this scenario a couple days ago. I keep wanting to give Jed the benefit of the doubt here that he has a plan. I hope I’m right.

Without knowing the draft-tradeoff discussions that went on between Sing and Baalke, I think that Baalke did a good job with the 2010 draft.

However, that is not enough to qualify him for the GM job; “emerging stars” almost inevitabily evolve from having worked for a great mentor; having the opportunity to learn from Scot McC can hardly be considered an advantage — in fact, maybe a disadvantage. Although brief, not direct, and a long time ago, Parcells was probably the most knowledgeble guy that Trent ever worked for — not really the best possible recommendation. Is Baalke’s whole development consistent with Niner tradition and the direction we’d like to go? The more that I think about it and the more that I think about alternative choices the more I believe that BAALKE IS NOT THE RIGHT GUY FOR THE GM JOB. No offense intended, but promoting him would simply be perpetuating the “good enough” mentality of the entire York regime.

I don’t think that we should let Baalke go; his best career path would be to have an opportunity to work for several years for an knowledgeble and experienced NFL GM, then seek a promotion after learning the broader base of the GM job.

We have had a decade of termoil and incompetence both in the FO and in the HC. WE NEED FRESH BLOOD! We need people who are not tainted by the disfunction of the past. Please … let’s go get a superior, experienced GM who can really lead us out of the wilderness! And, in doing so, increase the probability that Jim Harbaugh will seriously entertain an offer to become the Niners new HC.

I cant believe all the people who are saying they want Trent Baalke. The 49ers need to bring in someone from a winning organization. Not a retread from the Nolan era. The 49ers need to steal someone from the patriots like the falcons and chiefs did. The fact that the media exposed the whole “gm search” charade and York is still doing it makes him look even more incompetent.

But if we don’t think Baalke is up to the task now, exactly what will he learn from Reese? What direction will he take us in? How many years will it take? Who are his preferred coaches? (And don’t say Fisher – we don’t need another defensive-oriented coach.) His world was more firmly rooted in the Oilers/Titans than it is in NE – how will it sell in SF?

Every candidate is going to have questions attached. My point is that we can’t just expect to grab someone from a winning organization and say “problem solved.” And most of the hot candidates have just as much actual GM experience as Baalke – none.

Next week should be educational for a lot of people – hopefully for Jed most of all.

I wouldn’t call Jed a liar; but he sure is full of bull. He said their would be an exhaustive search for GM. I just heard the job is Baalke. Here we go again; Jed making a rush decision.

Well looking at the results seems like most people want Trent Baalke. I’m not sure I like his players. When you look at his draft class Anthony Davis horrible maybe he will get better but you move up 2 spots in the draft for this bum. Telling how when that photo leaked of Jerry Jones draft board he had a 3rd round grade on Anthony Davis. After seeing him play that seems a lot more accurate. As far as Taylor Mays and Navorro Bowman, they looked lost at times got starts got benched now Bowman gets another start. Taylor Mays has been M.I.A ever since. Speaking of M.I.A theres a missing person report out on Kyle Williams. Anthony Dixon, some said he could be the next Natron Means.Could be he averages under 4 yards per carry just like means did most of his career. So what we got out of the 2010 draft is Mike Iupati who is a good guard. Free agents not much better. They wouldn’t use Westbrook when they finally did they got mixed results. Ted Ginn had that one run back for touchdown that’s about it. Not all his fault because the 49ers have no quarterbacks and neither did Miami so we’ll see. Bottom line is you cant be too impressed by the work Trent Baalke has done with the team in the last 9 months. Its just not good enough. Of course a lot of this was due to lousy coaching but we can do better than Baalke. Also who could forget these famous quote’s.

 Chilo Rachal, OG, USC: “He’s a power guard,” said Trent Baalke, San Francisco’s director of player personnel. “He can move people. Extremely powerful. Good football player in a short area. He can pass (protect) in quick sets. He’s going to have a little trouble when guys get his edges.”

Kentwan Balmer, DT, UNC: “He has prototype size and strength,” Baalke said. “When he plays to the level of his ability he can be a dominant player. Probably has as much up side as any of the D-linemen in the draft.”