It is not every day one leaves a Cineplex with wisdom gained from your garden variety action flick. Nevertheless, no words had more meaning than when Batman Begins' Alfred Pennyworth stated, "Why do we fall sir? So that we can learn to pick ourselves up.” And boy, how the mighty have fallen, indeed.
After being honored by PFWA as NFL Executive of the Year in 2011, Trent Baalke has taken a step off into an elevator shaft. He has free-fallen into the pit of despair, where years of our lives have seemingly slipped away with the succession of horrendous losses over the years. We are seeing play of a gutted roster moving us through a roller coaster of emotions - from intense anger, to the rocking back and forth laughing in hysteria in need of padded surroundings.
While it appears Baalke is currently safe in the elevator shaft looking up watching the 49ers world burn in destruction with the fandom encircling the franchise - pitchforks in hand - clamoring for his ouster, Baalke seems to have embraced his scouting roots and has been on a national tour attending numerous college games scouting for the future. It could be a futile attempt in saving his job, but I give the man props for not quitting when the 49ers fandom is storming against him forecasting a somber look of bleakness. So, where has Trent Baalke been?
Earlier in the week, Chip Kelly pulled back the curtain giving us a glimpse of the schedule Baalke typically follows during his scouting road trips. On a regular week, after the teams' Wednesday practice, Baalke will travel to watch a Thursday game. He will also stay on through the end of the scouting week to scout a Saturday game as well, later joining back up with the team to watch the 49ers play on Sunday.
Looking back at the college games we know Baalke was credentialed to attend, we can see most of the locations typically coordinating with the location the 49ers are playing that given Sunday. For example, during college football's Week 4 action (Week 3 in the NFL), Baalke attended the USC vs. Utah game in Salt Lake City, Utah on Friday, September 23rd, then traveled to the 49ers game against the Seattle Seahawks on Sunday, September 25th. During the last 49ers preseason game against the San Diego Chargers on September 1st, Baalke flew out the day before to watch San Diego State practice.
More examples:
Week 5 of college football (Week 4 in the NFL), Baalke attended a Friday, September 30th game between Stanford at Washington, then returned home to watch the 49ers match-up against the Dallas Cowboys at Levi's Stadium on Sunday, October 2nd.
During Week 7 of college football (Week 6 in the NFL) Baalke attended a Friday, October 14th match-up of Duke at Louisville, then traversed on Saturday, October, 15th to watch the match-up of Ball State at Buffalo, then staying in town to watch the 49ers play the Buffalo Bills in Buffalo on Sunday, October 16th.
During Week 8 of college football (Week 7 in the NFL) Baalke felt the need to visit the blue turf of Bronco Stadium (Albertsons Stadium) in Boise, Idaho, when he watched the Thursday, October 20th match-up of BYU vs. Boise State and then returned for the 49ers home game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Sunday, October 23rd. We do know scouts for the 49ers were in attendance for the Saturday, October 22nd match-up between Oregon at Cal, but no confirmation Baalke was the one credentialed; however, speculating from his travels throughout the college season, it's very likely he was at Cal that day.
During Week 9 of college football (Week 8 in the NFL and the 49ers' Bye) Baalke attended a Thursday, October 27th match-up of Cal at USC. Keeping close to the region, scouts for the 49ers were in attendance for the Saturday, October 29th match-up of Washington at Utah. Once again, no confirmation of Baalke's attendance at the game, but speculation is strong.
During Week 10 of college football (Week 9 in the NFL) Baalke attended a rare Tuesday, November 1st match-up of Western Michigan at Ball State (Muncie, Indiana). Then the next day he jettisoned to Akron, Ohio to watch the match-up of Toledo at Akron. He came back home to watch the 49ers lose to the New Orleans Saints on Sunday, November 6th. On Saturday, November 5th, we do know scouts for the 49ers were in attendance for the match-up of Washington at Cal, but once again no confirmed reports of Baalke being the representative scout in attendance. Yet again, another Cal game, and during that same press conference where Chip Kelly pulled back the curtain on Baalke's scouting road tour, Kelly used the example of Cal's senior quarterback, Davis Webb, as an opportunity for Baalke to get more background information and speaking to Sonny Dykes (Cal's head coach), as well as watching him [Webb] in person work the offense. I'll just drop this brief scouting report on Webb below, just in case.
QB Davis Webb, No. 7, 6'5" - 230 lbs., 4.86 40 - (3rd) - Cal
QB Davis Webb, No. 7, is a graduate transfer from Texas Tech showcasing ideal size, length, solid accuracy, decent mobility, good and quick decision making, big-time arm with a quick motion and snappy release, solid vision, and great field awareness. A technician processing information efficiently operating in an up-tempo Air/Bear Raid offense, Webb is an exciting player to watch take apart defenses at every level, where he can beat defenders with quick passes, drive passes in tight windows, great ball placement, throws with touch and precision, or gracefully lofts one over-the-top with amazing touch. He shows poise standing tall in the pocket with impressive footwork and is always looking downfield. Although he is not overly athletic, Webb displays good movement in the pocket, and when pressure forces him to scramble, he consistently keeps his eyes downfield looking to pass squaring up to make impressive throws on the run. Operating exclusively from the shotgun, Webb will need to learn to operate under center at the next level. A very intelligent prospect with an outstanding work ethic, the grit and toughness absorbing hits in the pocket, and a prototypical NFL quarterback frame
We are currently in Week 11 of college football (Week 10 in the NFL) and on Thursday, November 10th, Baalke was in Arizona watching the match-up of Utah at Arizona State. I have yet to confirm any games Baalke may attend today, Saturday, November 12th, but the Colorado at Arizona match-up is on my radar, and with the 49ers playing tomorrow against the Arizona Cardinals at the University of Phoenix Stadium, the gumshoe in me makes this game of - Where in the World Is Trent Baalke? - a fun game to watch when everything else 49ers related is a dumpster fire.
It's quite evident Trent Baalke has been out and about scouting to his little hearts' content, and although it may not be a new occurrence to his scouting schedule, this year his scouting whereabouts are taking more notice - 10 confirmed scouting trips thus far compared to the 5 confirmed Trent Baalke scouting trips in 2015. Sounds like someone fighting to keep his job, or securing his next one. Nevertheless, I give the man kudos for keeping to the grind, hopefully picking himself back up learning from his mistakes.
Therefore, no matter how many vehicles donning markings of enraged proclamations of defiance, or disgruntled flying banners in the air raining down hopes of redemption, we are all currently living in our very own factory of sadness (thanks for sharing Browns fans). So, whether or not you believe Jed York's embracement of Trent Baalke as the hero the 49ers' deserve, but not the one it needs right now. So we'll berate him. Because he can take it. Because he's not our hero. He's a silent, yet hoarse guardian of the franchise. A watchful protector. A Dark Knight, err I mean Draft Ninja.
Sounds more like a Kung Fu Hustle leaving the bag of discombobulation to you and me.