Golden Nuggets: Delanie Walker Stirs the Harbaugh/Baalke Pot

Good morning folks, it’s a beautiful day for a football game. Unfortunately, tonight’s matchup promises to be one of the rare strikeouts that fails to excite, despite making perfect sense while the schedules were being put together. At some point in the recent past, the Denver Broncos decided to just stop being an elite team, and the Indianapolis Andrew Lucks are without their hero, savior, and namesake. If you’ve got homework, yardwork, a late night dental appointment, or just need to catch up on sleep - tonight might be the night for any of those.

Otherwise, it’s a good opportunity to see Frank Gore play. Unfortunately, his next big milestones up the all-time boards are very unlikely to be met this game, as he is 274 rushing yards from tying Curtis Martin for #4, and 221 all-purpose yards from tying Marcus Allen for #7.

As expected for this time of the week, much of the 49ers coverage was dedicated to reminding the 49ers fanbase how awesome Jimmy Garoppolo is. They’re not wrong, and I’m not complaining. However, between the constant fawning over Jimmy G, a few wonderful pieces floated in with the tide. Most importantly, Delanie Walker opened up on his free agency departure from the 49ers - he made sure to clearly state that Jim Harbaugh was pushing for a deal to be done, and Trent Baalke was to blame. Sure, it’s now ALL in the rearview, but dumping gasoline on the rapidly-decaying embers of a formerly-raging inferno of a debate can’t hurt.

Speaking of a flaring of tensions, a renewed focus on perhaps the least important 49ers-related trivia has been brought to the forefront, at least for this week. Through an offhand comment by Jimmy Garoppolo, the fanbase is once again divided on the unofficial name for themselves. Niners Empire? Too campy. Faithful? Sure, I guess, but still, kind of campy. Niner(s) Nation? Now that’s something I can get behind.

Finally, the gem of the week. “Celek Time”. I won’t be able to do it justice, but Kevin Lynch of KNBR did a fine job of it - I’d recommend checking that article out.

On to the good stuff-

Words of praise for Jimmy Garoppolo | Killion, SF Gate | Branch, SF Gate | Inman, Mercury | Maiocco, CSN Bay Area | Babcock, KNBR | Biderman, Ninerswire

Why the 49ers should pay Garoppolo whatever he wants | Kurtenbach, Mercury

Niners Nation vs. Empire vs. Faithful | Lynch, KNBR | Biderman, Ninerswire

“When it’s Celek Time, it’s Celek Time. Whatever that means.” | Lynch, KNBR

On Delanie Walker getting away from the 49ers | Barrows, Sac Bee | Biderman, Ninerswire

49ers notes | Barrows, Sac Bee

49ers out of hunt for #1 overall pick, but top 5 still likely | Wagoner, ESPN

Better late than never - learning how to win | Wagoner, ESPN

Wednesday injury report | Biderman, Ninerswire

[TRANSCRIPT] Wednesday Kyle Shanahan press conference | Biderman, Ninerswire