RuntheDamnBall

Yeah but dude, they could have just traded the fourth for a future-predicting machine and still drafted Beckham. Why didn't they do that, smart guy?

I don't know that it seems that clear, but I would say he is on the outside looking in as far as their perspective on him as a starter. He is certainly a capable backup in this league and even those don't grow on trees. Letting him go seems to be a cut-off-your-nose-to-spite-your-face situation.

The worst news ever was when Jim Kelly had cancer. Get a grip.

Wow. I am very much on the sign Matt Moore + work the trade angles wagon, then. That, and pray for EJ.

While funny, Marrone would probably kill a mofo to get a QB like Matt Ryan, and has probably thought about it.

That is kind of what I am sensing. If they don't retain Marrone, I want Malzahn.

Yeah, there is zero, zero chance of that, unless their next hire at HC is a bona fide idiot.

Here's a question: does Whaley have the authority to fire Marrone on his own?

What, orton isn't slow-footed enough for us?

as someone moving to the bay area, i fully understand what you're saying, but as a football player you're also looking for opportunities to win in your short career. Who knows what's up next in SF but there are many, many question marks.

Agreed. Hope he's doing well and returns soon.

I'd be super surprised to see Gurley fall that far.

Any suggestions? Wilson was a 1st round grade who slipped because of major concerns related to his height. Brady is one of the all-time outliers. Elway was a bona fide minted HOFer out of college drafted first overall. (And Shanny and Elway became champions because of a great run game, but that's beside the point.) I'm not sure what you're asking for, here, other than pulling a few great QBs out of a hat and saying, "see, Whaley, get one of these guys!" "Roll the dice, draft one, guys!" seems like a poor plan, bad asset management in dealing with limited resources, and ignorant of reality. I still want them to get one, of course, and to roll the dice. But to act like that guy is going to come out of the the third round, step in, and lead the 2015 Bills to the promised land, is wishful thinking at best. It'd be like buying lottery tickets for your retirement plan.

You can only control what you do -- not what anyone else does -- and they came out and laid an egg with the playoffs still within reach. It doesn't absolve them of anything.

But isn't Levitre essentially B list by that criteria? The problem is that if something good is in short supply, the price goes up. And there will always be the issue of a guy not fitting wherever he signs as a FA. I think the chances of a premier talent fitting in are better than that "B" guy who may or may not have looked better based on the system / personnel around him. I just don't know how we could say no if Iupati were open to coming here. But sometimes if your guy is just good enough at winning one on one battles, schemes matter less. I want to see those two All Americans play and succeed, but they clearly aren't there yet, and the road to the pros is littered with college All American failures.

He's a sociopath.

In a vacuum I don't think they would let him go. Clearly the price tag is a major factor, here. He is one of the last top picks to get mad cash.

Man, I would be PISSED if I were a Niners fan.

I think you have your shortlist of guys who you will give big money to, and really, Hughes and Iupati would be the limit for me, as far as that is concerned. I don't think we need major, major upgrades or replacements in many other areas, unless a QB is available. Fitz and Stevie are off the books. Spikes might not be kept. Spiller is probably gone. A RB and perhaps a TE can come in the draft. Who else has to be signed (I'm not being facetious)?

Noted likable guys like Bill Belicheck and Bill Parcells are standing by. I could give a rat's ass if Marrone is likable. I can't say for sure that I want him gone, but I want to see him get better at his job. Anyone who thinks he doesn't himself have room to grow is kidding themselves.

And what's to stop us from backloading a deal and doing the same?

I guess it's possible that all the players are misses, but I think it's just as possible that they could work out in a better situation, or with growth and experience. I think it's rare to expect a rookie to come in and dominate on the OL.

So, two of the four are awesome? Mankins was the heart-and-soul of the team and got traded because of the Patriot way, not because of any serious regression.

One very good player who slipped to round 2, in a putrid history of Bills guards, seems not to make your point very well. If it were "just" one guy, or some guy, or even a guy at Levitre's level, I'd get it. Iupati is a player I've been coveting since college.