Owning Up

There is one thing that all fans have in common, a dislike for the business side of football. Unfortunately in this modern era it has become just as important if not more important than what takes place between the lines of the field. This is where the 49ers will have to make their moves after the final game of the season today against the Arizona Cardinals. A game that was scheduled to be played the last game of the season because many thought it would decide the outcome of the division. Little did the NFL realize, it still does decide the outcome of who finishes in last place.

The winner avoids finishing in last place in one of the worst divisions in NFL history, the loser gets a better pick in next year’s draft. That draft takes a particular twist for the 49ers because they currently are looking to find a general manager as well as a coach.

Rumors have run rampant over the speculation that current VP of player personnel Trent Baalke will be the man 49ers president Jed York chooses to be the next GM. Many believe that Baalke will be able to hand deliver Jim Harbaugh-the coach preferable to most fans. Although there are just as many reports stating that Harbaugh is unlikely to go to San Francisco as there are that he will.

The chance of that happening took an additional hit today when John Elway was named VP of the Denver Broncos, who also have a coach opening and many believe Elway will use his ties with Stanford to lure Harbaugh into coaching Denver next season. Regardless of whether or not the 49ers are able to hire Harbaugh, what will be most important to the team next season and in future years is competency.

York must hire a GM that people perceive as competent initially if they are also to hire a coach that can take the team to the next level. Given the recent history of this team, fans are cautiously optimistic that they find a way to get it right this time. But landing a quality GM, a respectable coach and a franchise quarterback all in one off-season will be a hell of a task, one that will require the 29 year old president of the 49ers to once and for all own up.