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5 Steps Needed to Start Rebuilding the San Francisco 49ers

By Peter Panacy

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December 4, 2011; San Francisco, CA, USA; San Francisco 49ers general manager Trent Baalke walks through the endzone during warm ups before the game against the St. Louis Rams at Candlestick Park. The 49ers defeated the Rams 26-0. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports
December 4, 2011; San Francisco, CA, USA; San Francisco 49ers general manager Trent Baalke walks through the endzone during warm ups before the game against the St. Louis Rams at Candlestick Park. The 49ers defeated the Rams 26-0. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports /

Part Ways with GM Trent Baalke and DC Jim O’Neil

OK, it’s time for some fixes a lot of fans will have a hard time arguing against.

General manager Trent Baalke is largely responsible for the state of the current roster. And while he can try to deflect blame and save his job, the fact San Francisco has almost zero respectable talent this season can’t be attributed to anyone else.

One might believe Bleacher Report’s Jason Cole and his report stating Baalke would be safe in 2017, as seen in the video below, but it’s a Cole report. He also reported former linebacker Patrick Willis was considering an NFL return and former head coach Jim Tomsula wouldn’t be fired.

Let’s face it, Baalke has had a ton of draft picks since 2011 — more than any other team since then — and only a handful of notable, if not standout, players to show for it.

Sorry, Baalke. It’s time for a fresh face and new ideas.

Related Story: 49ers Won't Fire GM Trent Baalke, per Report

And for defensive coordinator Jim O’Neil? Sure, he might have inherited a young, talent-strapped defense. But all one has to consider is his run defenses with the Cleveland Browns also ranked Nos. 32 and 30 in 2014 and 2015, respectively.

San Francisco’s 2016 run defense, which is on pace to be historically bad this year, is also dead last in the league.

Almost makes former defensive coordinator Eric Mangini look brilliant.