Niner Noise
FanSided

What San Francisco 49ers fans really want this holiday season — Part 12

By Eric Gamboa

January 3, 2016; Santa Clara, CA, USA; San Francisco 49ers fan holds a sign for owner Jed York during the third quarter against the St. Louis Rams at Levi's Stadium. The 49ers defeated the Rams 19-16. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports
January 3, 2016; Santa Clara, CA, USA; San Francisco 49ers fan holds a sign for owner Jed York during the third quarter against the St. Louis Rams at Levi's Stadium. The 49ers defeated the Rams 19-16. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports /
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Aug 16, 2015; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Indianapolis Colts running back Frank Gore (23) on the sidelines during game against the Philadelphia Eagles in a preseason NFL football game at Lincoln Financial Field. The Eagles defeated the Colts, 36-10. Mandatory Credit: Eric Hartline-USA TODAY Sports
Aug 16, 2015; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Indianapolis Colts running back Frank Gore (23) on the sidelines during game against the Philadelphia Eagles in a preseason NFL football game at Lincoln Financial Field. The Eagles defeated the Colts, 36-10. Mandatory Credit: Eric Hartline-USA TODAY Sports /

The Mass Exodus

Right after Jim Harbaugh’s firing… um, mutual parting of ways, came a talent departure not seen in the modern salary cap era. Teams face player turnover every offseason, but no other team lost as much pro-bowl level talent like the 49ers experienced that offseason. Many reported the same feeling such as Scout.com’s John Holler.

Players like Justin Smith, Patrick Willis, Anthony Davis and potential star in the making Chris Borland retired. Some departed through free agency (Frank Gore, Michael Crabtree and Delanie Walker).  Stud OLB Aldon Smith and excellent DE Ray McDonald were cut due to their significant off-the-field issues.

The losses of Gore and Walker can be directly attributed to Trent Baalke. Baalke attempted to keep Crabtree, but Crabtree wanted out. That’s not on Baalke.

Still, the loss of Harbaugh looks to have caused the mass exodus which resulted in the 49ers current state of affairs. Baalke’s firing of Harbaugh, which acted as team’s catalyst for the mass exodus, should be rightly attributed to him. Leading us to ask.