Baalke Speaks

0

49ers new quasi-general manager Trent Baalke just finished a round table with those slubs like me, who cover the team on the regular. Baalke was guarded and that's not surprising, he's never been in this position of talking to the media.

Baalke didn't want to say what positions in the draft he felt had depth so as to not tip his team's hand. But here's what Baalke did say.

Trent Baalke with Scot McCloughan last year.

Trent Baalke with Scot McCloughan last year.

-He's open to trading up, back and sideways. But Baalke didn't sound as if the 49ers were going to be aggressive in seeking trades. He said two of the best pieces of advice he received about drafting was to stay patient and don't outsmart yourself. Baalke said teams can get too smart by getting themselves out of position to take a good player by constantly trading. But Baalke said he's not adverse to making deals. "We're going to get the player we have targeted, believe me."

-He was also asked about Mike Singletary's ability to assess a player's character. Baalke said it was less uncanny ability and more about Singletary's hard work on investigating a player's background. "He does all the homework to ask the right questions by talking to high school coaches, not only to people (in the player's) collage community but his hometown community."

-Along those lines, Baalke pumped up troubled Oklahoma State receiver Dez Bryant saying he thought he had the speed to get behind a defense. He also said, "We have no problem with Dez Bryant's character, none whatsoever." Baalke also lit up when Fresno State running back Ryan Matthews was mentioned.

-About taking a quarterback in the first round, Baalke said, "We are not going to rule out anything, but I want to reiterate Alex Smith is our quarterback."

-Baalke said the draft board was about 95 percent set. Now they have to hash out the board with coaches, who obviously have their priorities.

-Asked if he was interested in a small, fast scatback who could be a change-up back or a slot receiver, Baalke said, "Are we searching for that player? Not necessarily. But if the player is there and there's good value ...."

Posted By: Kevin Lynch (Email) | April 15 2010 at 01:23 PM

Listed Under: Draft Prospects