(09-03-2023, 04:56 AM)NYC4jags Wrote:

(09-02-2023, 04:22 PM)TheDogCatcher Wrote: In his and half the fanbase’s defense, rumor has it Baalke was the one who pitched hiring Meyer. It makes sense because he had a prior affinity for college coaches (eg, Chip Kelly). Drafting Tavon Walker at #1, against conventional wisdom, still looks like an ego-driven quest to be seen as the smartest guy in the room. Yes, he’s drafted well overall here and struck gold on some free agent acquisitions, but let’s not overlook Pederson’s considerable influence over the operations. I’m sure he had a hand in merging the position coaches’ draft assessments with the scouts’. Pederson, who reportedly was leery of working with Baalke given his arrogant reputation, likely requested to report directly to Khan rather than Baalke. Thus, Baalke seems like a chastened man, willing to allow the coaches to have a lot of input on personnel.

Khan pushed Meyer on Baalke - and Khan pushed Baalke to give him too much draft input.

To the credit of Khan, Baalke, and Pederson, the current regime has struck a proper balance of GM/Coaching Staff input on draft decisions and if you pay attention to Baalke's answers to questions from local media - you can rather easily discern which picks he's crediting to coaching influence. (Walker being the most obvious - but also Harrison)

Strange as well.  Just in his last interview they asked him how he felt about his picks and he corrected the person asking the questions as said "our" picks.  Right after Stange was picked they asked Baalke what he liked so much about Strange and he directed the question to Doug and said I'll let Doug take this one.  The Walker pick I'm not sure about but I definitely think they let Mike Caldwell have a lot a say in that pick as well

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