Maiocco: Involving Parcells a plus for 49ers' image

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Dec. 29, 2010MAIOCCO ARCHIVE49ERS PAGE49ERS VIDEOMatt MaioccoCSNBayArea.comThe most difficult thing to do from the outside is to evaluate the NFL talent evaluators.Nobody keeps score on these guys. And, oftentimes, we don't know who is truly calling the shots. Teams have had success plucking individuals from the New England Patriots, for instance. But, certainly, Thomas Dimitroff was an unproven commodity before the Atlanta Falcons him hired him as general manager.Does that mean Patriots personnel men Nick Caserio or Jason Licht will be the next stars? We don't know that. Does that make either of those men a better hire than a potential promotion from within the 49ers?
Vice president of player personnel Trent Baalke knows his stuff. But is he GM material? My questions about him are less about talent evaluation and more about being a presence inside the building and around the league to keep the 49ers heading in the right direction.Sports Illustrated and ESPN reported Baalke and 49ers president Jed York are seeking advice from Bill Parcells. Baalke is reportedly in Florida, speaking with Parcells. The men worked together with the New York Jets. That would also put Baalke in close proximity to Stanford coach Jim Harbaugh, whose team will play in the Orange Bowl on Monday.It's also a good step for York to talk with Parcells. York is trying to establish credibility during this GM search. How does a 29-year-old team president go about making an important hire? He must seek the insights of respected individuals.York seeking advice from Parcells is a good PR move, to be sure. And it's good for public perception that he said he talks regularly with his uncle, Eddie DeBartolo.There is no guarantee of success with whomever the 49ers hire to be general and head coach. But until the 2011 season begins, York must find a way to prove to the 49ers' ticket-buying fan base that he has a reasonable plan.

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