FanHouse TaylorJacobs

It's an old story by now: two years ago, then-Florida wide receiver Chad Jackson had a jaw-dropping NFL combine. He busted out a 4.3-something 40, smoothly ran routes and snagged passes, and he subsequently saw his stock go through the roof.

In the days and weeks leading up to the draft, he, along with Santonio Holmes, were the two highest-rated wideouts and thought to be first-round picks. As it turned out, only Holmes went in Round 1, but the Patriots traded up in the second round to grab Jackson, who was supposed to replace Deion Branch.

Didn't come close to working out that way; he caught just 13 passes for 152 yards his rookie season, and played in just two games last season without registering a reception. There was speculation that this could be Jackson's make-or-break year, and according to the Boston Globe's Mike Reiss, the verdict's in: break.

Poor, poor Ashley Lelie. He just never catches the breaks (or the balls, which may be why he never catches the breaks, but I digress ... ). It seemed, as little as two days ago!, as if he was going to benefit from Taylor Jacobs' release via a promotion to third receiver. And then Bryan Gilmore happened.

Coach Mike Nolan said cutting wide receiver Bryan Gilmore before the season started was the toughest move he has had to make since coming to the 49ers. It figured, then, that Nolan would bring back Gilmore to try to improve an under-performing group of wideouts.

"Bryan gives us some versatility at all the spots," Nolan said. "We need to be more productive."
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Gilmore said it is his understanding that he's coming back as the team's third wide receiver, behind starters Arnaz Battle and Darrell Jackson.

I hope Lelie is practicing his Daily Affirmations, because I can't imagine what it must feel like to be passed over for Taylor Jacobs, and then have your company hire from outside (someone they already fired, at that) instead of giving you a promotion.

So the tragic tale of Ashley Lelie continues. Not a complete bust in the Charles Rogers mold, Lelie's story is sadder because he once appeared on the verge of NFL stardom. For one reason or another, the fall has been a long one, but the view changes -- and looking up at Gilmore can't be sightly.

Oh, how this crazy thing called life can turn on a dime. Only in retrospect can we appreciate the exact repercussions of our decisions. Take Ashley Lelie, for example. In 2004, Lelie celebrated his third year in the NFL to the tune of 1,084 yards and seven touchdowns and appeared to be an emerging big-play guy.

Following a disappointing 2005, Lelie made an ill-timed attempt at holding the Broncos ransom for more money. He probably would have had more success doing this a year earlier; instead, Denver called his bluff and Lelie wasted his offseason, barely cracking 400 yards as an afterthought in Atlanta. Now he's in San Francisco, looking for a shot at redemption. The problem is, there are a whole lot of other guys blocking his view.

Ashley Lelie watched Monday as receivers Arnaz Battle and Darrell Jackson trotted onto the field with the rest of the 49ers' first-team offense. He looked on as Taylor Jacobs and Bryan Gilmore replaced them in the second quarter. He still was on the sideline when Brandon Williams entered the game.

By the time Lelie got on the field with two minutes remaining in the first half, five 49ers receivers already had been in the game. Five. As in the total number of receivers Mike Nolan has said likely will make the final roster.

Lelie has spent the offseason working with the second- and third-string teams. He hasn't caught many balls from Alex Smith, but you can never underestimate the importance of having a rapport with Shaun Hill. Lelie should still make the team; he is, surprisingly enough, the second-most accomplished receiver on the roster. But it's been a long fall since 2004, and though Lelie boasts no regrets, he has to think of how his choice to hold out derailed his career.