FanHouse Bryangilmore

The over/under for this game was 35. If these teams played eight quarters, they probably wouldn't reach that amount. Really, a game like this, both teams should get a loss.

The San Francisco offense, supposedly on the verge of breaking out, is just broke. I guess you could call Trent Dilfer's performance an improvement, in that he didn't do too much to cost the 49ers the win like he did last week against Seattle. But he sure didn't do much to help, either. There were back-to-back plays -- a 42-yard pass to Bryan GIlmore followed by a 23-yard touchdown pass to Arnaz Battle -- in which the 49ers were able to move the ball. Other than that ... eh. This is the fourth time this season the 49ers have failed to put up 200 yards in a season where people were expecting a lot. Injuries have played their part, but this team just isn't playing well.

On the other hand, I don't think anybody ever expects anything from the Ravens' offense. And they lived up to that today, producing 315 yards and just nine points. You need to try really hard to score that little on so much yardage. Unlike the 49ers, who can at least point to three sacks and an interception as the reason for their ineptitude, the Ravens kept Steve McNair upright all game long and didn't commit a turnover. They're just bad. Like, scary bad.

Yes, the Ravens started two drives within their five, but they also started six drives on the good side of their own 25. Three of those ended in field goals, but that's still a lot of points left on the field.

To be fair, like the 49ers, the Ravens were short-handed -- Jonathan Ogden, Todd Heap, and Samari Rolle all missed the game -- but I still feel really bad for Willis McGahee, a former playmaker whose talents are being wasted. Most of all, though, I feel sorry for anybody who had to watch this game. Really. My condolences.

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."
...
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.