“SOUR TASTE” AFTER 49ERS’ OFFENSIVE COORDINATOR SEARCH

Ever since the San Francisco 49ers hired veteran NFL assistant Jimmy Raye as their new offensive coordinator, the decision and the meandering search process that led up to it have drawn criticism in NFL circles. According to Pro Football Weekly, a “sour taste lingers” following 49ers coach Mike Singletary going with Raye after Scott Linehan turned down the team’s offer and accepted the same position with the Detroit Lions. Of course, the Lions went 0-16 last year. An anonymous source described as an insider discussed the process with Pro Football Weekly. “The whole thing was a bit weird,” the source said. “The fallout with Scott Linehan. Bringing back [Baltimore Ravens quarterbacks coach] Hue Jackson twice for interviews and then suddenly settling on Raye. The whole dalliance with Dan Reeves. “I have to think Ray must have always been on Singletary’s radar screen. It seems like Singletary is operating a lot by feel, the same way Mike Nolan did with his hiring of Jim Hostler, which ended up being a disastrous hire.”