Getting your Trinity Audio player ready...

Bill Walsh was up to his old tricks on Saturday. The 49ers Great White-Haired Hope sent the team’s hard-earned No. 3 overall pick in the April 15 NFL draft to the Washington Redskins. In return, the Redskins sent the Nos. 12 and 24 overall picks to San Francisco along with fourth- and fifth-round choices. In many ways, the trade marks the first time the 49ers organization has fully acknowledged the daunting task that lies ahead. Oh, they’ve admitted all their obvious shortcomings, but there’s always an underlying theme whenever Walsh or coach Steve Mariucci discuss their plan(s) for the future.

Now it appears the 49ers’ point men are prepared to build a cleansing fire capable of spurring a rebirth.