re: Why was Coach Payton on the phone with Foster before we picked?

That was my point of view. Nothing Foster, Payton, nor Loomis said makes real sense. The "logical" explanation of they called too early doesn't make sense (why not get on the clock and then call to ask questions like they've done EVERY other year?).

So my explanation of what I think happened, given the little we do know, is either they started to consider Foster as a possible pick last minute because the value was extreme but then wanted to see if they could find a reason not to take him.

or

They never wanted Foster and created a perceived want possibly knowing SF would have taken him extremely high. Seattle is a threat to take the tackle they had rated top 15. Forcing a trade into that spot by acting like they want Foster just before they get on the clock ensures Seattle doesn't snipe their real pick. And if the gamble doesn't work you just take that unnamed player you were looking at.

Now I'll ask again, why would this be the first time in over a decade they call a pick before they are on the clock? I'm not asking IF it happened. I know it happened. Why did it happen? If your answer is because they were careless or stupid I don't buy that because Payton is meticulous and paranoid. Give me something else because I can't see it.

And then why ask his girlfriend questions during the draft? I have only one explanation. Is there another one?