Should a sentencing judge be required to rule on downward departure requests before considering variances?

Question Presented Should this Court should grant certiorari in order to resolve the following conflict among the circuits: Is a sentencing judge required specifically to rule on requests for downward departures before considering possible variances from the guideline range? Or is a sentencing judges authorized to subsume downward departure determinations into its consideration of requests for variances governed by the general rule of reasonableness?