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Vernon Davis News & Rumors

Niners' Davis still has junior moments
January 22
New York Post
 
"For all of the talk about Vernon Davis' newfound maturity, the 49ers' supremely talented tight end isn't all grown up just yet. That was obvious Friday, as the team scrambled to contain the fallout from Davis agreeing to host a "49ers NFC Championship Game Afterparty" celebration already advertising (and selling) $20-to-$30 tickets before San Francisco had even played the Giants today at Candlestick Park. Davis announced late Friday he was pulling out of the event, but not before it had come to the Giants' attention — and no doubt plastered on a bulletin board at coach Tom Coughlin's team meal last night."
49ers hope NY Giants don't spoil Vernon Davis' NFC championship after-party at Manor West
January 21
New York Daily News
 
"The San Francisco 49ers may not beat the Giants in Sunday's NFC Championship Game, but regardless of the result, Vernon Davis will be celebrating. The Niners' star tight end will host an NFC championship after-party at Manor West, a popular dance club in San Francisco. It's a move that easily could be construed as a sign that Davis and the Niners expect to win. The club vehemently insisted that this is not a premature victory celebration, or "an attempt by anyone to predict victory on Sunday." "We all have our fingers crossed and our hearts on our sleeves in solidarity with Niners fans everywhere that this will indeed be more than just an after-party for the NFC Championship Game but also"
Tight ends have evolved into an NFL force
January 17
CSN Philly
 columnist Ray Didinger
"What we saw in the divisional playoffs was a continuation of what we saw during the regular season, that is, the evolution of the tight end as a game-changing, stretch-the-field weapon. Look at these numbers from the weekend games… Rob Gronkowski, New England – 10 catches, 145 yards, three touchdowns. Vernon Davis, San Francisco – seven catches, 180 yards, two touchdowns. Jimmy Graham, New Orleans – five catches, 103 yards, two touchdowns."
Davis' big play was years in the making
January 16
San Francisco Chronicle
 
"After the 49ers' 36-32 playoff win Saturday, Vernon Davis took charge of the team's ritual celebration for the first time this season, bellowing, "Who's got it better than us?" His teammates responded, "Noooo-body," just as they always do. The answer would be the same if someone asked: "Other than your tight end, which players in the NFL would accept abject, public humiliation from a head coach without bitterness or sullen anger?" Davis looked almost exactly like Terrell Owens, vintage 1999, when he sobbed in the embrace of his coach Saturday, but he has an unusual temperament for a splashy NFL receiver. He lets negative emotions glance off him. He feels them. He simply doesn't dwell on"
Vernon Davis in NFL record books
January 16
San Francisco Chronicle
 
"Here are some notes on the 49ers divisional playoff win over New Orleans, which come from the 49ers: –49ers ran their post season record to 20-9. –Since 1980, the 49ers are 18-4 at home in the post season. –49ers scored two lead-changing touchdowns in the final three minutes of a post season game for the first time in NFL history. –Vernon Davis' 180 yards receiving is a career high and also the most yards ever by a tight end in a NFL playoff game. He beat former Charger Kellen Winslow's 166 yards in a classic division win over Miami in 1982. –Davis' yardage total is second most in 49ers history to Jerry Rice's 215 yards in Super Bowl XXIII (Jan. 22, 1989)."
Vernon Davis' winning catch ranks among 49ers' all-time great grabs
January 15
San Jose Mercury News
 columnist Tim Kawakami
"You have to climb monumentally high to stake a place for yourself on the 49ers' playoff mountaintop, and Vernon Davis went there Saturday. Man oh man did he go there. He went as high as you can go, into rare and regal air, to the summit of all great 49ers touchdown-catch moments, and there is no franchise that has a comparable litany. Davis came, he saw, he caught, he cried, he conquered the New Orleans Saints. Now, after this thundering, mind-blowing 36-32 divisional-round victory at Candlestick, Davis joins Dwight Clark, John Taylor, Jerry Rice and Terrell Owens in 49ers Reception Valhalla. "I know there was 'The Catch' -- I don't know what you're going to call this one," coach Jim"
97 seconds plenty of time for 49ers, Vernon Davis
January 15
San Francisco Chronicle
 columnist Al Saracevic
"With 97 seconds to go in Saturday's game, things looked exceedingly grim for the 49ers. The Saints had just scored the go-ahead touchdown to make the score 32-29. The crowd sat in stunned silence. And Vernon Davis sat alone on the bench, staring at the field with an exceedingly grim look of his own. Up walked Aldon Smith, winded and sweating, having just come off the field. "We got time, baby!" the rookie defensive end barked at Davis. "We've got enough time!" Davis barely even acknowledged the young fella. He just kept his steely stare on the field. Well, it turns out the rookie was right. The 49ers had more than enough time. It only took 88 seconds for Alex Smith to find Davis crossing"
Vernon Davis starting to feel comfortable in offense
January 12
San Jose Mercury News
 
"Vernon Davis revealed Wednesday how frustrated he was adapting to a 49ers offense that might use him heavily in their playoff opener. "When I first got in this offense, it was almost as if I wanted to quit," Davis said. "I was like, 'This is just too much.' There was just too much information at one time that they were throwing on me and Delanie (Walker) and the rest of the tight ends. "But we stuck with it. We learned as much as we possibly could. And here we are.""
After early info overload, Vernon Davis thrives
January 12
San Francisco Chronicle
 
"For starters, the 49ers coaching staff messed with Vernon Davis' feet, asking the Pro Bowl tight end to bring them closer together when he got in his stance. But that was nothing compared with what they did to his head. On Wednesday, Davis acknowledged he was overwhelmed early in the season by the amount of information he was asked to absorb in San Francisco's West Coast offense."
TE Davis found his groove late in the season
January 12
San Francisco Chronicle
 
"For starters, the 49ers coaching staff messed with Vernon Davis' feet, asking the Pro Bowl tight end to bring them closer together when he got in his stance. But that was nothing compared to what they did to his head. Today, Davis acknowledged he was overwhelmed early in the season by the amount of information he was asked to absorb in San Francisco's West Coast offense. "When I first got in this offense it was almost like I wanted to quit," Davis said. "Like, 'This is too much.' It was too much information at one time that they were throwing on me and Delanie (Walker) and the rest of the tight ends. But we stuck with it, we learned as much as we possibly could and here we are. We're"
Vernon Davis happy to end TD drought
December 23
San Jose Mercury News
 
"To Vernon Davis, the end zone looked a lot like a welcome mat. His touchdown catch against the Pittsburgh Steelers ended a three-week drought without a score. His 72 yards on Monday night also marked Davis' highest receiving total since Week 3. "I was very excited that I was able to be involved in the passing game and help my team win," Davis said this week. Davis would love be a target again Saturday when the 49ers face the Seahawks in Seattle. But he won't make a peep if he isn't. Davis, in his sixth year, continues to ride the waves instead of making them. He hadn't topped 40 receiving yards in any of his previous three games before breaking out on Monday Night football. But he's"
A new 49ers red-zone game: Where's Vernon?
December 15
San Francisco Chronicle
 
"As the 49ers lined up on second-and-goal at the Cardinals 4-yard line just before halftime Sunday, FOX announcer John Lynch called for quarterback Alex Smith to take a chance. "Inside the red zone, there's tight windows," Lynch said. "And sometimes you've just got to cut it loose. They may be doubling Vernon Davis, but sometimes go ahead and force it. He's earned that trust.""
Team-first Vernon Davis going home to play
November 4
San Jose Mercury News
 
"Tight end Vernon Davis is hawking T-shirts commemorating his 49ers debut Sunday in his native Washington, D.C. "Have you seen 'em? Do you like 'em?" Davis asked Thursday. "It's like 25 bucks, or it should be." Actually, they're $35 on his personal website. But who's counting anything but 49ers victories these days? Here's something else Davis is selling: an unselfish attitude despite fewer receptions. He hasn't had more than three catches in each of the past three games. His team-first mentality is being tested. That doesn't mean he has to enjoy being double teamed, often by cornerbacks and safeties. "I hate it. It sucks," Davis admitted. "It sucks because I definitely want to get my hands"
Vernon Davis: 'It is frustrating. But I'm a team guy'
November 4
San Francisco Chronicle
 
"Niners tight end Vernon Davis said friends have contacted him with statistical requests prior his meeting against the Redskins on Sunday, his first NFL game back in his hometown. "'Vernon, I need you to light it up this week – two touchdowns, 160 yards,'" Davis said, relaying those requests to the media today in front of his locker. Two touchdowns and 160 yards? As 49ers fans and Davis' fantasy owners know, that's ridiculously optimistic given his recent production. In his past four games, Davis has 12 catches for 119 yards and three touchdowns. He's had less than 48 yards receiving in six of seven games this season and is on pace to finish with 62 catches for 681 yards and seven"
Vernon Davis – Bucs "gave up"
October 10
San Francisco Chronicle
 
"Running back Frank Gore got into loads of trouble for saying on ESPN that the Eagles didn't want to play any more towards the end of the 49ers' 24-23 loss last Sunday in Philly. So will tight end Vernon Davis be in hot water this week? Here's what he said about the Buccaneers: "They were really frustrated." Davis said. "I mean, I felt like they gave up. That's what I saw. I felt like they gave up. I was trying to tell, I think it was Barber, Ronde, I was telling him: 'Get your guys. Get your guys. Y'all got to play harder, y'all got to play harder.'""
Vernon Davis is helping define Jim Harbaugh
September 29
San Francisco Chronicle
 
"Tight end Vernon Davis took on the odd task of helping define Mike Singlatary as a head coach and now he seems to be doing the same thing with Jim Harbaugh. We all remember Singletary booting Davis off the sidelines after an in-game encounter in Singletary's first game as interim head coach. After the 34-13 loss to Seattle on that October day in 2008, Singletary came out blazing in his post-game news conference with his now infamous "We want Winners" diatribe. That glimpse into Singletary provided everyone with a view of his intensity, his over reliance on emotion, and his game-day style that relied too much on sideline challenges and not enough of X and O's adjustments, game management"
Tight end Davis has beef with offensive game plan
September 19
San Francisco Chronicle
 
"It's never good to surprise your Pro Bowl tight end. But Vernon Davis admitted to being taken aback by his team's conservative offensive philosophy and by being thrown into pass protection against Cowboys linebacker DeMarcus Ware. "I didn't think I would be up against Ware like that," Davis said. The problem was it didn't help. Ware recorded two sacks. Meanwhile Davis was thrown the ball twice; he caught both passes for 18 yards total. "I didn't think that was going to happen because their secondary was banged up," Davis said of his limited opportunities. However, Davis also said he drew plenty of coverage when he did venture out on routes. "I've been in this position before," Davis said."
San Francisco 49ers: Tight end Vernon Davis matures into a team-first leader
August 27
San Jose Mercury News
 
"Vernon Davis caught a touchdown pass for the first time in a 49ers uniform five years ago this weekend, albeit an exhibition loss at Dallas. His playmaking career was under way, just as everyone expected out of the 2006 draft's sixth overall pick. Davis, however, is a different player and person entering the third game of this exhibition season, Saturday against the Houston Texans at Candlestick Park. "I was just trying to find myself, trying to get adjusted to this whole NFL thing," Davis said of his rookie mindset. "I was looking at guys like Terrell Owens and all those guys that were selfish in the past. I figured that was the way you were supposed to be. "But I learned throughout my"
Vernon Davis delivers emotional talk to teammates
November 30
San Jose Mercury News
 
"Vernon Davis gave new meaning to the words "rally cry." The 49ers tight end delivered such a fiery pregame speech that his emotions got the best of him and tears rolled down his cheeks. Davis wasn't the only one weeping. "There were a few guys with tears in their eyes,'' coach Mike Singletary said. Davis said he was just trying to fire up his teammates before a pivotal Monday night game on the national stage. His unscripted oration came just before the national anthem. "It just comes from the heart,'' Davis said. "You have to feel it. You have to feel it deep down inside." Davis said he felt the need to speak because he knew the 49ers' season was on the line. At 3-7 heading into the game,"
Just a bruised knee for Vernon Davis , 49ers say
October 20
San Jose Mercury News
 
"Just as the 49ers suspected, Vernon Davis' knee is fine. They had their standout tight end undergo an MRI exam just to be sure, but a team spokesman said Tuesday that tests revealed only a contusion. Davis' status is listed as day to day. The team expects him to be ready to face the Carolina Panthers on Sunday. Davis went down hard Sunday after making a 17-yard touchdown catch in the fourth quarter against the Raiders. Trainers attended to him along the sideline, but he was soon walking around on his own and even re-entered the game. Davis has a touchdown catch in three consecutive games. Vikings: The NFL's director of security interviewed Minnesota quarterback Brett Favre about his"
49ers depend on Alex Smith-Vernon Davis connection
October 17
San Jose Mercury News
 
"Near the end of a recent 49ers practice, quarterback Alex Smith and tight end Vernon Davis stood near midfield and simply talked things over. Smith used his right arm to demonstrate where the tight end should change direction. Davis studied the angle of Smith's arm and nodded in approval. The two have a good rapport -- 37 percent of Smith's career touchdown passes have gone to Davis -- but they need to work out a few kinks in their game. Their bread-and-butter play, the deep seam route, is no longer a secret. Opponents kept Davis in check earlier this season by greeting him with double coverage any time he came tearing down the middle of the field. The Raiders will be on alert for Davis'"
Chiefs' Haley declines to fire back at Vernon Davis
September 24
Kansas City Star
 
"A day after 49ers tight end Vernon Davis guaranteed on a conference call with Kansas City reporters that San Francisco would beat the Chiefs on Sunday at Arrowhead Stadium, Todd Haley declined the chance to fire back. "We are really focused on our task at hand, which is getting a little better each and every day," Haley said. "That's what I feel like we're doing. That's what ultimately will give us a chance to become a good team, hopefully sooner rather than later. "That being said, Vernon Davis is a heck of a player and a heck of a competitor. I would expect that to be his belief and viewpoint." Davis had 12 catches this season, putting him second only to Dallas Clark of Indianapolis"
Vernon Davis strongly believes 49ers are better than Saints
September 19
San Jose Mercury News
 
"The Super Bowl champion New Orleans Saints arrive at Candlestick Park on Monday. Bring 'em on, Vernon Davis said. "I strongly believe we have the better team going into this game,'' the 49ers tight end said Saturday. A better team than New Orleans? The Saints won the title last season behind Drew Brees, the game's MVP, and are coming off a season in which they went 7-1 in road games. "It's exciting because we know that they're competitive,'' Davis said. "But we're not worried about them being Super Bowl champion or anything like that." Asked about the prospect of being covered by Pro Bowl strong safety Roman Harper, Davis said: "Is that No. 41? No, I don't think he can check me man-to-man,"
San Francisco's Vernon Davis signs five-year extension worth $37 million
September 12
San Jose Mercury News
 
"A year after rewriting the record books for 49ers tight ends, Vernon Davis reached another milestone Saturday: He became the highest paid tight end in NFL history. Davis signed a five-year extension worth $37 million, including $23 million guaranteed. "He deserves everything that he gets,'' said coach Mike Singletary, Davis' one-time critic. Davis put up modest -- even disappointing -- statistics over his first three NFL seasons before his breakout performance a year ago. Davis scored 13 touchdowns, tying Antonio Gates' single-season mark for NFL tight ends. Davis also established career highs with 78 catches and 965 yards. His new deal pushes him past Gates as the highest-paid tight end."
Davis, Crabtree have verbal altercation
September 2
San Francisco Chronicle
 
"The 49ers' two biggest personalities got into a heated exchange at practice Wednesday, and only time will tell if the beef was settled. Pro Bowl tight end Vernon Davis, a team captain, and second-year receiver Michael Crabtree got into a heated argument that lasted more than 20 minutes during a walk-through before coach Mike Singletary took them inside the locker room to finish the conversation. Singletary would not say what was behind the episode, only that the unaddressed problem has now been addressed. "There are no elephants in the room," 49ers coach Mike Singletary said. "The elephant was exposed." Singletary declined to describe the "issue" but said Davis, as a team captain, did the"
Games meaningless without the Big Three
August 22
San Francisco Chronicle
 
"Alex Smith has every tool an NFL quarterback could hope for: a Pro Bowl tight end, a Pro Bowl running back, even a Pro Bowler in the making at wide receiver. But then, what does all the skill-position star power in the world mean if those guys can't get on the field during training camp, when offenses are meant to develop rhythm and timing and all that good stuff? "If we just think we have these names or we're going to show up on game day and get it done, that's crazy," Smith said. "It's totally crazy. We've got to get the work in and get better; otherwise, you're just hoping." The 49ers will have to settle for hoping for at least another week, because they probably won't have their Big"
Davis unfazed by contract talks
May 18
San Jose Mercury News
 
"As a player in position to land a monster contract extension, tight end Vernon Davis could have sought leverage by skipping the 49ers' voluntary workouts in Santa Clara this week. Instead, Davis made catches all over the field on Monday as the 49ers' four-day organized team activities began. "I'm here because this is what I do," Davis said. "I like to work." A handful of veteran players did skip, although coach Mike Singletary played down the absences. Among the players choosing to stay away were starting cornerbacks Shawntae Spencer and Nate Clements, as well as linebacker Manny Lawson. Singletary said he recently spoke with Spencer and Clements, and gave them the green light to continue"
Report: 49ers, Davis discussing deal; TE wants $40M over five years
May 11
NFL.com
 
"The San Francisco 49ers rewarded their Pro Bowl linebacker, Patrick Willis, with a five-year, $50 million contract extension last week. Their Pro Bowl tight end could be next. Comcast SportsNet Bay Area cited two league sources in reporting Monday that the 49ers and Vernon Davis are discussing a new deal. Davis, whose rookie contract runs out after the 2010 season, wants a five-year, $40 million extension with $25 million guaranteed. Willis received $29 million guaranteed, but a source told Comcast SportsNet Bay Area that a large portion of the contract's money is deferred until 2013. That gives the 49ers flexibility to sign Davis, too."
49ers TE Vernon Davis miked up at Pro Bowl practice
January 30
San Jose Mercury News
 
"Here's a peek at Vernon Davis on a practice field in South Florida, where the 49ers tight end is getting ready for his Pro Bowl debut. In this clip provided by the NFL, he jokes around with teammate Frank Gore, catches passes from Aaron Rodgers and Donovan McNabb and generally looks to be having a blast. He doesn't do much talking, but it's still an interesting glimpse of life on a Pro Bowl practice field. In other news … A minor knee injury will keep Patrick Willis from making his third consecutive Pro Bowl apperance. The 49ers linebacker bowed out today and will be replaced in the NFC lineup by the Carolina Panthers' Jon Beason Willis has right-knee bursitis, which will require no"
Davis grabs piece of TD record
January 4
Sacramento Bee
 
"Add an NFL record to Vernon Davis' list of 2009 accomplishments. Davis' 73-yard catch-and-run touchdown in the fourth quarter Sunday was his 13th of the season, which ties him with San Diego's Antonio Gates for most touchdown receptions by a tight end in a season. It also happened to be the longest reception of Davis' career. Quarterback Alex Smith said that when he approached the line of scrimmage, he saw the Rams had only one deep safety. At that point, he knew he was going in Davis' direction. Smith took the snap, looked off the safety to his left, then put the ball up for Davis. "It's hard for any team to replicate his speed on a show team (in practice), to get a feel for what he's"
Vernon Davis sports new look
January 1
San Jose Mercury News
 
"As he prepared for the New Year, tight end Vernon Davis said goodbye to his old friends, cutting them loose after seven years of dedicated service: His dreadlocks are gone. Davis snipped them off with a pair of scissors, then went to a barber to finish the job. "I actually feel faster," Davis said, palming his sleek scalp. Davis' new look got lots of attention in the 49ers' locker room Thursday as teammates stopped by to rub his smooth head. The dreadlocks had been around since Davis' college days at Maryland and had become a familiar sight on the highlights this season when he broke through for 72 catches and 876 yards. Davis said he is considering donating the hair to charity. For now,"
San Francisco 49ers award Vernon Davis team's highest honor
December 25
San Jose Mercury News
 
"A year ago, 49ers tight end Vernon Davis was ordered off the field for being a knucklehead. Thursday, he was awarded the team's highest honor. Davis won the Len Eshmont Award, following in the footsteps of players such as Bryant Young, Jerry Rice and Y.A. Tittle. Since 1957, the award has gone annually to the player "who best exemplifies the inspirational and courageous play," according to the 49ers. The Eshmont, voted on by players, headlined the list of award announcements Thursday. All of the team's winners will be honored Sunday at Candlestick Park when the 49ers face the Detroit Lions. Last season, Davis seemed more likely to win an Emmy than an award for leadership. The tempestuous"
Vernon Davis' turnaround is complete after 49ers teammates honor him with Len Eshmont Award
December 25
Oakland Tribune
 
"year ago, 49ers tight end Vernon Davis was ordered off the field for being a knucklehead. Thursday, he was awarded the team's highest honor. Davis won the Len Eshmont Award, following in the footsteps of players such as Bryant Young, Jerry Rice and Y.A. Tittle. Since 1957, the award has gone annually to the player "who best exemplifies the inspirational and courageous play," according to the 49ers. The Eshmont, voted on by the players, headlined the list of award announcements Thursday. All of the team's winners will be honored Sunday at Candlestick Park when the 49ers face the Detroit Lions. Last season, Davis seemed more likely to win an Emmy than an award for leadership. The tempestuous"
Davis rewriting history
December 25
San Francisco Chronicle
 
"Though dropped balls remain an issue, it's the passes Vernon Davis has caught in the end zone that make his fourth year with the 49ers his most satisfying. If only he could lose those frying pan hands. As the centerpiece in coordinator Jimmy Raye's tight end-friendly offense, Davis is tied for the league lead in touchdown receptions with 11. Two more in the season's final two games and Davis would tie the NFL record for most touchdown catches in a single season by a tight end. San Diego's Antonio Gates had 13 in 2004 and four others had single seasons with 12. "I didn't expect to have as many touchdowns," Davis said as he prepared for Sunday's game against Detroit at Candlestick Park. "I"
Eagles' game plan was to stop Vernon Davis
December 21
Sacramento Bee
 
"Stopping Frank Gore has been priority No. 1 for San Francisco's opponents this season. The Eagles' defense, however, went into Sunday's game eyeing another threat, tight end Vernon Davis. Though eight passes were thrown his way, Davis was held to three catches for 43 yards. More important to the Philadelphia defenders was that they kept Davis, who has 11 touchdown catches on the season, out of the end zone. "I can probably say that this is one week that we game-planned a guy and actually took him out of the game," said linebacker Jeremiah Trotter. "There have been weeks where we've game-planned a guy and he was still able to get it done – especially a tight end making catches on us. "I'm"
Alex Smith, Vernon Davis agree milestones meaningless in 49ers' latest loss
December 7
San Jose Mercury News
 
"Two 49ers players reached milestones Sunday. Not that either of them cared. Vernon Davis broke the franchise single-season record for tight ends by catching his 10th touchdown pass of the season. His milestone 33-yard grab came on a fourth-and-1 with 6:16 to play in the first quarter. It broke the mark Davis shared with Ted Kwalick (1972) and Brent Jones (1994). "I really don't care about that,'' Davis said after a 20-17 loss to the Seahawks. "It would have meant a lot to me if we had won." Davis' mood was also tempered by a dropped pass in the end zone. It was his second consecutive week with multiple drops. Davis set a career high with 111 yards receiving. This marks his third 100-yard"
Uneven game for Davis
December 7
San Francisco Chronicle
 
"For a player with legitimate Pro Bowl aspirations, Vernon Davis had an uneven game Sunday. He had a single-game high in receiving yards with 111 on six receptions and established a 49ers team record for a tight end with his 10th touchdown catch of the season. However, three dropped passes marred his day and remain an unfinished part of Davis' all-around game as one of the league's better tight ends. "We made some mistakes," Davis said. "In a game like this, you can't make mistakes. It's critical. It cost us the game." By any measure, though, Davis is having a career year with highs in receptions (63), yards (781) and touchdown receptions. One more productive game and he should pass Eric"
49ers tight end Vernon Davis emerging as playmaker
December 3
San Jose Mercury News
 
"With a touchdown catch against the Seattle Seahawks this weekend, Vernon Davis would break a 49ers record that has stood for more than 35 years. Somehow, though, Ted Kwalick will cope. "I didn't even know I had a record," he said with a laugh. Kwalick had nine touchdown catches in 1972, a season mark for 49ers tight ends. He was sure that Brent Jones had broken it, but Jones only tied it in 1994. Davis added his name to the nine-TD club last week, continuing an astounding breakout season for the former No. 6 overall pick. With five games remaining, including Sunday's game at Qwest Field, his place as the 49ers' lone record-holder seems assured. That's fine with Kwalick, who lives in Santa"
Davis' big play overshadows bobbles
November 30
San Francisco Chronicle
 
"While Vernon Davis is having a career year in coordinator Jimmy Raye's tight end-friendly offense, some of the old Davis crept back into Sunday's game against Jacksonville. Specifically, those frying pan hands that marked his first three seasons. Though he caught six passes for 69 yards, Davis also dropped three catchable balls. He dropped one in the first quarter and two in the second to keep his receiving totals down. Then again, Davis came up with the biggest offensive play of the day for the 49ers when he snagged a 30-yard reception on 4th-and-1 from the Jacksonville 37-yard line. "Coach (Mike) Singletary believes in us," Davis said. "We always talk how good our offense is, and we"
Throw to 49ers tight end Davis turns tide
November 30
Jacksonville Times-Union
 
"At the two-minute warning of the first half Sunday, the San Francisco 49ers faced a fourth-and-1 at the Jaguars' 37. Leading 10-0, the 49ers decided to go for it, but they didn't try a safe short pass to get the first down. They went for the big play and struck a dagger into the Jaguars. Quarterback Alex Smith lofted a 30-yard pass to tight end Vernon Davis. Three plays later, he threw a touchdown pass to Frank Gore to put the 49ers ahead 17-0, and the Jaguars never pulled within two touchdowns the rest of the way. Linebacker Clint Ingram took the blame for not doing a better job of covering Davis. "I had him man to man,'' Ingram said. "I should have gotten a better jam on him at the line"
Niners might use spread against Jaguars
November 28
Jacksonville Times-Union
 
"Some players want it. Their coaches keep downplaying it. But regardless of what's said, there's a good chance the 49ers will operate - at times - out of a spread attack when they play host to the Jaguars on Sunday. "The most important thing for us is just to try and have the players understand that we're going to do what's best for the team," San Francisco coach Mike Singletary said. Ultimately, the No. 1 task is winning, which puts the 49ers in an interesting situation, based on their recent success operating out of the spread/shotgun attack. Quarterback Alex Smith ran the spread in college at Utah. In San Francisco's loss at Green Bay last week, he completed 3-of-7 passes for 5 yards in"
To air is human, but personnel is less than divine
November 24
San Francisco Chronicle
 columnist Ray Ratto
"In 35 minutes of Monday rehashery, Mike Singletary never addressed his defense. He never had to. Nobody was interested, or interested enough, maybe not even him. Or maybe he just runs with what is thrown at him, and what people want to throw at him now is the spread offense. Singletary was hit in every way possible with questions about employing the spread immediately, so that Alex Smith could be more comfortable, Michael Crabtree could be more productive, Vernon Davis could be more happy, and the angels would sing all the way through Christmas. Evidently, Frank Gore's happiness is no longer important, or at the very least fashionable. But never mind happiness. Consider instead the larger"
49ers' Vernon Davis eclipses fellow '06 draftee A.J. Hawk
November 18
Green Bay Press Gazette
 columnist Pete Dougherty
"The verdict is on whether the Green Bay Packers should have drafted A.J. Hawk or Vernon Davis with the fifth pick of the 2006 draft: Davis. After three seasons of poor production and immature behavior, Davis this season has blossomed into a playmaking tight end for the San Francisco 49ers. Hawk, whom the Packers chose at No. 5 overall, hasn't been much more than an average starting linebacker since his rookie season. Davis (6-feet-3 ½ and 250 pounds) finally is performing at a level approaching the stunning talent he showed as star of the '06 NFL scouting combine. He's the 49ers' leading receiver (45 catches), leads all tight ends in the NFL in touchdown receptions (seven) and is a player"
Davis exchanges words with Bears player
November 13
Sacramento Bee
 
"Vernon Davis' assessment of the Bears' defensive line evidently reached Chicago. During pregame warmups, Bears defensive end Adewale Ogunleye approached Davis and got in his face. The two exchanged a few heated words before Bears center Olin Kreutz entered the conversation and pulled Ogunleye away. Davis, of course, called out the Chicago defensive line earlier in the week by saying the 49ers would "destroy" the Chicago front. But Ogunleye was the one Bears defensive lineman Davis said he respected. Davis after the game: "They were trying to hit me, bump me and hit me when I wasn't looking. They were trying to bang me around a little bit." Davis on the pregame exchange with Ogunleye: "I"
49ers' Vernon Davis got attention of Bears defense
November 13
San Jose Mercury News
 
"Vernon Davis' boast obviously made it all the way to the Windy City. Bears defensive end Adewale Ogunleye sought out the 49ers' quotable tight end during warm-ups Thursday night. It was a meeting of the mouths. Ogunleye apparently did not agree with Davis' scouting report of the Bears' defense. The tight end had said that the 49ers would "destroy" the Bears up front. So, as NFL Network cameras rolled, Ogunleye and Davis had a not-so-pleasant exchange. What did Davis say? "I told him to get ready because we are coming hard and we are coming to win,'' Davis said. Oddly, Ogunleye was one of the few players that Davis had praised during his critique. Still, he was less than amused. After the"
Davis close to personal best
November 9
San Francisco Chronicle
 
"Vernon Davis' season of excellence continues apace. Although he did not have a touchdown catch Sunday for the first time in three games, the tight end did achieve career highs in receptions and yards. Davis latched onto 10 of Alex Smith's passes for 102 yards in becoming the team's first tight end to record 10 or more receptions in game since 2004, when Eric Johnson did it twice. With half a season to go, Davis needs 33 receiving yards to surpass his season-best total of 509 yards from 2007. The way he's going, he'll achieve that Thursday night against Chicago. "It all starts in practice," Davis said. "You practice how you play. Just get it corrected and don't look back. We need to keep"
Team upbeat despite three straight losses
November 7
San Francisco Chronicle
 
"Tight end Vernon Davis said the attitude reflects the players' belief that they can compete with anybody, which the 49ers showed in close defeats at Houston and Indianapolis. "I credit it to the guys, the coaches, having a perspective," coach Mike Singletary said. "Sometimes you can make little improvements here and there that might not show up on the scoreboard. Sometimes it will hit on all cylinders and we'll go from there." Singletary hopes all cylinders are hitting Sunday when the 49ers play the Tennessee Titans at Candlestick Park, looking for their first victory in more than a month. "I think every game we play is going to be pivotal," Singletary said. None more so than for"
Fourth season of 49ers' Davis looks like a breakout year
October 9
San Jose Mercury News
 
"Vernon Davis, in his fourth NFL season, might take some inspiration from the tight end on the other sideline Sunday when the 49ers face the Atlanta Falcons. Tony Gonzalez had a breakout year in his fourth season, too, shattering his previous career highs with 93 catches for 1,203 yards in 2000. The man who called the plays for Gonzalez that season is now pressing buttons for Davis. Jimmy Raye was the Kansas City Chiefs offensive coordinator from 1998-2000. How does Raye view the clash of the tight ends? "There are some similarities,'' he said Thursday. "I think Vernon, if he continues to progress and play the way he has played, I think he can develop into an upper-echelon player at that"
Davis' landmark game
September 28
San Francisco Chronicle
 
"On the occasion of his 43rd game in the NFL, tight end Vernon Davis had the most productive game of his career. In Sunday's crushing 27-24 loss to Minnesota, Davis tied his career high in receptions with seven and extended his best yardage total in a single game to 96. He also achieved a career-high with two touchdown catches, on 5- and 20-yard receptions. "Vernon's come a long way and he's doing a good job for us," quarterback Shaun Hill said. "You can see the work he put in in the offseason starting to pay off. He's a good weapon to have. He's very athletic, very strong. He's a playmaker." Davis, who is not shy in talking about Vernon Davis, agreed that this was his best game yet, but"