Will the real Vernon Davis please stand up? (1 Viewer)

[fiddystorms]

Whats the real story, did Vernon Davis learn Jim Harbaughs offense and explode at the end of the year when he finally did get it, or Was Jim Harbaugh protecting Alex Smith by keeping Vernon Davis in to block for him which is what I heard all season long last year while suffering through less than pedestrian production from him?

 

[DawnBTVS]

The fact with Davis is that while he represents elite athleticism as a receiver, he also is one of the better pure blocking TEs in the NFL. As a coach, it'd be as much a hindrance (to play calling alone) to have him run routes on 80% of the plays he is in for.

He's also never been a prolific YPR receiver (His 16.3 in 2010 is looking more like an anomaly) and his 11.8 last season is more in line with his career. With that said, he actually had more catches than in 2010.

I wouldn't be that surprised if he winds up with 750-825 yard seasons as a norm now, especially since SF has added more weapons on the outside and at RB (with Kendall Hunter and LaMichael James).

 

[Coeur de Lion]

Great all around player, but over-rated as a fantasy TE. As mentioned, he's a stud blocker, and his team is built around the running game.

 

[Black&Gold]

Great all around player, but over-rated as a fantasy TE. As mentioned, he's a stud blocker, and his team is built around the running game.

 

[efactor]

Great all around player, but over-rated as a fantasy TE. As mentioned, he's a stud blocker, and his team is built around the running game.

Similar to Jason Whitten in the red zone. Being too good of a pure football player hurts his fantasy value. Whitten should have double digit TDs every year with his size and hands and the way Dallas throws from in close, but he stays in to pass protect.Anyway, back on topic, I think Davis gets utilized more this year. With better options on the outside, the short stuff should open up. Anyone who watched SF last year knew that the short passing game suffered due to the lack of a downfield threat on the outside. Gore only caught 16 passes as he was blanketed on virtually every route.I can see a 1000 yard, 10 TD reception season for Davis this year despite the new mouths to feed. While they won't be considered a "passing offense", I think they open it up this year. Wouldn't be surprised to see Smith end up with between 3500-3800 yards passing.

 

[_worm_]

I just checked his stats to see if he was any more productive when Delanie Walker was out for the last 6 games, but there wasn't a noticeable difference. I wonder if they'll run significantly fewer 2 TE sets now since getting more help at WR. That aside, I think Davis' stats will be similar to last season.

 

[TheFanatic]

I agree that the vertical passing game should open up the underneath stuff and allow VD to break out into patterns more as the extra defender stays out in pass coverage rather than blitzing....

I see better numbers than last year, but think 1,000 yards is optimistic.

 

[whatadai]

I agree that the vertical passing game should open up the underneath stuff and allow VD to break out into patterns more as the extra defender stays out in pass coverage rather than blitzing....I see better numbers than last year, but think 1,000 yards is optimistic.

Whoa calm down there...you're alluding to the existence of a vertical passing game in SF...with what QB?

 

[griff321]

If he can carry over what he did in the playoffs then he could be in the mix for the best fantasy TE in the league. Gronk is one of the best blocking TEs I've ever seen and it certainly didn't slow him down.

 

[Black&Gold]

If he can carry over what he did in the playoffs then he could be in the mix for the best fantasy TE in the league. Gronk is one of the best blocking TEs I've ever seen and it certainly didn't slow him down.

The problem with this is that the 49ers are going to run the ball and the clock when they can. With their defence and new weapons on offense, this should be most of the time. In the playoffs, the 49ers were keeping up with some very prolific offenses and needed to open it up a bit. That won't be the case most regular season games.

 

[Willie Mays Hayes]

It boils down to targets for Vernon Davis, little else. In 2009 when he had a great year, he averaged 8 targets per game. Over the past couple of years, Alex Smith has only been looking at him about 6 times per matchup. Hopefully the playoffs reminded Harbaugh what an involved Vernon Davis can do with the middle of the field and seam routes. I look for him to have a year more inline with 2009 where he was the #1 TE. I still think Graham and Gronk are 1/2 but think Davis finishes 3rd with a smaller scoring gap than most believe.

 

[Shutout]

I think it is almost a certainty that he ends up with a top season because I think he has gotten to the point to where both he and his coaches have learned the best way to utilize him and they both see the benefit of doing so.

Davis is also the type of TE who can take a short catch and turn it into much more. he has the speed, size, and strength to make that happen. As a result, i expect a solid number of 40+ YAC catches this year and his fantasy production to reflect it. So Smith can chuck it 9 yards...Vernon will get the other 40.