Vernon Davis, San Francisco 49ers
Vernon Davis
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Perhaps no player in the entire 2006 NFL Draft class had bigger expectations only to follow it up with bigger disappointments than tight end Vernon Davis. To be fair though, it wasn’t his fault that injuries marred an impressive start to his rookie campaign.
Davis was selected sixth overall in the first round by the San Francisco 49ers. After signing a five-year, $23 million contract (including $15.2 million in guaranteed money), Davis quickly showed why he was such a high selection after catching five passes for 37 yards and one touchdown in a Week 1 performance against the Cardinals.
After his sparklingly debut, Davis quickly fell to a rash of injuries in the ensuing weeks that limited him to only 10 games. Hip and calf injuries, as well as a cracked bone in his leg, sidetracked a promising start to his career. He did bounce back to record at least one catch in each of his final six games and even added two more touchdowns to give him three on the season.
Much like his rookie season, Davis once again was ransacked by injuries in his second year. He did finish with 52 receptions for 509 yards and four touchdowns, but the Niners struggled mightly on offense.
Davis runs a 4.38 40 and has a 42 inch vertical jump, which is incredible for a tight end his size. He even out benched New York Jets’ offensive tackle D’Brickashaw Ferguson at the ‘06 NFL Scouting Combine, performing 33 reps of 225 pounds compared to Ferguson’s 26.
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Career
San Francisco 49ers Official Player Bio: Vernon Davis
The San Francisco 49ers official website offers personal and career highlights as well as stats and photos on Davis.
NFL.com Player Bio: Vernon Davis
NFL.com offers all of Davis’s season and career stats as well as a brief bio.
Rotoworld Player Page: Vernon Davis
Rotoworld.com has some of the best fantasy reporting and advice on the web. Click on the “Previous News” tab to get current and past information on Vernon Davis for your fantasy football team.
Vernon Davis Wikipedia Page
Find a comprehensive background on Vernon Davis’s life and football career at Wikipedia.com.
“Vernon Davis’ Story”
Check out an inspirational video clip and an inside look at Vernon Davis’s life from having a troubled childhood to the top football recruit for the University of Maryland.
Latest on Davis:
Much like his rookie season, Davis once again was ransacked by injuries in his second year. He did finish with 52 receptions for 509 yards and four touchdowns, but the Niners struggled mightly on offense.
News and Commentary
Niners QB Smith has big target in TE Davis
Entering the 2007 season, all eyes are on 49ers quarterback Alex Smith and his new go-to guy, Vernon Davis.
Niners' Davis ready for breakout year - if he keeps his cool
Even though he's proven to be a small headache to them, there's no question Vernon Davis' teammates believe he's ready for a breakout second season in the NFL.
49ers expecting big things from Davis in Year Two
After a disappointing, injury-riddled rookie campaign, the 49ers are expecting big things from tight end Vernon Davis heading into his second year.
Davis latest to break TE mold
Vernon Davis steps right in line with athletic stars like Tony Gonzalez and Antonio Gates. Find out why scouts value tight ends such as Davis more and more every year.
Vernon Says
On what he enjoys more, recieving or run blocking:
"I take pride in each and every one of them, but what I love to do is get my hands on that ball."
On who he compares himself to in the NFL:
"I guess I pattern myself after Gates, but I plan on being better than him once I get to the NFL. I tend to go beyond my position and look at wide receivers like T.O."
On being passionate:
|"In high school, everything I did, I was passionate about it. In college, I just took it to a whole new level, especially playing with Shawne Merriman. He's just as passionate as I am. It was me and him, every day, every snap, just getting after it. When you've got a guy on your team who's competitive, you're going to stand up beside him and show him you can do the same thing."