Vernon Davis was on the receiving end of the biggest pass of Alex Smith’s career on Saturday, which is fitting. Davis was drafted in the first round of 2006, with the sixth overall pick, to provide a weapon for Smith, who was drafted in the first round of 2005. It’s been a rocky road for both men, but with a new coaching staff this year, the team is winning and both men are getting the recognition they deserve.
Davis is a big supporter of Smith, and stood by him during one of his lowest moments. When then-head coach Mike Singletary was ripping into Smith on the sideline in 2010, Davis intervened to defend Smith. That says a lot about Davis’ character and loyalty, something he hasn’t always gotten credit for.
Singletary also famously benched Davis during Singletary’s first game as a head coach, and gave the famous post game rant about Davis, saying, “I will not tolerate players who think it’s about them when it’s about the team.”
“I would rather play with 10 people and just get penalized all the way… rather than play with 11 when I know that, right now, that person is not sold out to be a part of this team.”
It’s been a long road of redemption for Davis, but Saturday showed how far he has come.
Davis always had talent, there was never a question about that. His ability to produce as a receiver was questioned when he started out. He was playing for a struggling franchise with defensive-minded head coaches, and suffered from the same problem that plagued Smith – seven different offensive coordinators in seven years – a new offense every season.
But Davis worked hard to improve his pass catching ability, staying late after every practice to catch extra balls, to better leverage his legendary physical talents. At 6-foot-3, 254 pounds, and running a 4.38 40-yard-dash, Davis is a rare combination that is hard to cover. As his hands and route running improved, he became a prime target for the 49ers. In 2009, he set a record for touchdown receptions by a tight end with 13. In 2009 and 2010, he exceeded 900 yards each season.
Finally, this year, with new head coach Jim Harbaugh leading the way, the team made its first playoff appearance in 10 years, and the first of Davis’ career. And when Drew Brees and the Saints started hitting their stride late in the game, the 49ers found themselves in a shootout. While no one thought the 49ers had the tools to win a shootout with Brees and the high flying Saints, Smith turned to the most reliable weapon in the 49ers passing game and got the ball to Davis.
Davis rallied the offense at halftime, and then responded himself with the best game of his career, on the biggest stage. He had 7 receptions for 180 yards and 2 touchdowns. He set a record for most receiving yards by a tight end in a post-season game, and his 180 yards is second in franchise post-season history to Jerry Rice’s legendary 215 yard Super Bowl performance.
“Really happy for Vernon,” Smith said. “Even at halftime, got in here at halftime and got a little emotional with us on offense and got after us a little bit.”
Emotion clearly drives Davis. After he caught the game winning touchdown with 9 seconds left in the game, he ran to the sidelines with tears running down his face and hugged coach Harbaugh. Asked what triggered his emotional response after the game winner, Davis responded, “All the work we had put in up to this point.”
“That game was an emotional roller coaster. It was very stressful. It was stressful for me and my teammates, so once I scored, I just let it all out.”
As to the other core members of the team, Davis was nothing but complimentary. “Coach Harbaugh, he’s a special coach,” Davis said. “He’s a family member, and we’d do anything for him.”
And about his quarterback, Alex Smith, who has had so many doubters over the years, Davis was asked if the biggest difference was that the current coaching staff believes in Smith. He responded, “It’s not just the coaching staff that believes in Alex, it’s all of us. The whole team. We all got his back.”
Loyalty. It can be hard to come by, but one of the core traits that Davis has exhibited throughout his career. And it’s good to see he and the 49ers being rewarded for that with some hard won playoff success.
Davis’ interview after the game is included below:
