The San Francisco 49ers looked at their 13-3 record last season and realized they had a Super Bowl caliber defense, but the offense needed help. They brought back all 11 starters on their top ranked defense, and added some key pieces on offense, and so far Pro Bowl tight end Vernon Davis likes what he is seeing on the field.
They kept their core in place, including an offensive line that was becoming more and more dominant and brought back veteran quarterback Alex Smith, who had a breakout year last year. And then they added veteran talent including Randy Moss, Mario Manningham and Brandon Jacobs, plus top draft pick A.J. Jenkins.
Davis and Smith have been through some tough years together, but the two have developed a great chemistry on the field, connecting for key plays in last year’s playoffs, the first playoff games for both men.
“I love it,” Davis said to 49ers.com about his relationship with Smith. “I expect it to get even better. I want to capitalize on what we had in the playoffs. I want to be there for Alex and I expect the rest of the receiving core to be there as well.”
Davis is also excited about the new additions to the offense. He described Manningham as a “playmaker” and added, “He’s a big asset to our team.”
And he was equally flattering to Jacobs, who came over from the Giants along with Manningham. “He can really get it done,” Davis said. “If you watch highlights of him in the playoffs and heading into the Super Bowl, he did some wonderful things. I’m very happy to have him a part of our family.”
As for Randy Moss – both Davis and Moss have had their controversial and fiery moments at times in their careers, but so far Moss has earned Davis’ respect as they have started working together.
“Randy Moss,” said Davis, “he’s not just a player, he’s a coach.”
“We were out there today and he was coaching me up on some things,” Davis said. “And I’ll take it; I’ll take him up on it because he’s been in the game a lot longer than me.
“I’m more than happy to have Randy Moss on the team.”
Maybe both men have come a long way. Moss seems to have matured while not losing much of his freakish athletic ability. Davis went from being singled out by then-head coach Mike Singletary for not being a team player to being eminently coachable (even by Moss) and one of the top players in the game.
Davis was recently voted in as number 43 on the top 100 players in the NFL, a huge jump up from number 88 last season. But even in this honor, he is taking a team first attitude. “It’s nice,” Davis said. “But I’m more excited about my teammates being on the list.” He is joined by NaVorro Bowman, Carlos Rogers and Joe Staley on the list, so far. (The list is revealed in pieces, so the players above him haven’t been revealed yet. Patrick Willis is unquestionably going to be on the list as well, potentially in the top 10 this year.)
If the 49ers new offensive pieces can mesh, and if Alex Smith can build on the success he had last season, the sky is the limit for this team and the goal is two more wins than last season – the NFC Championship game and the Super Bowl. Smith goes into this season surrounded with new weapons and, for the first time in his career, with the same offense and offensive coordinator as the previous year.
Davis likes their chances. “We have a lot to be excited about around here. We’re winning, but we have to keep our focus, stay on the right track and don’t forget what it took last year to get where we were. We can’t forget that.”
