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maybe Mrs. Doubtfire DOES use Davis


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Martz is'nt known for his use of TE's...but look at this-It's June, and Martz swoons over Davis' talent

 

 

 

By Matthew Barrows - mbarrows@sacbee.com

Published 12:06 am PDT Tuesday, June 24, 2008

Story appeared in SPORTS section, Page C5

 

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SANTA CLARA – When Vernon Davis watches film of Mike Martz's past offenses, he doesn't follow the tight end. He is told instead to watch receivers Isaac Bruce or Torry Holt streaking downfield.

 

And therein lies one of the biggest differences between Martz's St. Louis Rams offenses from early this decade and the one he is building in San Francisco. He'll still use four receivers to put pressure on defensive backs. Two of those receivers just might happen to be tight ends.

 

"I don't know if anyone in the league can run like he can at that position," Martz, the 49ers' first-year offensive coordinator, said of Davis. "He gets down the field so fast. I don't know who beats him in a footrace."

 

Martz said none of his offensive players worked harder this spring than Davis, who was on the field before practice started and hung around after it ended to hone his receiving skills.

 

Davis entered the NFL in 2006 very much the opposite of most young tight ends. He was a willing and able blocker who relished the opportunity to put an opposing linebacker on his back.

 

But sometimes that ability worked against him.

 

Davis caught a respectable 52 passes for 509 yards last season, but he disappeared from the passing game for long stretches because he was being used as a blocker.

 

"I would say I didn't have many opportunities to really showcase my talent," Davis said.

 

That shouldn't be an issue in Martz's offense. Davis said his biggest task this offseason has been polishing his pass routes. And he has used film of Bruce, Holt and other former Martz receivers as a model, signaling that the 49ers' tight end will run routes atypical for his position.

 

"Instead of breaking down and head-faking and doing all these things, we're going to use his speed," Martz said. "And I think he understands that really well at this point."

 

While Martz was familiar with Davis upon joining the 49ers, he said he has been pleasantly surprised by another 49ers tight end, Delanie Walker. A wide receiver in college, Walker always has shown quick hands and elusiveness after the catch in practice. But he has been lightly utilized in games.

 

Martz was so impressed with Walker during organized team activities (OTAs) that Martz has over the past two weeks installed new plays just for him.

 

"He has some real wow factor to him," Martz said. " … You talk about some jets and some ability to run and eat up the field. Holy cow. I didn't know anything about Delanie until I got here."

 

Having Davis and Walker in the game also will keep defenses guessing.

 

Davis in particular is one of the league's premier blocking tight ends, and that ability meshes well with what running back Frank Gore, the focal point of the offense, does best.

 

"He's such a violent, physical blocker," Martz said, noting that many modern tight ends are more finesse-oriented, content to simply keep defenders at bay. "Vernon will try to knock you out. He's such a pleasant blend of power and physical with speed.

 

"He's such an unusual player in that respect."

 

With that, Martz caught himself and said he realized everything out of his mouth had been a compliment. But in the afterglow of successful June practices, Martz said he can't help it.

 

"I can't hold down my enthusiasm," he said. "These guys are pretty special."

 

About the writer:

Read Matthew Barrows' 49ers blog at www.sacbee.com/blogs.

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