National Football League Blogcast, NFL Blogcast

On his blog today, San Francisco 49ers tight end Vernon Davis posted a response to the stern verbal reprimand he received from his new head coach, Mike Singeltary, after Sunday’s game against the Seattle Seahawks:

“I spoke to Coach Singletary today. We talked briefly. I didn’t really say much to him, I pretty much just listened to what he had to say. I saw the point he was trying to make as far as on the field. He pretty much told me I’ve got to be aware of what’s going on, on the field. If someone says something to me, I can’t let it bother me. I have got to be bigger than that. I agree. I shouldn’t have retaliated after the guy said what he said. I should have just moved on and tried to be the bigger man.

“One thing about me, when I get heated, I just want to be to myself. I didn’t really hear Coach Singletary call me on sideline. I didn’t really hear him calling me at the time. I was just in another world because I had everybody else saying something to me. I didn’t really hear anybody else talking. I didn’t say anything to coach. I pretty much just listened to Coach Singletary said when he approached me. He told me to sit down and I sat down, and he told me to go inside and I went inside.

“I was asked today by the media if Coach Singletary and I could work together. Yeah, I believe we can make it work. Coach Singletary, he’s a coach that really wants to win. He’s excited and this is his first time having a big job like this so he has to get comfortable, and we have to get comfortable with each other, I think he’s going to do a good job.

“I know that I’m a team guy. My teammates know it. I love my teammates, I love the coaches. I think that they’re doing a good job around here, and I would never do anything to hurt my teammates or put them in any kind of trouble. Coach Singletary always preaches we have to stay together and he’s right, team first. It’s about the team, it ain’t about me, it ain’t about the coaches, it ain’t about individuals. It’s about the team. When you’re playing this game, especially where we’re at right now. We’re at a point right now where we need to come out of a hole. It’s tough. We really have to be a team at this point and depend on each other.”

Coach Singletary added that Vernon was “not a problem guy” but sometimes “forgets that the team is more important.” I’ll reiterate what I said in my post Sunday. Vernon’s a good guy. He knows what’s up. And he’ll learn from this. Even though I’m sure the whole incident was an embarrassing situation for him, he’ll be a better player and person for it. In all honesty, these two need each other. Coach Singletary needs the kind of out-of-this-world potential Vernon brings. And Vernon could use the discipline and coaching. As I believe coach Singeltary will become one of the best head coaches in the game, I think Vernon will eventually evolve into one of the best tight ends in football.

Source: Yardbarker.com, The Mercury News, Photo: Newscom

Post from: Every Morning Quarterback

Vernon Davis: ‘I’m a Team Guy’

National Football League Blogcast, NFL Blogcast

After a 34-13 loss to the Seattle Seahawks this afternoon, new San Francisco 49ers head coach Mike Singletary blasted tight end Vernon Davis (and sent him to the locker room early after an unsportsmanlike conduct penalty) — and addressed (emphatically) the need for players who are “solution oriented” in their approach to fixing the many problems of this once-proud franchise:

“Vernon … it’s something I told everyone at the beginning of the week. I will not tolerate players that think it’s about them and not the team. We cannot make decisions that cost the team, and then come off the sidelines and it’s nonchalant. No. This is how I believe. I’m from the old school. I believe this. I would rather play with 10 people and just get penalized all the way until we have to do something else. Rather than play with 11, when I know that right now, that person is not sold out to be part of this team. It’s more about them, than it is the team. You can not play with them. You can not win with them. You can not coach with them. Can’t do it. I want winners. I want people who want to win ….. I told him he’d do a better job for us right now taking a shower and coming back and watching the game than going out on the field, simple as that.”

Now, in defense of Vernon, the unsportsmanlike conduct penalty was a joke. I don’t know what he said — it looked like there was some jawing — but he just brushed the facemask of Seahawks safety Brian Russell. It was barely a swipe. But that’s not the point. I know a bit about Vernon. I’ve interviewed him. He’s a good guy. And I don’t believe he’s a selfish player. Some people have said that he talks a better game than he plays, but I wouldn’t go that far. I will step out and say I think he’s been somewhat of an underachiever because he has the ability to be one of the best tight ends in football. I don’t know whether it’s been because of his surroundings or his supporting cast or whatever you want to call it. But the guy is better than the numbers he has put up in his short career thus far (not that they’ve been terrible numbers). I do think Vernon probably needs to get some bad habits out of his system which may or may not include an attitude adjustment. And Coach Singeltary will help him there. If Vernon’s open to it. Which I believe he is. You didn’t see Vernon jawing with his coach over the incident. He took the punishment like a man and was respectful about it. And even though I’m sure it was an embarrassing situation for him, he’ll be a better player and person for it.

Coach Singeltary comes from “the old school,” as he said in his postgame presser. What he’s doing from the start — from his start, if you will — is setting a standard for this 49ers team. He’s letting them know, in no uncertain terms, what he expects and what it will take to be a championship caliber team. The Niners are not there right now. But with Coach Singeltary’s guidance, I believe they will be sooner than later. I think Mike Singletary will be a great head coach in the National Football League.

Sources: 49ers.com, ESPN.com, Photo: Newscom

Post from: Every Morning Quarterback

Mike Singletary Blasts Vernon Davis

Blogcasting the National Football League, Blogcasting the NFL

This offseason in San Francisco has offered a lot of hope for 49ers fans, but a big question mark remains at the quarterback position where Alex Smith, Shaun Hill and J.T. O’Sullivan are battling for the starting spot. With OTAs and minicamps complete, it looks like Alex is finally proving why the Niners took him #1 overall in the 2005 NFL Draft. Head coach Mike Nolan said:

“(I’m seeing Alex) do things that I haven’t seen him do before, in practice or in games. Alex is very athletic. He probably has the strongest arm of all the guys. He’s really intelligent. Now he’s got to go in there and put in four quarters and move the ball consistently and make plays he should make.”

Coach Nolan isn’t tipping his hand as to who his favorite quarterback is just yet, but it’s pretty clear that Alex has the early advantage. With newcomers like Isaac Bruce, Bryant Johnson and DeShaun Foster on-board as a supporting cast (not to mention Frank Gore, Vernon Davis and new OC Mike Martz), any of the three QBs will have a greater chance for success than ever before. Certainly, we’re not talking about the second coming of Joe Montana or Steve Young here, but Alex Smith is poised for a breakout season.

Source: San Francisco Chronicle, Photo: Newscom

Post from: Every Morning Quarterback

Alex Smith Taking Charge in San Francisco

Blogcasting the National Football League, Blogcasting the NFL

In Arizona, wide receiver Bryant Johnson was the team’s third option behind Larry Fitzgerald and Anquan Boldin. In free agency, he was seeking to become any other team’s second receiver. And he accomplished just that today by signing a one-year deal with the San Francisco 49ers where he’ll most likely start opposite Isaac Bruce. Add do-it-all RB (and leading receiver) Frank Gore plus receivers Darrell Jackson, Ashley Lelie and Arnaz Battle to the mix, and the 49ers have a ton of offensive potential. Of course, the key word here is potential. Darrell and Ashley were disappointments in ‘07, but Arnaz (who might just “battle” for one of the top two spots) more than held his own with 50 catches for 600 yards and five TDs.

So, the 49ers haven’t exactly assembled a dream team of available free agents, but they sure have upgraded last year’s promising roster. I spoke with TE Vernon Davis just a couple weeks ago and he was excited about the offensive improvements at that point — new OC Mike Martz, Isaac, RB DeShaun Foster and OL Justin Smiley. I think the Niners have met their wide receiver needs (they also have speedy Jason Hill who was hurt for much of last season) and can now focus on other positions in the Draft — unless, of course, they get a tremendous opportunity with the 29th pick in the first round.

I think the most interesting part of this upcoming season for San Francisco will be the quarterback competition between Alex Smith and Shaun Hill. Alex was drafted to be the face of this team, but he’s in serious danger of losing his starting spot without being injured in the process. In fact, my money is on Shaun Hill coming into camp ready to lead this team. Last season Shaun completed almost 70% of his passes in three games. He had five TDs with only one INT and a 101.3 quarterback rating. He’ll be entering his seventh NFL season (with NFL Europe experience) and could be primed for a breakout season with the additional weapons around him.

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Bryant Johnson Agrees to Terms With 49ers

Blogcasting the National Football League, Blogcasting the NFL

Vernon Davis is covered with tattoos and muscle. He looks like a professional bodybuilder. So he fit right in at the site of our interview, the 2008 Arnold Sports Festival Expo. With his shirt off at 6′3″ and 252 pounds, it’s pretty obvious he’s carrying single digit bodyfat. That’s why Under Armour has him wrapped in chains dragging heavy tires around in their commercials. He looks like some kind of sculpture.

Vernon also plays football for the San Francisco 49ers, owners of a colossally disappointing 5-11 record last season after being hyped as a team to watch in ‘07. I even predicted they would make the playoffs. Nevertheless, they finished at or close to the bottom of the NFL in nearly every offensive and defensive statistical category. Amidst the turmoil that was a forgettable 2007 campaign, tight end Vernon Davis emerged as the star the Niners thought he could be when they drafted him with the sixth overall pick out of the University of Maryland in 2006. Vernon more than doubled his rookie season totals catching 52 passes for 509 yards and four touchdowns. “I’m a lot more comfortable with the NFL now,” Vernon revealed. “I feel like I’m a veteran now. I know the game. I know what to expect. I know what I should do. And I know that I’ve gotta be accountable and step up and make plays when my number’s called.”

Yet somehow I feel Vernon has only scratched the surface of what he’s capable of. The future is his and the future is exactly where his focus is. Vernon and the 49ers have forgotten last season. “We’ve already put 2007 behind us,” he said confidently. “We’ve already made some nice moves picking up Isaac Bruce and DeShaun Foster. Now we’re just trying to get things rolling. We’re trying to get things together, get to the playoffs and make it to the Super Bowl.”

So much for short-term goals, but such is life in the NFL. Every season begins with hope and every team has a shot at being the best, including the Niners. San Francisco already boasts a talented core with two quality QBs (Alex Smith and Shaun Hill), a Pro Bowl-caliber RB (Frank Gore) and a bunch of good defensive players led by Patrick Willis and Nate Clements. Incoming are a slew of free agent acquisitions (namely the aforementioned DeShaun Foster and Isaac Bruce, as well as Allen Rossum and Justin Smith) that are primed to turn things around. Plus, new O-coordinator Mike Martz brings his wide-open offensive philosophy to the Bay area. “In this system, you have so much flexibility within the numbers that you can be creative with a guy like Vernon Davis,” Coach Martz told the San Francisco Bee in January.

Vernon is entirely ready for the changes and is hoping to contribute even more in 2008. “I’m excited about the new guys,” he said, “but I’m also excited to get more involved in the passing game as I think I should be. I’m ready to help this team win as much as I can. Coach Martz called me when he first got the job and said how he was also excited to get things moving.”

That process begins now and for Vernon, it begins in the weight room. While it might appear that Vernon’s physical prowess is simply good genetics, the truth is he works his tail off all year to stay in the best shape he can. But Vernon’s workout program changes from in-season to off-season. “When I’m not playing football, I lift harder but I don’t run as much as I do during the season,” he explained. “Then I’ll take two days out of the week to focus on my skills — catching the football and things like that.”

Fueling his physique as a member of Team EAS, there are certain products Vernon’s got to have in his nutritional arsenal. “I don’t think I can live without the Myoplex® shakes or Muscle Armor™ because both of them are vital to my health,” he said. “I feel I need those to not only get ahead on the football field but also to get ahead in life.”

Visit Vernon online at his official MySpace site or his Team EAS page.

Post from: Every Morning Quarterback

EMQB Interview: Vernon Davis

The Arnold Sports Festival is the world’s largest multi-sport fitness weekend — a three-day fitness free-for-all with 37 events and 12 Olympic sports. This weekend, more than 150,000 sports fans witnessed 17,000 athletes competing in a wide range of sports — from the 20th anniversary of the Arnold Classic professional bodybuilding competition to archery, boxing, cycling, fencing, gymnastics, judo, running, table tennis, tae kwon do, weightlifting, wrestling, and wu shu. That’s a lot of sports. I don’t even know what wu shu is.

As usual, a mega-popular three-day Fitness EXPO anchored the fest with 650 fitness-related booths and ongoing stage entertainment. Among that entertainment and appearing at the “EAS Experience” were NFL players Vernon Davis (TE, San Francisco 49ers); Ronnie Brown (RB, Miami Dolphins); Larry Fitzgerald (WR, Arizona Cardinals); and Matt Hasselbeck (QB, Seattle Seahawks). I had a chance to speak with Vernon, Ronnie and Larry before their public appearances yesterday. Matt was ready to interview with me when host Arnold Schwarzenegger happened by the booth and that’s when I lost Matt. So, I’m blaming Arnold for messing up my interview with Matt Hasselbeck.

Post from: Every Morning Quarterback

NFL Players Appear at Arnold Sports Festival

Blogging the National Football League, Blogging the NFL

Along with enjoying the Super Bowl game each year, I have to admit I also look forward to checking out the commercials. I’m a commercial guy. I like ads. It’s all about making money. I get it. But the past couple years have been rather disappointing in this area. I found myself saying, “Is that the best they could do?”

One company that should help put an end to that during Super Bowl XLII is Under Armour. You’ve probably already seen “The New Prototype” teaser commercials with San Francisco 49ers TE Vernon Davis. “The New Prototype” is an all-purpose exercise shoe that’s due to hit stores May 3. The full-length, 60-second spot will make its debut during the Patriots/Giants game, striking a more serious tone as opposed to the typically humorous Super Bowl commercials. It’s built like a one-minute movie. And you can look forward to these highlights:

• Heavy on the CGI — “Under Armour City” is the setting from a CGI team that worked on the movies 300 and The Matrix. Nice.
• Features over 25 professional athletes from pro football, baseball, NASCAR, winter sports, tennis, softball and golf. Just as Under Armour appeals to all athletes, so does this commercial.
• Directed by Ericson Core of Invincible and The Fast and the Furious fame.

The commercial will refer viewers to a web site to pre-order the shoes and make recommendations on what model of shoe to choose based on an individual’s sport needs.

Under Armour continues down their road to total world domination because they’re simply good at what they do. They make top quality products that are built to last. Making a top-notch Super Bowl commercial just makes sense.

Post from: Every Morning Quarterback

Under Armour to Unveil ‘The New Prototype’ During First-Ever Super Bowl Commercial

Blogging the National Football League, Blogging the NFL

If you go to any stadium in the NFL, you will notice fans enjoying a pre-game meal in the parking lot. Tailgating is part of the whole NFL experience, but fans are not the only ones who enjoy their food before kickoff. Many NFL players — like San Francisco’s Vernon Davis — have special pregame eating habits that don’t vary. Here are a few examples:

• Vernon Davis, 49ers – baked chicken, broccoli and cheese, spaghetti
• Matt Bryant, Bucs – chocolate malt milkshake
• Jonas Jennings, 49ers – turkey club sandwich with no bacon
• Igor Olshansky, Chargers – fruit (watermelon, grapes, and cantelope), wheat pasta with marinara sauce, garlic and basil, and chicken
• Aaron Smith, Steelers – plain hamburger and pasta
• Marvel Smith, Steelers – chicken pasta
• Max Starks, Steelers – Shark Bites Fruit Snacks
• Terrell Suggs, Ravens – scrambled eggs with cheese in the morning and steak and pasta in the afternoon
• Brian Urlacher, Bears – two chocolate chip cookies
• Bryant Young, 49ers – oatmeal or anything with a lot of carbs

Post from: Every Morning Quarterback

Pigskin Petrol: Food For Performance

San Francisco 49ers TE Vernon Davis is on the cover of the September 2007 Muscle & Fitness magazine (”Freak of Nature” by Joe Wuebben). I look forward to this particular “beginning of football season” issue because they always feature an NFL player to start each season and list their annual M&F NFL Strength Team. The 11-page article is loaded with exclusive photos and reveals Vernon’s workout regimen (spearheaded by 49ers strength coach Johnny Parker) and his nutrition and supplementation plan (as directed by Athletes Performance in Tempe, AZ). It’s on newsstands now.

Post from: Every Morning Quarterback

Vernon Davis in Muscle & Fitness Magazine