Vernon burnin' to play

0 Comments | Oakland Tribune, Jul 29, 2006 | by Roger Phillips, STAFF WRITER

SANTA CLARA -- Vernon Davis' phone rang shortly after 5 Friday morning, and the news was very good.

The San Francisco 49ers had a contract offer for their top draft choice that would get him on the field a few hours later, in time for the opening practice of training camp.

This was exactly how the talented tight end from Maryland had hoped the situation would play out. Davis had made it clear to agent Ethan Lock that there would no time lost to protracted haggling.

"I wasn't going to hold out for 10 days," said Davis, chosen sixth in the NFL Draft. "I wasn't going to allow (Lock) to do that. Two days is too long. I just told him he had to get it done. He's working for me. I'm not working for him. He's got to do what I tell him to do."

To be sure, the 49ers gave Davis good reason to put pen to contract. According to ESPN, the 6-foot-3, 253-pound Davis instantly became the NFL's highest-paid tight end when he signed a five-year contract that is worth more than $23 million and could ultimately pay him close to $25 million.

"He's accomplished so much already," coach Mike Nolan said of Davis' payday. "After the season, we can look at the bang for the buck."

Davis' signing came roughly 12 hours after 22nd overall pick Manny Lawson signed a five-year contract reportedly worth $8,515,000 with the 49ers. Lawson said his first purchase will be a place to live, but in spite of the huge payday, the linebacker from North Carolina clearly is aghast at the Bay Area's cost of living.

"I'm from Goldsboro, N.C., the country," Lawson said, referring to his hometown, which has a population of about 40,000. "I went looking for houses here. I found a townhouse for $800,000. Do you know what I can do with $800,000 back in North Carolina?"

No, what?

"I could buy Goldsboro, I think," he said.

By signing when he did, Lawson was able to attend some of the 49ers' meetings Thursday night.

Both Lawson and Davis were on the field in time for both practices Friday, each spending some of his time with his respective starting unit.

"It's the beginning of practice," Lawson said. "I wouldn't say I can judge myself now. Let us get into training camp more, and then maybe I can tell you where I can see myself."

But various 49ers already are gushing about what Davis will bring to the offense, which was ranked last in the NFL last season.

Davis ran a stunning 4.38-second, 40-yard dash at the NFL's pre- draft scouting combine, and his rare combination of size and speed is expected to provide a major challenge for opposing defenses.

"I feel like I can bring another weapon, a threat, a guy that has the ability to make plays game after game," Davis said.

Left tackle Jonas Jennings added, "He's a guy you've got to account for. He can get vertical very fast. Vernon is definitely one of those guys (opponents will) look at when looking at what defense to put on the field."

According to Nolan, the arrival of Davis, Lawson and several others has created competition for jobs that did not exist at training camp last year.

Davis, for instance, has been penciled onto the depth chart ahead of veteran Eric Johnson, who missed last season with a foot injury but caught 82 passes in 2004.

"What I like about this year is that there's more competition this year that's real," Nolan said. "This year, I'd like to think positions will be won by the best player, however young or old he is."

Nolan cited the quarterback position as one where the roster has been greatly improved. Last year, he said, Tim Rattay won the starting job in large part because he was the team's only quarterback with any experience.

When Rattay was traded early last season, the job was left to first overall draft choice Alex Smith and two other young and inexperienced players, Ken Dorsey and Cody Pickett.

Smith is the only one left from last year's quarterback group, backed up by veterans Trent Dilfer, Shaun Hill and Jesse Palmer. Nolan stressed that Smith is the clear starter, but he believes the 22-year-old youngster will benefit greatly from the proximity to Dilfer.

"It pushes you," Smith said of Dilfer's presence. "You need that to get better."

If Smith has a breakthrough year, though, Davis' addition may prove to be the biggest reason.

"The one thing he does bring is that attitude," Smith said. "A lot of the guys they keep bringing in here have it. It's nice. It's refreshing. They kind of have a chip on their shoulder. They want to prove something, and they want to be great. They're going to push this team."