San Francisco could be relying on Davis’ playmaking even more with Gore hurt

49ers need Davis to come up big again

SANTA CLARA, Calif. — Vernon Davis declared from Day 1 this season that he could be a key playmaker.

He vowed to have a big impact for the 49ers in new offensive coordinator Jimmy Raye’s system — as long as he was given the chance.

The veteran tight end known as much for his volatile nature as his lack of production during his first three NFL seasons is now getting those opportunities, finally emerging as the talented threat San Francisco selected with its top draft pick in 2006 at sixth overall.

He delivered with a career day in Sunday’s last-second loss at Minnesota, and the Niners could be calling his number even more this week against St. Louis with star running back Frank Gore sidelined by an ankle injury.

Davis is a captain and seems ready to change his image once and for all, through his behavior and letting his play do the talking. For starters, he ignores all the opponents who regularly taunt him.

“You can’t let nobody get under your skin,” Davis said Wednesday. “Because the minute you let them get under your skin is the minute you get weak.”

Davis, who has come a long way to earn a leadership role for coach Mike Singletary, matched his career best with seven catches against the Vikings and set career highs with 96 yards and two touchdown receptions.

He has already equaled his TD total from last season and his 14 catches are nearly halfway to the 31 he had in 2008.

“I can do a lot more than that,” Davis said. “I’m just scratching the surface right now. With opportunities, anything is possible.”

After Sunday’s 27-24 defeat, Singletary told Davis that very thing: The coach knows Davis has more to offer.

Raye, the 49ers’ seventh offensive coordinator in as many years, runs a tight-end friendly offense and always has. While in Kansas City, he kept All-Pro tight end Tony Gonzalez a main part of the Chiefs’ mix.

Davis has been targeted on 23 of 83 throws this season, 27.7 percent of San Francisco’s pass plays, compared to 49 of 509, or 9.6 percent, last season under former coordinator Mike Martz.

He’s as focused as ever, too.

“You ain’t got time for all that foolishness and all the craziness. You gotta go,” he said of his role. “You’ve got plays that are waiting for you and your teammates are waiting for you.”

Davis had TD catches of 5 and 20 yards Sunday, the last of which gave his team the lead in the fourth quarter.

Singletary won’t go as far as to call Davis’ day a “breakout” game, but praise from him is hard to come by. He acknowledges the improvement.

“I think what Vernon is capable of is a lot better but it was certainly a good game for him,” Singletary said. “It was taking another step. If you ask Vernon, Vernon wants the ball. And Vernon is going to make plays.”

Davis earned a reputation for fighting early in his career, even with teammates during training camp. He did it this year after saying such antics were behind him. Singletary sent him to the showers early during the coach’s debut last October against Seattle for the way Davis reacted to a personal foul penalty.

Davis considers growing up a big part of his success — and he largely credits Singletary in that process.

“I mean, you grow,” Davis said. “When you first come in here, you try to find yourself, whether it’s as a rookie, or your second year, third year. You’re trying to find yourself and you’re developing, not just as a player, but as a person. And when you develop as a person, you fine-tune yourself and you figure out that, ‘Hey, it’s not just about you, it’s about the team.”

Davis insists he won’t get too excited about his 2009 numbers unless the 49ers (2-1) keep winning. His teammates appreciate that newfound attitude.

The 25-year-old Davis was a Pro Bowl alternate last season after making 31 receptions for 358 yards and two touchdowns, with his catches ranking third on the team.

He scuffled with linebacker Marques Harris during camp this summer and everybody paid with sprints across the width of the field. Davis claimed afterward it wasn’t a fight, rather just an act of being competitive.

All of that seems so long ago considering how he’s doing lately. Quarterback Shaun Hill looks forward to throwing Davis’ way more often.

“He’s a guy I feel very comfortable with,” Hill said. “He can be a huge weapon for us and we’ll continue to hopefully use that. Some of these games, they’re trying to get under his skin and he’s just not allowing it at all. He’s walking away from stuff. He’s come a long way in that. As far as his playing ability, he’s developed some skills he didn’t have when he came in the league.”

When Davis was announced as one of the team’s six captains Sept. 11, Singletary said he “exemplified a lot of those qualities that you have to have in order to be a leader.”

Captain Vernon, who would have thought it?

“I definitely do see a change in Vernon,” running back Michael Robinson said. “You just have to use your best judgment and understand that you’re not above the world and things can happen to you. I think Vernon has matured tenfold and he’s doing a great job.”

NOTES: Singletary said both WRs Brandon Jones, coming back from a broken shoulder early in training camp, and Jason Hill could be active this week. … Singletary doesn’t believe practice squad RB Kory Sheets is ready for game action, even with Gore out and rookie Glen Coffee thrust into a starting role. “He’s still learning,” Singletary said. “We do not want to put him in a situation where he’s not ready to go.” … Also out this week will be S Reggie Smith, who has a groin injury. … G David Baas (ankle), CB Allen Rossum (illness), DE Justin Smith (not injury related), T Joe Staley (thigh) and LB Jeff Ulbrich (thigh) didn’t practice Wednesday.