SANTA CLARA — Two Mondays ago, the morning after the big comeback win in Philly, Frank Gore and Vernon Davis walked into the locker room at the same time, roughly 10:30. Vernon Davis was wearing a towel, and Frank Gore was wearing a 49ers sweat suit. Their lockers are on opposite corners of the room.
The reporters all walked over to Gore’s locker first to interview the star running back. He’d had a big game and he had clothes on, so our decision was pretty easy.
As the crowd formed around Gore at his locker, Davis walked across the room in his towel, slid through the reporters, leaned over to Gore and whispered something in his ear. Unless he had something urgent to tell him, it seemed like Vernon Davis was interrupting Gore’s interview and giving reporters one last chance to choose him over Gore. No one chose him.
Davis walked back to his locker and none of the reporters followed him. So he changed quickly and left, and he didn’t make himself available to talk again until Friday.
Cut to Friday afternoon. Vernon Davis decided he wanted to talk so he walked to the center of the locker room in a towel and waited for the crowd to form. Once the cameras were on and the reporters were ready, he started answering questions in his sincere, earnest style. He looks the questioner in the eye. He furrows his brow as he searches for an answer. He’s a gentleman, or he’s portraying a gentleman.
A few feet behind the crowd, safety Reggie Smith stood and mimicked Vernon Davis. He moved his mouth silently like a mime and put the same serious expression on his face. This made Frank Gore giggle.
Next thing you knew, Frank Gore eased into the crowd like a reporter, like he had a question to ask. Vernon Davis saw him enter the crowd and he stuttered nervously, but then he kept talking.
Davis finished answering a question and looked right at Gore as if to say, “Can I help you?”
Gore smiled, cocked his head to the side and said to Davis, “That’s your serious face, huh?”
The entire team burst into laughter. Apparently, all the 49ers were watching the interaction, and it meant something for them for Gore to get one over on Davis.
Davis smiled and blushed, and then he said to the media, “Frank Gore, Michael Crabtree. Those guys come around every so often and mess with me.” He was trying to demonstrate that he was still in control and he had not been embarrassed.
Gore walked back to his locker pleased with himself, and someone asked Davis about the improvement of Alex Smith. Davis started talking about how he’d always believed in his quarterback, when suddenly Frank Gore shouted out from his locker, “Just pass the ball to 85 and we’ll win!”
Again, all the 49ers laughed, and again Vernon Davis blushed, but this time he didn’t have a comeback. He gulped and finished the interview.
Gee, do you think there’s a locker-room competition for top dog of the offense?
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That’s a funny interaction, but more importantly, I can’t tell the difference between you and your father’s writing. I don’t know if that’s a good thing or a bad thing, but at least you both paint a very clear picture of events.
Honestly that might have been better than anything pops ever wrote.
Victory is good. Now lets make those Lions purrrrr.
CAN I GET A HOT DAWG!!?!?!!
Good one! That commercial always cracks me up when he says that.
these tidbits are the best things you write, Grant. absolutely love them. and I love the healthy combination of competition and camaraderie in the locker room. that’s a good football atmosphere, when players have each other’s backs, but also want to be better than each other.
Very interesting read, Grant. But it left me wondering about the tenor of the comments. Did you sense any real animosity there, or was it all in fun?
not that I was there, but if everyone was laughing i’d have to think it’s in all fun. especially with those two, two of the most selfless players on the team.
I actually think it’s pretty cool for Grant to include stuff like this. It gives us little pictures of what it’s like in the locker room. These guys are enjoying themselves and growing as a family. Very difficult to do with so many big egos in the room.
Good stuff, Grant!
Great stuff Grant!
It is funny because V.D. does look like he’s trying to portray an image sometimes in interviews. It’s not in a bad way, it’s just that you can tell he is very focused on how he wants to be perceived. He was so honest and undiplomatic earlier in his career (I’m sure he still is behind the scenes) that it is kind of funny to see him doing interviews sometimes. My stepson and I were fortunate to have the chance to meet him in the players parking lot after a preseason game, and he is one of the nicest guys you could ever meet. He talked with us, took pictures and wished us the best. You could tell he really liked kids, and he was just a great guy. He will be a great ambassador for the league and 49ers long after his playing days are done.
Great story Big P. Vernon’s a good guy!
Love these side stories where we could get an insight to what cameras dont see.
Sounds to me like whoever wrote this is trying to stir up some Drama….lets hope this moron isn’t right about the Top dog competition, hopefully Vernon and Frank are just pranksters.
really, Grant’s a moron? tactful. it was a great story, and I’m glad he shared it with us. Every locker room has competition, that’s football. JH has preached it. This makes it seem like healthy, playful, selfless competition, which is good.
Haha, welcome Carlos and don’t let the door hit you on the ___ on the way out as you’re banned. Bye bye now. :P
Some real smart folks around here.
What we need here is a more robust blog app. WordPress just doesn’t cut it. Need to be able to have an ignore function so that we can just read those posters we want to follow and block out the rest of the jibberish. A stricter sign-up and a better ban function would be nice, too. Tired of all this foolishness already.
The other blogs have been ruined already because of all this nastiness – this one is on the way. I think I know why: The Chron posted a bio on Eric. As soon as the ummm… “unpleasant folk” (don’t want to effect some thin skins here who read ‘Nazi world domination’ in to the bible – so unpleasant isn’t too hurtful, I hope)… where was I? Oh yeah, so as soon as they posted that, the less-than-whatever-folks saw that he came from here and they journeyed on over to share their viral unpleasantness. Added to some existing unpleasantness and there ya have it! The beginning of the septic blog.
Stick to football, people. Good grief, it’s not hard. Your mommas taught you some manners (well… considering the condition of the country these days, maybe not). But if she did, now is the time to dust them off and use them. Capiche?
@Carlos
I don’t think you are seeing the point.
This years Niners team is loose and having fun. Compare that to last year, where they are uptight and playing scared.
In the end, the only people who matter in the story are VD and FG. If they are both ok with it, then we should be as well.
I propose a truce fellas. You’ll never read the term “Smithers” from me on this blog again. If you do, I will discontinue my participation on this site. And no, I won’t come back in another name. Let’s see if we can all manage to put our differences aside and join together as Niner fans.
That means no more name calling or veiled insults from me or anyone else. Any one who does it should be called to the carpet and banned odors even possible. I want to apologize to anyone I’ve offended in the past. It won’t happen again. If it does, I will personally excuse myself from this blog.
Ladies and gentlemen, our common thread is this team. I think it is safe to say that we are all diehard Niner fans. I know I am. I enjoy each and every one of you and I do believe that we all contribute to this wonderful blog in one way or another. Let’s find a way to keep it fun by policing ourselves and everyone else. Obviously, it starts with each of us individually. I’ve given my word. Hopefully, you all can do the same.
Let’s try and fight for our team and not each other. This year looks to be a special one. I no longer want to fight with my fellow fans. I’ve got bigger fish to fry. Like the Lions, Ravens, Giants and the hated Pittsburg Steelers! To my Niner faithful, Hofer, DS, all the Adams, Houston49er, Rocket, Claude, Ribico, Bay, NinerMd, 49erGirl, Bray, Andrew,Sean, Johnny Cristo, AES, FDM, Steelmatic, Crabs 15, Bay, Rusty,BigP, EB, John, 5niner, Niner 61, Rick, 55 Niner, Big Niner, Dangle, NickRow, Phil 4-6, Dad Gum, Paddy, Hov, tkamb, Crapsville, Jg Windsor, Ed Luva, Red and Gold and even you One Niner. I appreciate your contributions to this blog. My wife hates every one of you, for the time I spend here with you all and with our Niners.( Yes, she is the only hater in my house. ) Good or bad, I appreciate you all. Not let’s go beat them damn Lions like we have the last 7 times in a row!
huh….what face is that…ur apologetic wimpy face
and are those names in some kind of pecking order
winning is the best deodorant
For the record
I have always posted under my name and nobody else.
Three guesses as to who logged in as me at the last post:
1. b
2. a
3. y
4. all the above
(Sorry for the double post)
Are you positive? Could have been anyone, really.
Only The Shadow knows! Muahahahahaha! Evil laugh, right there :P
Just me, proving a point. ;)
Anyone can pretty much impersonate anyone else on this thing. Can’t say for sure who is doing it.
@Jg
In reverse order of guys and girls I appreciate the most! Haha
@dangle,
Yes sir, nice fragrance!
Yeah I’ll believe it when I see it. As soon as the 49ers go thru a rough patch in their season you will be calling out Alex and all the “Smithers” once again. Your the one who came up with that name in the first place.
Look jordo, don’t ask for a truce or ask that we all get along after the fact, the proof is in your comments, don’t tell me, show me!
Does this mean there was a time where you actually wished to fight with fellow fans?? lol. Seriously glad to see someone trying to diffuse the bad vibes that can take over this place!
Cheers!
Thanks FDM!
@ D Clark,
To answer your question honestly, yes sir! Lol.
@23Jordan,
You can start by calling out my impersonator on this thread. I want to see you go after them. Write something that tells me that you now want to change; directed towards the person impersonating me. Call Grant’s attention and ask him what we can do.
Until you do, the truce rings hollow. Bay gets to do what he wants an awful lot without you putting him in his place. If you ever call bay to owe up to his responsibilities for what he has done, caused others to write in retaliation and demand that he stops or you will not read/reply to his posts, then I will reconsider my choice to not read/reply to you.
For what it’s worth at this point, I meant everything I said in that post where I feel I defended you. You are a fun one to debate with, but not if you have bay working right beside you doing all the dirty work.
And if you check out the times on the last thread, bay sure looks like suspect #1 for what was written. We were writing to one another at that time.
DSwhatever,
I thought you were going to stop mentioning me in your posts. Stop means stop. You are like a child that needs to be reminded over and over about the same thing. Quit with your tantrum and talk football. You can I can ignore eachother.
It’s sad enough that this week spelled the end of “Are you ready for some football” lol. Now I have to deal with you repeatedly.
Lets get along or not talk at all. But not talking at all means not mentioning my name every other post like you have a grade school crush.
“Don’t mention me, dont respond to my comments, ignore my comments, wah, wha, wha,wah wha !!!
How old are you?
Just talk football and if people reply to you with a little distasteful feedback, get over it!
23jordan: I sure hope all the truly “onboard Niner Fans” take your words to heart. This is so much nicer a place to hang and communicate when we keep it about the team and just football. Scary thought looking to Lions and beyond: hope most of you caught very recent CSNBayArea feature of Coach and Delanie. Coach said they “held back on some things” in the Bucs game, and Delanie followed by adding that they, “….. haven’t dented their playbook yet.” Can you just imagine what that means? What it implies? How can any team “game plan” for this team when every game plan is actually “created” just for that opponent. Our new center said, on the same show, that he’d never seen that kind of use of so many O Line personnel. Wow! Go Niners!
23J, good stuff! My wife talks smack when I’m in here too. I respond with “what’s your deal?”
IBay, DS,
Come on guys, shut it down. Let’s debate about the team, not this other garbage. It’s really silly for both of you guys to keep this up. I’m sure everyone would agree that you both need to knock it off and just drop it. Come on fellas.
@crabs?
Classic bro, I gotta drop one of those on mine. However, I like my dinner hot! Lol
But I want him banned for wanting me banned. lol. Sorry couldn’t resist that. I’ve wanted to move on now for a while. No problem here.
I wish everyone on this blog could watch this Niner vs Lion game in the same venue. A Sportsbar somewhere. That would be classic!! a bunch of diehards in the same room. The perfect scenario would be the 50 yard line , 15 rows up behind the Lion bench. I’m certain we’d come together then. 69,000 Lion fans against us. We’d certainly have to remove the ban on name calling then. We’d eat the Lion fans alive!!! That would be great!!
@Bay,
You are actually the first one to call for me to be banned.
I told you. Stop reading my posts. If you don’t read them, then you won’t know if I bring up your name, will you. And chances are, if the person above mentioned your name, that I will too. Maybe if you were a lot nicer, other people wouldn’t bring your name up so often in a negative way, then I wouldn’t either. If you see my post, skip the entire thing. That is what I have been doing with your posts.
You said multiple times that you will not post messages to me. But you have. You need to keep your word. I have. If you wanted to move on all this time, you could not have done a worse job. DON’T READ ANYTHING THAT I WRITE.
@Phil 4-6,
I truly believe that.I said last game that I was amazed at the play calling. I was guessing at what they were going to do all game. It was a good feeling to see the Bucs as frustrated as they were. They were getting their hats handed to them.
I believe Delaney. The playbook has gotten more and more expansive every week. I can’t wait for Sunday.
Jordan,
how do you think they are going to attack the Lions on offense? Who gets the task of guarding Megatron?
DS, Bay,
A truce is really a truce fellas. You guys are making my efforts ring hollow. You guys are intelligent human beings. I sence that Bay was joking about you being banned DS.
I may need to set up a cage match for you guys. PAC Bell park on the infield! Lol Last man standing. I vote that you both be banned for an hour, just to cool off!!! Lol
I was joking. Back to football. Who guards Megatron? Spencer? Who did we have on him when we played the lions last? I don’t remember.
@bay,
I told Crabs15 this morning. Crabtree is going to have his best day as a Niner. he will be featured Sunday. 2 TD’s and close to 100 yards receiving. Eric wright is weak. He is their weak link on defense. Cowboys went at him all day with a rookie unrestricted free agent and killed him. We’ll go at Houston with a double move from Ginn. Houston bites on those like Clements. He’s a ball hawk, or wants to be. Their linebackers are not good. Carpenter is starting for them. Dallas gave him to Detroit and he was a # 2 pick I believe. Gotta run that sprint draw and the quick traps with hunter. Screen them with Gore. Alex has to step up into the pocket. The middle of the field is their weakness. That wide nine is designed to keep Alex in the pocket. I’d like to think we can run Gore up some of those big gaps that defense is vulnerable to. I have no question that we can run on them.
Did you see sounds Fx on NFL channel from the Philly game? On a play in the 2nd quarter when Davis gave up t he 3rd sack to Babin, alex gets up and screams “BLOCK!”, emphatically to Davis and the other lineman. I was in shock! Smith is a new dude bro!
Sorry DS, that was me. Just the triangle head guy under your post.
Just realized that the name ‘stuck’ in the second post – I went to lunch, didn’t even notice it.
Just making a point that anyone can pretty much try to impersonate anyone else on here – that’s why this blog needs better technology.
@bay
i think harbaugh knows that one on one we don’t have the personnel to guard Johnson out of the game, so i bet he is tracking down film from every and any game that megatron didn’t do well in, and from that will try and create a scheme to minimalize his impact, but personally i think that the key is Pass Rush, the Lions don’t run the ball well, they will pass a lot on Sunday, if we can get to stafford we should win the game. Here’s hoping Aldon and Ahmad, and Justin of course can put Stafford on his arse all day long!!, funny tho thinking about it Patrick hasn’t been doing a lot of pass rushing as yet, you think that might have been a smokescreen from the coaches over the off season??
@ Bay,
We have to double team Megatron everywhere. Even to the toilet. I dont want to see him out jump my DB’s. What’s up with Spencer? These nagging leg injuries are destroying his season. He’s been getting playing time but he’s still not starting over Brown. Culliver looks better than Brown right now. Brown has been getting beat down lately. I need Goldson to hit Megatrons ribs when he gets up for a high ball! Gotta put Rogers on him if not Spencer. He’s the best we have right now. He has to have help from Whitner.
If we don’t pressure Stafford we lose. Any decent pressure, he will throw 2 picks. We have to catch them though.
23jordan@2:04PM
Great read! Hope your analysis plays out on Sunday–it would be a beautiful thing.
@Adam
In the back of my mind I wondered if it was you. You like that :P (sorry can you please tell me what that is supposed to be? I don’t know.)
Also “Only The Shadow knows! Muahahahahaha! Evil laugh, right there” line is one that you have used before.
But, I wasn’t angry so much about those fake posts that you made. The other post on the last discussion, that was maddening. And if that is written by somebody who claims that they want a truce (or somebody who signs onto it) the truce means nothing to me.
It was more of a test to see how far 23Jordan would go in holding up his end of the bargain.
P.S. I agree with you about the security thing. If people are allowed to use the same names as others, that needs to be corrected PRONTO. That can really screw things up between people.
Justasmalltownboy,
Book that kid. I’ll say it first. Lions are overrated. They should be 3-2. Romo laid down for them. I thoughthe had money on the Lions. Minnesota had them 20-3 and McNabb starts bouncing the ball all around the field. Both teams were running the ball on the Lions well! For some reason, they decide to throw the ball around. Feeding right into Detroit’s pass rush.
The lions rotate 9 D lineman all game. The wear offensive linemen down come 4th quarter. Especially if you keep throwing the ball against them. What I love about us is that we will try to maul them late and make them back up instead of trying to get upfield. We need to use our linemen the same way. That’s why I’m happy we use Snyder the way we do and get Chilo involved in the running game.
The only thing I worry about is Anthony Davis and the false starts! watch the ball Anthony!!!!
:P = sort of a tongue thing. So sort of “tongue-in-cheek” humor, if you will. If I put that in there, it’s a jokey kind of thing. ;)
Sorry man, didn’t mean to hijack your train of thought – thought my second post cleared it up – didn’t realize the name stuck, thought for sure I cleared the cache, guess not.
Thanks for the definition Adam. A long time mystery for me is now resolved!
Sounds good to me Jordan. I’ve never understood why people were fighting over how good Smith was when the team is winning. Like Jordan said, let’s put our energy into hating the opponent, not fellow Niner fans.
It’s going to be tough to beat the Lions in their building, but this team is playing well so they definitely have a chance to do it. The Oline has to be at the top of their game. If they aren’t the Niners have no chance. On D, we have to put two people on Megatron the entire game and hope that Willis and Bowman can cover the seam routes to the TE. Most importantly, they have to get in Staffords face consistently. Do these things and they’ll come out of there with a win.
@Crabs
“23J, good stuff! My wife talks smack when I’m in here too. I respond with “what’s your deal?”
LOL! I’m at work and a couple people were walking by my office and looked at me funny when I started laughing (for no apparent reason..).
Gee grant, you and your dad seem to have a real knack for blowing things out of proportion. I bet if you quit doing that, Harbaugh might actually talk to you guys. Grant- if you want to make it in this business you gotta develop a certain trust with the people you write about. Vernon and Frank are brothers…besides, a little intra-team competition makes everybody work harder.
huh?
only weirdness i got out of this article was that VD was sort of prancing maybe hoping his towel would slip off or something….
otherwise pretty funny gore’s jib
Yeah, cozying up to those you interview (in order for them to ‘like’ you so that you get an interview) is how you end up in a police state, too.
Do what you do, Grant.
I don’t get what did Grant do here?
Please explain it to me Mitch.
@everybody
“I don’t get what did Grant do here?
Please explain it to me Mitch.”
See, that is how I think we should start a reply. I didn’t call Mitch a moron or stupid or use any language that escalates the post. I simply asked him to explain himself in greater detail because I don’t understand.
Hopefully if Mitch responds, he will keep the conversation civil. That way, we can disagree (or agree depending on his answer) and still all get along.
Love it Grant! Thanks a bunch.
Need to go work on my serious face.
How in the heck do you guys not see how this Cohn is trying to make something out of nothing?…. He is trying to showcase the negative egocentric want to be the top dog that every man shares, to stir up drama to write about. The way this article ends makes it seem as if Gore Rely put Vernon is his place. I don’t like that at all, it goes against what Harbs has been building since he took over. I hope im wrong but that’s the way it appears to me.
that’s right grant…you are going to be responsible for the demise of this team….stop it
j/k
I think you’re over-reacting. Just a weeeeeeee bit, maybe? :P
Gore trying to keep Davis’ ego in check with some humor isn’t a big deal.
Calling the writer a moron isn’t a great way to get your point across – especially lately. We’re all tired of it. Not a great way to stick around here either, if that’s your intention. The writer has the delete button. ;)
For everyone asking what the “tone” was of these little jabs going back and forth, I can assure you it’s all in fun and games. Vernon and Frank are good friends and have exchanged friendly knocks on one another for years. I remember both of them being interviewed at some Madden game thing a while back and a reporter mentioned that the upcoming season was being touted as Davis’ breakout season (this was in 08 or so). Gore jumped in and responded “man they’ve been saying that for the past two years”. Both started laughing with each other.
Stuff like this shows that these guys are FINALLY having fun during the season. LOVE IT!
i remember that too, now. good memory!
That’s funny as hell, Steve. Thanks for the story!
Im not worried about Sticking around,Im merely Expressing my perception of this article in a fired up way…lol. I dont like this article one bit.
The idea that what Gore and VD showed in the locker room in front of reporters is somehow relevant is ridiculous. If you miked that locker room right after they left, I’m sure you’d hear something real and probably hilarious. What happens behind closed doors is far more important. Clearly these guys are on the same wavelength, why else would they be taking turns calling the other team quitters :)
I can’t help but wonder how this article would have been received if the niners were 1-4 right now, would have been a touch different i bet!
I’m with those who say that the locker room banter was all in good humour, these guys have been playing together a long time now, if they didn’t like each other we would probably know by now.
Grant, please don’t stop putting out this type of article, they are really good insights into a side of football we just don’t see anywhere else.
Cheers!
Grant- is there any way to see video of this? I’d love to watch the interaction.
grant i bet you wished that towel came off
Jordan…. I’m with you, anyone on here can agree to disagree without the name calling. Just because I think jerry rice is the best football player in history, doesn’t make me an idiot, moron, piece of crap, or any other slur, just because someone else thinks joe Montana is. This whole comment section is about how each of us feel. We don’t have to agree. Some of us see smith as a failure until this year, and some of us see him as a hero since day 1, circa 2005. Now neither party is right or wrong but both parties have their own OPINION. The only thing we can all say that’s 100%, is that we love our niners. From there in cali, to here in the south, even to other countries. (What up Andrew). So let’s debate, let’s debate hard, let’s agree and disagree. But for fans sake, let’s leave name calling alone. Because as the saying foes, opinions are like buttholes, everybody has one…… Go niners
I’m with you bro. I’m with you. I think we’re all good now. At least I am.
why dont you guys take your like or dislike stuff to Facebook? Most of us come here to read or football
HEAR, HEAR…!!!
Amen bro
It’s like some 5th grade girls picnic
Very nice article Grant. I want X’s and O’s, but I’ll take the personality stories too! I have to say as well, I’ve been following the 49er beat reporters’ websites for several years now (since good ol’ Denny G!), and you’re doing a very fine job. You’re not afraid to speak your mind, which is refreshing. Keep it up.
PS. If the O-line shows up (I need to see more than 1.5 games to feel comfortable), the Niners will absolutely smack Detroit around. Our front 7 is turning into a dominant, dominant force. Justin Smith is the best 3-4 end in the league, and has been one of (if not the) most underrated players in the league over the last 3 years. Easily an all-pro each year.
“If the O-line shows up (I need to see more than 1.5 games to feel comfortable), the Niners will absolutely smack Detroit around.”
If the OL shows up in all the games the rest of the year, including any playoff teams, we will spank every team around. Our Defense is by far the best one among all the “elite” teams.
Green Bay, New Orleans, Philly (if you still call them elite)…they all have defenses that are no where near as good as ours. Those teams might have better QB’s, but their defenses have been able to play with a lead, so they know what is coming.
Against us, they won’t have any 20+ point leads. Their D will have to play fair, and their weaknesses will be exposed a lot more than they have been so far. Most of the elite teams are very weak against the run; which is JH specialty.
Plus, our special teams are playing lights out every game. Some here complain that our offense does not get the yards that others do; well, a good part of that is because Ginn is returning punts 10+ yards more often than not. That makes a big difference. We have the best punter in the NFC at least to get us out of a tight spot when we are backed up into our endzone.
It all hangs on the OL, and maybe the secondary to continue to gel. We have enough playmakers to make a run at anybody’s Defense on our offense. We have the best linebacker tandem in the league, and possibly the defensive rookie of the year in Aldon Smith. And, oh yeah, that guy with no shoulder pads…Justin Smith, my personal favorite. How Atlanta chose to get rid of the guy, I will never know. They sure could have used him last week.