SANTA CLARA — More breaking news: The 49ers have signed guard 33-year-old guard Leonard Davis to a one-year contract.
Davis (6-6, 375 pounds) did not play a single snap last season, but he will compete with Alex Boone for the Niners starting right guard job in training camp.
Here’s what Davis said to reporters this afternoon:
Q: When you came to visit the 49ers in March, did you have an inkling this would happen?
LEONARD DAVIS: I was hoping it was going to happen. Right now I’m here and I’m glad to be a part of the team.
Q: Did you have time to fully recover from your foot surgery?
LEONARD DAVIS: I actually got released in April or May.
Q: Did the Niners give you a conditioning test?
LEONARD DAVIS: Yeah, I went out and ran with everyone else. It wasn’t too bad. I did the same as everyone else.
Q: Do you still feel like you can be a starter?
LEONARD DAVIS: Yeah, I feel like that. I felt like that last year.
Q: Have you talked with the coaches about your role on this team?
LEONARD DAVIS: No. I came in yesterday, came into the facility this morning and took a physical, passed it, got my equipment, signed the contract and came out here on the field.
Q: Do you feel more comfortable at left or right guard?
LEONARD DAVIS: Left is more comfortable but I’ve had success at right guard. It really doesn’t matter.
Q: Were you interested in the Niners because of their potential to be successful?
LEONARD DAVIS: That was a reason, but they feel like for me, they like to run the ball a lot and that fits my style. That’s better for me. Obviously, you’ve got to be able to good in all aspects of the game.
Q: What other teams did you visit with before you joined the Niners?
LEONARD DAVIS: This was the only team.
Q: Did you always have confidence you’d be in training camp?
LEONARD DAVIS: I’ve always had confidence. Where (I’d end up), I didn’t know. There was a period during OTAs and minicamps when guys were getting signed, and it got my hopes up that maybe a team would bring me in, but that didn’t happen, so I just kept training. I knew someone would give me a chance come training camp.
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Definetly a member of the Big Eaters Club, but good to have a vet around to tutor and support the trenches.
Iggs oughta see if he can hire L Davis to protect him from A Davis this year
I like this move. He can be a mentor to Boone and can slide in if Boone struggles. A good insurance policy for the OL.
That is exactly what he is. Experienced depth which the Niners don’t have anywhere on the Oline. If he starts it will be because he’s recaptured some of the ability he had with the Cowboys which is fine with me. Otherwise he is an experienced guy who won’t wilt under the pressure of having to play if necessary.
We’re the 49ers at the 90 man roster limit? If so, who got released?
The way the team is stacked almost any release this year is going to be painful.
Yes msc. They released David Gonzales, an UFA rookie o lineman to make room for Davis.
OL David Gonzales was released to make room for Leonard Davis.
Do you really look like that Euro dude in the picture? Just curious haha..
That’s a picture of me on vacation in Paris. It’s freaking cold there in the fall, scarf is necessary.
shocker! you mean a Super Bowl contender didnt want to go into camp with Boone and Kilgore – 2 guys who’ve never taken a regular season game snap at Guard – penciled in as the starter?!
may the best man with the position
Uh Ohhh. Someone wasnt doing well in the new position. Good solid signing. Just hope he stays healthy. Not a great pulling gaurd. That could be a small problem.
Majority of the pulling last year was done by Iupati anyway. I really like this move. Davis is an absolute monster in the run game. If Boone shows any sign of struggling then we have a back up plan. Much smarter than going into camp with two guards with no experience.
Good signing. I remember picking up another Olineman from the c-boys (Larry Allen) who proved to have something left in the tank.
This signing will light a fire under A.Boone and hopefully bring out the best in him. Also, I see this as a great opportunity for L.Davis to work his old butt into the starting lineup (lol). TC will be very interesting.
Wow I love this signing only because of the depth we have. This move does not hurt even if Davis is washed up. That would mean Boone/Kilgore won the job.
We are going to have to cut some good talent to get from 90-52.
We could be a dangerous team!
“We are going to have to cut some good talent to get from 90-52.”
Primer, it just isn’t your night is it? Do you know what is wrong with this sentence?
AES
Going by what little I know about Boone, I don’t think it is necessary to light a fire under him.
If anything, he needs to dampen the fire to keep it under control.
LOL.. to paraphrase:
Q. Why did you select the Niners?
A. Yeah yeah they just felt like a great fit..
Q. WHo else called?
A. N-O-B-O-D-Y
LOL Fabio! In the Harbaugh voice, Who wanted Davis other than us!?!?
NOOOBODY!!
If Boone, Kilgore, Slowey and Looney were all the 49ers said they were, why Leonard Davis?
I’m likely being a Nervous Nelly, and Boone and Co. are relatively fine. Overall I like the Leonard Davis signing. The following pluses come to mind:
- L.D. will add depth
- L.D. will add power to the short yardage game. He’s now in a system that uses his power in a way the Lions “Check-And-Duck” offense could not
- L.D.’s blitz reads are likely well ahead of Boone’s at this point.
- Teams have been blitzing the right and left “Chilo Gaps” for years.
Harbaugh ran alot of 6 O-linemen formations at Stanford. L.D. would be a valuable addition in the jumbo fronts.
- L.D. practiced against the Lions D-line. The 49ers play the Lions in week two.
Can’t wait for the season to start.
…
The front office does a lot of things right… But sometimes I really wonder if it’s just a hot streak by a bunch of clowns…
Whats wrong with this signing? All it does is add depth and experience. It would stupid of the coaches to only have Boone, Kilgore, Looney fighting for the spot. All guys with no playing experience. Now at least there is a guy who can show them the ropes
@Adam707
What is right about the signing:
What you wrote just about covers it.
What is wrong with it:
Didn’t Davis try to end PW’s career a few years ago when he ran full force towrds PW after the whistle blew and was going to kill him from behind if not for Nate Clements being aware and knocking him off the track, PW isn’t in the NFL today or last year.
From that moment on, I always liked NC especially. Even after his dimwit fumble against Atlanta which cost us the game. A favorable trade to keep PW healthy and here.
MosesZD,
You sound like a clown, yea their a split about AS but this team is headed in the right direction. Last time I checked Harbaugh was coach of the year and Baalke was GM of the year.
Fitzbob, when did you last check? I thought the Falcons Dimitroff won GM of the year?
Anyone verify?
Ted Thompson GB?
Neal is correct Primer.
http://www.profootballweekly.com/2012/01/17/49ers-baalke-named-executive-of-the-year
Jack the NFL Exec. of the year is truly voted by TE Sporting News, not Profootball Weekly. Stop following fantasy football, it’s clouding your thinking!
Pro Football Weekly is Baalke
Sporting News is Thompson
I hate Fantasy Football by the way : )
The NFL recognizes the writers of The Sporting News votes as its exclusive award for Exec. of the Year.
You love fantasy football, c’mon man!
Thanks for the clarification Primer. Fantasy football is for stat geeks.
Hack Jammer don’t forget the geeks who think the game can and should be dictated and won by the QB position!
“The upper limit of the offense is defined by the quarterback” – Bill Walsh.
That Walsh guy, he was such an idiot.
Wow Primate, you really are dumber than expected.
No Nickydoo, your the undisputed champion of dummy I have ever witnessed, nope tie, Neal and you neck and neck, but no brain after that. Whewwwwwww!!!!!!!!!!
Lemons 1982 called, they want their acid wash jeans back
“Lemons 1982 called, they want their acid wash jeans back”
So you’re implying that you know more about football than Bill Walsh? Pretty bold even for you Prime Crabtree.
msclemons67,
Sounds like you hit a nerve with that one, lol.
…nice job ….Prime Time on the clarification…..
This is getting very interesting and boy do I wish I could watch the competition that is about to ensue in this years Training Camp.
The competition at o-line, WR, and RB will be intense and I can’t wait for it.
375 lbs of beef!!!! Gore is going to hide behing him and Upati. lights out!!!
375 lbs of something……
I wouldn’t be surprised if he is lighter come the first game of the season. Even if that was all muscle, 375 lbs. still makes it hard to be quick off the snap.
Harbaugh’s comments on Leonard Davis:
Why did you sign Leonard Davis? “We had a great feel for him when he visited here. Just really happy we have him. He’s healthy. He’s available. We get him right here at the start of camp. I loved his comments yesterday, asked about competing and said he wouldn’t be here if he wasn’t here to compete. I thought that was spot on. I’m excited to see that unfold.”
Right guard for Leonard Davis to compete with Alex Boone? “Leonard’s told us and talked about being comfortable at either spot. That’s something that would be valuable for our team, to play both spots. He’s played more on the left. Being prepared to do both would be great for him and us.”
Was Davis’ health the reason you signed him now as opposed to in March? “… He’s healthy and ready to compete.”