Anthony Davis smiled today as he recalled a moment when his talent and preparation collided.
And Green Bay sack master Clay Matthews felt the impact.
Based on his pregame film study, Davis, the Niners 21-year-old rookie right tackle, said he was ready for one of Matthews’ patented moves early in San Francisco’s 34-16 loss to the Packers.
“I’d been watching Clay and he did this move around the corner
where he did a spin move,” Davis said. “All the games before he played
me, he did the spin. And he did it against me and I caught him in the
middle of it.”
One play. A small moment.
But the 6-foot-5, 323-pound Davis, the 11th overall pick in the draft,
was relaying it to illustrate how he’s matured during a rookie season
filled with growing pains and, recently, examples of unquestioned
growth.
Two weeks ago, Davis silenced Arizona’s Darnell Dockett and was part of
an offensive line that was awarded a game ball after the Niners
collected 261 rushing yards. Last week, he held Matthews, the NFL’s sack
leader with 11.5, without a sack, just the fourth time this season the
Packers linebacker hasn’t dropped a quarterback.
Tight end Vernon Davis, who often lines up alongside the rookie, has noticed Davis’ maturation — on and off the field.
“His attitude,” Davis said. “The way he approaches the game. He’s become
more of a professional. Coach has been trying put in his head to
dominate everyone he lines up in front of. He’s getting it. He’s come a
long way.”
Mike Singletary termed Davis’ performance against Green Bay as “excellent.”
“I think at some point in time that light’s going to go on,” Singletary
said. “And I just think that’s basically what happened. You do so many
things and the muscle memory kicks in, your understanding kicks in and,
lo and behold, you’re getting it and it’s automatic instead of you
having to think through everything.”
Davis acknowledged he’s studying more. As a result, he says he even knows what many of his teammates are doing on a given play.
And, most importantly, he knows what the guy lining up across might be doing.
“The more you watch film — it’s like you cheated,” Davis said. “It’s like ‘I’ve seen that.’ That’s how it feels.”
• It was impossible to avoid the comparison this week when Pete Carroll
mentioned how easily running back Marshawn Lynch has transitioned into
the Seahawks offense.
Lynch was acquired in a trade with the Bills on Oct. 6 — 51 days after
Brian Westbrook was signed by the 49ers. Westbrook, famously, had five
carries in the first 10 games. Offensive coordinator Mike Johnson said
the complexity of the Niners blitz-protection schemes was a major reason
Westbrook’s role was so limited.
Carroll was asked about Lynch’s ability to pick up protection schemes in Seattle.
“It has not been a difficulty at all,” Carroll said. “He’s a very bright
football player, gets it, studies very hard, that really hasn’t been an
issue at all. We like (running backs) Justin Forsett and Leon
Washington in roles as well so we roll our guys through, but Marshawn
has never had a problem learning anything. In the first week we were
careful with him, in the second week we were kind of growing with him.
From that point on, we haven’t hesitated at all.”
On Thursday, Carroll’s comments were relayed to Johnson. It was
mentioned that Westbrook’s situation appeared far different. He was
asked if it was a fair comparison.
“Every team is different, I don’t know what they do from their
protection standpoint, they may have five protections and we have 15,”
Johnson said. “So I can’t answer that question because I don’t know what
they do, and Westbrook’s playing now. So that’s all I can say is he’s
in the game now, he’s playing. I can’t go back and look at the times
where we had Frank Gore, so I’m going to go from here and move forward.”
• NT Aubrayo Franklin (groin) is questionable for Sunday’s game. He took part in his first full practice today, but it appears as if he will be a game-time decision.
• CB Will James, who has missed three games with a concussion, is
doubtful. James declined to discuss his injury today in the locker
room.James suffered his concussion on the opening kickoff against St.
Louis on Nov. 14.
• RB DeShawn Wynn (ankle) is doubtful and CB Nate Clements (knee) and LB
Parys Haralson (ankle) are questionable. T Anthony Davis (back), WR
Josh Morgan (shoulder), CB Shawntae Spencer (quadricep), LB Takeo Spikes
(ankle), TE Delanie Walker (ankle) and Westbrook (not injury related)
are probable.
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