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**gruntbygod** · 08-10-2007, 10:39 AM

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I had been wondering about Davis’s penchant for showboating and trash-talking after reading several different reports from the first week of camp indicating that he has the loudest mouth on the team. I was pondering the implications of a 2nd year player who hasn’t really accomplished much (he’s better known for his “click clack” commercials and his combine scores than his play on the field) being the biggest talker on the team. Then I saw the reports yesterday that Davis and Larry Allen got into a fight during Saturday’s scrimmage. Yes – LARRY ALLEN – the 340 pound sure-thing 1st ballot Hall of Famer behemoth. Now I’m REALLY wondering about the implications of Davis’s big mouth. Nolan and company downplayed the incident, as they should, but to me this is a really big deal. It’s much more than just a fight – it calls into serious question Davis’s judgment and ability to temper his big mouth when necessary. And it has me wondering, could Vernon Davis be the next Terrell Owens? Since so far the only similarities are the loud mouth, the big ego and the proclivity for talking trash and dropping passes, that actually doesn’t seem like such a bad thing right now. If he’s going to give us all the downside, at least give us all the TDs, yards and receptions.

When asked earlier in the week about all of Davis’s trash-talking so far in camp, Nolan downplayed it and made the comparison to his great Ravens’ D that had 11 guys you couldn’t shut up. But he did throw out two qualifiers. First, he mentioned the player had to “back it up.” Then he said they need to “be smart about when and where they do it.” Even before Saturday, Davis had done neither in his career. He’s got a ton of talent, but 20 catches and 3 touchdowns last year? I think Tony Gonzalez and Antonio Gates have come close to those number in one game. Eric Johnson was more productive in ’06 than Davis. I know he missed 6 games due to injury, but that’s just another thing he needs to prove he can do – play a full season. And in terms of being smart about when and where he does it, I seem to remember a certain game against Seattle last year when he picked up a 15 yard personal foul for excessive celebrating after one of his rare touchdown grabs, putting the 49ers’ slim 3-point lead in serious jeopardy. So all his jawing in training camp definitely raised some red flags. And all this in the face of the League cracking down on taunting and excessive celebrating this year. But all that was before Saturday…

I wasn’t there and didn’t see the fight, but after reading several reports it seems as though after the first-team offense couldn’t score on their first drive against the second-team defense, Allen and Davis started jawing as they were jogging off the field. Before anyone could blink, Allen and Davis had to be physically separated from going after each other on the sideline. One of the funniest parts of this story to me was who held back each player. A few players had to restrain Davis from trying to get at Allen. But since of course no mortal could possibly restrain the superhuman strength of Allen, the 49ers had to look to a higher power, calling on team chaplain Earl Smith to restrain Allen. I can only assume he called in a few favors from the Big Man Upstairs to get Allen under control. Now I don’t know what caused the fight but I can only assume that Allen got sick of hearing all of Davis’s talk and told him with some choice words to shut up or back it up. Pure speculation, but I could easily see that happening.

I’m not sure what the most stupid aspect of Davis going after Allen was. Was it a 2nd year player going after 14-year veteran? Was it someone with no resume going after a sure bet to be a first ballot Hall of Famer? Was it a tight end, albeit a very strong one, going after the man widely considered to be the strongest man in the NFL? Or was it an offensive player going after another offensive player? Regarding that last one, veteran 49er beat writer Matt Maiocco wrote that he could only recall one other instance of two offensive players fighting each other in camp. And you guessed it, TO was one of the combatants.

Bottom line, Larry Allen was literally the last player on the team with whom Davis should have been fighting. Combined with his previous “body of work” this incident is very concerning to me as a 49er fan. The guy clearly lacks the most basic judgment you would expect from an NFL player. Like Owens, Davis has so far shown that he consistently puts his own ego before what’s best for the team. Actually, I’m not giving Owens enough credit here. He didn’t turn into a diva until he had actually put up a few seasons of huge numbers. Davis seems to feel no need to wait until he actually does something.

You might say I’m being too hard on Davis and that I should give him some time to learn what he can and can’t do. You might be right. Davis certainly has plenty of time to get his head together and he certainly has the talent to put up those huge numbers. And who knows, maybe this whole thing was all Larry Allen’s fault. I just hope that if I’m going to have to compare Vernon Davis with Terrell Owens again that Davis can compete on more than just ego, mouth, and questionable hands.

Will Vernon Davis Be the Next TO (Minus All the TDs and Receptions)? - 49er Huddle - San Francisco 49ers blog from the San Jose Mercury News

**RoyWilliams** · 08-10-2007, 10:45 AM

I wish i had more info on what went on with Larry Allen, hes not a dude to mess with, even if you are a freak like Davis.

**ball in the baskett** · 08-10-2007, 10:45 AM

i dident know he was that kind of player

**Professor** · 08-10-2007, 01:33 PM

I think it is just talk

**RoyWilliams** · 08-10-2007, 01:49 PM

Coach Nolan has told him to tone it down and get some control.

**Professor** · 08-10-2007, 02:02 PM

you think those words weren't anywhere else around a league of 2000+ giants this preseason, I'm a wait and see with this one

**UCFNoleFan** · 08-10-2007, 02:18 PM

At least we know Davis won't be a sissy if he is fighting with one of the strongest guys in the league.

**Serrated Shadow** · 08-11-2007, 01:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by UCFNoleFan

At least we know Davis won't be a sissy if he is fighting with one of the strongest guys in the league.

Dude looks like he could tear you in half with a phone book.

Aundre · 08-11-2007, 10:40 AM

I think he'll be the best TE in the league in 3-4 seasons.... I never heard about ego or attitude problems going into the draft which you know they'd highlight and talk about with him being a top 10 pick and all so Im not worried

**BeastJacobs** · 08-11-2007, 02:26 PM

He's gettin' kind of cocky, but messing with Larry Allen, not good. Damn dude that sucks, broke his leg his rookie season. Vernon Davis vs. Jeremy Shockey in a fight, Shockey wins, maybe not because Vernon is black and his first name is Vernon.

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