RADIO
In a week, and season, plagued by injuries, good news has also traveled to locker rooms.
All-Pro tight end, Vernon Davis, is now a Denver Bronco. Davis has left a dismal offense, traded from the San Fransisco 49ers, the only other jersey he has worn in his 10-year stint in the NFL, and will now be playing alongside quarterback, Peyton Manning; an assignment warranting a scream of joy louder than Peyton bellows "Omaha!" on an audible. But if you picked him up off waivers, don't hooray just yet, fantasy owners, there is work to be done.
After an impressive campaign in 2013 where Davis caught 13 touchdown passes, the veteran tight end has appeared to be on the decline. In 2014, Davis reeled in only 26 catches, the lowest since his rookie year in 2006. Although with a new team, playing alongside a quarterback who has favored tight ends in the past, on an undefeated offense boosted with an arsenal of weapons, Davis is more than capable of revitalizing an already noteworthy career. Just not yet. Not before he adjusts to a completely different system.
According to 9 News Denver, Davis has reservations of his own.
"I've never played with Peyton. I've never played in an offense like this before." Denver's offense has been a great one overshadowed by an even better defense, but an offense anybody would be excited to play on. "I don't know what's going to happen, but I know it's going to be damn good." Fantasy owners of Davis can only hope so.
Even Manning commented on the need for training wheels before letting Davis speed onto the field freely.
"His head is probably swirling a little bit trying to kind of figure out where his locker is and where the meeting rooms are, but he's been around," Although, Manning is as optimistic as Davis is. "We're going to try to catch him up to speed in as short an amount of time as possible and put him in a position to help us win some football games."
It would definitely be wise to scoop up Davis, on any fantasy lineup. If history is indicative of anything, expect Manning to favor Davis and get his new tight end in the game. In the past, the likes of Marcus Pollard, Dallas Clark, and Julius Thomas all prospered from Manning's ability to incorporate tight ends into his offensive attack. According to Yahoo! Sports, Davis will likely be on the field for 50% of plays this week against the Indianapolis Colts. He is a TE2, but monitoring his progress, Davis can be a TE1 with tremendous upside; an important asset and addition to any team in the latter part of the season.
