Will Bear Pascoe Allow Vernon Davis to Realize His Potential?

To this point, Vernon Davis' tenure in San Francisco has been a major disappointment.

The 49ers drafted the Maryland alumnus with the No. 6 pick in the 2006 NFL Draft, hoping that he would open up the offense. He was supposed to be like Brent Jones, only bigger, stronger, and faster.

So far, Davis has not lived up to the billing. After posting career highs in receptions (52), yards (509), and touchdowns (four) in 2007, his production slipped in 2008. He only caught 31 passes for 358 yards and two touchdowns last year.

In a blog by Matt Maiocco of the Santa Rosa Press-Democrat, the primary reason for Davis' dip in production was the way he was used in Mike Martz's system.

Instead of making a concerted effort to get the ball in Davis' hands—something Martz said he was intent on doing—Davis was used for pass protection. Maiocco wrote that Davis was only targeted 49 times last year.

The offense struggled to keep the quarterback upright, whether it was J.T. O'Sullivan or Shaun Hill. The 49ers allowed 55 sacks last year, and keeping Davis in to block proved to be a necessity.

One of the reasons Davis had to fill that role is because San Francisco didn't have a true blocking tight end on the roster.

But that has changed with the recent draft of Fresno State tight end Bear Pascoe.

At first, I didn't really understand the pick. The 49ers already had Davis and Delanie Walker, so adding another tight end to the mix seemed a little silly.

Then I read the scouting reports on Pascoe and realized that he is exactly what San Francisco needs, especially if the team wants to recommit itself to running the football.

With a true blocking tight end on the roster, it should free up Davis to utilize his athletic ability in the passing game.

In Matt Maiocco's blog, new offensive coordinator Jimmy Raye said that he plans on using Davis much more in passing routes this season. As Maiocco points out, the last three offensive coordinators made that claim.

But with Pascoe in the fold, 2009 will finally be Davis' time to shine.