Broncos country is welcoming Vernon Davis to Denver with open arms, and he is more than happy to be embraced by the orange and blue.
Because if one thing has become clear over the last 24 hours, it’s that Vernon Davis is very happy to be a Denver Bronco. Or, I guess, maybe he’s just happy not to be a San Francisco 49er.
Congrats to @VernonDavis85 I know u happy as shit!😂😂… I bet you doing the nae nae at home!
— DARNELL DOCKETT (@ddockett) November 2, 2015
On Monday afternoon, Davis jumped on the phone to talk with Big Al and DMac on 104.3 the fan, and despite attempting to be as politically correct as possible, it’s clear that Darnell Dockett is exactly right.
Let’s break down what Davis really meant to say in this version of “Read Between The Lines”:
On Rumors Of Being Traded:
“For weeks there’ve been some kind of rumors about me being traded, particularly to the Denver Broncos.”
I think this would be a more accurate quote: “For weeks I’ve been begging the 49ers to get me the heck out of San Francisco. Finally, they listened.”
On Having Peyton Manning As His Quarterback:
“All I could think about was Peyton Manning. That’s all I could think about. My dream — not knocking any of the quarterbacks I’ve had in the previous years in Alex Smith, Colin Kapernick, those guys; those guys were awesome — but it was just something about Peyton Manning. I’ve always been a fan of his, and I love the way he plays the game — his attitude, his approach. It’s rare to find a talent like him. It’s just a beautiful opportunity to be a part of this with him.”
Well, from what we’ve been hearing over the last few weeks, calling out Colin Kaepernick is exactly what Vernon Davis has been doing.
Davis may be trying to take the high road — and good for him — but him and Kaepernick clearly didn’t get a long. Davis’ numbers have plummeted over the last two seasons, and I’ve got a good feeling he blames that on the quarterback.
On Blending Into The Broncos’ Offense:
“I can blend in with anyone. I feel like whatever he [Manning] asks of me, I’ll do it. Whatever he needs, I’ll try my best to be there and help him with anything. Whatever he needs out of me, I’m willing to put it on the line.”
Vernon Davis needed the Denver Broncos just as much as they’ve needed him. His career in San Francisco ran its course a long time ago, and this is an opportunity for him to start anew; he’s not going to let it go to waste.
It’s easy to look at Davis’ performance over the last few years and say he’s washed up, but that’s not true. He’s still very much the athletic freak that made him great all those years. If both sides didn’t think they could make this work, he wouldn’t be here.
On Being Competitive In The Run Game:
“It’s the competitive nature in me. I like to win; I’m very competitive. Me blocking has to do with my attitude when it comes to winning.”
If I’m being honest, I think Davis’ biggest issue is that he hasn’t cared, that he hasn’t been competitive. I think he lost interest in the San Francisco 49ers awhile ago, and if there’s one reason why he hasn’t been the dominate player he used to be, that’s it.
But I don’t expect that to be the case in Denver. With the Broncos, Davis is on an undefeated team with a Hall of Fame quarterback bound for the Super Bowl. If there’s any competitiveness left in his body, this is the moment he’s been waiting for.
On Whether It’s Difficult Leaving San Francisco:
“Uhhhh, it’s difficult, but I understand the nature of the business. I understand what it is. Things happen. Usually when change happens, it’s usually for the good. And I’m extremely excited to be a part of the Broncos organization, the team, and I’m look forward to it. Sometimes you got to leave things behind and move on to the next opportunity, and this is that kind of situation.”
Emphasis on the “Uhhhh.”
I don’t think Vernon Davis could have packed his bags fast enough.