Davis' six catches lead aggressive offense

SAN FRANCISCO — Tight end Vernon Davis caught six passes Sunday in the 49ers' 20-3 victory over the Jacksonville Jaguars to eclipse his season-high for receptions.

And there are still five games remaining for him to add to his total.

Davis also caught a 3-yard scoring pass from quarterback Alex Smith in the second quarter for his ninth touchdown reception of the season. The touchdown pulls Davis into a tie with Brent Jones (1994) and Ted Kwalick (1972) for most touchdowns from a 49ers tight end.

Davis also took an active role last week in discussions with coach Mike Singletary and offensive coordinator Jimmy Raye in convincing the coaching staff to open up the offense.

“Our playmakers made plays,” Davis said. “We got the ball in the hands of our playmakers. And we got a lot of them. You could see Delanie Walker (four catches for 52 yards) made some plays. And that's what it's all about.”

No play summed up the 49ers' aggressiveness quite like a fourth-and-1 play from the Jacksonville 37 late in the second quarter.

The 49ers, leading 10-0 at the time, came out in a run formation with two backs and two tight ends. Smith play-faked and just before getting clobbered by linebacker Daryl Smith, he let a pass fly down the field to Davis, who made a 30-yard reception against the coverage of linebacker Clint Ingram.

“Coach Singletary believes in us,” Davis said. “We always took about how good our offense is, and we believe in him. So it's fourth-and-1, he called a play. Then, we have to go make it.”

Three plays later, Smith hit running back Frank Gore for a 4-yard touchdown pass for a 17-0 lead.

“Vernon has been spectacular all year,” Singletary said. “I mean, pick a week. Vernon continues to work his tail off. He continues to stay after practice and do all of the extra work.

“He's still an excellent blocker. The thing I like about it is he's not all of a sudden becoming a good go-to guy. He also continues to work on his craft in terms of blocking. He's still the best-blocking tight end in the league. So I'm very excited about where he's going.”

Davis could be heading to his first Pro Bowl. He leads the 49ers with 57 receptions for 670 yards.

SAN FRANCISCO — Tight end Vernon Davis caught six passes Sunday in the 49ers' 20-3 victory over the Jacksonville Jaguars to eclipse his season-high for receptions.

And there are still five games remaining for him to add to his total.

Davis also caught a 3-yard scoring pass from quarterback Alex Smith in the second quarter for his ninth touchdown reception of the season. The touchdown pulls Davis into a tie with Brent Jones (1994) and Ted Kwalick (1972) for most touchdowns from a 49ers tight end.

Davis also took an active role last week in discussions with coach Mike Singletary and offensive coordinator Jimmy Raye in convincing the coaching staff to open up the offense.

“Our playmakers made plays,” Davis said. “We got the ball in the hands of our playmakers. And we got a lot of them. You could see Delanie Walker (four catches for 52 yards) made some plays. And that's what it's all about.”

No play summed up the 49ers' aggressiveness quite like a fourth-and-1 play from the Jacksonville 37 late in the second quarter.

The 49ers, leading 10-0 at the time, came out in a run formation with two backs and two tight ends. Smith play-faked and just before getting clobbered by linebacker Daryl Smith, he let a pass fly down the field to Davis, who made a 30-yard reception against the coverage of linebacker Clint Ingram.

“Coach Singletary believes in us,” Davis said. “We always took about how good our offense is, and we believe in him. So it's fourth-and-1, he called a play. Then, we have to go make it.”

Three plays later, Smith hit running back Frank Gore for a 4-yard touchdown pass for a 17-0 lead.

“Vernon has been spectacular all year,” Singletary said. “I mean, pick a week. Vernon continues to work his tail off. He continues to stay after practice and do all of the extra work.

“He's still an excellent blocker. The thing I like about it is he's not all of a sudden becoming a good go-to guy. He also continues to work on his craft in terms of blocking. He's still the best-blocking tight end in the league. So I'm very excited about where he's going.”

Davis could be heading to his first Pro Bowl. He leads the 49ers with 57 receptions for 670 yards.

BRUCE THE SAGE

Veteran wide receiver Isaac Bruce was inactive for Sunday's game. He might have a difficult time getting on the field even after his ankle sprain heals. Backups are expected to contribute on special teams, and Bruce is not in his element running down to cover punts and kickoffs.

Although Bruce was not in uniform, he still contributed in other ways.

“Isaac is like my big brother on the field, so I'm always going to talk to him about everything, every play, and every release that I did,” rookie receiver Michael Crabtree said. “I'm always going to be talking to him.”

Crabtree caught four passes for 54 yards but failed to make an over-the-shoulder catch of a perfectly thrown Smith pass in the end zone.

EXTRA POINTS

The 49ers were called for just one penalty for 5 yards, as Tarell Brown was called for illegally touching a punt. It was the least number of penalties for the 49ers since Dec. 2, 2001, against Buffalo. Only four other teams in the NFL have committed just one penalty this season.

It was the 49ers' shortest injury report in a while. Defensive back Curtis Taylor sustained a left hip strain early in the game and did not return. He was on crutches afterward. Also reporting injuries were defensive end Kentwan Balmer (right shoulder sprain) and linebacker Parys Haralson (left thumb contusion).

Ahmad Brooks replaced Manny Lawson as a pass-rusher on third downs. But Lawson did not fade away with the demotion. Lawson recorded one of the 49ers' six second-half sacks and now has a team-leading 4.5 for the season.

“I think it'll go back and forth,” Singletary said. “They'll both play a lot at that position.”

For more on the 49ers, go to Instant 49ers at blog.pressdemocrat.com/49ers. You can reach Staff Writer Matt Maiocco at matt.maiocco@pressdemocrat.com