Cary Edmondson-USA TODAY Sports

Anthony Davis: What’s your Deal?

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Anthony Davis, the former right tackle of the San Francisco 49ers, has been source of entertaining comments, regrettable tweets, and heated debate since he came into the league. As a player, he was a physical run blocker who liked visibly dominating his opponent and letting him know about it (sometimes even after the game on Twitter). He was also a pass blocker who ran hot and cold with his protection, displaying the feet size and power to stymie talent edge rushers, but who often gave up immediate edge pressure during the worst moments of big games (think: Cliff Avril). Even with his lapses, Davis was considered among the better right tackles in the league, a durable starter, and a tone-setter for the offense, with his aggression and competitive demeanor.

Then came the 2014 season, which began with Davis missing offseason practices while recovering from a late elective shoulder surgery, continued with him losing time with multiple injuries and offering some less-than-positive tweets about then-coach Jim Harbaugh and his treatment of Davis's apparently severe concussion, and ended with Davis sitting out the rest of the season with lingering concussion symptoms.

When Davis elected to sit out the 2015 season to recover from his injuries, many fans were livid. I can only assume that the announcement was not met with enthusiasm within the 49ers offices. While Davis attempted to defend his decision by citing long-term health and his desire to return in 2016, he seemed to intentionally evade the point that the timing of his decision appeared extremely selfish and undoubtedly placed the team in a difficult position. By waiting until after the draft, Davis, intentionally or not, ensured that the team would not be able to fill his slot with a top free agent or draftee. That strengthened his odds of returning to a starting position in 2016, but greatly limited the performance of a line that was suddenly deficient in talent at an important position.

One could argue that he made a smart move for himself, doing as much as he could to secure his future role in the organization, but he did so at the expense of his teammates' success, his teammates' trust, and his quarterback's health.

Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

While he sat out the year, he had no problem calling out the best player on the 49ers' offense, left tackle Joe Staley, going as far as posting a gif of Staley being blown up by Seahawks safety Kam Chancellor and providing critical commentary. While Davis might have felt he was within his rights as a teammate to hold a peer accountable, he is missing two significant points. The first is that he was not a teammate last year. He left his team in a bad position in what can only be perceived as a selfish move, or at least a move made with selfish timing. Second, Staley had numerous opportunities to blast Davis in the media and never took a shot. The quick pressures, QB hits, and sacks given up by Davis to edge rushers (particularly Cliff Avril in big games) during pivotal moments killed offensive momentum, yet we never saw a 49er throw Davis under the bus for those. In fact, Staley was even kind enough to state that the team would welcome Davis back if he returned in shape and ready to go.

Now we see Davis posting that he won't be filing his reinstatement paperwork in time to join the team at the start of the offseason program, seemingly blaming his tardiness on how difficult 49ers GM Trent Baalke is to work with. We are again left to wonder about Davis's mindset and motivations. Is he physically unable to play due to continued complications from his concussions (some severe concussions do not clear up for over a year) and is frustrated by a lack of understanding from Baalke? Is he attempting to secure a trade away from the 49ers and frustrated that Trent won't comply? Is he hoping to secure a later reporting date and not receiving the treatment or patience he desires? Is he simply disinterested in returning at the moment, and he knows that 49ers fans are willing to blame Baalke for almost anything these days?

Whatever the case, his tendency to post inflammatory tweets then elect not to explain them has cost him the benefit of the doubt with many fans, some of whom have asserted that he may simply be too far out of shape to keep up with the program, and may be content to string the fans and 49ers along until he gets there. What do you think, Faithful? Vote in the polls and/or comments below.

Poll

• Why hasn't Anthony Davis applied for reinstatement yet?
• Dem Twinkies and Ho-Hos
  44%
• Skipping the offseason program
  35%
• Forcing a trade
  18%
• Persistent concussion symptoms
  2%
• Persistent injuries
  1%
• 1,375 votes

15 Comments

• Tay
  I think AD is being immature and unprofessional about this. He went on a hiatus to recover and has done so. What now?? ...I strongly believe that he doesn't want to block for Kap. Maybe I'm overthinking this, but he seemed gung-ho about returning until it was clear Kap was still with team. AD is also lazy, dem damn twinkles smh
  Apr 6, 2016 at 8:35 AM
  ♡ 1
• matt s.
  Davis isnt that good. No one would pay him. Nobody wants a one dimensional player whos a primadonna. Hes not as good as Trent Brown right now.
  Apr 5, 2016 at 4:15 AM
  ♡ 0
• 4evrfan
  AD's M.O. appears to be, leave the 9'ers hanging. What's hjis excuse for not filing in time? And throwing teammates under the bus? WTF? No class, and apparently, lacks the appropriate motivation as well. Who knows what player we'll be getting back after the hiatus? Mentally and physically. Doubtful he'll be in great shape, judging from his actions, or lack thereof, thus far. This is a dubious "comeback".
  Apr 4, 2016 at 4:13 PM
  ♡ 1
• NCommand
  Just purge these a-holes from the old regime...AD and CK are done. Aside from Staley and Bowman, let the rest of the high character young kids grow and become professionals in a working environment devious of distractions like AD and CK and sadly, so many before them (i.e. Aldon, McDonald, Harbaugh, Borland, etc).
  Apr 3, 2016 at 11:21 AM
  ♡ 0
• Jim
  AD is an A-Hole Don't care how good he may be, dump this cancer. 49ers won't be that good with him anyway this year.
  Apr 2, 2016 at 6:58 PM
  ♡ 1
• Dnah
  Nice piece Aaron. I am so tired of of Anthony Davis. I like the player, but the man is a real piece of work. He's either angling for a trade/release, or he's just a 24 karat a-hole. After all he did to hurt the team, no one in the 49ers organization - management, coaches, players - ever said one bad word about him. But he sits on twitter and takes pot shots at Staley and Baalke? Good riddance.
  Apr 2, 2016 at 9:41 AM
  ♡ 3
• Bakefootball
  Plain and simple... He's an idiot. Baalke should just tell him we don't want him back. I'm tired of trying to appease these Diva'a that don't want to play for us! Good riddance! GTFOH!
  Apr 2, 2016 at 12:56 AM
  ♡ 2
• Indy
  He spends way too much time playing PS4 games for a pro athlete....BamGood needs to hit the gym not a controller and Ding Dongs
  Apr 1, 2016 at 10:30 PM
  ♡ 0
• hector
  If he really wants so desperate from keep his status as "All Pro", then he should have filled his reinstatement when new football year began. Baalke has being "patient" but is not gonna make same mistake twice on "trusting" him. He better get back to work on Monday, look how good or bad he is then let FO if there's a chance to move him to another team so everybody can be "happy"
  Apr 1, 2016 at 5:17 PM
  ♡ 1
• Ninerzbacker
  Quitter. .... Period.
  Apr 1, 2016 at 4:51 PM
  ♡ 0
• Big daddy
  The guy left us hangin nobody knows shit about what he's doing we're at a need at that spot but not worth his bullshit tweets and comments it's one thing to say it's another to do
  Apr 1, 2016 at 4:42 PM
  ♡ 1
• don
  Either Davis is still whacked out from concussions, lacks maturity or this act is a ploy to get released or traded..
  Apr 1, 2016 at 4:35 PM
  ♡ 1
• Jon
  This was a well written article that covered a lot of ground and did it well. Better than the commercial schlock out there. Thanks! Oh and AD needs to STFU and get to work or his career is toast
  Apr 1, 2016 at 3:47 PM
  ♡ 4
• Franco
  I could ask what the deal is of some of the posters on this site over the last 6 months. Its like a sad wasteland of crap with some (not all) moderators stirring the pot themselves with their own agendas. Very sad what this place has become. Even when the team was 2-14 (Rattay's half season as the starter) this place was not as awful and dreary. If someone has an opinion maybe people should just take it as is. Not feel the need to disrespect what someone says. Coming on here and posting 10 to 25 times a day does not make you right. It makes you obnoxious and come off as a know it all when in reality you have no idea how the offseason will play out.
  Apr 1, 2016 at 3:13 PM
  ♡ 6
• CorvaNinerFan
  If this how AD thinks reinstatement is handled, he's sorely mistaken. There's a specific process to follow and apparently he's none too keen on it. Instead of belly-aching on Twitter, be a man, do what needs to be done and shut the hell up. Wow...we sure don't need a malcontent in the locker room. Baalke will move full speed ahead to upgrade the OL in either FA or the draft. AD, time to poop or get off the pot.
  Apr 1, 2016 at 3:13 PM
  ♡ 3

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