Davis to Take the Next Step w/ Martz in Charge?

Mike Martz has never been one to highlight tight ends in his offense. After some Pro Football Weekly-published remarks from the new Niners offensive coordinator that he might use Vernon Davis in split-wide situations, I thought I would check Martz's track record with tight ends.

Using profootballreference.com and footballoutsiders.com, I noted the following info Martz's tenures as Detroit Lions offensive coordinator (2006-07) and St. Louis Rams head coach (2000-2005). All 1999 data from his season as an offensive coordinator for the Rams wasn't available.

I charted the team's total pass attempts, completions, completion percentage, yards and touchdowns.

Likewise, I scribbled (or typed, actually) the receptions, passes targeted (along with that percentage), yards and touchdowns for tight ends on during that time frame.

Here is what I found:

Detroit Lions -- 2007

587 pass attempts, 368 pass completions, 62.7%, 4,216 yards, 19 touchdowns

TE's

Sean McHugh -- 17 catches/29 passes targeted, 252 yards, 59 catch percentage, 0 touchdowns

Casey Fitzsimmons -- 8/10, 85 yards, 80 catch percentage, 1 touchdown

Detroit Lions -- 2006

596 pass attempts, 372 pass completions, 62.4%, 4,208 yards, 21 touchdowns

TE's

Daniel Campbell -- 21/32 (66%), 308 yards, 4 touchdowns

Casey Fitzsimmons -- 7/10 (70%) 71 yards, 0 touchdowns

Marcus Pollard -- 12/17 (71%), 100 yards, 0 touchdowns



St. Louis Rams -- 2005

599 pass attempts, 392 pass completions, 65.4%, 4,351 yards, 23 touchdowns

Brandon Manumaleuna -- 13/20 (65%), 129 yards, 1 touchdown



St. Louis Rams -- 2004

577 pass attempts, 372 pass completions, 64.4%, 4,615, 23 touchdowns

Brandon Manumaleuna -- 15/21 (71%), 174 yards, 1 touchdown

Cam Cleeland -- 7/12 (58%), 57 yards, 0 touchdowns



St. Louis Rams -- 2003

597 pass attempts, 374 pass completions, 62.5%, 4,210 yards, 23 touchdowns

Brandon Manumaleuna -- 29/45 (64%), 238 yards, 2 touchdowns

Cam Cleeland -- 10/16 (63%), 145 yards, 0 touchdowns



St. Louis Rams -- 2002

629 pass attempts, 406 pass completions, 64.5%, 4,473 yards, 24 touchdowns

Ernie Conwell 34/48 (71%), 419 yards, 2 touchdowns

Brandon Manumaleuna -- 8/14 (57%), 106 yards, 1 touchdown

St. Louis Rams -- 2001

549 pass attempts, 378 pass completions, 68.9%, 4,852, 36 touchdowns

Ernie Conwell 38/52 (73%), 431 yards, 4 touchdowns

Jeff Robinson 11 receptions, 108 yards, 1 (no data on passes targeted)

St. Louis Rams -- 2000

587 pass attempts, 380 pass completions, 64.7%, 5,492 yards, 37 touchdowns

Roland Williams 11/25 (44%), 102 yards, 3 touchdowns

Ernie Conwell 5/9 (56%), 40 yards, 0 touchdowns

Now, obviously Davis is a more athletic tight end than any player on this list. He's certainly a more talented receiver as well, which makes me think he should be able to top these numbers. Aside from Conwell's efficient and productive 2001 season, there isn't much in the way of major tight end production.

Hopefully that will change since Davis is far and away the most lethal receiving weapon at his disposal.