Upon arriving in the NFL in 2006, Vernon Davis said he envisioned himself as a play-making tight end along the lines of Antonio Gates. 49ers Coach Mike Nolan welcomed him aboard by saying, "We felt we not only got the best tight end in the draft, but we got the best wide receiver in the draft."

Two-plus seasons later, Davis finds himself doing grunt work. The former No. 6 overall pick is making his reputation as a blocker, having all but vanished recently as a passing target.

Heading into Sunday's home game against the Philadelphia Eagles, Davis has just five catches in five games. He had zero catches against the New England Patriots last weekend and dropped the only pass that came his way.

Cries of that dreaded draft word "" bust "" are growing louder by the week. But on Thursday, offensive coordinator Mike Martz countered with a word of his own: relax.

"He's a huge factor in what we do," Martz said. "If somebody goes to sleep on him, he's going to make a big play."

For evidence of Davis' unappreciated impact, Martz pointed to the 49ers' second play against the Patriots, when Delanie Walker sprang free on a short route over the middle.

The pass was incomplete, but a big gainer was there for the taking.

"Did you see how wide open he was?" Martz said. "The (defenders) were all running with Vernon. They had three guys chasing him down the field.

"Had we completed that, Delanie might have been in San Diego before we stopped."

Davis, of course, is supposed to be the guy doing the running. He came out of Maryland with a legendary reputation for athleticism. He ran a 4.38 in the 40-yard dash "" a scouting combine record for a tight end and fifth fastest among players of all positions that year.

Davis also demonstrated greater strength than some linemen by bench pressing 225 pounds 33 times.

His scouting combine totals, however, remain the most notable numbers he's ever produced. Davis has just 87 yards this season and has yet to score a touchdown. He is tied for 39th in receptions among NFL tight ends.

Davis knew Martz tight ends have never put up big numbers.

But what if someone told him his stats would look like this?

"Same as anyone would have done," Davis said. "I would have looked at you like you were crazy."

Davis, who has a fiery side, was introspective as reporters gathered around his locker Thursday. He calmly explained his evolving place in the 49ers' offense and said he keeps reminding himself to look at the big picture.

"It's hard when you set goals for yourself and it seems like it's taking a long time for you to get there," Davis said. "But that's something that everyone needs to work on, as far as being patient. It's just a matter of controlling yourself."

Fans have not been so patient. Davis was supposed to be a star by now. In talking about Davis on Monday, Coach Mike Nolan said the tight end is "doing an outstanding job blocking, both pass and run." But his receiving abilities were another matter. Nolan said Davis "has a responsibility to run the correct routes. You get the ball that way better ... Like I said, he is good at two out of three."

Davis said he was unaware of that comment until Thursday and sounded caught off guard by the criticism. "I don't know what to say about that one," he said. "Every route I run, I run a correct route. I mean, if I don't then I'm pretty sure someone would say something about it."

In the meantime, Davis is adjusting to the idea that he can make a contribution without showing up on the stat sheet. He takes pride in his blocking and his ability to command defensive attention.

"I play well every game. I mean, that's what I do," Davis said. "I go out there and try to win every battle, whether it's running a route, or blocking, or pass protecting, or whatever it is.

"It doesn't necessarily have to be catches to have a good game. That's what people don't see."

Considering the praise Davis gets about his blocking, and the knocks against him as a receiver, someone joked that the tight end might consider bulking up and becoming an offensive lineman.

Davis laughed.

"If I put on 50 pounds and became a tackle," he said, "I'd be the best tackle that ever lived."