[CBFF] RS - Davis’ conversion continues on course

[Jerry Madsen]

Published: August 8, 2006

Davis' conversion continues on course

By Reed Schreck
ROCKFORD REGISTER STAR
Former corner trying to earn receivers slot

ROCKFORD REGISTER STAR

BOURBONNAIS — Last year, Rashied Davis knew what it felt like to be
Carolina wideout Steve Smith. And Atlanta quarterback Michael Vick.
And Atlanta running back Warrick Dunn.

Those were some of the players he had to imitate as part of the
Chicago Bears' scout team in practice. This season, he's just hoping
to be one player: Rashied Davis, Chicago Bears wide receiver.

He certainly would like his scout team days to be over.

"I was Vick for a couple of plays, running the option," he said. "I
was horrible at it. I'd never run the option before in my life."

A decision was made after the season to convert Davis from cornerback
to wideout. He certainly hopes to catch the eyes of the coaches in
addition to all the balls thrown his way.

"I've been a receiver all my life," said the former Arena Football
League standout.

At 5-feet-9, he's not tall. Or the fastest guy on the team. He has
caught a couple of deep passes in practice and countless medium-range
throws.

"Middle, deep, I have no preference," he said. "I feel I can do it
all. You can't think too much about going over the middle because
that's when you start dropping balls and making mistakes.

"I like running routes. I'm a good route runner, make crisp cuts and
things like that. I like going deep sometimes. It is more difficult
for me to run a fade route than someone 6-foot. I'm more of a route
runner."

Davis was on the kickoff-coverage team last year and returned six
punts for a 6.2-yard average and 11 kickoffs for at a 22.8 clip. He
appeared in 12 games.

He compiled some sizzling numbers in the AFL for someone who didn't
play high school football. With the AFL league champion San Jose
SaberCats in 2004, he had 1,785 all-purpose yards. In 2005, he was his
team's MVP and Offensive Player of the Year with 44 touchdowns and 100
catches for 1,420 yards and 30 TDs. He also rushed for eight scores.

"I'm playing pretty well right now," said Davis, who broke his hand on
the second day of training camp last season. "I can always play
better. I feel really comfortable right now."

That's encouraging, considering the type of defense he's going against daily.

"If I can play well against these guys, I can play well against
anybody," he said. "It's a great test."

One he seems to be passing.

"He gives us some depth," said wide receivers coach Darryl Drake. "We
expect him to be a guy, given an opportunity, to make some plays and
make some catches. We're real pleased with him from the OTAs
(organized team activities) up to this point.

"He's really progressed at a fast pace. He can give us some
maneuverability on the inside. He's a fast slot guy who can move
around and do something after he catches the ball."

Head coach Lovie Smith said Davis had "a great offseason."

"He may be one to do it (make the conversion). We're going to see how
it plays out."

Davis' toughness is not a concern for Drake.

"Guys who can play corner, although those guys aren't huge tacklers,
you've got to be somewhat physical to do that," he said. "He has the
toughness, size and speed.

"What he needs to do is rely on his athletic ability and speed. No
doubt he has the courage and strength to play exactly where he's
playing at."

Staff writer Reed Schreck can be reached at 815-987-1381 or at
rschreckrrstar.com

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