Vernon Davis doesn't back down from high expectations.
"We will make it back to where we ended last year," the 49ers tight end told 49ers.com.
Those goals become even more realistic now that San Francisco'sroster welcomed back several key contributors from 2012.
"We all know what our journey is about," Davis said. "In order to get there, we have to have everyone ready and healthy."
With wide receiver Mario Manningham inching closer to the form he displayed before sustaining a torn ACL, the 49ers are getting healthy quickly. Adding to that is the reemergence of go-to receiver Michael Crabtree, who is expected to play for the first time on Sunday against the St. Louis Rams.
Those additions will help create more space in the passing game for Davis, who has seen double and triple coverages at times this year. Despite the added attention, Davis leads the team with nine touchdown catches through 11 games.
"It makes life a lot easier, having 'Crab' and Manningham back," Davis said. "Those guys add value to the team. Any time you have your core of guys who are playmakers, who contribute to the team, it's always a great thing. I'm anxious, the team's anxious to get Michael and Manningham back."
Davis "can't wait to see" how Crabtree performs this Sunday.
"I don't know if I've ever seen anyone catch the ball as well as he does," Davis said. "He's just a tremendous talent, tremendous asset to this team. He's a good person. We love having him around here and we love having him on the field."
Both players should help the 49ers test opposing defenses. Davis has been a consistent deep threat throughout the season, something that should now come easier for the offense.
"Since I've been here, especially the last two years, they've been using me as a deep threat, having run my routes a lot deeper than I had in the past," Davis said. "It's a lot of fun because I get to use my talents."
With three of San Francisco's final five regular season games coming against NFC West opponents, Davis knows the home stretch is going to be difficult. The 49ers tight end, however, embraces the challenge of trying to make the playoffs and go deep in the postseason.
"In order to get there, we have to keep our focus, keep our minds positive, lean on each other whenever we need help or extra advice," Davis said. "We have to be as one and play this game together."
