Talk about two tight ends headed in different directions -- Vernon Davis and John Carlson have similar situations with offensive lines that need help protecting the quarterback. But Davis isn't going to stick back and help protect Alex Smith. Carlson, on the other hand, is being asked to block a lot these days. If Carlson wasn't facing a Lions defense this week, he'd be ranked a lot lower than where he sits.Colts quarterback Peyton Manning is near the top of every major statistical category that quarterbacks track. Even though Manning has always put up incredible numbers, Dallas Clark said this week, "You probably never thought he (Manning)could raise his level of play, but he has." Not that Manning needed another reason to target Clark, but I bet Clark gets an extra red zone look or two just as a debt of gratitude from the All-Pro quarterback.
1. Dallas Clark, IND vs. HOU
2. Antonio Gates, SD at NYG
3. Jason Witten, DAL at PHI
4. Tony Gonzalez, ATL vs. WAS
5. Vernon Davis, SF vs. TEN
6. John Carlson, SEA vs. DET
7. Brent Celek, PHI vs. DAL
8. Heath Miller, PIT at DEN
9. Jeremy Shockey, NO vs. CAR
10. Benjamin Watson, NE vs MIA
11. Kellen Winslow, TB vs GB
12. Fred Davis, WAS at ATL
13. Greg Olsen, CHI vs. ARI
14. Kevin Boss, NYG vs SD
15. Todd Heap, BAL at CIN
16. Bo Scaife, TEN at SF
17. Tony Scheffler, DEN vs. PIT
18. Marcedes Lewis, JAC vs KC
19. Brandon Pettigrew, DET at SEA
20. Anthony Fasano, MIA at NE
21. Sean Ryan, KC at JAC
22. Joel Dreessen, HOU at IND
23. Donald Lee, GB at TB
• Brent Celek has gone from sleeper to elite status among his tight end brethren. Only four tight ends have more receiving yards than Celek and the Philadelphia tight end is on pace to eclipse the 1,000 yard receiving mark.
• With Matt Schaub throwing the ball there will be plenty of receiving opportunities to go around. So, keep an eye on Joel Dreessen as he takes over for the injured Owen Daniels. Dreessen will catch the ball a bit, but there are probably better tight end options out there for you to consider.
• Fred Davis moved to the top of the depth chart when Chris Cooley went down with potentially season-ending injury. Davis stayed in D.C. during the Redskins bye week to work with coaches to get ready. That kind of determination shows me a certain drive that not all NFL players have. Working against a less-then-stellar Falcons secondary won't hurt this week either.
• Not only is Vernon Davis going to be running pass routes this week instead of blocking in pass protection, but he's also going to be facing a Tennessee Titans defense that has given up an NFL worst 19 touchdowns to opposing receivers.
