by By DANIEL BROWN MediaNews , Monterey County Herald

Still, his comments a day earlier created a stir. He responded to a question about the Bears by saying: "I think we can destroy their front" and "I don't see anything spectacular about their front line."

Today, after discussions with Coach Mike Singletary and veteran teammate Takeo Spikes, the tight end met with the media and attempted to clarify.

"I wasn't trying to stir anything up. I wasn't saying it to put anyone down," Davis said. "I was just being confident in me in my teammates because I know our ability and what we can do."

Singletary wasn't thrilled upon reading the quotes, but he wasn't mad either. The coach said he recognized right away that Davis was wasn't trying to be disrespectful. He said Davis' message was, "Let's go out and do what we can do."

"Vernon can get a little excited," Singletary said.

Spikes pulled Davis aside to remind him that the comments had consequences. He said he told Davis that the spotlight was going to be on him, so he'd better play great.

"His response to me was, 'I do it every day,' " Spikes said.

Davis, a team captain, said that his teammates were "fired up" by the comments. He also said he wasn't worried that the Bears might use the slights as motivation.

"Ah, that's no concern," he said. "When you're a winner, you want your opponent to come hard. You're looking for competition. That's what it's about. ? It's not about putting anybody down or calling anybody out."

So, a day later, do you still think the 49ers will destroy the Bears up front?

Davis paused.

"Wait till game time," he said.

The Thursday night contest is on national television and Davis' comments certainly provided a ready-made subplot. Davis would have been a story line anyway, since he is in the midst of a breakout season.

He shares the NFL lead with seven touchdown catches and is coming off the first 100-yard game by a 49ers tight end since 2004.

So is he ready to show his stuff in the spotlight?

"Vernon is going to show up when Vernon has to show up, which is every week," Davis said. "So, I'm not worried about anything else."

? Jason Hill is likely to start ahead of receiver Isaac Bruce. Singletary said that Bruce aggravated an ankle injury at Tuesday's practice and was "doubtful" to play against the Bears.

? With Glen Coffee (concussion) out, Michael Robinson will serve as the second tailback behind Frank Gore. Moran Norris would be the third tailback.

? Brandon Jones will continue to serve as the punt returner, Singletary said.

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