Eric Davis: 49ers' Mays can't work in space

Aug. 5, 2011MAIOCCO ARCHIVE
49ERS PAGE49ERS VIDEO
Follow @MaioccoCSN
Matt MaioccoCSNBayArea.com
SANTA CLARA -- The 49ers have informed the other NFL teams that safety Taylor Mays is available in a trade.But why would the 49ers seemingly give up on such a big, strong and fast player just one year after making him the 49th overall pick?Former 49ers Pro Bowl cornerback Eric Davis, who is the 49ers' radio analyst and co-hosts a daily talk show on 95.7-FM "The Game," said he does not see Mays as a starting safety."He doesn't have the movement to work in space," Davis said. "The game has changed. The NFL has become, offensively, 7 on 7 (passing drill).

"You need a guy who can work in space. You need two free safeties. You're going to get three-wideout sets. And offenses want a running back to motion out of the backfield. So it's important to have safeties who end up working in space and exhibit the same qualities of a corner. And Taylor does not possess that.
RELATED: Harbaugh: 49ers checking out Mays trade options
"He's a big guy. He's a fast guy. He's a straight-line speed guy. But that fast-twitch, lateral movement you need, he doesn't have the footwork and hips for that. That's not his fault. It's not his game."Davis said he believes Mays (listed at 6-foot-3, 230 pounds) could be an All-Pro special-teams player if he channeled his frustration into that area.Last year, Mays tied for was tied for seventh on the 49ers with nine special-teams tackles. His best play came on special teams when he made a nifty catch of a blocked punt at the back of the end zone for a touchdown against the Atlanta Falcons.