Walker is more of a blocker

SANTA CLARA -- In the past four games, 49ers tight end Delanie Walker has averaged more than 40 offensive snaps per game. His play time is at an all-time high, while his receptions have disappeared.With coach Jim Harbaugh and offensive coordinator Greg Roman coming from Stanford, the 49ers were expected to introduce an offense that was friendly to tight ends. But Walker has made significant improvement in his blocking, and the 49ers have used him more in that area.
"I'm blocking," Walker said. "I'm a blocker this year. When you get good at it, they tend to use you at it. I guess I got good at it, and now they want me to block. If they want me to block, I'm going to block."RELATED: Delanie Walker 2011 game logs
Walker has 19 receptions for 198 yards and three touchdowns. All of his receiving stats were compiled in the first nine games. Walker has not caught a pass since a six-reception, 69-yard performance Nov. 13 against the New York Giants.He has gone four games without a catch. Along the way, he was wide open down the field on the first play of the game against the Baltimore Ravens but quarterback Alex Smith didn't see him. On Sunday, he dropped a third-down pass that could've extended a third-quarter drive.
Perhaps the most complete game of Walker's career came earlier this season. He had a couple big blocks on Detroit Lions defensive tackle Ndamukong Suh to enable Frank Gore some big-gainers. Then, he caught the game-winning fourth-down pass from Smith with 1:51 remaining to supply the winning points over the previously unbeaten Lions.So is Walker frustrated over his lack of production in the pass game over the past month?"Not at all," he said. "I'm just going to keep grinding and keep playing and hopefully the passes do come my way."