The prevailing theory was that young, up and coming coordinators wouldn't have enough going for them to run their system when Singletary steps in, and those who had already established themselves would have personalities clash, a la Martz before being sacked. Talk of Singletary's stubborn vision and hard minicamps drove off potential free agents--again, in theory.

So why, then, is Vernon Davis very likely going to end up taking less money than he could be just so he can keep being coached by the guy?

Obviously, beat writers and bloggers alike are a silly, naive bunch. I'm not exempt from that; I myself was groaning. On one hand, happiness at a strong willed, intelligent coach with the fire to win now. On the other, an unwavering idealist whose very ideals may be too outdated to work correctly in this league. How I love being wrong.

After one or two coaches being "driven off" the 49ers settled with Jimmy Raye, who has been less than fantastic, but offers continuity and at the very least a clear gameplan that fits the Niners' personnel. They're now taking him into the second year, and the team seems to want to play for Singletary more than ever.

Vernon Davis, a man who's work ethic and potential have never been questioned, never quite lived up to his potential until Mike Singletary got a hold of him. After banishing Davis to the locker room on that fateful day, something clicked in his head, and now he wants to party, as Singletary would say.

It's not just with Davis either. Some people would say that Patrick Willis took his extension early because money now is better than money later, because you never know what can go down as far as injuries are concerned, and granted--that probably does play a part. But I think the bigger part was Willis wanted to be a 49er--and just just a 49er, a Mike Singletary-led 49er.

After this coming season, Vernon Davis will hit the free agent market, and if he produces another season in which he is definitively a top two tight end, he will become the highest paid player at his position in the league, easily. Whatever he asks for, he'll get it.

But he won't make it that far. Willis' contract defers a large potion of his salary until 2013, and I believe that is because the team knew they'd be able to sign Davis this offseason, leaving them to concentrate on Aubrayo Franklin, Dashon Goldson and Manny Lawson. Look at it, they're taking care of not only their best players but also the players who want to be there the most.

Goldson wants to get paid, the same can likely be said for Lawson and Franklin. Davis wants to play, and he wants to play hard. He has a money figure in his head, and it's not out of the question. Even if it was, I think he'd go lower, just so he can stay here.

I'm rambling now, as I tend to do, but I wanted to get this point across. Not only do we have better players in place--not only do we have continuity with the coaching staff and hopefully the quarterback position, but we have an image. We have what feels like a winning image before we've won, and that's making core players like Davis want to stay here.

He'll get paid, but don't be shocked if the number isn't "huge." But he will get paid, and he will, once again, ball. As a 49er.