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Browns LB Davis wants to atone for off year

Posted by Mary Kay Cabot
April 12, 2008 22:02PM

Categories: Browns

Browns linebacker Andra Davis vowed Saturday to rebound from what he described as the worst year of his career.

"I know personally it was my worst," said Davis, who participated in teammate Shaun Smith's charity bowling event downtown. "But it's over, I learned from it and it could've been a blessing in disguise. This year, I have a chance to go back and erase last season, so I'm happy and I'm up for the challenge."

Davis' off year was not lost on the Browns, who eliminated the final two years of his contract and cut his base salary for 2008 by 44 percent, from $3 million to $1.675 million. But he can make up some or all of it in playing-time incentives.



"It worked out for me and for the Browns," said Davis, 29. "If I have the year I plan on having, especially with the guys we've got up front now, it'll give me a chance to be free and go back to the table. And it gave the Browns more room to bring in better players."

In 2005, Davis signed a five-year contract extension worth $20 million, including base salaries of $3 million in 2008, $3.75 million in '09 and $4.1 million in 2010.

"When I did my deal, I was playing every play," said Davis, who rotates with D'Qwell Jackson and Leon Williams. "Now, I'm playing only 65 to 70 percent, but I can make back the money."

The new deal has fueled Davis' desire to prove he can still play at a high level.

"With this situation, I have to go out and prove myself not only to the Browns but to myself," he said. "I have to go out and make it happen. They just can't sign me back because I've been here for seven years."

He's also motivated by his desire to remain a Brown. "I don't want to play anywhere else," he said.

To what does he attribute the subpar year, one in which he had 104 tackles -- down from his average of 167 in seasons in which he started at least 14 games?

"I've been thinking about it a whole lot and I'm not a guy to make excuses," Davis said. "I made plays at times, but I went back and looked at every play I had and I missed tackles. I had a lot of tackles for loss, 11 or 12, but I wasn't as effective as I was before."

Davis said suffering a high ankle sprain in training camp and then trying to play on it all season took its toll.

"Missing camp hurt a lot," he said. "I was naive thinking it was just football and you bounce right back. Then we were in the playoff hunt and I couldn't rest it."

Davis is also convinced he'll be rejuvenated by the additions of end Corey Williams and nose tackle Shaun Rogers.

"Now that we have a bigger D-line, I don't have to be 255 or 260 [pounds] to take on the guards anymore," Davis said. "I can get back to my natural weight which is around 245 and just be able to run. And I don't have to deal with the nagging ankle injury anymore."

Davis also thinks new defensive coordinator Mel Tucker, who replaced the fired Todd Grantham, will have a positive effect.

"He can relate to us a whole lot more," Davis said. "I think he's going to listen to us and our ideas. I'm looking forward to a great year."

Quinn determined: Despite Browns General Manager Phil Savage saying at the NFL owner's meetings that Brady Quinn "would really have to play lights out" to overtake Derek Anderson in camp or that Anderson "would have to play really poorly," Quinn is still gearing up to be the starter.

"If I'm not doing that, it's a huge injustice to our team and to everyone else in our organization," Quinn said at Smith's bowling event. "That's the goal and that's where I want to be."

As for Savage's take, Quinn said: "The only thing I know is that it seems like there's a little small window and all I need is a chance. It doesn't matter how big it is, just give me a chance and I'm going to try to take advantage of it."

Despite Quinn's intention to win the job, he said he gets along great with Anderson. "We have a great quarterback room," he said.

He said not only is he participating fully in the off-season program, he's doing a lot on his own to prepare.

"That's my thing," he said. "I just try to outwork everyone."

McDonald primed: Second-year cornerback Brandon McDonald feels ready to replace Leigh Bodden, who was traded to Detroit.

"I always believe I can get the job done," said McDonald, who tied for second on the team with 11 passes broken up. "Playing last year gave me even more confidence."

He viewed the Bodden trade as a vote of confidence for him.

"It makes me believe that they believe in me," he said. "Leigh was one of our best corners and Phil Savage feels like the young guys can get the job done."

Smith on big baby: Smith said he's good friends with new teammate Rogers, who's also known as Big Baby.

"I know his mentality, his work ethic and I'm looking forward to playing with him," said Smith, whose event benefited his 91 Ways Foundation, which focuses on kids' education. "He's happy. It's a fresh start for him like it was for me last year. That's what some guys need sometimes."

He said the addition of Williams and Rogers "will take some of the pressure off me. I don't care who starts. Hopefully they'll make a quick adjustment to the 3-4 defense. We've got a young defensive line now and we're all flexible."

I hope he succeeds.. as forrest forrest gump would say,, One Less Thing

Well that's a good thing.

I'm glad that he knows he had an off year, and is willing to work to get better, especially knowing he had a lot of missed tackles. Leon Williams will be breathing down his back.

Competition will only help make them better.

Last year wasn't an off year...it was more of him playing to his talent.

just clicking...

I've got to say. This article was an absolute breath of fresh air in so many ways.

Davis is not delusional about his abilities. He does not think he is better than the rest of the world thinks. He wants to work hard to have a good year, and he wants to be a Brown. And on top of that he understood and actually was able to express the reasons for his restructured contract. And he felt comfortable talking about it. I don't know. Maybe it's just an early morning buzz from such a beautiful Sunday out here in Sin City, but that article really just made my day.

I also loved the Quinn quotes. If that's not the right attitude, I don't know what is.

McDonald too. Damn, football season can't get here quick enough.

Gotta love Davis for taking a paycut and giving the media the positives. Things like "bringing in better players" and that he knows if he outplays his teammates at ILB, then he gets paid.

The comments coming from our beloved Browns players keep getting better and better...something very good is brewing by the lake...and I LOVE it.

Savage gave Davis a paycut and didnt offer LB Al Wilson much money. Its good if Savage can keep the contuity of a team, and get them to take paycuts if they aint playing up to their paycheck.

KFFL.com
Browns | Wilson felt he was worth more than minimum salary
Sat, 12 Apr 2008 23:43:10 -0700

Mike Klis, of The Denver Post, reports free-agent LB Al Wilson (Broncos) was offered close to the minimum salary of $730,000 by the Cleveland Browns. Wilson felt he was worth more than a minimum salary, which led to him turning down the offer.

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"Now that we have a bigger D-line, I don't have to be 255 or 260 [pounds] to take on the guards anymore," Davis said. "I can get back to my natural weight which is around 245 and just be able to run.

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Everyone's expectimg ALOT from our new DL this year, I really hope they can live up to expectations. The good thing is they came in with the bar set pretty low.

Do we need to go through the "tackles" talk again.

Urlacher had 123 tackles last year.

So he is an inferior player? Tackles is a scewed stat, somebody has to tackle the guy and the question is where is he tackled?

I remember one year Ben Taylor had a ton of tackles. what does that say about him?

Andra Davis is a decent player and has played hard for us. His production last year seemed to be worse than usual, but he's definitely a guy who could be upgraded but doesn't need to be yet.

He's very good in coverage and he can play the run/rush the passer okay. He also bites on fakes hard and will give up big plays.

I expect him to stay on this team, but at some point someone will replace him prob


Correction: He is good in coverage

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but he's definitely a guy who could be upgraded but doesn't need to be yet.

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That is allllllll i'm saying...he doesn't NEED to be upgraded right now...he is doing his job...but if we had a chance to upgrade him i think we should and we will

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Browns LB Davis wants to atone for off year

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Off year? AD has had subpar after subpar season, yeah the DL will help. It still has no effect on AD's biggest problem which is tackling, AD doesn't get it and I don't think ever will. You can't tackle by ripping down opposing players shoulder pads. Outside of that he's out of position all the time, which again does the DL help that? No....AD is trying his best stay on this team, because his status is weak at best using the media is a good move.

AD is an average player on a good day, his solo tackle ratio to total tackles show his ability.

If the Browns thought much of AD they wouldn't be after Al Wilson, if Wilson signs who's the odd man out? AD, not DQ or Leon Williams.

If they could theyd trade him during the draft, but they wont get anything but a 6th or 7th.

I think part of this all...The biggest thing i think is that he recognizes he got lazy.

Talking about his ankle injury, and thinking it was like riding a bicycle. He knows he got lazy, and wants to atone, he knows the chips are down for him. Its produce or get out. and he knows it.

Im glad thats the way he's looking at it, its the way to do it.

Things are looking up for the Browns. and i think Dra will earn a decent paycheck this year, and earn a new contract from us.

I didn't realize this:

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Davis said suffering a high ankle sprain in training camp and then trying to play on it all season took its toll.

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Or this:

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I don't have to be 255 or 260 [pounds] to take on the guards anymore," Davis said. "I can get back to my natural weight which is around 245 and just be able to run.

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Go get 'em, Andra, earn that money back and the respect that would go with the performances it would take to do it.

I wasn't aware that he played on a high ankle sprain either. That could explain some things. Some others not so much. He looked to be late to react to a lot of interior runs...but that's been the case for a while now.

I hope he improves his play. He's a great guy in the locker room and a good captain, I just hope he can make plays this year a little more quickly.

Davis is a pretty good ILB. He isn't nearly as good as some people have said he is and he isn't anywhere close to being as bad as many make him out to be.

He's had garbage in front of him his entire career. It does make a difference. Lewis, Thomas, and Urlacher can tell you that. I think Davis will be okay this year. He should have less blockers to deal with and he can run downhill easier. I also look for DQ to improve. Leon Williams.........I don't know? Too undisciplined for my tastes.

IMO It has nothing to do with the system and nothing to do with the DL....he's great person, leader and teamate, just not a good player. As with most areas of this team that was lacking eventually Phil will upgrade it.

Andra Davis's problems aren't because he has to take on blockers, its because he can't tackle and is out of position constantly. He's not the fastest guy, once he's out of position he's out of the play. He's always been too agressive, again mix that with poor tackling you get a player that will look bad alot.

Until AD learns to be somewhat disciplined and learn the fundmentals of tackling no change will occur in his game. He's not horrible, he's just below average. Same problee with Leon Williams, he's fast, tackles well, but if your in the wrong position all the time, it don't matter.

Its obvious by FA visits and pre-draft visits Phil sees the problem, this is our last year having to watch AD get drug around. If there is any alternative, it might be sooner.

I am shocked you feel this way.

Hey I agreed with you, he's a great leader, hard worker and trys hard. Simply just a bad football player, always has been below average, he missed tackles in the 4-3 under Butch, plays exactly the same in the 3-4.

This is the reason he restructed his deal, the Browns told him to take a sizeable cut or get cut. You don't do that to players you feel help your team, you do that the players because you have no other options.

As soon as the Browns can get another body at ILB, AD is gone.

Do you know how many players have restructured their deals and took less money to bring in more help that were considered elite players? I didn't think so.

Tha'ts not what he said, though. He stated that you down't restructure unless you're have no other choice. That simply not true. We also don't know whoe else the Browns were thinkikng of making a run for.

Davis is a decent ILB. He isn't near the garbage that some are claiming.

Davis had his best year several years ago. Since then and before then, he's been an over-hyped player, the best of a bad bunch. In many ways, this is a make-or-break year for Davis. He can earn another contract from us, but it won't be a big one. It's more likely that this is his last with the Browns because like it or not, he's a two-down 'backer now.

The only overhype comes from the Browns forums..I never read anything nor hear anything about AD outside of Cleveland.
Yeah he was approached about his contract as I read last week..
It's the instincts for me..he just doesn't have them.

You keep mentioning instincts.

If that was the problem, he wouldn't have had the type of game he did against Buffalo.

Any problem AD has is physical in nature. It has little to do with his ability to see plays.

j/c

My problem with AD is him being out of position. It seems like any time someone runs a counter, he's completely overpursued.

Is he a serviceable LB? Yeah, I think he is. But that doesn't mean we can't use an upgrade.

JMHO

I think the Browns have the same opinion, and know they will find their answer this season. I'm pulling for him.

I am not really sticking up for the guy......just saying I think his problems don't derive from poor instincts.

Something has kept him in the league 5-6 years. I don't think it is superior physical skills.

Playing on a truly crappy team for many of those years certainly helped extend his career. Now that we're starting to get some talent on that side of the ball, he's falling more and more by the wayside. But, I don't think that surprises anyone who's been paying attention.

That being said, I really like the guy. He is a hard worker and a good leader. He also could provide some very good depth. On a LB reliant system, you can never have too many. JMHO

I like him fine too....as far as I like any players.

I am always good with upgrades no matter how or where you find them.

Apparently U don't get it..he isn't injured every year..his problems are not associated with injuries..

Why do I need to rehash the same ole problems he's had every year and then say it because he was injured THIS YEAR?
Makes no sense Peen..dude doesn't have the instincts to sniff out a play and stop taking bad angles to the ball carrier or misdiagnosing where he thinks the runner is going..
Dude is USUALLY out of position..and your GM knows it.
He's not a enforcer..

that has nothing to do with a ankle sprain..or are you going to tell me he's suffered one for 5 years now?