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From the White House – New Federal Approach to Hiring
By George M. Thomas
Beacon Journal sportswriter
POSTED: 12:32 a.m. EDT, Aug 01, 2008
BEREA: Browns linebacker Andra Davis looks around the team's practice facility
and he likes who he sees in those brown jerseys.
He should.
The addition of defensive linemen Corey Williams and Shaun Rogers could help him revitalize a career that had been cruising along until last year, his sixth in the NFL and arguably his least productive.
''One great thing about the additions we have: It's a great mixture of youth, experience, veteran leadership,'' he said. ''Even young guys [are] taking on more of a leadership role. Not one person's defense, it's team defense . . . no one guy's bigger than the group. We're all part of a team.''
What Davis faces is a lot of competition — even at the linebacker position, where the Browns drafted Beau Bell this past spring, a fact Davis likes and a challenge that he welcomes as he heads into the last year of his contract with the Browns.
''This is definitely the most talent we've had since I've been a Cleveland Brown,'' he said. ''There's always competition. Always competing against guys out here . . . No one is set in stone. Competition makes the team better.''
Davis showed his willingness to stick around and battle for his job by taking a significant pay cut. According to sources, his base salary went from $3 million last season to $1.675 million. Unlike many professional athletes, that didn't matter to him or his wife, who hail from the small Florida town of Live Oak.
''Money is the last thing on our minds,'' Davis said. ''We grew up dirt poor. So for me to come from a little, small town, Live Oak, and for God to bless us with what we have right now, I'm doing way better than 99 percent of the people.
''I'm not a flashy guy. My wife's from the country, too. We have three kids. What we have now, it's not about the money we have; it's about securing our kids' future.''
Even with the pay cut, Davis said he never thought of leaving the Browns. He has made his home in Cleveland and doesn't even have a house in his home state.
''Oh, no. I talked to Coach [Romeo] Crennel. He had a big influence on my decision,'' Davis said. ''He told me what the situation was going to be, about additions they were trying to get. Why leave now? We're building something. I've been through the bad years, so I have to try to stick around through the good years.''
Although Davis didn't have a stellar 2007, and it resulted in him starting only 10 games, the defense as a whole didn't stand out either. It was a tough situation for him, and one that made him more resolute this season.
''I knew going into last year it was going to be my year. I was going to be the guy they depended on. It didn't go down that way,'' he said. ''I don't have any regrets how last year played out, because it gave me the attitude I have right now. But it was very humbling.''
Even in 2005, when he had 199 tackles, it might have looked good on a stat sheet, but it was a sign that the defense had problems. Opposing backs ran through the Browns' defense at will and quarterbacks passed with success. Davis said the offseason additions should help him return to form.
Crennel agreed.
''Hopefully, what will happen is the guys up front will keep the linebackers clean so that they can make the tackles,'' Crennel said. ''And if that occurs, then Andra Davis will have a good year, and I think we'll be pleased with what we see from him.''
Davis is not leaving his potential success up to the play of others, however. He played last season at 243 pounds — a weight he deemed too light — to improve his quickness. This year, he's listed at 250 pounds and said he has not lost any speed and, in the process, added some power.
Crennel expressed confidence that Davis can return to form.
''He's a good leader, he's a team player and I think that we've got a chance to see his production pick up,'' Crennel said. ''He's solid, I think he has a good foundation in football and in his personal life, and he knows that he's got to work at his job, and he works at it.''
Davis will have to take care of that, and he knows it.
''I'd love to finish my career here. I can only do what I can do: work hard and we'll see,'' he said. ''Just play ball, seize the opportunities and bring a positive attitude to work each and every day.''
Brownies
Linebacker Antwan Peek underwent arthroscopic surgery on his right knee and won't be available to the team until the home opener against the Dallas Cowboys, Crennel said.
Although Peek played in all 16 games last season after signing as a free agent, he has battled injuries since arriving in Cleveland.
Crennel said tight end Steve Heiden's injured knee is making progress.
Fullback Lawrence Vickers, wide receiver Kevin Kasper, offensive lineman Seth McKinney and defensive lineman Corey Williams did not practice.
George M. Thomas can be reached at sportswriterabj@sbcglobal.net. Read more at http://www.ohiomm.com/blogs/browns/.
BEREA: Browns linebacker Andra Davis looks around the team's practice facility
and he likes who he sees in those brown jerseys.
He should.
The addition of defensive linemen Corey Williams and Shaun Rogers could help him revitalize a career that had been cruising along until last year, his sixth in the NFL and arguably his least productive.
''One great thing about the additions we have: It's a great mixture of youth, experience, veteran leadership,'' he said. ''Even young guys [are] taking on more of a leadership role. Not one person's defense, it's team defense . . . no one guy's bigger than the group. We're all part of a team.''
What Davis faces is a lot of competition — even at the linebacker position, where the Browns drafted Beau Bell this past spring, a fact Davis likes and a challenge that he welcomes as he heads into the last year of his contract with the Browns.
''This is definitely the most talent we've had since I've been a Cleveland Brown,'' he said. ''There's always competition. Always competing against guys out here . . . No one is set in stone. Competition makes the team better.''
Davis showed his willingness to stick around and battle for his job by taking a significant pay cut. According to sources, his base salary went from $3 million last season to $1.675 million. Unlike many professional athletes, that didn't matter to him or his wife, who hail from the small Florida town of Live Oak.
''Money is the last thing on our minds,'' Davis said. ''We grew up dirt poor. So for me to come from a little, small town, Live Oak, and for God to bless us with what we have right now, I'm doing way better than 99 percent of the people.
''I'm not a flashy guy. My wife's from the country, too. We have three kids. What we have now, it's not about the money we have; it's about securing our kids' future.''
Even with the pay cut, Davis said he never thought of leaving the Browns. He has made his home in Cleveland and doesn't even have a house in his home state.
''Oh, no. I talked to Coach [Romeo] Crennel. He had a big influence on my decision,'' Davis said. ''He told me what the situation was going to be, about additions they were trying to get. Why leave now? We're building something. I've been through the bad years, so I have to try to stick around through the good years.''
Although Davis didn't have a stellar 2007, and it resulted in him starting only 10 games, the defense as a whole didn't stand out either. It was a tough situation for him, and one that made him more resolute this season.
''I knew going into last year it was going to be my year. I was going to be the guy they depended on. It didn't go down that way,'' he said. ''I don't have any regrets how last year played out, because it gave me the attitude I have right now. But it was very humbling.''
Even in 2005, when he had 199 tackles, it might have looked good on a stat sheet, but it was a sign that the defense had problems. Opposing backs ran through the Browns' defense at will and quarterbacks passed with success. Davis said the offseason additions should help him return to form.
Crennel agreed.
''Hopefully, what will happen is the guys up front will keep the linebackers clean so that they can make the tackles,'' Crennel said. ''And if that occurs, then Andra Davis will have a good year, and I think we'll be pleased with what we see from him.''
Davis is not leaving his potential success up to the play of others, however. He played last season at 243 pounds — a weight he deemed too light — to improve his quickness. This year, he's listed at 250 pounds and said he has not lost any speed and, in the process, added some power.
Crennel expressed confidence that Davis can return to form.
''He's a good leader, he's a team player and I think that we've got a chance to see his production pick up,'' Crennel said. ''He's solid, I think he has a good foundation in football and in his personal life, and he knows that he's got to work at his job, and he works at it.''
Davis will have to take care of that, and he knows it.
''I'd love to finish my career here. I can only do what I can do: work hard and we'll see,'' he said. ''Just play ball, seize the opportunities and bring a positive attitude to work each and every day.''
Brownies
Linebacker Antwan Peek underwent arthroscopic surgery on his right knee and won't be available to the team until the home opener against the Dallas Cowboys, Crennel said.
Although Peek played in all 16 games last season after signing as a free agent, he has battled injuries since arriving in Cleveland.
Crennel said tight end Steve Heiden's injured knee is making progress.
Fullback Lawrence Vickers, wide receiver Kevin Kasper, offensive lineman Seth McKinney and defensive lineman Corey Williams did not practice.
George M. Thomas can be reached at sportswriterabj@sbcglobal.net. Read more at http://www.ohiomm.com/blogs/browns/.
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