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By Marla Ridenour
Beacon Journal staff writer
POSTED: 06:32 p.m. EDT, Sep 17, 2009
BEREA: Alisha and Amber Davis can hardly wait to see ''Uncle Brodney'' and ''Uncle Qwell.''
''They love those guys; I'm pretty sure they're going to be rooting for them, they're so excited to see them on Saturday,'' said their father, Andra Davis, of his former Browns teammates Brodney Pool and D'Qwell Jackson. ''That's all they've been talking about.''
The Browns' trip to Denver for the game Sunday at Invesco Field at Mile High will include an emotional reunion with Davis. A fifth-round draft pick who spent his first seven years with the Browns, Davis was let go in free agency when coach Eric Mangini arrived. Davis signed a two-year contract with the Broncos on March 2.
To Mangini, the impact of the 30-year-old, two-time captain in the locker room was apparently offset by his lack of speed. When Browns players were cut, Davis and his wife, Monique, invited them over for dinner and to talk about their futures. The Davises also forged friendships with family members of those in the organization.
Now starting at inside linebacker in the Broncos' 3-4 scheme, Davis had a huge debut in the season opener Sunday at Cincinnati with nine tackles, three for losses, and his first sack since 2006. Former New York Jets linebacker Eric Barton took Davis' spot with the Browns.
''I hated to see him go,'' Jackson said. ''You watch him on film, the guy is making plays all over, playing enthused. That's tough for me to call right now because EB is a great player himself. You get a lot of change with a new coach.
''He was like the granddaddy in the locker room. If anybody had a problem, go to 'Dra. He's probably been through it, he knows somebody who's been through it, he's got the best advice. You're not going to meet a nicer guy than that. I'm happy that he's happy now. I can't wait to see him.''
The transition was initially tough for Davis because of the people he left behind.
''In our house in Denver, I still have all my Cleveland Browns stuff up, my jersey, my helmets, game balls, a lot of the guys' jerseys in my basement,'' Davis said. ''Just being a Cleveland Brown is something that will always be dear to my heart, to my family's heart. My daughters still cheer for the Browns, the guys who are their uncles, D'Qwell, Kamerion [Wimbley] and Brodney, they root for them.
''I was there when a bunch of those guys came, pretty much feel like I raised a few of them. I've got a lot of love for those guys.''
While he still calls and texts his former teammates regularly, Davis also misses several Browns employees.
''The people in the organization, Miss Kathy, Jerry Butler, we call him Uncle J.B., Miss Sue, the people in the kitchen. Being there so long, you see these people every day and you develop relationships with them,'' he said. ''It's just hard to pack up and say goodbye. I knew once I left Cleveland there was a good possibility I wasn't ever coming back.''
Davis even had kind words for owner Randy Lerner and believes he can make the Browns a winner.
''I know [he] can,'' Davis said. ''Mr. Lerner provides the guys with everything they need. It's a top-notch facility. Mr. Lerner definitely handles everything first class. A lot of times, I don't think he gets the proper respect he deserves. Being in Cleveland, the ticket prices are $50, out here they're $125. He does a lot for people that they really don't understand.
''I thank Mr. Lerner for giving me an opportunity to be a Cleveland Brown. I wish we could have won more. I wouldn't change anything other than that.''
Davis isn't sure why the Browns went 42-70 with only two winning seasons and one playoff appearance (his rookie year) during his tenure.
''That, I can't put my finger on, it's probably something I'll think about after my career is done,'' Davis said. ''Everybody stayed there in the offseason when you didn't have to, everybody worked hard, we had some really good coaches, the same coach who got fired last year [Romeo Crennel] has all the Super Bowl rings with New England. You can't blame it on the coaches. We lost, but we played hard.''
After taking a pay cut and having the final two years of his contract terminated with the Browns last season, Davis knew his days were numbered, but he was confident he could still play. When new Broncos coach Josh McDaniels began revamping his defense, Davis signed a deal that carries salaries of $1.2 million this year and $1.56 million in 2010.
''He played in a system similar to one we're implementing,'' McDaniels said. ''Andra's a good person, a great leader. Our defense is a better defense because we have Andra Davis. Andra's got some football left in him.''
Asked if there was any chance of him coming back to the Browns, Davis said: ''You've got to ask Mangini that. I don't know that, I never spoke to him. The lack of conversations kinda let me know that it was going to be a different route.''
Mangini and General Manager George Kokinis decided Davis didn't fit the team's needs.
''It wasn't able to work out here, but I think he's done a great job for them,'' Mangini said of Davis. ''I know he's a smart guy, good guy, hard-working guy.''
If Mangini's schedule in Denver allows, several Browns hope to stop by the Davises' house to see Andra, Monique and daughters Alisha (8), Amber (6) and Andrea (2). But Jackson said they will have an ulterior motive.
''I'll call him tonight and see if Monique is going to be cooking,'' Jackson said. ''Monique makes any kind of pie — apple pie, [sweet] potato pie. 'Dra is a sweet man.''
Marla Ridenour can be reached at mridenour@thebeaconjournal.com. Read her Browns blog at http://www.ohiomm.com/blogs/browns/. Follow the Browns on Twitter at http://www.twitter.com/ABJ_Browns.
BEREA: Alisha and Amber Davis can hardly wait to see ''Uncle Brodney'' and ''Uncle Qwell.''
''They love those guys; I'm pretty sure they're going to be rooting for them, they're so excited to see them on Saturday,'' said their father, Andra Davis, of his former Browns teammates Brodney Pool and D'Qwell Jackson. ''That's all they've been talking about.''
The Browns' trip to Denver for the game Sunday at Invesco Field at Mile High will include an emotional reunion with Davis. A fifth-round draft pick who spent his first seven years with the Browns, Davis was let go in free agency when coach Eric Mangini arrived. Davis signed a two-year contract with the Broncos on March 2.
To Mangini, the impact of the 30-year-old, two-time captain in the locker room was apparently offset by his lack of speed. When Browns players were cut, Davis and his wife, Monique, invited them over for dinner and to talk about their futures. The Davises also forged friendships with family members of those in the organization.
Now starting at inside linebacker in the Broncos' 3-4 scheme, Davis had a huge debut in the season opener Sunday at Cincinnati with nine tackles, three for losses, and his first sack since 2006. Former New York Jets linebacker Eric Barton took Davis' spot with the Browns.
''I hated to see him go,'' Jackson said. ''You watch him on film, the guy is making plays all over, playing enthused. That's tough for me to call right now because EB is a great player himself. You get a lot of change with a new coach.
''He was like the granddaddy in the locker room. If anybody had a problem, go to 'Dra. He's probably been through it, he knows somebody who's been through it, he's got the best advice. You're not going to meet a nicer guy than that. I'm happy that he's happy now. I can't wait to see him.''
The transition was initially tough for Davis because of the people he left behind.
''In our house in Denver, I still have all my Cleveland Browns stuff up, my jersey, my helmets, game balls, a lot of the guys' jerseys in my basement,'' Davis said. ''Just being a Cleveland Brown is something that will always be dear to my heart, to my family's heart. My daughters still cheer for the Browns, the guys who are their uncles, D'Qwell, Kamerion [Wimbley] and Brodney, they root for them.
''I was there when a bunch of those guys came, pretty much feel like I raised a few of them. I've got a lot of love for those guys.''
While he still calls and texts his former teammates regularly, Davis also misses several Browns employees.
''The people in the organization, Miss Kathy, Jerry Butler, we call him Uncle J.B., Miss Sue, the people in the kitchen. Being there so long, you see these people every day and you develop relationships with them,'' he said. ''It's just hard to pack up and say goodbye. I knew once I left Cleveland there was a good possibility I wasn't ever coming back.''
Davis even had kind words for owner Randy Lerner and believes he can make the Browns a winner.
''I know [he] can,'' Davis said. ''Mr. Lerner provides the guys with everything they need. It's a top-notch facility. Mr. Lerner definitely handles everything first class. A lot of times, I don't think he gets the proper respect he deserves. Being in Cleveland, the ticket prices are $50, out here they're $125. He does a lot for people that they really don't understand.
''I thank Mr. Lerner for giving me an opportunity to be a Cleveland Brown. I wish we could have won more. I wouldn't change anything other than that.''
Davis isn't sure why the Browns went 42-70 with only two winning seasons and one playoff appearance (his rookie year) during his tenure.
''That, I can't put my finger on, it's probably something I'll think about after my career is done,'' Davis said. ''Everybody stayed there in the offseason when you didn't have to, everybody worked hard, we had some really good coaches, the same coach who got fired last year [Romeo Crennel] has all the Super Bowl rings with New England. You can't blame it on the coaches. We lost, but we played hard.''
After taking a pay cut and having the final two years of his contract terminated with the Browns last season, Davis knew his days were numbered, but he was confident he could still play. When new Broncos coach Josh McDaniels began revamping his defense, Davis signed a deal that carries salaries of $1.2 million this year and $1.56 million in 2010.
''He played in a system similar to one we're implementing,'' McDaniels said. ''Andra's a good person, a great leader. Our defense is a better defense because we have Andra Davis. Andra's got some football left in him.''
Asked if there was any chance of him coming back to the Browns, Davis said: ''You've got to ask Mangini that. I don't know that, I never spoke to him. The lack of conversations kinda let me know that it was going to be a different route.''
Mangini and General Manager George Kokinis decided Davis didn't fit the team's needs.
''It wasn't able to work out here, but I think he's done a great job for them,'' Mangini said of Davis. ''I know he's a smart guy, good guy, hard-working guy.''
If Mangini's schedule in Denver allows, several Browns hope to stop by the Davises' house to see Andra, Monique and daughters Alisha (8), Amber (6) and Andrea (2). But Jackson said they will have an ulterior motive.
''I'll call him tonight and see if Monique is going to be cooking,'' Jackson said. ''Monique makes any kind of pie — apple pie, [sweet] potato pie. 'Dra is a sweet man.''
Marla Ridenour can be reached at mridenour@thebeaconjournal.com. Read her Browns blog at http://www.ohiomm.com/blogs/browns/. Follow the Browns on Twitter at http://www.twitter.com/ABJ_Browns.
Comments
Click here to post your comments
Posted 07:04 PM, 09/17/2009
You are a great guy, but don't get it twisted: my squad is coming to wax and tax Sunday.
Posted 07:06 PM, 09/17/2009
Oh, for my serious comment:
Andra Davis is a class act. You see how appreciative he is of everything and everyone who was a part of the Browns family.
Canton, OH
Posted 07:16 PM, 09/17/2009
Andra is a class act. . .Once a Brown, always a Brown. . .
Posted 09:15 PM, 09/17/2009
Don't see this side of players much anymore. He is blessed
Naples, FL
Posted 07:53 AM, 09/18/2009
AD is class all the way.
Is it just me or does it drive other people nuts that assistant coaches are given way too much credit for having Super Bowl rings? Each staff has at least a dozen assistant coaches. Are they all geniuses because the team won a SB? Romeo was a horrible head coach, great man, good guy, good assistant for NE, but horrible head coach.
Akron, OH
Posted 08:30 AM, 09/18/2009
test
Akron, OH
Posted 08:32 AM, 09/18/2009
Always liked AD... Go Browns!!
Posted 09:48 AM, 09/18/2009
Talk about hijacking a thread!
akron, oh
Posted 10:40 AM, 09/18/2009
Mangini and General Manager George Kokinis decided Davis didn't fit the team's needs.
So I guess Mangini's job will be available real soon!!!
akron, oh
Posted 02:32 PM, 09/18/2009
That just makes me feel warm and fuzzy all inside. Too bad Davis was slow and didn't make any plays that impacted our games EVER. I'm sure the Bronco's fans and players will love the fact that he can't play or do his job, but his wife makes a mean pie, and he kisses up really good.
Posted 12:02 AM, 09/21/2009
When people bashed Davis around he i stood up for him. He is a great person, and a class act as you've all stated.
He's originally from Florida but in the locker room and in public he dawned an Indians hat. When asked why, he simply said, "I'm a Clevelander now and I'll support my new City's team. This is where i live, work and call home."
And yet most of you worship a certain basketball player who does the exact opposite.
