James Davis (1 Viewer)

[B Maverick]

I saw this on FF Mastermind and realized there isnt much talk about him lately

-- James Davis Watch --

Sun Mar 21, 2010 --from FFMastermind.com

•The Plain Dealer reports there is mystery surrounding Browns RB James Davis, the running back from Clemson the Browns took in the sixth round last year. He made a very positive impression before the mysterious shoulder injury. Why is he not mentioned in the mix for running back? What is it about this situation we don't know about? There's a lot about that situation we don't know about. Such as, the extent of the injury, how it occurred, has he rehabbed from it, what does the new regime think of him? These are all questions that should have been answered by now. We could learn more next week at NFL owners meetings.

Anyone hear anything about him? Last preseason the talk was he was pushing Jamal Lewis into retirement and now nothing? Whats the deal?

 

[MAC_32]

There are a lot of what if's to consider in this situation, the Hillis acquisition provides more questions than answers and Harrison's still pending contract situation leaves the situation even more cloudy. I don't think we're going RB in the draft, if we don't they at least see enough in Davis to give him an opportunity. Whether that's as the #2 or the #3 depends on how we plan to use Hillis, which I have no idea but I think the answer's something like 'more than most are expecting.'

 

[Sammy Traveller]

RBBC?

 

[FTRWRTR]

IMO he was the most overrated rb in the rookie class, too small to be a power rb and too slow to be any other type of rb

 

[zed2283]

IMO he was the most overrated rb in the rookie class, too small to be a power rb and too slow to be any other type of rb

I show him scouted last year at 5'11" 218, running a 4.55. I wouldn't call that small, and it's in the same speed range as S.Greene. He showed some speed in the preseason as well.

 

[Dawg Pound 69]

IMO he was the most overrated rb in the rookie class, too small to be a power rb and too slow to be any other type of rb

Agreed. He was being drafted in late 1st or early 2nd round of dynasty rookie drafts because people thought he had the easiest path to a starting job. But I don't see him even being in the NFL 3 years from now. He's just nothing special.Green's productivity at Iowa far outshined Davis' at Clemson. Green tore up the Big 10, and Davis only had one good year when he was a junior.

 

[Don Quixote]

IMO he was the most overrated rb in the rookie class, too small to be a power rb and too slow to be any other type of rb

Agreed. He was being drafted in late 1st or early 2nd round of dynasty rookie drafts because people thought he had the easiest path to a starting job. But I don't see him even being in the NFL 3 years from now. He's just nothing special.Green's productivity at Iowa far outshined Davis' at Clemson. Green tore up the Big 10, and Davis only had one good year when he was a junior.

Greene only started one year at Iowa. Davis was a four year starter, I believe, and if productivity dipped, CJ Spiller played a role in that.

 

[BuckeyeArt]

IMO he was the most overrated rb in the rookie class, too small to be a power rb and too slow to be any other type of rb

Agreed. He was being drafted in late 1st or early 2nd round of dynasty rookie drafts because people thought he had the easiest path to a starting job. But I don't see him even being in the NFL 3 years from now. He's just nothing special.Green's productivity at Iowa far outshined Davis' at Clemson. Green tore up the Big 10, and Davis only had one good year when he was a junior.

Greene only started one year at Iowa. Davis was a four year starter, I believe, and if productivity dipped, CJ Spiller played a role in that.

I was about to post the same thing. Davis led the team in rushing all 4 years at Clemson.

 

[daveR]

IMO he was the most overrated rb in the rookie class, too small to be a power rb and too slow to be any other type of rb

Agreed. He was being drafted in late 1st or early 2nd round of dynasty rookie drafts because people thought he had the easiest path to a starting job. But I don't see him even being in the NFL 3 years from now. He's just nothing special.Green's productivity at Iowa far outshined Davis' at Clemson. Green tore up the Big 10, and Davis only had one good year when he was a junior.

Greene only started one year at Iowa. Davis was a four year starter, I believe, and if productivity dipped, CJ Spiller played a role in that.

I was about to post the same thing. Davis led the team in rushing all 4 years at Clemson.

Remember the days when Shark Pool was synonymous with integrity in posting?Now, back to the subject at hand... Davis did indeed show enough in pre-season to look like he might unseat JLewis eventually. However, he didn't show any more than Harrison, nor was Hillis on the team at that point. Right now, he's the forgotten man -- clearly behind Harrison, the FB whose name escapes me, and probably IMO Hillis as well.

 

[B Maverick]

I think you mean Jennings? Anyway, hard to see Hillis as a threat to be a full time RB and Harrison is considered small where Davis has good size and decent speed. I understand teh new regime and the mysterious shoulder injury, but the coach didnt change.

 

[rjv]

Its Harrison's job to loose.

 

[Dr. Octopus]

I think you mean Jennings? Anyway, hard to see Hillis as a threat to be a full time RB and Harrison is considered small where Davis has good size and decent speed. I understand teh new regime and the mysterious shoulder injury, but the coach didnt change.

Hillis was very impressive as a rookie in Denver. The Browns seem to be very high on him as well. I see him and Harrison splitting carries in Cleveland if no othe rback is brought in. The coach was the one who had Davis doing contact drills without shoulder pads (allegedly) - so I'm not sure he's such a big fan of Davis.

 

[Eastwood]

stay away from this offense.

 

[Topes]

Its Harrison's job to too loose.

:fixed:

 

[finito]

stay away from this offense.

Harrison seemed to do pretty well last season after taking over the job. Put up some very solid numbers.

 

[FrostBite]

I think you mean Jennings? Anyway, hard to see Hillis as a threat to be a full time RB and Harrison is considered small where Davis has good size and decent speed. I understand teh new regime and the mysterious shoulder injury, but the coach didnt change.

Hillis was very impressive as a rookie in Denver. The Browns seem to be very high on him as well. I see him and Harrison splitting carries in Cleveland if no othe rback is brought in. The coach was the one who had Davis doing contact drills without shoulder pads (allegedly) - so I'm not sure he's such a big fan of Davis.

A lot of RB's looked impressive in Denver when Shanahan was running the show.

 

[Dr. Octopus]

I think you mean Jennings? Anyway, hard to see Hillis as a threat to be a full time RB and Harrison is considered small where Davis has good size and decent speed. I understand teh new regime and the mysterious shoulder injury, but the coach didnt change.

Hillis was very impressive as a rookie in Denver. The Browns seem to be very high on him as well. I see him and Harrison splitting carries in Cleveland if no othe rback is brought in. The coach was the one who had Davis doing contact drills without shoulder pads (allegedly) - so I'm not sure he's such a big fan of Davis.

A lot of RB's looked impressive in Denver when Shanahan was running the show.

Not so much that season, but your point is valid. Hillis showed something though, a hard punishing runner with very good speed for a 240 lb. back. The Browns also have a decent young run blocking line and a great FB in Vickers so expecting production from a RBBC there is not outlandish - unless Joke Delhomme continues being a turn-over machine.

 

[FrostBite]

I think you mean Jennings? Anyway, hard to see Hillis as a threat to be a full time RB and Harrison is considered small where Davis has good size and decent speed. I understand teh new regime and the mysterious shoulder injury, but the coach didnt change.

Hillis was very impressive as a rookie in Denver. The Browns seem to be very high on him as well. I see him and Harrison splitting carries in Cleveland if no othe rback is brought in. The coach was the one who had Davis doing contact drills without shoulder pads (allegedly) - so I'm not sure he's such a big fan of Davis.

A lot of RB's looked impressive in Denver when Shanahan was running the show.

Not so much that season, but your point is valid. Hillis showed something though, a hard punishing runner with very good speed for a 240 lb. back. The Browns also have a decent young run blocking line and a great FB in Vickers so expecting production from a RBBC there is not outlandish - unless Joke Delhomme continues being a turn-over machine.

Not so much that season because wasn't that the year all the Denver RB's got injured? Hillis didn't win the job... he was all they had left. Sure he played great, but was it the system, or is he really some diamond in the rough?

 

[Warhogs]

A lot of these situations are about timing as well as talent. As a Davis owner I would love to see him get a lot of playing time. My understanding of the situation is that Davis had a great training camp last year and outplayed Harrison and had climbed above him on the depth chart. Davis then had the season ending injury. Harrison got an opportunity late and did an excellent job. Had Davis not been injured that may have been his opportunity but that is not how it worked out. Harrison should be and will be the guy at the top of the depth chart heading into 2010. Davis needs to perform well to try to get his opportunity should Harrison struggle or get injured.

 

[daveR]

A lot of these situations are about timing as well as talent. As a Davis owner I would love to see him get a lot of playing time. My understanding of the situation is that Davis had a great training camp last year and outplayed Harrison and had climbed above him on the depth chart. Davis then had the season ending injury. Harrison got an opportunity late and did an excellent job. Had Davis not been injured that may have been his opportunity but that is not how it worked out. Harrison should be and will be the guy at the top of the depth chart heading into 2010. Davis needs to perform well to try to get his opportunity should Harrison struggle or get injured.

I don't recall that Davis outplayed Harrison. Harrison was just a guy they wouldn't use. The only rumor as to "why" is that he wouldn't (couldn't?) pick up the blitz. Now, it may well be that they decided they weren't going to throw the ball much by the end of the season & therefore it didn't matter. I don't know, but it bears watching to see if that's the case. I suppose it's possible that Harrison goes back to the doghouse.

 

[zed2283]

(RotoWire) Davis is past the shoulder injury that landed him on IR last season, the Browns' official site reports. "The rehab process went really (well)," Davis said. "Right now, I'm 100 percent, but I'm only getting stronger."

Analysis: Davis is a player to track once camp gets underway as the Browns' running back pecking order shakes out in the wake of Jamal Lewis' departure. Presumably, Davis will be fighting for some of the touches that don't go to Jerome Harrison, who emerged down the stretch in 2009.

 

[zed2283]

http://www.clevelandbrowns.com/article.php?id=10551

Davis ready for second season

Matt Florjancic, Contributor to ClevelandBrowns.com

03.24.2010

Like many rookies in the NFL, Browns running back James Davis dealt with a rollercoaster of experiences and emotions during his first professional season last year.

Despite a lot of workouts and drills during the winter and spring, Davis burst onto the scene with an 81-yard touchdown run against the Lions in the second game of the preseason. He finished the preseason third in the AFC and seventh in the NFL with 186 rushing yards on 24 carries.

"Personally, I thought it was kind of tough having to go through all the offseason workouts and then just going through the NFL Combine," said Davis. "All that stuff kind of played out going into Training Camp. I was really tired going into Training Camp, but I was able to overcome a lot of obstacles as far as being tired every day. I just had to push myself whenever I did get the reps to get there and get my opportunity to play.

"It felt good," he added about the run against Detroit. "I got a chance to get myself out there; people know who I am now. On that run, I saw nothing but daylight. I was kind of thinking if I was going to get caught by a DB or something like that, so I kind of held my head down and ran it."

In addition to enjoying the success, Davis really cherished the opportunity to work in the same backfield as running backs Jerome Harrison and Jamal Lewis. Ironically, Davis outran several of Lewis' marks at Frederick Douglass High School in Atlanta, Georgia.

Davis posted a 28-touchdown, 2,389-yard season as a senior, while Lewis ran for 25 scores and 1,716 yards in his final prep campaign.

"You get a lot of wisdom from Jamal," said Davis. "A guy like Jamal Lewis, who's been in the league ten years, I definitely learned a lot from him. Working out with him in the offseason, he showed me a lot of things on running the ball, reading where the holes are, just what to expect game-in and game-out and Jerome's the same way. He's a guy that kind of relaxed me when I'm uptight. I'm trying to play the game and he's the guy who'll kind of make jokes and say, ‘Hey, just relax. You've been playing this game your whole life.' You get a lot of insights from those guys."

While the peaks of the rollercoaster were his strong play in the preseason and working with the other Browns running backs, Davis soon hit a valley. After appearing in two games and being inactive for a third, Davis was placed on injured reserve on October 3rd. With 13 games remaining on the schedule, Davis was forced to watch his teammates complete the season without him.

The isolating experience of not being able to finish what he started has driven Davis to become a better player when he returns to the field for the Browns.

"The rehab process went really (well)," Davis said. "Right now, I made this my hardest offseason that I ever had because I'm making a comeback. I'm trying to get as strong as possible, stronger than I've ever been before. I know it's going to take a lot of work this offseason to get there and that's what I'm doing right now, working as hard as I can. Right now, I'm 100 percent, but I'm only getting stronger."

While Davis works to improve his physical strength, one thing he will not change is his approach to the game.

"I'm going to come in and work like I did as a rookie," Davis said. "All those opportunities I get to get in there, I'm going to play like I'm a rookie. I'm out there trying to get a job, so that's what I'm looking forward to."

 

[zed2283]

(Rotoworld) The Browns are expected to carry just three tailbacks on their 2010 roster.

Analysis: Montario Hardesty and Jerome Harrison are locked into the top-two spots, and the Browns will carry versatile fullback Peyton Hills behind Lawrence Vickers. The final position will come down to James Davis and Chris Jennings. Davis is the superior talent, and should be able to beat Jennings out in camp.

 

[Casting Couch]

(RotoWire) Davis had 15 carries for 66 yards and caught five passes for 53 yards in Thursday's preseason finale against the Bears.

Analysis: Davis was busy Thursday, as fellow backs Jerome Harrison and Peyton Hillis did not play. Montario Hardesty also left the game early in the second quarter with a left knee injury, which could result in Davis moving up a peg on the Browns' RB depth chart in the coming weeks. With Jerome Harrison in a contract year, Davis still has some Dynasty league appeal.

 

[shnikies]

(RotoWire) Davis had 15 carries for 66 yards and caught five passes for 53 yards in Thursday's preseason finale against the Bears.Analysis: Davis was busy Thursday, as fellow backs Jerome Harrison and Peyton Hillis did not play. Montario Hardesty also left the game early in the second quarter with a left knee injury, which could result in Davis moving up a peg on the Browns' RB depth chart in the coming weeks. With Jerome Harrison in a contract year, Davis still has some Dynasty league appeal.

Take what Davis did last night with a grain of salt. He played against the 2nd and 3rd string defenses. The Bears 1st team defense can't tackle so imagine how bad their backups are. Hillis is definitely the guy to own in redrafts.

 

[Casting Couch]

(RotoWire) Davis had 15 carries for 66 yards and caught five passes for 53 yards in Thursday's preseason finale against the Bears.Analysis: Davis was busy Thursday, as fellow backs Jerome Harrison and Peyton Hillis did not play. Montario Hardesty also left the game early in the second quarter with a left knee injury, which could result in Davis moving up a peg on the Browns' RB depth chart in the coming weeks. With Jerome Harrison in a contract year, Davis still has some Dynasty league appeal.

Take what Davis did last night with a grain of salt. He played against the 2nd and 3rd string defenses. The Bears 1st team defense can't tackle so imagine how bad their backups are. Hillis is definitely the guy to own in redrafts.

Point taken. I just liked his agresiveness, and ability to find open space on the field. I think he's a talented RB who should be owned and stashed.

 

[The_Underachiever]

Does anyone think he has a shot? I fell for him last year and got burned:

Rotoworld: "Browns RB James Davis believes he may be in store for an increased role in the team's Week 3 game plan. Peyton Hillis and Jerome Harrison have both fumbled in their Weeks 1 and 2 starts, respectively, and Harrison is now sidelined by a thigh injury. Davis could take Harrison's role, although it's only as a committee back without goal-line carries. The Browns also play the Ravens this weekend."

 

[BuckeyeChaos]

Does anyone think he has a shot? I feel for him last year and got burned:

Rotoworld: "Browns RB James Davis believes he may be in store for an increased role in the team's Week 3 game plan. Peyton Hillis and Jerome Harrison have both fumbled in their Weeks 1 and 2 starts, respectively, and Harrison is now sidelined by a thigh injury. Davis could take Harrison's role, although it's only as a committee back without goal-line carries. The Browns also play the Ravens this weekend."

As a Browns fan I had high hopes for this guy. He has done nothing but impress in my opinion. Maybe he gets the chance to show what he's got.

 

[grouse]

Does anyone think he has a shot? I feel for him last year and got burned:

Rotoworld: "Browns RB James Davis believes he may be in store for an increased role in the team's Week 3 game plan. Peyton Hillis and Jerome Harrison have both fumbled in their Weeks 1 and 2 starts, respectively, and Harrison is now sidelined by a thigh injury. Davis could take Harrison's role, although it's only as a committee back without goal-line carries. The Browns also play the Ravens this weekend."

As a Browns fan I had high hopes for this guy. He has done nothing but impress in my opinion. Maybe he gets the chance to show what he's got.

He is the closest thing the Browns have to a complete 3-down RB (led Browns in rush & rec in preseason). However, does not mean he'll be a good one. The upcoming schedule won't help any of their RBs either. He's a flier, but at least one that might be getting some rock soon. The Browns are hungry for big plays, if he can make a few happen, Hillis and Harrison won't be too hard to bypass.

 

[Porkchop]

Right now, he's the forgotten man -- clearly behind Harrison, the FB whose name escapes me, and probably IMO Hillis as well.

If you can't name one of the three best players on our offense, you might want to take that Browns helmet off your 'follows closely' profile. (That being said, he's right about Davis)

 

[Porkchop]

Does anyone think he has a shot? I fell for him last year and got burned:

He might see some time soon, but only because Mangini just announced his "Make mistakes, and go to the bench" policy. So if Harrison and Hillis start fumbling, it wouldn't surprise me.I know that fantasy owners are always looking for the sneaky play... but here are the facts about James Davis.* Drafted in the 6th round last year* Has only played in pre-season games, with the 2nd or higher strings.* Missed his rookie season due to injury* Cleveland drafted an RB in the 2nd, and traded for another one, with Davis already on the roster.* Was scheduled to be cut by one of the worst teams in football, until Hardesty got hurt.* His upside is that he may get the chance to participate in one of the most muddled RBBCs in fantasy football.None of this screams 'great sleeper' to me. Cleveland fans has vaguely warm feelings towards Davis... but it's the same warm feeling you have about every rookie that you haven't actually seen in a real game.

 

[grouse]

Does anyone think he has a shot? I fell for him last year and got burned:

He might see some time soon, but only because Mangini just announced his "Make mistakes, and go to the bench" policy. So if Harrison and Hillis start fumbling, it wouldn't surprise me.I know that fantasy owners are always looking for the sneaky play... but here are the facts about James Davis.* Drafted in the 6th round last year* Has only played in pre-season games, with the 2nd or higher strings.* Missed his rookie season due to injury* Cleveland drafted an RB in the 2nd, and traded for another one, with Davis already on the roster.* Was scheduled to be cut by one of the worst teams in football, until Hardesty got hurt.* His upside is that he may get the chance to participate in one of the most muddled RBBCs in fantasy football.None of this screams 'great sleeper' to me. Cleveland fans has vaguely warm feelings towards Davis... but it's the same warm feeling you have about every rookie that you haven't actually seen in a real game.

He has a similar skillset and build as William Green. Not sure that's a good thing. But regardless how many times he was supposed to be cut, would it really be that shocking if the most effective RB on the roster ended up being the one the Browns didn't really want?

 

[Porkchop]

He has a similar skillset and build as William Green. Not sure that's a good thing. But regardless how many times he was supposed to be cut, would it really be that shocking if the most effective RB on the roster ended up being the one the Browns didn't really want?

It would be a little shocking, yes.The real problem is that there are a lot of dominos that have to fall into place before he's a good fantasy option. Cleveland has to promote him past two guys to #1 (from being cut-worthy three weeks ago), then they have to dismantle their RBBC so the #1 guy gets enough carries to be a decent flex option. Then they have to stop having a 2:1 pass-run ratio as they try to come from behind... oh, and the offensive needs to come out of its coma so he has some TD opportunities.The real question isn't is it possible. The question is, is there REALLY nobody else on waivers in your league that has a better chance of helping your team? There are many backup RBs in the NFL, and I don't the Davis is close to the best of them.

 

[grouse]

He has a similar skillset and build as William Green. Not sure that's a good thing. But regardless how many times he was supposed to be cut, would it really be that shocking if the most effective RB on the roster ended up being the one the Browns didn't really want?

It would be a little shocking, yes.The real problem is that there are a lot of dominos that have to fall into place before he's a good fantasy option. Cleveland has to promote him past two guys to #1 (from being cut-worthy three weeks ago), then they have to dismantle their RBBC so the #1 guy gets enough carries to be a decent flex option. Then they have to stop having a 2:1 pass-run ratio as they try to come from behind... oh, and the offensive needs to come out of its coma so he has some TD opportunities.

The real question isn't is it possible. The question is, is there REALLY nobody else on waivers in your league that has a better chance of helping your team? There are many backup RBs in the NFL, and I don't the Davis is close to the best of them.

Caveat; don't get me wrong, I'm not advocating James Davis as the next big thing but I don't agree with your assessment that Davis faces more barriers than most other backups currently.Cleveland has to promote him past two guys to #1 (from being cut-worthy three weeks ago)

C'mon man, are you telling me Peyton Hillis and Jerome Harrison have so much job security and confidence of the coaching staff that any semblance of improved production from Davis wouldn't vault him past these guys in a hurry? I respectfully must disagree with you on that.

then they have to dismantle their RBBC so the #1 guy gets enough carries to be a decent flex option.

Jamaal Charles has a much bigger problem on his hands. Why? Because his team is 2-0. Because Todd Haley can go to bed at night believing that whatever he's doing with his running backs, is working. Eric Mangini? Not a chance. RBBC only makes sense if you don't have someone producing better than the rest of the group and/or if your winning. All Davis has to do is outproduce Hillis and Harrison and hang on to the football. I'm not saying he will, but I don't see either as being such a difficult task and certainly many backups in the NFL have much larger obstacles in front of them.

Then they have to stop having a 2:1 pass-run ratio as they try to come from behind.

Yes and no. James Davis led the Browns in receiving in preseason. They can still be pass-heavy and James Davis be plenty productive if he's on the field for the majority of the snaps. You could easily argue that the Browns need better check-down options to keep the chains moving. Neither Harrison nor Hillis have really excelled in this area to date.

oh, and the offensive needs to come out of its coma so he has some TD opportunities.

Chicken meet egg.

 

[grouse]

Jerome Harrison (thigh) sat out of practice for the second consecutive day Thursday.

James Davis' door is ajar... (Story link)