The Cleveland Browns have
signed LB Andra Davis to a five-year contract extension, the club announced
today. Davis, 6-1 and 250 lbs., is a four-year veteran and has totaled 432
tackles, seven and one-half sacks, five interceptions and 12 passes defensed
during his career with Cleveland. Davis is currently one of the team
captains and leads the team this year with 169 tackles, including 85 solo,
seven tackles for loss, two sacks for 22 yards, one interception and four
passes defensed.
“It’s a blessing,” said
Davis. “This extension means so much to me and my family because I want to
finish my career as a Cleveland Brown and to play in front of these great
fans. I said all along that I began my career with the Browns, my wife and
our children love it here in Cleveland and this is where I want to be. I
believe in the direction of this organization led by Randy Lerner, John
Collins, Coach (Romeo) Crennel, and Phil Savage and our goal to bring
another NFL championship to Cleveland.”
“We are pleased to have
Andra back,” said Browns Senior Vice President and General Manager Phil
Savage. “We feel he is a key piece in our defense and will continue to be
as we build toward the future.”
Davis is the leading tackler
in the NFL with 169 tackles. This season, Davis has led or tied for the
team lead in tackles in 12 of 13 games and has ten or more tackles in 12
contests. Earlier this season, Davis established a career-high 20 tackles
at Green Bay on Sept. 18 in the Browns 26-24 road victory. Davis was also
named AFC Defensive Player of the Week on Nov. 23 after a 14-tackle
performance in the Browns 22-0 win over Miami on Nov. 20.
Davis was originally drafted
by Cleveland in the fifth round, 141st overall, in the 2002 NFL Draft.
Davis became a starter in his second season, a campaign in which he finished
with a career-high 170 tackles and five sacks in 2003. Last season, Davis
played in 11 games and added 89 tackles after suffering a knee injury which
forced him to miss the final five regular season games.