Davis dashed off the field Thursday on the final day of training camp talking
positive about the season ahead. The Browns had to endure injuries, but he says
that is part of football.
"I think we are a playoff team," he said. "Every one of the guys on the team
believes we can compete. The players believe in ourselves. We aren’t going
through training camp to shoot for .500. We're definitely going to shoot for
more.
"We have a lot of weapons on offense. We have a lot of running back depth.
Reuben is the starter, but Lee Suggs, Will (Green) and Jerome Harrison can run
it.
"We have Kellen back.
Darnell Dinkins can run and Steve Heiden is going to get us those first downs.
Our receiving corps with Joe Jurevicius and Braylon and Frisman Jackson… it's
going to be hard for our general manager and coaches on cut day."
Davis is particularly encouraged by the improvement of the run defense. The
Browns allowed three yards on nine carries against the Lions last week.
New Center in Town
The Browns newest center, Lennie Friedman, is eager to get going on his
competition with Ross Tucker.
The Browns got Friedman from the Bears for what is believed to be a sixth- or
seventh-round draft choice next year.
"I'm going to have to put in a lot of overtime to catch up to everybody
else," Friedman said after his first practice with the Browns. "This is an
exciting opportunity. Any time a team trades for you it says they want you. They
could have gone after anybody in the league."
Friedman played for the Broncos, Redskins and Bears over the first seven
years of his career.
Former Browns coach Sam Rutigliano, who coached Friedman in NFL Europe,
believes Friedman will help.
"He's perfect for what they're looking for," Rutigliano said. "He'll adjust
to everything and he's a great kid. My feeling is he'll push to start. He's very
smart and very savvy. They're not going to get another LeCharles Bentley.
"Friedman is going to connect and not make mistakes. I think that's very
important for Charlie Frye."
Friedman, 6-3, 295 pounds, has more
experience but Tucker is bigger at 6-4, 316 pounds.