Andra Davis has spent his entire career with the Cleveland Browns. Now he’s traded in his jersey for a new shade of orange — and added a little blue.
“This is a new beginning for me,” Davis said to the media on Thursday. “I’m very excited, and I can’t wait for the opportunity to go out there and play.”
For now, Davis and the rest of the Broncos are doing what it takes to get prepared to play — strength and conditioning.
And while the eighth-year linebacker said he’s only had a couple chances to speak with Head Coach Josh McDaniels, he’s gotten up close and personal with Strength and Conditioning Coach Rich Tuten.
“This week’s been going so fast, I’ve just been in there with Rich the whole time — I know a lot about him in four days,” he said with a laugh. “He’s got be breathing hard like this right now.”
And it was apparent the players are working hard — Davis wiped his forehead with a towel between every question from the media.
Fellow free-agent signee Darrell Reid agreed that the offseason conditioning program is hard work, but you get out of it what you put in.
“You know when the offseason comes, it’s going to be a lot of work,” he said. “But that equals productivity when the season comes.”
And Reid is looking forward to the season just as much as Davis — and part of the reason is because of Davis.
Reid is familiar with good defense — the defensive lineman/linebacker combo was part of a 2007 Indianapolis Colts defense that led the league in scoring defense. He said he believes the key to a solid defense is a total team effort, led by veteran leaders.
“I think we have that now, especially with us getting Brian Dawkins and Andra Davis,” he said.
For now the players are content with putting the work in now to get to where they want to go this season. And Reid said that for one he feels like the coaching staff has a vision for where they want the team to be, and the team is ready to follow.
“I feel it in the air,” Reid said. “I feel that change. I feel that difference. I feel that vision. It’s early, but it’s slowly molding.”
Tags: Andra Davis, Brian Dawkins, Darrell Reid, Rich Tuten
It ain’t gonna be the Patriots offense either, it will be McD’s offense. Yes there will be some similarities but this is his show now, not Belichick’s.
I hope they keep Scheffler too. And I agree with you kase78matt that the Broncos absolutely can win the AFC West and even the Super Bowl in 2009.
We have a MUCH MUCH better chance at that with #6 behind center though, so Bowlen needs to renew his contract with one stipulation that Cutler gets a new agent.
If I were Bowlen that is what I would do. Pay the guy and keep him here!!
If we trade Cutler, its like we have decided to be a farm team for whoever gets him next. He is just entering his prime. We raise up this awsome talent, to send him somewhere else? This is McRediculous. We’ve made ourselves a minor-league football team. Cutler is as close as there is to being an Elway-like quarterback in the league. Keep him. Find a coach who is equipped to coach him. So, Bowlen will look silly for trying McDaniels out (it was an interesting and well-intentioned effort), but not as silly as being the owner who sent Culter packing.
The choice is yours, Pat
My D for 2009 without adding draft picks
LE Peterson
DT Powell
RE/DT in 4-3 Reid
LOLB Woodyard/Moss subbing in
MLB DJ and Andra(DJ shift to ROLB in 4-3)
ROLB/RE in 4-3 Dumerville/Boss()only in on 3-4
CB Champ and Goodman unless we can pick up rolle
FS Dawkins
SS Barrett
I’m about 100% positive Jay had that talk with the owner – I’m also 100% he feels shafted. More by the owner than anyone.
Again, I think his feelings are hurt more because of money than anything – he has out performed his contract.
However, in all fairness to the Team…not the organization’s management… I say trade Jay. (Again, I have a man crush on him – I’m not a Cutler hater by any means) – trade him for the #1 pick. Pick up a DE or ILB with the first draft pick, then the 2nd pick get White. He put up 2 seasons in a row of 1500 pass yards in college and 1100+ rushing yards… that way if we lose all of our RB again – the QB can run the ball!
Broncs55 – “I say trade Jay.”
Everyone is so upset at McD for messing with the offense. What ain’t broke don’t fix I hear them say.
Well, NOTHING messes with an offense more than changing the QB.
I disagree Broncs55. They gotta do whatever is necessary to keep Jay.
aSharpeIdea_84
I agree. I’m not saying they shouldn’t keep him, however, the only thing that will fix this is money, that of which, I dont believe they are willing to pay. Therefore, by keeping him, this fiasco that was created is going to be murder in the locker room, and on the field. Jay isn’t going to want to play, and if he starts (instead of benching him) – he is not going to perform at the level we all know him at – on purpose.
He will make it miserable for the team, so that the team ultimately does trade him.
So if they aren’t going to cough up the dough – whats the next best solution? Have your star QB screw things up “by accident” – or cut your losses?
In my opinion – its time to cut your losses. The defense will hold their own this year, get that star college QB. Look what Matt Ryan did with the Falcons.
Either that or fork out the dough so we can all kiss and make up!
Of course we would do much better with Jay as our QB – I think as long as he stays healthy, he’ll be about the best QB that has ever approached the league. I thought that since I saw him play in college before joining my fav. team.
However, all of us on these things are not the owner – as far as I see it – you only have 2 options – again…. cut your losses or pay up. Lets get it over with already!
Broncs55
I hear you, you don’t want a cancer in the locker room, but I don’t see it happening like that. I think if Jay is in there then he is going to be the same old Jay in regards to his relationships with his team mates.
He is also going to give 100% effort because of personal pride if nothing else. He isn’t going to botch his game on purpose and hurt his career and the team. That idea is totally ludicrous!
Matt Ryan had an incredible rookie year, as did Joe Flacco, as did Ben Rothlisberger. Again, the problem is we don’t know, as impressive as Pat White is, if he’s going to be like Matt Ryan or Ryan Leaf.
With Cutler, we KNOW what we got, a potential Super Bowl winning QB and even MAYBE a future HOF. There is also already great chemistry there with him and the Offense. You just can’t mess with that.
A trade is COMPLETELY out of the question. Just because Jay and Cook are trying to force Bowlen’s hand doesn’t mean he has to bend. Many players have been unhappy and didn’t get their way and when it came time to suit up and play they did.
Jay will be under center in September and hopefully with a new contract. I think he deserves it and let’s face it, McD made a huge rookie mistake with this situation. I still support him and I think he’s going to be a great coach.
You can’t bring in Simms and pay him more money than Jay and then try and trade for Cassel and expect Jay to be handling this any different than he is. Really?!
They should just admit their mistake and give him a new contract and put this saga to bed. Oh, with one stipulation; that Jay get a new agent.
This is the only way that everybody wins. Jay wins because he gets to stay in Denver where he has said he wants to be playing with the teammates he knows. The Broncos win because they keep their Pro Bowl future mega star QB. And last but not least, THE FANS win because we all want Jay to stay.
NO TRADE NO WAY!!!
True, true. I agree – he does need a new contract – I just dont see it happening.
And on a side note if any big wigs are listening in – if Jay does go… I’ll play his position for 1/4 of what Jay makes.
I won’t be the most successful – but hey… YOU GET WHAT YOU PAY FOR! lol
Maualuga > Cushing
Maualuga is way better than Cushing.
If both are available when we pick, I would cry if we took Cushing over Maualuga.
Maualuga will help stop the opposing run game, which ,if any of you remember last year, looked like swiss cheese. He also plays with a lot of passion. something else we have been missing on “D”.
Andra will make for good depth, but hopefully isn’t a starter.
I agree jackolantern. Maualuga is a better player for us. If Raji isn’t available then Maualuga is the pick. Since Luga was injured in th combine, I was doubting him a little. If the broncos are gonna draft him, they need to see a great pro day from him. I would have Maualuga in the first, Ron Brace in the second, and the best availible safety in the 3rd to back up Dawkins. If we trade Cutler, that would suck soooooo much. Cutler is the franchise QB and we can’t afford to lose him. But if we do, we would need a first round pick (let’s say, the Browns) and another player (Probably Brady Quinn). We would get Curry or Orakpo whoevers availible and Raji or Maualuga with the other. That would be an upgrade for defense, but a downgrade for offense. Now im not saying that i want this to happen but it maybe will.
We would
Molaluga would be a great pick!… if he was a sure tackler and stopped running by the ball carrier..
Cushing is in way better shape and is a WORK HORSE!… never happy w/ the way he is… (if you didn’t know, thats a good thing)…
Both would be good picks… but Cushing is the safe pick… he is a sure tackler and he is versitle…. He can play LB or OLB/DE…
I feel it would be great to get “B-Cush” (Now that’s a good Denver Nickname like B-Marsh… E-Doom… or like D-Will had) He would fit good playing inside w/ our new 3-4 or would fit GREAT at OLB, cuz he can rush…
Rey is more of a 4-3 type inside linebacker… but hey… If we got one of ‘em, I wouldn’t be bummbed…
andra davis will be a better middlelinebacker i dont see where maualuga fits it we might take tyson jackson from lsu big defensive end i also say with all these good free agents we might as well draft herman johnson from lsu at gaurd just to gaurantee best line in football clady and johnson on the left side thats crazy, fact is we dont know who will be available at our pick and if we trade jay we will have more first round picks
i know this is gona sound crazy but god is there ne ways for the fans 2 contact mcd and cutler and beg them to fix this? an email a phone number?can we make apointments at dove valley and tell them personaly lol lets get this fixed and focus on the draft
I guess a bunch of us could picket right outside of Dove Valley – who’s up for a picket this weekend???? I’ll have to fly from Chicago but hey – what the heck!
JUST FOR West Coast! Read my friend!
West Coast this is a business and now ppl wanna cry like you that he didn’t show up for a voluntary workout…he is holding out for them to show him the money baby and if they did all of this would be over….Keep telling myself want? That is what I wanna know…I am a Denver fan and have been one and I have never seen so many ppl attack one another on our teams blogs that is not why I get on here to have to defend my post. I am tired of us not making the playoffs and we haven’t since elway (one game wow) and now we finally get someone close to Elway and some new guy that doesn’t love this team as much as me is about to ruin it for all of us! Everyone in the NFL have said that this is Mcdaniels fault and that cutler didn’t handle it right…they never said this was jay’s fault just that he didn’t handle it right! If you were the starting qb and a backup qb came in making more money and ppl were lying to you you wouldn’t come in either I hope b/c if you did you would be a punk for not speaking up and demanding more money! There ppl go again blaming Jay Cutler (which by the way is still the QB for OUR team) for the WHOLE team going .500 Jay never went .500 b/c not everyone on the team first name is jay but yes this team did go .500! TEAM that is your key word! Yeah take jake..not ever has a team had a starting qb they got rid of and then couldn’t find a job and resulted to playing hand ball so go ahead take Jake the Snake which threw way more int then Jay. You sound like a really big mcdaniels fan that pulled for the patriots and followed him here. He hasn’t done anything as a head coach….I will judge his coaching ability after his first full season as a head coach but until then I will criticize him for trying to out Jay cutler! I want the playoffs and if we get rid of cutler how much longer do we have to wait then….Jay is the best qb for this team and everyone knows it. and I will continue to post that he is the best option and that he deserves a new contract. I have said it before DO NOT USE MY SCREEN NAME IN YOUR POST… I post what I think and I DO NOT attack others that post their opinions…. West Coast I can’t believe you would even come after me I used to like to read your post and I have disagreed with stuff you put down and have never came at you so please no more!
what*
with what we have done on defense so far and do some more to it and keep Jay Cutler and we will have a good team! Take a LONG look at the schedule and look hard…without Jay Cutler we WILL have the first pick in the draft next year! Jay is the offense and without him (I am not dissing all the good players like Royal, Marshall, etc) we will be starting over…Chris Simms…really??? …what a joke! He can’t run this team past this schedule! And neither can Brady Quinn!
Focus on draft and lets find the next Atwater!
cutler6101….Agreed……Except my apology
ok well if were going to trade a great QB, Denver needs something big in return. All of the Broncos fans hear me out.
We trade Cutler to Detroit for there # 1 overall pick, also there second rounder and a 4th. We then trade Detroits second rounder our second rounder and Detroits 4th round pick’s to Clevland for Brady Quinn. Cutler goes to Detroit and Clevland gets 2 seccond round pics and a 4th.
Denver then takes the # 1 pick and Drafts Aaron Curry the stud LB ?
DENVER FANS WHAT DO YOU THINK ?????
dwillwilliams27,
I think your idea is interesting however:
1. Denver wants NO part of the #1 pick…too expensive.
2. We need to keep Jay Cutler and forget about trading him.
I think there is still a chance that Jay and the Broncos work it out and he stays.
But I would love to see Curry in Denver!
The Orange Crush is official back!!! Welcome to Denver : ) We will be a force to be reckoned with on D this year! I love the moves!!
it is disrespectful to put the Cutler Drama on two new great Broncos busting there butts out there! EVERYONE IN BRONCO COUNTRY should be talking about the players that are working not on the players that are not! Reid, Davis, Dawkins, Fields, Goodman welcome to Denver! I will apologize for the other people on this blog that have not given you a proper welcome. ” 09 is our regardless!!”
While I love the Orange Crush they never did win a Super Bowl! So lets not bring the “Orange Crush” defense back. Lets bring a new “Blue Thunder” defense. The one that will stop everyone in it’s tracks and hold a lead our offense gets. Providing we have an offense that will score!? I also don’t like the orange jersey’s either. I was very glad to see the change to blue and hope it stays that way. We never won a SB in the orange and was in 4 with them. We are 2-0 in the new unie’s so lets stay with them. What I would like to see is the road uniforms go to blue or maybe even orange pants. How cool would that be? I do like the occasional retro day where they wear the orange jersey now that they have won in them. So my thought is “Stay True, Stay Blue. Mr. Bowlen you have done, or not done enough already, leave the uniforms as is!!!
And I would like to welcome all the newcomers to the Broncos and wish them great success in 09.
Go Broncos!
I agree bronkrod7 that the road uniforms would look MUCH better and tougher with dark pants. White on white is horrible! I personally like the orange jerseys at home though. Definitely dark pants on the road would look sweet.
Goodell, Quinn, Simms chime in on the Cutler debate
http://blogs.nfl.com/category/around-the-web/
I have to say this these free agents are gonna boost this team up to its true potential. Looking forward to the RB competition and the defense is gonna be sharp we picked up some great secondary players as well as some guys that bring pain inside the box! It is going to be a fun season for us Bronco fans. I am looking forward to it. Keep up the great work looking forward to August!
I can’t wait to see Dawkins crush that unsuspecting reciever comming across the middle. POW!
TIME OF POSSESSION ! ! !
GO BRONCOS ! ! !
Too bad we didn’t get Leonard Weaver. The guy was one of the few bright stars on the Seahawks roster. Also we could of got him for cheap like a La’ron Mcclain. He reminded me of a young Mike Anderson
dwill NO! Just keep cutler! Doing all that isn’t only expensive because of signing the 1st overall pick, but expensive because Cutler is making how much this year? And Quinn is making what, double that?
Either way Cutler is the QB we need to continue into the future with, you could argue Quinn wouldn’t turn it over as much I guess, and that our D would be much better obviously. But I don’t think Quinn could get us to score the way we would need to in order to win with out schedule this year. Our D would be good, but don’t think it would be a scoring or turnover hawking one.
It is interesting to think what we could get for Cutler though, as much as I like him you have to think a decent qb with upside and some more young D studs would be interesting. Think your’s was more reasonable than mine being as the browns want to rebuild through the draft. I thought just straight up to the browns for Quinn and their 1st rounder and maybe 2nd or 3rd or 4th whatever else they would give! Take Curry obviously if he is there, then Raji at 12.
Either way still like Cutler still wearing Orange and Blue the best!
Davis and Reid, thanks for working hard! Hopefully it ignites a fire under some of our other guys we kept for what ever reason!