Overall Ranking
| 224 | '09 | '08 | '07 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Games | -- | -- | -- |
| Attempts | -- | -- | -- |
| Rushing Yards | -- | -- | -- |
| 100 Yard Games | -- | -- | -- |
| Receptions | -- | -- | -- |
| Receiving Yards | -- | -- | -- |
| Total TDs | -- | -- | -- |
Season Schedule
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Week 1 - Sep 12
CLE @ TB
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Week 2 - Sep 19
KC @ CLE
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Week 3 - Sep 26
CLE @ BAL
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Week 4 - Oct 03
CIN @ CLE
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Week 5 - Oct 10
ATL @ CLE
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Week 6 - Oct 17
CLE @ PIT
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Week 7 - Oct 24
CLE @ NO
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Week 8 - Oct 31
bye
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Week 9 - Nov 07
NE @ CLE
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Week 10 - Nov 14
NYJ @ CLE
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Week 11 - Nov 21
CLE @ JAC
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Week 12 - Nov 28
CAR @ CLE
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Week 13 - Dec 05
CLE @ MIA
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Week 14 - Dec 12
CLE @ BUF
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Week 15 - Dec 19
CLE @ CIN
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Week 16 - Dec 26
BAL @ CLE
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Week 17 - Jan 02
PIT @ CLE
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Week 1 - Sep 13
MIN 34 @ CLE 20
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Week 2 - Sep 20
CLE 6 @ DEN 27
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Week 3 - Sep 27
CLE 3 @ BAL 34
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Week 4 - Oct 04
CIN 23 @ CLE 20
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Week 5 - Oct 11
CLE 6 @ BUF 3
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Week 6 - Oct 18
CLE 14 @ PIT 27
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Week 7 - Oct 25
GB 31 @ CLE 3
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Week 8 - Nov 01
CLE 6 @ CHI 30
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Week 9 - Nov 08
bye
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Week 10 - Nov 16
BAL 16 @ CLE 0
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Week 11 - Nov 22
CLE 37 @ DET 38
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Week 12 - Nov 29
CLE 7 @ CIN 16
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Week 13 - Dec 06
SD 30 @ CLE 23
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Week 14 - Dec 10
PIT 6 @ CLE 13
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Week 15 - Dec 20
CLE 41 @ KC 34
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Week 16 - Dec 27
OAK 9 @ CLE 23
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Week 17 - Jan 03
JAC 17 @ CLE 23
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Week 1 - Sep 07
DAL 28 @ CLE 10
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Week 2 - Sep 14
PIT 10 @ CLE 6
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Week 3 - Sep 21
CLE 10 @ BAL 28
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Week 4 - Sep 28
CLE 20 @ CIN 12
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Week 6 - Oct 13
NYG 14 @ CLE 35
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Week 7 - Oct 19
CLE 11 @ WAS 14
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Week 8 - Oct 26
CLE 23 @ JAC 17
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Week 9 - Nov 02
BAL 37 @ CLE 27
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Week 11 - Nov 17
CLE 29 @ BUF 27
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Week 12 - Nov 23
HOU 16 @ CLE 6
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Week 13 - Nov 30
IND 10 @ CLE 6
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Week 14 - Dec 07
CLE 9 @ TEN 28
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Week 15 - Dec 15
CLE 10 @ PHI 30
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Week 16 - Dec 21
CIN 14 @ CLE 0
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Week 17 - Dec 28
CLE 0 @ PIT 31
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Week 1 - Sep 09
PIT 34 @ CLE 7
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Week 2 - Sep 16
CIN 45 @ CLE 51
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Week 3 - Sep 23
CLE 24 @ OAK 26
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Week 4 - Sep 30
BAL 13 @ CLE 27
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Week 5 - Oct 07
CLE 17 @ NE 34
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Week 6 - Oct 14
MIA 31 @ CLE 41
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Week 8 - Oct 28
CLE 27 @ STL 20
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Week 9 - Nov 04
SEA 30 @ CLE 33
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Week 10 - Nov 11
CLE 28 @ PIT 31
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Week 11 - Nov 18
CLE 33 @ BAL 30
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Week 12 - Nov 25
HOU 17 @ CLE 27
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Week 13 - Dec 02
CLE 21 @ ARI 27
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Week 14 - Dec 09
CLE 24 @ NYJ 18
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Week 15 - Dec 16
BUF 0 @ CLE 8
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Week 16 - Dec 23
CLE 14 @ CIN 19
vitals
James Davis
Cleveland Browns
Rolling Thunder
Clemson's James Davis has a lot to prove this year. Before 2008-2009, the standout running back of Atlanta had been breaking records every year he stepped on the football field, rushing for 7,339 yards over his high school career and making waves for himself early in his college career. In 2006, Davis was a semifinalist for the Doak Walker award claimed by Darren McFadden after running for nearly 1,200 yards and scoring 17 touchdowns. By 2008, his production had fallen back to earth, as he and CJ Spiller proceeded to rip off the "Thunder and Lightning" from like 12 other RB tandems over the years. Between '07-'08 and '08-'09, "Thunder and Lightning" part douze split carries down the middle, limiting both of player's individual production.
"Thunder" was picked in the 6th round of the draft by the Cleveland Browns. He is a strong and well-built runner who is rarely stopped behind the line of scrimmage, a credit to his quick decision-making, good initial burst, and impressive leverage.
What's Holding Ya' Back?
Davis has some shortcomings in his game, most notably his physical tools. His numbers at the combine were well below average, and he showed over the second half of his college career that he didn't have a high enough gear to break away for the big gain. Davis often had to to cut back on defenders who were gaining on him due to his lack of burst in the open field. Though he is quick to the hole, he doesn't have adequate speed to make it past NFL safeties for big runs. Another significant problem with Davis is his injury history. Davis runs high and takes hard contact and has twice suffered major injury setbacks on the football field, missing time in 2005 with a broken wrist and undergoing surgery on his shoulder in 2008.
Apart from his physical shortcomings, Davis has also been questioned for his character issues. Like so many other NFL players, Davis has somewhat of a big mouth. Davis was often critical of teammates and coaching staff in college, a pattern that doesn't bode well for him in the NFL. At times, his effort is said to waiver and he rarely commits himself to pass blocking or clean route running. If Davis expects to earn some NFL playing time, he'll need a significant attitude adjustment and realize that 80% effort won't cut it for a 6th-rounder among the world's biggest and baddest.
2009 Fantasy Outlook
James Davis will start the year (and probably finish it) behind Jamal Lewis and his backup, Jerome Harrison. Jamal Lewis will still take most of the carries, though the team will likely try to ease off of him and look to go younger. Jerome Harrison has shown some flashes of brilliance and appears the Browns best long-term solution for now.
Davis probably won't amount to much in the NFL, and he definitely won't amount to much in a fantasy league for '09.
Contract
Davis signed his four-year, $1.849 million rookie contract in July of '09. The deal also included a $99,250 signing bonus. Here's the breakdown:
2009 - $310,000
2010 - $395,000
2011 - $480,000
2012 - $565,000
2013 - Free Agent
In The Huddle
Strength of Schedule
CLEVELAND BROWNS
Rank #12 vs. Rush
Rank #8 vs. Pass
1=Toughest 32=Easiest
Injury Report
Davis has struggled with injuries in the past, suffering a broken wrist in 2005 and undergoing shoulder surgery in 2008. He’s a thick, strong guy with the physique to withstand a beating, however, and doesn’t miss games with day-to-day injuries. Overall, his injury risk is only a little bit higher than normal.
Breaking News
NFL to begin investigation into the season ending injury of rookie James Davis expand +
ESPN's Adam Schecturd had reported that evidently James Davis was not in pads and was "trucked" by a fully padded linebacker teammate in practice two weeks ago.
Pyro's Take:
This will be interesting. If the Cleveland Steamers - i mean Skidmarks are hiding something, our boy Roger Goodell will certainly find out what it is. Punishing them probably won't make much of a difference - they can't get much worse.
James Davis placed on IR ending his rookie season expand +
Browns rookie running back James Davis (shoulder) was placed on injured reserve on Saturday thus ending his 2009 season.
Pyro's Take:
We didn't see this coming at all. There was no indication that his shoulder injury was this bad, but obviously it was worse than anyone thought. You can drop the young prospect from your fantasy football team now.
Jamal inactive, Davis to backup starter Harrison expand +
Browns running back Jamal Lewis is inactive for Sunday's game against the Ravens.
Pyro's Take:
Jerome Harrison will start with rookie James Davis sure to get a bunch of touches as well. However, none are worth a fantasy start against the ass-kicking Ravens D.
James Davis to finally get his shot? expand +
Cleveland Browns running back Jamal Lewis was not on the field at the beginning of practice on Thursday after missing Wednesday's practice with a hamstring injury.
Pyro's Take:
Nobody in a league less than 32 teams would be starting Jamal anyway, but the news is still significant for those waiting to see rookie James Davis get his shot. Too bad it might be against a team (Ravens) that could end his career before it even starts.
Rookie James Davis surprised by speed of the game expand +
Cleveland Browns rookie running back James Davis found out on Sunday that the regular season in the NFL is very different than the preseason. “I’m glad I got the first game out of the way,” Davis said. “I know the speed of it now. I thought I adjusted to it well. Probably not early enough, but ...”
Pyro's Take:
You didn't really think that teams were going to play their second and third-stringers all year, did ya buddy? Looks like the talk of Davis being a sixth-round steal can be shelved for awhile now.
Rookie RB James Davis in car accident on Saturday morning expand +
On his way to morning walk-thrus, James Davis was involved in an accident and is now listed as questionable for Sunday's match vs. the Vikings.
Pyro's Take:
This is a bummer, and we hope he's okay. He is coming off an incredible preseason and was likely on a trajectory to overtake the worn down Jamal Lewis as the starter. We'll report more when he read it.
Jamal Lewis keeps his job... for now expand +
Cleveland Browns RB Jamal Lewis has made the final cut and will remain the starting RB for now.
Pyro's Take:
There was a ton of speculation that Jamal would be left off the 53-man roster due to his inflated salary and the fact that he pretty much sucks now, but he seems to have escaped that fate for now. Rookie James Davis will supplant the aging Lewis soon enough and should be drafted in the later rounds. Lewis, however, is still undraftable.
Another strong outing for rookie James Davis expand +
Five carries for 37 yards.
Pyro's Take:
Kiss Jamal Lewis g-bye.
Browns' rookie James Davis looks good once again in the pre expand +
James Davis ran for 28 yards on five carries and caught four balls for 27 yards in the Browns' third exhibition Saturday night.
Davis' preseason YPC stands at 7.8, and he's got seven catches. Meanwhile, Jamal Lewis is averaging an anemic 2.6 yards per carry.
Pyro's Take:
Davis is a nice sleeper pick. We didn't have him listed as one, but we do now. I'm also sitting at my draft right now, we are in the 11th round, and I'm gonna grab him - we have to start a rookie every week. Why not?
Jerome Harrison rides bike at practice, James Davis stepping up expand +
Cleveland Browns RB Jerome Harrison has been riding a bike on the sidelines during practice the past couple of weeks. It's unclear exactly what the injury is and when it occurred.
Pyro's Take:
The Browns may have a running back controversy on their hands. Jamal Lewis has been unimpressive this preseason, and isn't getting any younger. At the same time, the guy who was supposed to be stealing carries from Lewis this season has been injured the past few weeks. What's more is that in Harrison's absence, the back who has been the most outstanding thus far is rookie James Davis, who many are saying should take over for Jamal Lewis sometime during the regular season, if not to begin the season. Whatever happens in this situation, stay away from Cleveland RBs in your upcoming drafts.
Rookie James Davis rumbles for 116 yards on only 12 carries expand +
James Davis was very productive in garbage time vs. the lowly Lions on Saturday.
Pyro's Take:
We don't learn much from this stat line, except that James Davis is capable of ripping off an 81 yard TD (3rd quarter) vs. second stringers. That said, given Jamal Lewis' age, why not bust a last round pick on Davis?
Browns' Davis missing practice due to dental work expand +
Cleveland Browns rookie RB James Davis has been missing from camp the past few days, and it was just revealed yesterday that he has been getting dental work done and should be back soon.
Pyro's Take:
As beat writer Daniel Wolf puts it, Davis has "been outstanding at camp." We're not sure if its wisdom teeth, cavities, or whatnot, but hopefully he can get back on the field and earn himself a roster spot.
James Davis impresses Browns expand +
The sixth-round pick out of this year's draft has impressed the Browns with his "quick feet" and "aggressive running" according to Cleveland Plain Dealer beat writer Tony Grossi.
Pyro's Take:
Davis is currently third on the depth chart behind Jamal Lewis and Jerome Harrison at RB but Mangini has noticed him, remarking how he's always the first down the field at special teams. Good to hear hard work is still being noticed these days.
