James Davis Deserves a Chance to Start With Browns' First-Team Offense

(Photo by Matt Sullivan/Getty Images)

Hut Hut Hike!!! Ratliff drops back...delayed handoff to James Davis on the draw. A cut through blocked defenders, and then goodbye! Davis goes down the sideline for an 81-yard touchdown run.

Now sit there and think to yourself: "Would Jamal Lewis have been that quick to get that done?"

The answer is no.

Although Jamal is very good and is admirable for his efforts, the fact is that he isn't the Jamal he use to be. He can still be a workhorse, but won't get you a whole lot of yardage per carry.

Cleveland Browns coaches should know this, and then realize the talent they have in rookie sixth-round pick James Davis.

This past Saturday against the Detroit Lions in Cleveland Browns stadium, Davis had a decent game highlighted by his 81-yard touchdown run.

During that game, Lewis had seven rushes for 23 yards (3.3 ypc) and one Touchdown. JD, discarding the 81 yard run, had 11 rushes for 35 yards (just under a 3.2 ypc).

Looking at the numbers, their stats are very similar, with Jamal barely ahead on ypc. One thing to strongly consider is that Jamal played with the starting offense and JD did not.

While Jamal played, Quinn played well and DA lit up the Lions. While JD played, he played alongside the second/third-string offense, along with QB Bret Ratliff (who hasn't done anything all off-season).

Their numbers are practically identical and when you give Davis his 81-yard rush for a TD, he surpasses Jamal on performance. JD should get the start with the first offense this upcoming game against the Tennessee.

Now some out there will attack my argument saying such things as "James Davis didn't play against the Lions No. 1 defense!"

Well if that's your argument, then consider this. Jamal ran for a 3.3 ypc against the worst team in football, while the Browns passing game was doing quite well.

JD deserves a shot to show coach Mangini what he is capable of while playing for the first-team offense. PERIOD!

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