Dispatch
Davidson wins over those in the know
Browns coordinator well liked since days at Westerville North
Sunday, October 29, 2006
James Walker
THE COLUMBUS DISPATCH
Former Ohio State offensive lineman Jeff Davidson takes over a Browns offense ranked last in the NFL.
BEREA, Ohio ? It is said that a person?s character can be judged by what others say.
If that?s the case, former Ohio State player and new Cleveland Browns offensive coordinator Jeff Davidson passes every test.
"He?s one of those guys that you can never say anything bad about," said former Ohio State assistant Bill Conley, who recruited Davidson out of Westerville North High School. "He immediately lights up the room when he walks in. People respond to him."
Davidson?s former high school coach agrees.
"The first thing is, he?s just a terrific person," Ron Balconi said. "I don?t think there?s anybody that didn?t think the world of him."
Browns guard Joe Andruzzi said, "Jeff?s a great guy."
Those who know Davidson have no doubts that he will be a good offensive coordinator. Since he was a teenager, he had a passion for engineering. He took a keen interest in fixing things, putting them together, and seeing how they worked.
Perhaps Davidson has stumbled onto his most difficult project to date. Today will mark his first attempt at resurrecting Cleveland?s 32 nd-ranked offense when the Browns (1-5) play the New York Jets (4-3).
"I don?t know if fixing many ditches or building many roads (will help Davidson), but obviously he?s doing something that he likes to do and he?s good at it," said Earle Bruce, who coached Davidson at Ohio State for two seasons. "He must communicate well with players, and he is building something, there?s no doubt about that."
Browns policy doesn?t allow assistant coaches to speak with the media during the season.
Davidson, 39, was named offensive coordinator Monday night when Maurice Carthon resigned.
Former coaches describe Davidson as intelligent and a student of the game. He played well at OSU for four seasons (1986-89) and spent four years in the NFL with Denver and New Orleans before a shoulder injury ended his career.
That?s when Davidson turned to coaching. He spent two years with New Orleans, eight with New England and the last two on Romeo Crennel?s staff in Cleveland.
"He learned the game," Balconi said. "He has all the tools and potential and the dedication."
Davidson quickly gained the respect of Browns players and upper management. When the Jets looked into Davidson?s availability this past offseason, Crennel promoted him with the title of assistant head coach.
The move put Davidson in position to replace Carthon if things went awry, which was the case in the first six games.
The offensive linemen were the happiest with Davidson?s promotion. Many disagreed with Carthon?s play-calling and style of coaching. Now, their guy is in charge.
The offense has been in disarray and hasn?t thrown or run the football with any consistency. At the very least, players say, Davidson will bring some organization and attempt to develop an identity.
"He?s one of the big reasons why I came here," Andruzzi said. "Romeo is a defensive guy, and Jeff and I?ve worked (together) for six years. He?s been in the room with (former Patriots coordinator) Charlie Weis working on game plans. He has a good understanding of what type of offense we want to run, how to get things flowing for the right guys. For Jeff, it?s a well overdue job for him."
Davidson wins over those in the know
Browns coordinator well liked since days at Westerville North
Sunday, October 29, 2006
James Walker
THE COLUMBUS DISPATCH
BEREA, Ohio ? It is said that a person?s character can be judged by what others say.
If that?s the case, former Ohio State player and new Cleveland Browns offensive coordinator Jeff Davidson passes every test.
"He?s one of those guys that you can never say anything bad about," said former Ohio State assistant Bill Conley, who recruited Davidson out of Westerville North High School. "He immediately lights up the room when he walks in. People respond to him."
Davidson?s former high school coach agrees.
"The first thing is, he?s just a terrific person," Ron Balconi said. "I don?t think there?s anybody that didn?t think the world of him."
Browns guard Joe Andruzzi said, "Jeff?s a great guy."
Those who know Davidson have no doubts that he will be a good offensive coordinator. Since he was a teenager, he had a passion for engineering. He took a keen interest in fixing things, putting them together, and seeing how they worked.
Perhaps Davidson has stumbled onto his most difficult project to date. Today will mark his first attempt at resurrecting Cleveland?s 32 nd-ranked offense when the Browns (1-5) play the New York Jets (4-3).
"I don?t know if fixing many ditches or building many roads (will help Davidson), but obviously he?s doing something that he likes to do and he?s good at it," said Earle Bruce, who coached Davidson at Ohio State for two seasons. "He must communicate well with players, and he is building something, there?s no doubt about that."
Browns policy doesn?t allow assistant coaches to speak with the media during the season.
Davidson, 39, was named offensive coordinator Monday night when Maurice Carthon resigned.
Former coaches describe Davidson as intelligent and a student of the game. He played well at OSU for four seasons (1986-89) and spent four years in the NFL with Denver and New Orleans before a shoulder injury ended his career.
That?s when Davidson turned to coaching. He spent two years with New Orleans, eight with New England and the last two on Romeo Crennel?s staff in Cleveland.
"He learned the game," Balconi said. "He has all the tools and potential and the dedication."
Davidson quickly gained the respect of Browns players and upper management. When the Jets looked into Davidson?s availability this past offseason, Crennel promoted him with the title of assistant head coach.
The move put Davidson in position to replace Carthon if things went awry, which was the case in the first six games.
The offensive linemen were the happiest with Davidson?s promotion. Many disagreed with Carthon?s play-calling and style of coaching. Now, their guy is in charge.
The offense has been in disarray and hasn?t thrown or run the football with any consistency. At the very least, players say, Davidson will bring some organization and attempt to develop an identity.
"He?s one of the big reasons why I came here," Andruzzi said. "Romeo is a defensive guy, and Jeff and I?ve worked (together) for six years. He?s been in the room with (former Patriots coordinator) Charlie Weis working on game plans. He has a good understanding of what type of offense we want to run, how to get things flowing for the right guys. For Jeff, it?s a well overdue job for him."
