The new and improved Demario Davis

Expectations for the return of linebacker Demario Davis were low but after the first five weeks of the regular season, he’s stepped up tremendously with the New York Jets. Here’s a look at why the new and improve Davis is making some serious noise.

When the New York Jets traded safety Calvin Pryor this offseason in exchange for linebacker Demario Davis, reviews were mixed at first. Many felt that Davis wasn’t good then and probably still wasn’t going to be good now but optimism was in the air that maybe the time away did some good.

As a member of the Browns last season, Davis totaled 59 tackles, two sacks, and two passes defended. It wasn’t easy playing with the Browns but Davis made the most out of it. Fast forward to now and Davis is playing like a new and improved defender that is ready to continue making a name for himself with the team that originally drafted him in 2012.

Just five games into the regular season so far with the Jets, Davis has totaled 33 tackles, 1.5 sacks, and has been a solid starting linebacker. He’s always wherever the football is and is playing some of the best football in his six-year career.

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Eve head coach Todd Bowles has noticed that he’s developing into a quality leader on defense. Courtesy of the Media Relations Department of the Jets, here is what Bowles said about the kind of season Davis is having:

On what Demario Davis has meant to the defense…

He’s meant a lot. He’s been a vocal leader. The fact that he’s been there before  ̶  mostly with the d-linemen, the secondary is fairly new ̶  but he’s meant a lot because he lines us up. He can do things in our blitz package as he lines up in different spots and gives us some versatility. And just his overall leadership and understanding of the game has helped out the younger guys a lot.

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Needless to say, if Davis continues playing as good as he has been, the Jets will continue surprising many this season. It’s hard to believe this team is 3-2 with a chance to be in the No. 1 spot in the AFC East if they beat the Super Bowl reigning New England Patriots in Week 6 at home. Anything can happen and in the case of Davis, it’s great to see him and the team already exceed expectations. Davis is proof that sometimes when given another chance to do what you’re capable of doing, you can continue to make the most of any future opportunities.