I held my fire on inside 'backer Demario Davis until I'd confirmed what seemed obvious:
He conceded time on passing downs to a player who was better in coverage. This is very, very, very common. In every nickel (let alone dime) package, one front seven guy is replaced by a coverage guy.
Davis is good in coverage. Somebody else was simply better. In coverage DO YOU UNDERSTAND?
He doesn't need to "return to form". He was always above average and remained above average.
He's not a replacement for Gramps Dansby. Dansby did great against father time, but his fade was inevitable. Davis is a run-and-hit guy, however, and can't defeat blocks like Karlos.
I still say Scott Solomon could play inside here, but so far Ray Horton hasn't got back to me. In Ray Horton's version of the 3-4, the inside linebackers can be more exposed to guards, especially in two tight end sets. Solomon could present himself as their only viable target.
Getting a little deeper in this digression: If the inside down linemen are scary enough, the guards are otherwise occupied. End of digression.
Rahim Moore is actually really good! It was his ball-hawking injury replacement, plus concerns over the medical condition that almost cost him his leg, plus money that made him available to the Browns.
Mary Kay Cabbot sees Moore competing with Poyer at free safety, which is correct. But she doesn't mention Ibraheim Campbell, who she's got in the "box safety" box.
Campbell can play free safety, too. Also, two other defensive backs may be tried at safety.
Both of these new players are above average.
Davis can't replace Dansby, but is an upgrade over Roberts. Moore isn't as good Gipson, but ain't chopped liver.
The Browns didn't really get better, but they got younger and cheaper.
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