College Stats
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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.
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.
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.
