Like Jerome Harrison before him, Davis has not been happy with his lack of playing time.
James Davis carried just four times in his time with the Cleveland Browns, gaining nine years before being waived on Monday.BEREA, Ohio -- The Browns waived seldom-used running back James Davis on Monday shortly after being awarded running back Thomas Clayton off waivers from New England.
The news was welcomed by Davis, who had been increasingly dissatisfied with his diminished role. Davis was inactive for three of the past four games. He carried the ball only four times for nine yards this season.
"I don't know why they weren't exploiting his talents," said agent Thomas Hunter. "He did share with me in recent weeks being dissatisfied."
Davis wrote on his Twitter account: "Finally was granted with my wish." But Hunter said there was no demand to be let go and he was surprised by the Browns' move.
"To reduce him as an observer was surprising," Hunter said. "We certainly have a different opinion of James' talents. I've already had some calls on him. I believe he'll be a productive back with some other team."
The move was prompted when the Patriots waived Clayton from their active roster to make room for a safety for their game Sunday against San Diego.
Clayton, 5-11 and 222 pounds, was signed by the Patriots four weeks ago off the Browns' practice squad. He was active for two games but did not play on offense. The Browns' next game after their bye is against the Patriots.
But J.R. Rickert, Clayton's agent, believes there is more than gamesmanship involved in the Browns' claim. Rickert said that prior to losing Clayton to New England, the Browns were close to promoting him to their regular roster.
"Based on my talks with the Browns, he was making significant progress with them. He was even taking some reps with the first team at the time," Rickert said. "He's a little more of a home-run hitter than what they've got right now. He's got some breakaway speed."
These moves further change the running back depth chart that shows little resemblance to the one planned at the start.
The Browns headed into training camp expecting rookie Montario Hardesty, Jerome Harrison and Peyton Hillis to be their top three backs, with Davis competing for a spot, too. Hardesty suffered a season-ending knee injury in the fourth preseason game. Harrison was traded 10 days ago to Philadelphia for running back Mike Bell. Hillis has emerged as the team's feature back and touchdown leader.
The waiving of Davis further decimates the Browns' 2009 draft, which was the first for Eric Mangini as the team's coach. Davis was the last of eight choices made by Mangini, taken in the seventh round. Of those eight picks, only four remain -- center Alex Mack, receivers Brian Robiskie and Mohamed Massaquoi, and linebacker Kaluka Maiava, who is out for the year with a knee injury.
The Browns would not confirm the roster moves Monday night.