All Demario Davis could do was sport a wide grin. He was happy to be back home again.
“I am very glad to be a Jet again,” said Davis after an organized team activities workout Tuesday. “This is my home. I just thank God that I was able to come full circle. Now, I want to help the Jets win a championship.”
Davis, a linebacker, who played four seasons with the Jets from 2012 through 2015, was reacquired by the team Thursday in a trade with the Cleveland Browns for safety Calvin Pryor. Last season with Cleveland, Davis had 99 combined tackles with two sacks and one forced fumble in 15 starts and 16 overall games.
His position on the team quickly was heightened when the Jets released veteran middle linebacker David Harris Tuesday. Davis is rumored to possible take Davis’ spot or an outside one for the 2017 campaign. He previously topped the 100-mark in combined tackles with the Jets in 2013 (107) and 2014 (career-high 116).
With a young team in Cleveland last season, Davis was thrust into a leadership role. It was an adjustment for the fifth-year player who was the Jets’ third-round draft pick in 2012.
“While I was there, I learned how to lead,” said Davis. “I also learned a lot about me. I began to isolate myself to learn more and really began to check my game. I really learned how to prepare and take a good look at myself.
“From there, I learned how to lead others and really found out where I was at in my career.”
Davis did appreciate his time in Cleveland.
“Cleveland was really a first-class organization from top to bottom,” he said. “I did enjoy my time there and they will be a club on the move. They treated me well.”
Davis already has begun working on his pass coverage and blitzes, two major components that he plans to implement more effectively in the fall. He is ready to take the next step in his career with the Jets.
“I have been working on it and I plan to keep doing so during the summer,” he said. “Last year in Cleveland really helped me develop as a player. Now I am back where I should be. I am very anxious to get started and this team is very focused.
“We all have been working hard and we’re looking to have a very good year ahead.”