BROWNS MINI-CAMP Davis brings confidence

The players like the idea of a fresh start with a new, confident coach.
By GEORGE WELKER
VINDICATOR SPORTS STAFF
BEREA -- Forget about all the football knowledge new Browns coach Butch Davis brings to Cleveland from the University of Miami.
The thing this team needed most, players said Monday, was confidence. And, Davis brought plenty of that to the first of three pre-season mini-camps at the team's training facility.
"We've got a brand new start with Coach Davis coming in. Everything is new for us," said quarterback Tim Couch. "So, we feel we can go out and erase the last two years and go out and win some games."
Davis spent his first practice with his new team since being hired in January to replace Chris Palmer, who managed to win just five games in two years with the expansion Browns.
"We've been to the bottom, the only place we have to go is up," said Kevin Johnson, the Browns' top wide receiver.
"The guys who have been here the past two years realize how bad it is when you're at the bottom. We need to experience a little success."
His goal: That will come naturally, if Davis has anything to do with it. His goal is to instill a championship mentality in the locker room and on the field.
"Practice and prepare like champions," he told the team during meetings Sunday.
"We needed a new identity; a fresh start puts you in a new mentality," added the vocal Johnson, pointing out that some players doubted themselves and the team toward the end of the 2000 season.
"I think the mentality of the team was that we weren't very good. No one really believed in anything," he said. "Players didn't believe in themselves. It's really frustrating when you win five games in two years."
Signs: Early indications show that's changed.
"The mentality is different. I think more guys believe. That can carry over. You have players laughing, joking and really believing in what they are doing and just going out there and giving it all they have," under Davis, he said.
Browns linebacker Jamir Miller said all changes have been positive, and Davis makes a strong effort to keep things upbeat.
"I saw bright eyes, guys were attentive. They were willing to listen. I thought their focus was outstanding," the new coach said after the morning practice session.
"Clearly, it's infancy steps from being ready to play a ballgame, but it's huge steps from the standpoint of their willingness to want to get better."
Familiarity: The Browns will spend three days getting to know Davis and his staff, then repeat the process two more times before training camp begins in July.
Davis used the early sessions to install just enough plays to get through two practices. The Browns worked on special teams and will continue to work on that for the first three practices, focusing mainly on fundamentals.
"It was a great start for the first practice," Davis said.
"I truly don't believe that they're losers," he continued. "I don't believe that the record last year is anywhere near indicative of the type of football team that we're capable of having."
Couch, who missed more than half of last season with a broken thumb, said he was impressed with Davis' energy.
At a locker nearby, second-year wide receiver JaJuan Dawson agreed, voicing confidence in the new coaching staff.
"Everybody is kind of excited ... Those guys have been places where they've won. We all feel we have a point to prove," said Dawson, who also missed most of last year due to injury.