BROWNS Johnson doesn't question coach's choice to sit him

Running back R.J. Bowers of West Middlesex was activated for Sunday.
BEREA (AP) -- It took just four seconds for Cleveland Browns coach Butch Davis to bench the team's leading receiver.
Kevin Johnson said that was the length of conversation Monday when Davis told him backup Andre' Davis would be starting in his place Sunday at Kansas City.
Johnson said he didn't ask why.
"He's the coach, I'm the player and I respect his decision," Johnson said.
But that doesn't mean he agrees with the coach's call.
"I know I'm a starter in this league, whether it's here or somewhere else," Johnson said Wednesday. "I know I can start in this league. I think my numbers speak for themselves."
Bowers activated
The Browns activated fullback R.J. Bowers, a native of West Middlesex, on Wednesday and placed tight end Chad Mustard on the practice squad. Bowers had been on the non-football injury list with a knee injury. Davis said Bowers will play special teams and possibly participate in some blocking schemes on offense.
The Browns also released offensive lineman Ben Claxton from the practice squad.
Johnson said he was hurt by the demotion, which has shaken up a receiving corps that has just six touchdowns and has not performed up to expectations.
"It surprised me a lot," wide receiver Quincy Morgan said. "K.J.'s a very good player. You can't help but be surprised."
Johnson has led the Browns (3-5) in receptions in each of his four seasons and leads them again this year in catches (40) and yards (378).
"I have one drop on the season," he said.
But it was a crucial drop on fourth down in the final drive of a loss to San Diego two games ago. Johnson also cut short a route that led to an interception and underthrew a pass that should have been a touchdown.
"Everybody has a couple bad plays here and there," quarterback Tim Couch said. "K.J.'s been our most consistent guy over the last five years."
Johnson has been Couch's favorite receiver since the two entered the league in 1999 as the first two draft picks of the expansion Browns.
Holcomb will start
Couch, benched in favor of Kelly Holcomb to start the season, will again back him up Sunday. He laughed when asked if he felt a kinship with Johnson in getting benched.
"We're just connecting in a different way now," Couch said smiling. "We used to be on the same page on the field, now we're on the same page sitting on the bench."
But Couch, who has handled his benching with humility, said he was a little shocked by Johnson's demotion and defended his teammate.
Johnson said he doesn't want his situation to become a distraction to the team and has offered to help Andre' Davis prepare for his first start. Davis, who was not available for comment Wednesday, is fourth on the Browns in receptions (18) and yards (196), but leads the team with three touchdowns.
"I'm here to support him," Johnson said. "I have his back."
Davis had two touchdowns against the 49ers on Sept. 21, including one with 29 seconds remaining that gave the Browns their first victory of the season.
But other than that, the Browns' receivers, all second-round draft picks, have failed to make big plays.
Johnson is on pace to match his numbers from a season ago. But Morgan, the Browns' other starter, has just 19 catches for 237 yards with one touchdown through eight games.
Morgan wouldn't discuss why his numbers are down from last season (56 receptions, 964 yards, seven TDs).
"People wonder why K.J. got benched and not me," said Morgan, who has articles from local newspapers critical of him hanging in his locker. "Just because I don't have as many catches doesn't mean I'm playing bad."