Browns’ Holly says he’ll return

The fourth-year cornerback had major knee surgery and will miss this season.

CLEVELAND (AP) — Browns cornerback Daven Holly is confident he’ll bounce back from major knee surgery next season — and be better than ever.

Holly, 25, was hurt when he jumped for a ball with receiver Braylon Edwards during practice May 21.

“I know fans have been wondering how serious this is and whether or not I’ll be back,” Holly said. “But I expect to make a full recovery with no loss of speed or strength. A delay is not a denial. I’ll come back better, stronger, faster and more mature than before.”

Holly, a fourth-year pro, said he must have overextended his leg because when he hit the ground, it buckled. Holly crumpled in pain and knew it was serious because of the impact, but he didn’t think it was season-ending.

“Unfortunately, it turned out to be worse than we thought,” he said.

Holly had reconstructive surgery days later at the Cleveland Clinic and was placed on injured reserve for the season. His rehabilitation in Berea is ahead of schedule.

“It was more ligament structure and not a torn patella tendon,” Holly said. “There are great players on our roster who have come back from torn [anterior cruciate ligaments] and made the Pro Bowl, including Kellen Winslow and Braylon Edwards.

“Those guys have been a great help and inspiration to me. This is not a career-ending thing by any means.”

Holly was expected to compete for a starting job in camp with Brandon McDonald opposite Eric Wright. The cornerback competition was expected to be one of the most lively in camp, with coach Romeo Crennel saying recently that neither had an edge. The Browns have since signed veteran cornerback Terry Cousin and will try to add another cornerback.

“I was really down about it at first,” Holly said. “I was determined to win the starting job and I felt it was my time. I’ve started games in the past and I was fully confident I could do the job. I was just beginning to come into my own, moving and reacting quicker. My only goal was to get myself ready for the starting role they wanted me to have.”

Signed by the Browns as a free agent in July 2006, Holly got a starting role that year because of a season-ending injury to Gary Baxter.

In his 12 starts, Holly had five interceptions to tie for the team lead with Sean Jones and broke up 13 passes. It was a performance that he attributes largely to the coaching of defensive coordinator Mel Tucker.

“Coach Tucker took me under his wing and pushed me to become a better person and a better player,” Holly said. “He respects everyone’s personality, and he lets the players be themselves. You can talk to him about football and daily life.”

Holly also said the birth of his son, Mekhi, shortly before he signed with the Browns helped him develop into a good NFL role model.

“Mekhi is my heart and soul, and you realize you have to put aside your childish ways,” said Holly. “I want to be a good example for him. Also, I knew I had the added responsibility of being an NFL starter.”