For Immediate ReleaseMarch 22, 2013
BROWNS SIGN KELLEN DAVIS AND CHRIS OWENS
The Cleveland Browns today signed tight end Kellen Davis and defensive back Chris Owens to one-year contracts, the club announced. Owens was previously an unrestricted free agent from Atlanta where he played four seasons, while Davis spent the last five seasons with Chicago.
“Kellen has played a lot in this league and has starting experience,” said Browns Head Coach Rob Chudzinski. “His size and strength give him the ability to be a good blocker. He is a big guy who can run and provides a big target. We feel like he has a chance to help us at the tight end position.”
“Chris is an experienced cornerback who has played both inside and outside. He is very athletic with good movement skills. He is a tough, hard-nosed competitor - attributes which we are looking for in all of our players.”
Originally drafted by the Bears in the fifth round (158th overall) of the 2008 draft, Davis has not missed a game in his career, having played in all 80 regular season contests with 35 starts. He has registered 47 career receptions for 529 yards with 11 touchdowns. In 2012, he set career-highs in receptions (19) and receiving yards (229), while adding two touchdowns in 15 starts. In 2011, he recorded a career-high five touchdown catches, which tied for sixth-most among NFC tight ends that season. In addition, Davis has added 10 career special teams tackles. He was waived by Chicago on March 13, 2013.
Davis started 22 of 43 career games at Michigan State (2004-07), where he totaled 60 career receptions for 789 yards with nine touchdowns. Born October 11, 1985, the 6-7, 265-pound Davis is a native of Adrian, Michigan where he attended Adrian High School.
Originally drafted by the Falcons in the third round (90th overall) of the 2009 draft, Owens has appeared in 59 career regular season games with 12 starts. He has totaled 99 career tackles, three interceptions, 12 passes defensed, one forced fumble, one fumble recovery and one sack. During his four seasons with Atlanta, he helped the Falcons to a 45-19 (.703) record, three playoff appearances and two NFC South titles. In 2012, he played in 13 games with one start and registered 17 tackles, four passes defensed and one forced fumble as the Falcons allowed the fewest passing touchdowns in the NFL (14). Last season, Owens allowed an NFL quarterback passer rating of just 68.9 on passes thrown into his coverage. On special teams, he has totaled 27 tackles, including a career-best 10 in 2010, while also adding a fumble recovery in 2009.
Owens started 38 of 48 career games at San Jose State (2005-08), where he recorded 228 career tackles, 13 interceptions, 20 passes defensed and one sack. Born December 1, 1986, the 5-9, 180-pound Owens is a native of Los Angeles where he attended Dorsey High School.
