New Cleveland Browns linebacker Karlos Dansby says he is on a 'mission'
Karlos Dansby doesn't see himself as having signed a contract so much as having been "chosen."
The veteran linebacker has joined the Cleveland Browns with something much larger in mind than replacing recently released D'Qwell Jackson and continuing to perform at the level of the career-best season he had last year with the Arizona Cardinals.
"It's a new era, it's a new day," Dansby said Wednesday during a news conference in Berea to introduce him and two of the Browns' other new free-agent acquisitions, strong safety Donte Whitner and reserve cornerback Isaiah Trufant. "I'm coming on a mission, and that's to win. That's all I know how to do is win.
"I think there's something special about this city. I don't know what it is yet. I've been out on the West Coast, I've been down South; I was born down South (Birmingham, Ala.). I've never been in this kind of weather, this kind of element before, so it's brand new to me.
"I'm taking a leap of faith. I really believe there's something special going on here. That's the reason I'm here and I'm going to make the most of this opportunity. I'm going to maximize."
Dansby, 32, clearly did that for the Cardinals in 2013, his 10th season in the NFL.
He registered 122 tackles (giving him more than 100 in each of the past two years), including 6½ sacks. Dansby also forced a fumble and had a fumble recovery.
In addition, he had four interceptions and 19 passes defensed. Dansby's pass coverage should provide much-needed improvement in an area where the Browns struggled last season.
He is convinced that the scheme of new Browns coach Mike Pettine, former defensive coordinator of the Buffalo Bills and New York Jets, should do plenty to allow him to perform even better.
"I think I might double my output here, just by the positioning of myself in this scheme," Dansby said. "I think it's one of the better schemes in the NFL, if you ask me. Like I said, I'm on a mission. I'm on a mission to try to be the best player I can be. That's the mission I was on last season and I came close; I came real close.
"Playing at the toughest position in the NFL, and you get a chance to dominate at that position, it says a lot about you as a person, as character, and as a player. In the process of doing that, you're raising the play of guys around you. It says that you're a special person. You're a special player.
"Like I said, I'm trying to double my output here, make the guys around me better, and try to win a lot of ball games, and try to be one of the best teams in the NFL."
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