Although it's still early in the process, New England Patriots wide receiver Britt Davis is one roster "longshot" who has turned some heads thus far in the 2012 offseason. At 6'3" and 215 lbs, Davis offers a big, physical frame that no other experienced Patriots receiver can match.
Tina Akouris of the Chicago Sun-Times recently highlighted Davis' thoughts on making the final roster:
Davis, who played at Riverside-Brookfield and Northern Illinois, is competing for a spot in a Patriots receiving corps that features former Illinois standout Brandon Lloyd and perennial Pro Bowl pick Wes Welker. Former Northwestern star Jeremy Ebert also is vying for a spot.
‘‘It's been an uphill battle every year, but it is everything that I expected,'' Davis said. ‘‘Yes, it's always pressure. This is the highest level of football, and the pressure put on yourself shouldn't have to get any higher.
‘‘I'm a bigger guy, and that's really it. I'm not a numbers guy. I just go out and do my job. At the end of the day, I don't pay attention to any of that stuff.''
While I would still categorize Davis as a "longer shot" to make the final roster, he does have some unique traits that give him a chance. If he can prove to be a capable asset on special teams, it wouldn't shock me if he beat out a player like Donte Stallworth for the final roster spot. For now, it's still a longshot, but Davis is developing into a fan favorite who should be fun to watch in the preseason.