Davis ready to “play like a Jet”

Demario Davis’ Southern drawl resonated through the teleconference phone. The excitement in his voice was palpable.

“All I can say is, I’m ready to play like a Jet,” said the Arkansas St. linebacker who was selected 77th overall in the third round Friday night.

After trading up with Seattle to get wide receiver Stephen Hill, the Jets turned their attention to Davis -- a 6-2, 235-pounder, who they project will compete to play inside linebacker.

He also was rated highly by special teams coordinator Mike Westhoff and is expected to be used in that unit.

“We really feel good about this group,” general manager Mike Tannenbaum said of his first-round pick, Quinton Couples, Hill and Davis.

The GM made it a point to say veteran linebacker Bart Scott will remain on the team this year -- “I just want to clear that up,” Tannenbaum told the media -- but he also added that Davis can help them as well.

“Demario really brings a skillset; he can run, he can hit, he has sacks, very good special teams player,” the GM said.

The Jets front office also praised Davis’ ability to drop back in coverage and defend tight ends. And the linebacker, who said he covered tight ends and wide receivers, and played on special teams, a lot at Arkansas St., is anxious to prove he can make the jump to the NFL.

“Whenenver they want me to contribute, i’ll be ready,” he said.

Davis -- a native of Brandon, Miss., a town of less than 20,000 - said he wasn’t sure the Jets would pick him in the third round.

“I was just waiting on the phone call,” he said. “Whichever round they called me I was going to be ready to do what I had to do.”

For those of you wondering where Brandon, Miss. is, Davis laughed and said “That’s the bottom of the map.”

“It’s the deep south,” he said. “Nothing but good hospitality and good eating. Ya’ll can come on down and visit.”