Jarrad Davis is seeing his horizons expand on multiple levels on the Detroit Lions' defense.
As Davis begins his third season as a starting linebacker, it's a sign of his rising stature that the more he accomplishes, the more is expected of him – and the more he is willing to provide it.
One sign of his desire to improve his game is the work he put in this offseason as a pass rusher. It was not one of his strengths as a rookie two years ago, when he posted two quarterback sacks.
Davis improved to six sacks last year, but he did not consider himself the finished product as a pass rusher. He worked with veteran defensive line coach Pete Jenkins to improve his pass-rush techniques.
Davis wanted to become more proficient beating one-on-one blockers, and not have to rely solely as much on blitzes to get to the quarterback.
"I did a lot of work with him," Davis said Wednesday. "I want to add more to my game – help the defense out. I can drop in coverage every play. To be able to come in and rush the passer is super nice, too.
"It's fun to go out and have an offense guess if I'm coming, or am I dropping? What am I going to do?
"It's really exciting to give offenses more of a headache. There are so many of us they have to block. They can't block every one of us. Somebody's going to win a one-on-one and make a big play. That's what we're here to do.'
The entire defense should benefit from playing the same system under head coach Matt Patricia and coordinator Paul Pasqualoni for a second straight season.
That's especially important for Davis, who has the responsibility of making the calls. He had to make a transition last year from the defense he played in as a rookie under coordinator Teryl Austin to the one Patricia and Pasqualoni brought in.
"It's just being aware of the system, -- being aware of what we're trying to do and accomplish as a defense," Davis said. "We all know each other. We know, 'This is my job,' and I know the guy around me."
One of those guys is 353-pound nose tackle Damon “Snacks” Harrison Sr. Harrison is actually in front of him, and Davis was instantly aware of the impact he had on the defense when the Lions acquired him in a trade with the Giants after Game 6.
The Lions gave up an average of 139 yards rushing per game in the first six games. With Harrison plugging the middle and making stops for no gain or losses, that average dropped to 82 yards over the last 10 games.
"It's complete mayhem in front of me," Davis said when asked what it was like playing behind Harrison. "It's a mess. I've just got to get an elbow in there, get a finger on the ball carrier.
"He just swallows them up. It's awesome to have him in front of me. It clears up a lot of things."
View photos of players arriving for 2019 Detroit Lions Training Camp presented by Rocket Mortgage on Wednesday, July 24, 2019 in Allen Park, Mich.
Theo Riddick arrives for the first day of 2019 Detroit Lions Training Camp presented by Rocket Mortgage at the team's training facility on Wednesday, July 24, 2019 in Allen Park, Mich. (Detroit Lions via AP)
Matthew Stafford arrives for the first day of 2019 Detroit Lions Training Camp presented by Rocket Mortgage at the team's training facility on Wednesday, July 24, 2019 in Allen Park, Mich. (Detroit Lions via AP)
Quandre Diggs arrives for the first day of 2019 Detroit Lions Training Camp presented by Rocket Mortgage at the team's training facility on Wednesday, July 24, 2019 in Allen Park, Mich. (Detroit Lions via AP)
Marvin Jones Jr. arrives for the first day of 2019 Detroit Lions Training Camp presented by Rocket Mortgage at the team's training facility on Wednesday, July 24, 2019 in Allen Park, Mich. (Detroit Lions via AP)
Kerryon Johnson arrives for the first day of 2019 Detroit Lions Training Camp presented by Rocket Mortgage at the team's training facility on Wednesday, July 24, 2019 in Allen Park, Mich. (Detroit Lions via AP)
Graham Glasgow arrives for the first day of 2019 Detroit Lions Training Camp presented by Rocket Mortgage at the team's training facility on Wednesday, July 24, 2019 in Allen Park, Mich. (Detroit Lions via AP)
Trey Flowers arrives for the first day of 2019 Detroit Lions Training Camp presented by Rocket Mortgage at the team's training facility on Wednesday, July 24, 2019 in Allen Park, Mich. (Detroit Lions via AP)
Danny Amendola arrives for the first day of 2019 Detroit Lions Training Camp presented by Rocket Mortgage at the team's training facility on Wednesday, July 24, 2019 in Allen Park, Mich. (Detroit Lions via AP)
Kenny Golladay arrives for the first day of 2019 Detroit Lions Training Camp presented by Rocket Mortgage at the team's training facility on Wednesday, July 24, 2019 in Allen Park, Mich. (Detroit Lions via AP)
Tracy Walker and Da'Shawn Hand arrive for the first day of 2019 Detroit Lions Training Camp presented by Rocket Mortgage at the team's training facility on Wednesday, July 24, 2019 in Allen Park, Mich. (Detroit Lions via AP)
Matt Prater and Sam Martin arrive for the first day of 2019 Detroit Lions Training Camp presented by Rocket Mortgage at the team's training facility on Wednesday, July 24, 2019 in Allen Park, Mich. (Detroit Lions via AP)
Sam Martin arrives for the first day of 2019 Detroit Lions Training Camp presented by Rocket Mortgage at the team's training facility on Wednesday, July 24, 2019 in Allen Park, Mich. (Detroit Lions via AP)
Matt Prater arrives for the first day of 2019 Detroit Lions Training Camp presented by Rocket Mortgage at the team's training facility on Wednesday, July 24, 2019 in Allen Park, Mich. (Detroit Lions via AP)
Taylor Decker arrives for the first day of 2019 Detroit Lions Training Camp presented by Rocket Mortgage at the team's training facility on Wednesday, July 24, 2019 in Allen Park, Mich. (Detroit Lions via AP)
Jahlani Tavai arrives for the first day of 2019 Detroit Lions Training Camp presented by Rocket Mortgage at the team's training facility on Wednesday, July 24, 2019 in Allen Park, Mich. (Detroit Lions via AP)
Don Muhlbach arrives for the first day of 2019 Detroit Lions Training Camp presented by Rocket Mortgage at the team's training facility on Wednesday, July 24, 2019 in Allen Park, Mich. (Detroit Lions via AP)
Jarrad Davis arrives for the first day of 2019 Detroit Lions Training Camp presented by Rocket Mortgage at the team's training facility on Wednesday, July 24, 2019 in Allen Park, Mich. (Detroit Lions via AP)
Jamal Agnew arrives for the first day of 2019 Detroit Lions Training Camp presented by Rocket Mortgage at the team's training facility on Wednesday, July 24, 2019 in Allen Park, Mich. (Detroit Lions via AP)
Rick Wagner arrives for the first day of 2019 Detroit Lions Training Camp presented by Rocket Mortgage at the team's training facility on Wednesday, July 24, 2019 in Allen Park, Mich. (Detroit Lions via AP)
Devon Kennard arrives for the first day of 2019 Detroit Lions Training Camp presented by Rocket Mortgage at the team's training facility on Wednesday, July 24, 2019 in Allen Park, Mich. (Detroit Lions via AP)
Frank Ragnow arrives for the first day of 2019 Detroit Lions Training Camp presented by Rocket Mortgage at the team's training facility on Wednesday, July 24, 2019 in Allen Park, Mich. (Detroit Lions via AP)
Zach Zenner arrives for the first day of 2019 Detroit Lions Training Camp presented by Rocket Mortgage at the team's training facility on Wednesday, July 24, 2019 in Allen Park, Mich. (Detroit Lions via AP)
Justin Coleman arrives for the first day of 2019 Detroit Lions Training Camp presented by Rocket Mortgage at the team's training facility on Wednesday, July 24, 2019 in Allen Park, Mich. (Detroit Lions via AP)
Tavon Wilson arrives for the first day of 2019 Detroit Lions Training Camp presented by Rocket Mortgage at the team's training facility on Wednesday, July 24, 2019 in Allen Park, Mich. (Detroit Lions via AP)
Brandon Powell arrives for the first day of 2019 Detroit Lions Training Camp presented by Rocket Mortgage at the team's training facility on Wednesday, July 24, 2019 in Allen Park, Mich. (Detroit Lions via AP)
Steve Longa arrives for the first day of 2019 Detroit Lions Training Camp presented by Rocket Mortgage at the team's training facility on Wednesday, July 24, 2019 in Allen Park, Mich. (Detroit Lions via AP)
Kenny Wiggins arrives for the first day of 2019 Detroit Lions Training Camp presented by Rocket Mortgage at the team's training facility on Wednesday, July 24, 2019 in Allen Park, Mich. (Detroit Lions via AP)
T.J. Hockenson arrives for the first day of 2019 Detroit Lions Training Camp presented by Rocket Mortgage at the team's training facility on Wednesday, July 24, 2019 in Allen Park, Mich. (Detroit Lions via AP)
Teez Tabor arrives for the first day of 2019 Detroit Lions Training Camp presented by Rocket Mortgage at the team's training facility on Wednesday, July 24, 2019 in Allen Park, Mich. (Detroit Lions via AP)
Christian Jones arrives for the first day of 2019 Detroit Lions Training Camp presented by Rocket Mortgage at the team's training facility on Wednesday, July 24, 2019 in Allen Park, Mich. (Detroit Lions via AP)
Rashaan Melvin arrives for the first day of 2019 Detroit Lions Training Camp presented by Rocket Mortgage at the team's training facility on Wednesday, July 24, 2019 in Allen Park, Mich. (Detroit Lions via AP)
Joe Dahl arrives for the first day of 2019 Detroit Lions Training Camp presented by Rocket Mortgage at the team's training facility on Wednesday, July 24, 2019 in Allen Park, Mich. (Detroit Lions via AP)
Jesse James arrives for the first day of 2019 Detroit Lions Training Camp presented by Rocket Mortgage at the team's training facility on Wednesday, July 24, 2019 in Allen Park, Mich. (Detroit Lions via AP)
Oday Aboushi arrives for the first day of 2019 Detroit Lions Training Camp presented by Rocket Mortgage at the team's training facility on Wednesday, July 24, 2019 in Allen Park, Mich. (Detroit Lions via AP)
Jalen Reeves-Maybin arrives for the first day of 2019 Detroit Lions Training Camp presented by Rocket Mortgage at the team's training facility on Wednesday, July 24, 2019 in Allen Park, Mich. (Detroit Lions via AP)
Miles Killebrew arrives for the first day of 2019 Detroit Lions Training Camp presented by Rocket Mortgage at the team's training facility on Wednesday, July 24, 2019 in Allen Park, Mich. (Detroit Lions via AP)
Will Harris and Travis Fulgham arrive for the first day of 2019 Detroit Lions Training Camp presented by Rocket Mortgage at the team's training facility on Wednesday, July 24, 2019 in Allen Park, Mich. (Detroit Lions via AP)
Tyrell Crosby arrives for the first day of 2019 Detroit Lions Training Camp presented by Rocket Mortgage at the team's training facility on Wednesday, July 24, 2019 in Allen Park, Mich. (Detroit Lions via AP)
Nick Bawden arrives for the first day of 2019 Detroit Lions Training Camp presented by Rocket Mortgage at the team's training facility on Wednesday, July 24, 2019 in Allen Park, Mich. (Detroit Lions via AP)
Linebackers coach Al Golden has seen the upward arc of Davis' performance, and he doesn't see it flattening out soon.
"There's no question there's a comfort level with him," Golden said. "He's playing faster. He's always challenging himself. You don't have to worry about that aspect of it. If he doesn't know something, he studies it.
"He's progressing both as a leader and in his improvement in a lot of different areas. I like the track that he's on. There's no question, he's become a more vocal leader. When he speaks, people listen. I don't think he wastes words."
