Cleveland Browns inside linebacker Karlos Dansby

Linebacker Karlos Dansby was a casualty of the Browns 30-plus purge.

(John Kuntz/cleveland.com)

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Linebacker Karlos Dansby, released by the Browns Wednesday, expects more veterans to go as part of the club's rebuilding process and purge of players over 30.

By Wednesday afternoon, receiver Dwayne Bowe, 31, was also released, saving the Browns almost $12 million in cap space over the next two years.

"They respect me enough to let me know 'we're going to rebuild this thing and we're going to do it with younger guys and we appreciate everything you've been able to do for the organization but we can't do that to you,''' Dansby, 34, told cleveland.com. "They know I can't go through no rebuilding process. They said, 'we respect you enough to let you go pursue your dream and your goal' so I appreciate it.''

Dansby's release came shortly after the Browns signed former Jets linebacker Demario Davis, 27, who will start at inside linebacker opposite Chris Kirksey. They also signed former Texans safety Rahim Moore, 26, to a one-year deal.

The release didn't take Dansby by surprise. He's been gearing up since the Browns fired Mike Pettine and Ray Farmer and hired Hue Jackson and promoted Sashi Brown to Executive Vice President of Football Operations.

"I told (teammates) before the season was even over, I'm going to be ready for whatever,'' said Dansby. "I told them 'you have to be ready for whatever.' I know other guys are preparing as well."

The Browns are targeting their 30-and-over players, but safety Donte Whitner told cleveland.com Wednesday he expects to be around "and I want to win a championship for Cleveland."

As for Dansby, who led the team with 108 tackles and three interceptions, two of which were returned for touchdowns, he's eager for a chance to win a Super Bowl somewhere else. He signed a four-year deal worth $24 million, including $12 million guaranteed, meaning they got two years out of him at $6 million a year. They do not have to pay him his $5 million base salaries in 2016 and 2017.

"It's time for me to go get a ring,'' Dansby said. "This is going to get me closer to my destiny and I'm cool with that.''

Dansby is hoping to sign with a Super Bowl contender such as the Bengals, Cardinals or Packers.

"Yeah, I think the Bengals are licking their chops right now,'' he said. "I hope they are. We'll see what it is."

Dansby, who believes he has four or five years left, is the only active player with at least 40 career sacks and 15 interceptions. He also leads all active linebackers with 19 interceptions and six pick-sixes.

"Wherever I go, I know I'm going to be in a better situation to win right now,'' he said. "To even have a shot at it with a system, that's already in place, it's time to move. I'm getting goosebumps just thinking about it.''

Dansby's only regret is that the Browns didn't release him sooner so he could catch the first wave of free agency.

"But I'll be all right,'' he said. "Teams are still looking for linebackers and now that I'm on the market, they know what I can do. They saw me perform last season and there's no falloff. I've still got gas in the tank and I've got a lot of passion for this game, so I'm poised and ready for this challenge."

First off I like to thank GOD for leading me to Cleveland and expanding my territory! I like to… https://t.co/jjfdDwx8AJ — Karlos Dansby (@Karlosdansby56) March 16, 2016

Dansby said he didn't think a complete rebuild was necessary for the Browns "but it's a decision that's been made. Once you make that decision, you just have to ride with whatever comes with it. I think we have enough talent right now to win in the building, but they wanted to go in a different direction."

Dansby, who acknowledged that his last two years here were the hardest of his career, addressed the two 2014 first-round picks that he said had "wasted years'' as rookie: Johnny Manziel, who was waived, and defensive back Justin Gilbert.

"I just hope (Manziel) pulls it all together,'' said Dansby. "He's still a friend of mine and if he needs me, I'll be there for him. But I hate to see that happen to him like that, all the things he went through. But sometimes, people have to go through that to mature and grow a little bit. Hopefully he'll bounce back and become the best player and the best person he can possibly be."

He said he believes Manziel can still cut it in the league.

"I think every man who's in the NFL has an opportunity to be successful, but it's on him,'' said Dansby. "He has to apply himself and go for what he knows. He has to try to find something he can model his game after and add pieces from here and there to make his game even better.

"That's how I had to do it. I had to piece it all together. Once I started piecing it all together and I started molding it, you got the finished product and now I'm one interception from being in the Hall of Fame, so it can happen."

As for Gilbert, who's had two wasted years now, he was surprisingly positive.

"His future is bright,'' said Dansby. "The kid's got plenty of talent. He just has to put forth the effort and make a conscious decision this is what he wants to do. I could see him starting to turn the corner (last season). It just takes time. He's got to get his feet wet and get his legs up under him and once he gets his leg up under him he's going to be a monster out there. He's got all the talent in the world, and once that switch hits, he can be a dangerous player."

Dansby said he never heard players say that coming to Cleveland is like being in college: four years and out, which has been reported.

"That wasn't my approach,'' said Dansby. "My approach was try to do something that people said couldn't be done. A lot of people said you couldn't win here. I said that was a lie, we've got too much talent, too many guys who want to win. My approach was 'let's win. Let's do it.'

"Now I've got my chance to go get it.''