Cowboys have decided to match the Saints' two-year offer sheet Davis signed last week
IRVING, Texas -
The Cowboys won't wait until the Tuesday deadline to make a decision on restricted free agent Keith Davis. They already have. He's staying.
The Cowboys have decided to match the Saints' two-year offer sheet Davis signed last week. The fourth-year safety is expected to receive a $1.2 million roster bonus, along with a base salary of $825,000 this year. The overall two-year deal is worth about $3 million.
Davis said Friday afternoon he was never worried about the Cowboys' decision.
"I've said all along, I want to stay in Dallas," said Davis, who started 15 games at free safety last season. "Dallas is home, it's always been my home and it always will be home. At the same time, New Orleans gave me a great opportunity. So it was a win-win situation for me all along.
"But definitely, I wanted to stay in Dallas."
And so it appears Davis will get his wish. While the Cowboys have made the decision to match the deal, the process might take through the weekend before it becomes official. The Cowboys are challenging some of the language in the contract, but even if the league doesn't agree with their interpretation they still will match the offer.
Davis received the minimum $721,600 restricted free-agent tender from the Cowboys in late February to ensure a right of first refusal. But the minimum tender and Davis' undrafted status in 2002 meant the Cowboys would not be compensated for declining to exercise their right of first refusal.
Losing Davis would have been a big blow to the Cowboys, who entered the off-season already needing help at safety.
While Roy Williams will return as the starting strong safety, the Cowboys were looking to upgrade at free safety. Davis is the incumbent starter, with Willie Pile, who served as the nickel safety, returning as well. The Cowboys are also hoping for big things out of Justin Beriault, who flashed last summer in training camp before a nagging knee injury forced him to undergo surgery, which landed him on injured reserve for the season.
But regardless how Davis fits into the safety position, he is a big asset on special teams. After finishing second on the team in 2004 with 21 stops, Davis led the Cowboys in special teams tackles last year with 16, despite his extended duties at free safety.
Even with Davis now in the mix, expect the Cowboys to continue to look for help at safety during the April 29-30 NFL Draft.
The Cowboys won't wait until the Tuesday deadline to make a decision on restricted free agent Keith Davis. They already have. He's staying.
The Cowboys have decided to match the Saints' two-year offer sheet Davis signed last week. The fourth-year safety is expected to receive a $1.2 million roster bonus, along with a base salary of $825,000 this year. The overall two-year deal is worth about $3 million.
Davis said Friday afternoon he was never worried about the Cowboys' decision.
"I've said all along, I want to stay in Dallas," said Davis, who started 15 games at free safety last season. "Dallas is home, it's always been my home and it always will be home. At the same time, New Orleans gave me a great opportunity. So it was a win-win situation for me all along.
"But definitely, I wanted to stay in Dallas."
And so it appears Davis will get his wish. While the Cowboys have made the decision to match the deal, the process might take through the weekend before it becomes official. The Cowboys are challenging some of the language in the contract, but even if the league doesn't agree with their interpretation they still will match the offer.
Davis received the minimum $721,600 restricted free-agent tender from the Cowboys in late February to ensure a right of first refusal. But the minimum tender and Davis' undrafted status in 2002 meant the Cowboys would not be compensated for declining to exercise their right of first refusal.
Losing Davis would have been a big blow to the Cowboys, who entered the off-season already needing help at safety.
While Roy Williams will return as the starting strong safety, the Cowboys were looking to upgrade at free safety. Davis is the incumbent starter, with Willie Pile, who served as the nickel safety, returning as well. The Cowboys are also hoping for big things out of Justin Beriault, who flashed last summer in training camp before a nagging knee injury forced him to undergo surgery, which landed him on injured reserve for the season.
But regardless how Davis fits into the safety position, he is a big asset on special teams. After finishing second on the team in 2004 with 21 stops, Davis led the Cowboys in special teams tackles last year with 16, despite his extended duties at free safety.
Even with Davis now in the mix, expect the Cowboys to continue to look for help at safety during the April 29-30 NFL Draft.
posted by The Gryphon at 6:30 PM
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