Cowboys lose safety to Saints
By JEAN-JACQUES TAYLOR / The Dallas Morning News
02:35 PM CDT on Monday, April 10, 2006
IRVING – Safety Keith Davis, a restricted free agent who started 16 games last year, has agreed to a two-year contract with New Orleans.
The deal, which includes a $1.2 million signing bonus, would allow Davis to earn $2.1 million in 2006. Davis is expected to submit the deal to the league office on Tuesday, which means the Cowboys would then have seven days to match the contract.
The Cowboys offered Davis a one-year contract worth $722,000. He was an undrafted free agent, which means the Cowboys will not receive compensation, if they allow him to go to New Orleans.
"This is a great opportunity for me," said Davis, an Italy, Texas native. "I'm a die-hard Cowboys fan and always have been. I'd love to stay in Dallas, but New Orleans is an up-and-coming team and Sean Payton is going to be a good head coach.
"I know him well and I know Gary Gibbs, who's going to run the defense, very well. I know the 4-3 scheme they want to run and it would be a good fit. I'm really thankful for the opportunity to play whether it's in Dallas or New Orleans."
Owner Jerry Jones and coach Bill Parcells could not be reached for comment
Davis, a four-year veteran, started 15 games for the Cowboys last season and finished third on the team with 66 tackles.
But the Cowboys have made no secret they would like to upgrade the position because Davis is a natural strong safety, who excels in run support. He played free safety last year, a position that the Cowboys want to create turnovers.
Davis forced one fumble, but did not intercept a pass.
His best performance came on special teams, especially kickoff and punt coverage where he was one of the Cowboys' leading tacklers.
02:35 PM CDT on Monday, April 10, 2006
IRVING – Safety Keith Davis, a restricted free agent who started 16 games last year, has agreed to a two-year contract with New Orleans.
The deal, which includes a $1.2 million signing bonus, would allow Davis to earn $2.1 million in 2006. Davis is expected to submit the deal to the league office on Tuesday, which means the Cowboys would then have seven days to match the contract.
The Cowboys offered Davis a one-year contract worth $722,000. He was an undrafted free agent, which means the Cowboys will not receive compensation, if they allow him to go to New Orleans.
"This is a great opportunity for me," said Davis, an Italy, Texas native. "I'm a die-hard Cowboys fan and always have been. I'd love to stay in Dallas, but New Orleans is an up-and-coming team and Sean Payton is going to be a good head coach.
"I know him well and I know Gary Gibbs, who's going to run the defense, very well. I know the 4-3 scheme they want to run and it would be a good fit. I'm really thankful for the opportunity to play whether it's in Dallas or New Orleans."
Owner Jerry Jones and coach Bill Parcells could not be reached for comment
Davis, a four-year veteran, started 15 games for the Cowboys last season and finished third on the team with 66 tackles.
But the Cowboys have made no secret they would like to upgrade the position because Davis is a natural strong safety, who excels in run support. He played free safety last year, a position that the Cowboys want to create turnovers.
Davis forced one fumble, but did not intercept a pass.
His best performance came on special teams, especially kickoff and punt coverage where he was one of the Cowboys' leading tacklers.
posted by The Gryphon at 6:49 PM
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