Davis Leaves For Washington Without Contract; Brad Johnson En Route In?
Nick Eatman
DallasCowboys.com Staff Writer
March 2, 2007 1:52 PM (Updated 8:58 PM)
RVING, Texas - The free-agent signing period has begun and the Cowboys appear to be moving fast.
The Cowboys brought in free-agent offensive lineman Leonard Davis, a former No. 2 overall pick in 2001 who has played the last six years in Arizona.
Davis, who has played both guard and tackle during his career, arrived at Valley Ranch Friday morning and had a lengthy visit at the Cowboys headquarters.
However, while the Cowboys attempted to work a deal with Davis (6-6, 366) to keep him from making other visits, the lineman left Dallas Friday to go to Washington, where he was a visit planned with the Redskins on Saturday. It also appears Davis could visit the Giants later on in the weekend.
Davis could just be testing the market, which so far, has been rather good to the guard position. Buffalo dished out a seven-year, $49 million contract to Derrick Dockery and Cleveland inked Eric Steinbach to a similar seven-year, $49.5 million deal.
The Cowboys might have a need for a starting guard and tackle on the right side of the offensive line.
With the start of free agency, last year's starting right tackle Marc Colombo is now unrestricted and can meet with other clubs. The Cowboys have had contract talks with his agent, but couldn't get a deal done before the start of the signing period.
If Colombo signs elsewhere, the Cowboys would not only need another right tackle, but could have huge void at right guard, where Marco Rivera has started the past two years. But for the second time in two years, Rivera underwent back surgery to repair a herniated disk.
The 11-year veteran who turns 35 in late April might be hard-pressed to come back again
And the Cowboys certainly don't have much experienced depth at either position, with Pat McQuistan as the primary backup at tackle now and Cory Proctor backing up the guard positions. Plus, starting left tackle Flozell Adams is entering the final year of his five-year deal he signed back in 2003.
That is where adding Davis would be beneficial. While the former University of Texas standout hasn't exactly lived up to his draft-day expectations, his experience playing either position is definitely valuable.
Davis was an All-American tackle at Texas, but played guard his first three seasons in Arizona before switching to left tackle the last three years.
And Davis probably wouldn't mind returning back home either. The Wortham, Texas, native grew up just south of Dallas, which could be a big factor in his a decision.
On the Move?
Of the Cowboys' unrestricted free agents, Colombo appears to be the team's top priority to re-sign. The Cowboys also seem to be interested in re-signing kicker Martin Gramatica.
But two other unrestricted free agents were visiting other clubs on Friday, including defensive end Kenyon Coleman, who met with the Browns and is scheduled to visit the New York Jets later in the weekend.
Also, center Al Johnson was scheduled to visit Tampa Bay over the weekend, and could also meet with the Cardinals next week. With the Cowboys re-signing Andre Gurode to a six-year, $30 million contract last week, it all but ended Johnson's chances to returning to the team next season.
Backup Plan?
Earlier this week, Cowboys vice president Stephen Jones said finding a backup quarterback to Tony Romo was one of the team's top priorities heading into free agency.
As of Friday, the Cowboys had not officially scheduled a visit with Brad Johnson, but it appears the veteran could be headed to Dallas for a visit over the weekend.
Other possible backup candidates might include Joey Harrington, who spent last year in Miami with Jason Garrett, and possibly even Kerry Collins, a teammate of Garrett when the two played for the New York Giants.
DallasCowboys.com Staff Writer
March 2, 2007 1:52 PM (Updated 8:58 PM)
RVING, Texas - The free-agent signing period has begun and the Cowboys appear to be moving fast.
The Cowboys brought in free-agent offensive lineman Leonard Davis, a former No. 2 overall pick in 2001 who has played the last six years in Arizona.
Davis, who has played both guard and tackle during his career, arrived at Valley Ranch Friday morning and had a lengthy visit at the Cowboys headquarters.
However, while the Cowboys attempted to work a deal with Davis (6-6, 366) to keep him from making other visits, the lineman left Dallas Friday to go to Washington, where he was a visit planned with the Redskins on Saturday. It also appears Davis could visit the Giants later on in the weekend.
Davis could just be testing the market, which so far, has been rather good to the guard position. Buffalo dished out a seven-year, $49 million contract to Derrick Dockery and Cleveland inked Eric Steinbach to a similar seven-year, $49.5 million deal.
The Cowboys might have a need for a starting guard and tackle on the right side of the offensive line.
With the start of free agency, last year's starting right tackle Marc Colombo is now unrestricted and can meet with other clubs. The Cowboys have had contract talks with his agent, but couldn't get a deal done before the start of the signing period.
If Colombo signs elsewhere, the Cowboys would not only need another right tackle, but could have huge void at right guard, where Marco Rivera has started the past two years. But for the second time in two years, Rivera underwent back surgery to repair a herniated disk.
The 11-year veteran who turns 35 in late April might be hard-pressed to come back again
And the Cowboys certainly don't have much experienced depth at either position, with Pat McQuistan as the primary backup at tackle now and Cory Proctor backing up the guard positions. Plus, starting left tackle Flozell Adams is entering the final year of his five-year deal he signed back in 2003.
That is where adding Davis would be beneficial. While the former University of Texas standout hasn't exactly lived up to his draft-day expectations, his experience playing either position is definitely valuable.
Davis was an All-American tackle at Texas, but played guard his first three seasons in Arizona before switching to left tackle the last three years.
And Davis probably wouldn't mind returning back home either. The Wortham, Texas, native grew up just south of Dallas, which could be a big factor in his a decision.
On the Move?
Of the Cowboys' unrestricted free agents, Colombo appears to be the team's top priority to re-sign. The Cowboys also seem to be interested in re-signing kicker Martin Gramatica.
But two other unrestricted free agents were visiting other clubs on Friday, including defensive end Kenyon Coleman, who met with the Browns and is scheduled to visit the New York Jets later in the weekend.
Also, center Al Johnson was scheduled to visit Tampa Bay over the weekend, and could also meet with the Cardinals next week. With the Cowboys re-signing Andre Gurode to a six-year, $30 million contract last week, it all but ended Johnson's chances to returning to the team next season.
Backup Plan?
Earlier this week, Cowboys vice president Stephen Jones said finding a backup quarterback to Tony Romo was one of the team's top priorities heading into free agency.
As of Friday, the Cowboys had not officially scheduled a visit with Brad Johnson, but it appears the veteran could be headed to Dallas for a visit over the weekend.
Other possible backup candidates might include Joey Harrington, who spent last year in Miami with Jason Garrett, and possibly even Kerry Collins, a teammate of Garrett when the two played for the New York Giants.
posted by The Gryphon at 8:20 PM
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