Cowboys' Davis faces big expectations
By CALVIN WATKINS
The Dallas Morning News
IRVING – At 6-6, 366 pounds, Leonard Davis is the biggest man on the Cowboys offensive line. He also may have the biggest weight on his shoulders.
Davis, who received a franchise-record $16 million signing bonus in the off-season, faces high expectations. He faced similar expectations when he left Texas and was selected by Arizona with the No. 2 pick of the 2001 draft.
He mostly fell short of those expectations with the Cardinals, failing to make the Pro Bowl and often receiving criticism by the media and the coaching staff for his play.
"I didn't think it was fair, but it comes with what we do," Davis said.
But Davis, the starting right guard, is excited about his new opportunity, even if it again comes with high expectations.
"I feel like it's a rebirth," Davis said. "There's things that guys on this line are out to prove and everybody is different, that's obvious. But for me to come and be a part of this team and [get a chance to] win the whole thing gets me excited."
NFC East rivals Washington and New York also pursued Davis as a free agent. But he chose Dallas, taking advantage of the opportunity to move closer to Wortham, Texas, where he grew up – a lot bigger than most.
He'll be part of one of the biggest lines in the NFL, but Davis' teammates are taking notice of some pounds he may have shed.
"When we played against him in the past we thought he was bigger than what he was," defensive end Chris Canty said. "But he's not. Look at that body, man. He's in great shape, moves well, he's fantastic."
Davis' athletic ability has also surprised several of his teammates. He moves well with his feet laterally and can get down the field to throw a block.
In the past, Davis has been criticized for his pass-blocking, but that hasn't been a problem in Dallas through the first two preseason games.
He's taken down several defenders with his size.
"Yeah, he's the biggest I've ever seen," tight end Jason Witten said. "I never knew he was that athletic until he got here and watching him run, he looks like a running back out there. Sometimes you're running behind him and you get lost because you can't see around him."
LOUIS DeLUCA / DMN
Cowboys lineman Leonard Davis (78) grew up in Wortham, Texas, and played college football at Texas.
Cowboys owner and general manager Jerry Jones has also taken notice. He said after the second preseason game that it seemed impossible for any defender to touch quarterback Tony Romo.
Davis is off to a strong start, but will have to continue to prove himself in Dallas.
It was something he couldn't always do in Arizona. He allowed 34.5 sacks in six seasons playing guard and tackle for the Cardinals.
Still, the Cowboys wasted no time in trying to get Davis. The Cowboys want big offensive linemen to open holes for Julius Jones and Marion Barber, and to protect Romo.
Davis, who was offered more money by Washington, wanted to play close to home and possibly finish his career here.
"The thought came across my mind that it would be nice to finish here," he said. "But things happen and I can't be worried about that right now."
COMING UP BIG Leonard Davis said the biggest offensive line he has played on was his 2001 rookie season in Arizona. A look at that unit and the Cowboys' 2007 offensive line:
2001 Arizona Cardinals Pos. Player Ht. Wt.
LT L.J. Shelton 6-6 335
LG Pete Kendall 6-5 294
C Mike Gruttadauria 6-3 284
RG Leonard Davis 6-6 370
RT Anthony Clement 6-8 350
2007 Cowboys Pos. Player Ht. Wt.
LT Flozell Adams 6-7 340
LG Kyle Kosier 6-5 294
C Andre Gurode 6-4 316
RG Leonard Davis 6-6 366
RT Marc Colombo 6-8 315
__________________
The Dallas Morning News
IRVING – At 6-6, 366 pounds, Leonard Davis is the biggest man on the Cowboys offensive line. He also may have the biggest weight on his shoulders.
Davis, who received a franchise-record $16 million signing bonus in the off-season, faces high expectations. He faced similar expectations when he left Texas and was selected by Arizona with the No. 2 pick of the 2001 draft.
He mostly fell short of those expectations with the Cardinals, failing to make the Pro Bowl and often receiving criticism by the media and the coaching staff for his play.
"I didn't think it was fair, but it comes with what we do," Davis said.
But Davis, the starting right guard, is excited about his new opportunity, even if it again comes with high expectations.
"I feel like it's a rebirth," Davis said. "There's things that guys on this line are out to prove and everybody is different, that's obvious. But for me to come and be a part of this team and [get a chance to] win the whole thing gets me excited."
NFC East rivals Washington and New York also pursued Davis as a free agent. But he chose Dallas, taking advantage of the opportunity to move closer to Wortham, Texas, where he grew up – a lot bigger than most.
He'll be part of one of the biggest lines in the NFL, but Davis' teammates are taking notice of some pounds he may have shed.
"When we played against him in the past we thought he was bigger than what he was," defensive end Chris Canty said. "But he's not. Look at that body, man. He's in great shape, moves well, he's fantastic."
Davis' athletic ability has also surprised several of his teammates. He moves well with his feet laterally and can get down the field to throw a block.
In the past, Davis has been criticized for his pass-blocking, but that hasn't been a problem in Dallas through the first two preseason games.
He's taken down several defenders with his size.
"Yeah, he's the biggest I've ever seen," tight end Jason Witten said. "I never knew he was that athletic until he got here and watching him run, he looks like a running back out there. Sometimes you're running behind him and you get lost because you can't see around him."
LOUIS DeLUCA / DMN
Cowboys lineman Leonard Davis (78) grew up in Wortham, Texas, and played college football at Texas.
Cowboys owner and general manager Jerry Jones has also taken notice. He said after the second preseason game that it seemed impossible for any defender to touch quarterback Tony Romo.
Davis is off to a strong start, but will have to continue to prove himself in Dallas.
It was something he couldn't always do in Arizona. He allowed 34.5 sacks in six seasons playing guard and tackle for the Cardinals.
Still, the Cowboys wasted no time in trying to get Davis. The Cowboys want big offensive linemen to open holes for Julius Jones and Marion Barber, and to protect Romo.
Davis, who was offered more money by Washington, wanted to play close to home and possibly finish his career here.
"The thought came across my mind that it would be nice to finish here," he said. "But things happen and I can't be worried about that right now."
COMING UP BIG Leonard Davis said the biggest offensive line he has played on was his 2001 rookie season in Arizona. A look at that unit and the Cowboys' 2007 offensive line:
2001 Arizona Cardinals Pos. Player Ht. Wt.
LT L.J. Shelton 6-6 335
LG Pete Kendall 6-5 294
C Mike Gruttadauria 6-3 284
RG Leonard Davis 6-6 370
RT Anthony Clement 6-8 350
2007 Cowboys Pos. Player Ht. Wt.
LT Flozell Adams 6-7 340
LG Kyle Kosier 6-5 294
C Andre Gurode 6-4 316
RG Leonard Davis 6-6 366
RT Marc Colombo 6-8 315
__________________
posted by The Gryphon at 9:24 AM
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