ESPN Mosley: Is Keith Davis headed back to Dallas?
Posted by ESPN.com's Matt Mosley
I case you haven't heard, the Miami Dolphins cut safety Keith Davis on Wednesday. The news caught everyone in the Cowboys organization by surprise because the club's former head coach, Bill Parcells, now the Dolphins' top executive, has been a huge supporter of Davis' over the years.
Parcells sent Davis packing before the 2003 training camp because of an off-the-field incident. But Davis went to NFL Europa the following spring and was named the league's defensive MVP. From 2004-07, he was the Cowboys' best special teams player. When he became a free agent in March, Dolphins GM Jeff Ireland quickly signed him.
I talked to Davis during a summer minicamp, and he seemed excited about his new situation. The one problem with Davis, though, is that he's never fully embraced his role as a special teams ace. When Darren Woodson had to retire in 2004 because of a back injury, Davis was thrust into the starting lineup. Parcells told Davis that he could become one of the best special teams players he'd ever coached, but that was never enough.
I've heard from a source this morning that Davis asked for his release once it became clear that he wouldn't be a starter in Miami. I'm shocked Parcells didn't call him into his office and tell him to stop whining about playing time, but then, maybe he did at some point.
I talked to a Cowboys source this morning who said the team was doing its "due diligence" on Davis. In this case, due diligence means Jerry or Stephen Jones picking up the phone and asking Parcells what the heck happened.
As long as Davis isn't injured or in trouble with the law, it makes sense that he'd land back in Dallas. The special teams unit is the weakest part of the team. Under coach Bruce Read last season, the coverage units weren't particularly impressive and that has held true throughout the preseason.
Davis won't start in Dallas, but at least he has a better chance of making it to a Super Bowl.
I case you haven't heard, the Miami Dolphins cut safety Keith Davis on Wednesday. The news caught everyone in the Cowboys organization by surprise because the club's former head coach, Bill Parcells, now the Dolphins' top executive, has been a huge supporter of Davis' over the years.
Parcells sent Davis packing before the 2003 training camp because of an off-the-field incident. But Davis went to NFL Europa the following spring and was named the league's defensive MVP. From 2004-07, he was the Cowboys' best special teams player. When he became a free agent in March, Dolphins GM Jeff Ireland quickly signed him.
I talked to Davis during a summer minicamp, and he seemed excited about his new situation. The one problem with Davis, though, is that he's never fully embraced his role as a special teams ace. When Darren Woodson had to retire in 2004 because of a back injury, Davis was thrust into the starting lineup. Parcells told Davis that he could become one of the best special teams players he'd ever coached, but that was never enough.
I've heard from a source this morning that Davis asked for his release once it became clear that he wouldn't be a starter in Miami. I'm shocked Parcells didn't call him into his office and tell him to stop whining about playing time, but then, maybe he did at some point.
I talked to a Cowboys source this morning who said the team was doing its "due diligence" on Davis. In this case, due diligence means Jerry or Stephen Jones picking up the phone and asking Parcells what the heck happened.
As long as Davis isn't injured or in trouble with the law, it makes sense that he'd land back in Dallas. The special teams unit is the weakest part of the team. Under coach Bruce Read last season, the coverage units weren't particularly impressive and that has held true throughout the preseason.
Davis won't start in Dallas, but at least he has a better chance of making it to a Super Bowl.
posted by The Gryphon at 6:44 PM
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