Via the Star-Telegram: OL Davis agrees to Bigg deal
Davis, who grew up in Wortham, about 80 miles south of Dallas, got his wish Sunday, agreeing to terms with the Cowboys on a seven-year contract worth roughly $49.6 million.The deal, which includes a $16 million signing bonus and guaranteed money totaling $18.75 million, is expected to be made official today.
The signing bonus is the largest in Cowboys history. Deion Sanders, Troy Aikman and Larry Allen each received the previous high of $13 million.
Dallas needs OL help, and it is unclear if they will be able to sign Colombo, so the move makes sense.
The hard part here is to judge whether Davis is worth the cash and how we should evaluate the seemingly huge contract and historic signing bonus. Both, I must confess, seem awfully high considering that Davis never lived up to his potential with the Cards. On the other hand, he was playing for the Cards…
The comparisons to Aikman and Sanders in regards to signing bonuses isn’t a good, only because it has been a while since either signed a big contract, let alone played for Dallas. These numbers always inflate over time–sometimes ridiculously so.
And while the deal is for a grand total of almost $50 million, the guaranteed money is less than half of that. If Davis plays anywhere near potential, the money will have been well spent (which is easy to say when, since it isn’t my money).
Apparently, too, this is what the market price is for OLman these days:
the Cowboys quickly realized what the market was dictating. Free agent guards Eric Steinbach (Browns) and Derrick Dockery (Bills) signed seven-year, $49 million deals Friday, with each getting between $17 million and $18 million in guaranteed money.Neither player has a Pro Bowl appearance on his résumé.
Hopefully Dallas can still re-sign Colombo and Davis can play Guard, although he also can play Tackle:
Right tackle Marc Colombo is testing the free agent market, but the Cowboys hope to re-sign him. If he doesn’t return, Davis is an option at right tackle.If Colombo returns, Davis could play right guard, because Rivera might be forced to retire after a second back surgery in three years.
Davis could also be an option to eventually replace Flozell Adams at left tackle. Adams is entering the final year of his contract.
tags: NFL, Dallas+Cowboys, Leonard+Davis, Free+agency
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