IRVING – From the moment Arizona decided not to re-sign offensive lineman Leonard Davis, he told his agents he wanted to sign with Dallas.
Two division rivals tried to stop it.
Washington coach Joe Gibbs and running back Clinton Portis called the unrestricted free agent, and he was assured he would play left guard.
The New York Giants told Davis' agents, Ryan and Bruce Tollner, that he would play the premier spot on the line, left tackle, and they would surpass any offer.
Davis said no and signed a seven-year, $49.6 million deal with the Cowboys on Monday. The agreement includes $18.75 million in guaranteed money.
"It was close," Davis said of Washington's offer. "They were really close. I think the decision when it came down to it was really not about the money, it was about where I really wanted to live my life."
Dallas isn't sure where Davis will play because there are too many variables.
"Because of his versatility, except for center right now, he could play any position for us," coach Wade Phillips said. "We hadn't said you'll play this or that, it was another part of signing him [that] he could play any position."
Davis played left tackle at the University of Texas, but after being taken with the second overall pick by Arizona in 2001, he was moved to right guard. The next season, he was at right tackle. He played left tackle for Arizona the last three seasons.
Dallas is expected to re-sign starting right tackle Marc Colombo. But if it doesn't, Davis could land there.
He could also become the right guard, where Marco Rivera is currently the starter. Rivera underwent back surgery for the second time in three seasons and his status for 2007 is uncertain.
Dallas could release Rivera or he might retire.
"I'd like to be definitive there but I can't be," owner/general manager Jerry Jones said. "Certainly you're aware he's had back surgery, his second back surgery, and he's a competitor and he wants to play. But that's up in the air."
Left tackle, where Flozell Adams currently starts, could also be a possibility for Davis down the road.
Adams is in the last year of a contract that will pay him a base salary of $5 million in 2007. It's highly unlikely Dallas will cut Adams because it would be a $7 million hit against the salary cap.
Davis says however it shakes out, he's ready.
"I don't really have a preference," Davis said. "I feel like that I can be successful at either [guard or tackle]."
Davis' arrival not only made the Cowboys happy – quarterback Tony Romo greeted him with a firm handshake – but it made his family in Wortham, Texas, smile as well.
"I'm so glad our little baby is coming home," said Davis' mother, Sammie Lee Davis. "To others, he might be big, but he's our baby."
Leonard Davis is the youngest of 21 half brothers and half sisters but the only child of his parents, Sammie Lee and L.A. Davis.
It was important for him to be close to Wortham, which is about 80 miles southeast of Dallas, so he can visit his father, who has numerous health issues, including vision and eye problems that resulted from a stroke in 1995.
L.A. Davis, who hasn't seen his son play in about three years, doesn't like to fly because of his health. So when Leonard Davis signed his contract, L.A. Davis perked up. He can make the drive to Texas Stadium.
"He's really excited about that," Leonard Davis said of his father, who is 84. "He's excited to be able to watch his son play football."
Ht: 6-6
Wt: 366
Age: 28
College: University of Texas
Hometown: Wortham, Texas
Notable: Earned the nickname Big after growing to 6-0, 205 pounds as a fifth grader. He was 300 pounds as a seventh grader. ... Started his college career as a defensive tackle; then played left tackle his junior and senior seasons. ... Played every position on the offensive line with the exception of center for the Arizona Cardinals. ... Married with two daughters. ... Is the youngest of 21 half brothers and half sisters. ... His mother, Sammie Lee, has sisters who live in Dallas.
Scouting report
What he does well: Has great strength and power with the ability to lock up opponents as a guard, especially on run plays. When defenders bull rush, he uses his upper body to hold them off.
What he doesn't do well: Is not very quick in the open field, especially at tackle. With quick defensive ends that rush outside, he doesn't have the athleticism to fend for himself.
