NFL Notebook
Cowboys Bolster Line, Add Davis
Monday, March 5, 2007; Page E04
The Dallas Cowboys reached a contract agreement yesterday with free agent Leonard Davis in their latest bid to fix their offensive line.
The Cowboys beat out the Washington Redskins to land Davis, formerly of the Arizona Cardinals, for a seven-year deal worth about $50 million, including approximately $18 million in bonuses.
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Davis is a Texas native. He attended the University of Texas and was selected by the Cardinals with the second overall choice in the 2001 NFL draft.
The Cowboys' attempt to solidify their offensive line is a project now in its third offseason. Two years ago, right guard Marco Rivera was added. Last offseason, it was left guard Kyle Kosier and right tackle Jason Fabini, who was a bust and lost the job to Marc Colombo.
Davis will play either right tackle or right guard for the Cowboys. Colombo is an unrestricted free agent and Rivera has been plagued by back problems. The Cowboys re-signed center Andre Gurode before free agency and would like to retain Colombo as well.
NFL teams continue to hand out huge contracts to offensive linemen in this free agent market. Davis's deal with the Cowboys follows the approximately $7 million-a-year signings of guards Eric Steinbach by the Cleveland Browns, Derrick Dockery by the Buffalo Bills and Kris Dielman by the San Diego Chargers.
· TEXANS: Free agent tailback Ahman Green agreed to a four-year, $23 million deal with Houston that included $6.5 million in bonuses. Green, 30, ran for 1,059 yards for the Green Bay Packers this past season. He has 8,491 rushing yards in nine seasons.
· LIONS: Free agent defensive end Dewayne White signed a five-year contract worth $29 million with Detroit to become a starter and rejoin Coach Rod Marinelli.
Marinelli is entering his second year as Detroit's head coach following 10 years as Tampa Bay's defensive line coach, a job in which he helped White develop.
· JAGUARS: Former Cleveland wide receiver Dennis Northcutt reached agreement with Jacksonville and was expected to sign today. The contract reportedly was worth $17 million and included a $4.5 million signing bonus.
News services contributed to this report.
