Cowboys lose safety to Saints
 

IRVING – Safety Keith Davis, a restricted free agent who started 16 games last year, has agreed to a two-year contract with New Orleans.
The deal, which includes a $1.2 million signing bonus, would allow Davis to earn $2.1 million in 2006. Davis is expected to submit the deal to the league office on Tuesday, which means the Cowboys would then have seven days to match the contract.
His best performance came on special teams, especially kickoff and punt coverage where he was one of the Cowboys' leading tacklers.

http://www.cowboysplus.com/topstoryn....21181e33.html

At least he is a strong safety. Boy the secondary is getting interesting. draft a CB in the second and it will be fun.

RE: Cowboys lose safety to Saints
 

It's looking more and more like D Smith is moving to CB. I think this is a good move, good pick up. I'm beginning to doubt we draft a DB on the first day if things stay as they are.

RE: Cowboys lose safety to Saints
 

Interesting

RE: Cowboys lose safety to Saints
 

Very interesting....Maybe our Special teams will be SPECIAL this year instead of special?

RE: Cowboys lose safety to Saints
 

Dwight Smith opposite Mike... sounds good to me.

RE: Cowboys lose safety to Saints
 

Keith Davis | S Complete player profile
Full Name: Keith Davis
Born: December 30, 1978
Dallas, TX
Height: 5-10
Weight: 198 lbs. Age: 27
Pos: S
Experience: 3 years
College: Sam Houston State
Insider Analysis
Grade 62
Expert's Take Davis has adequate size for the position and he is not going to be mis matched versus many receivers. He has good foot quickness and he is quicker than he is fast. He has good speed however he lacks ideal top end speed. He has good upper body strength and he is very aggressive in attacking blockers and he uses his hands well in block protection. He is fluid in his movement and he has good change of direction skills. He does a good job of reading the quarterback and he gets a good break on the ball when it is thrown. He can match up very well with most backs and tight ends in man coverage in a short area however he lacks the running ability to play man coverage all over the field. He is inconsistent with his footwork and he takes some false steps. He is somewhat vulnerable to play action fakes. He is a sure tackler and he shows that he can make a play in space however he is not the guy you want to bring down into the box on a regular basis in run support. He takes good angles to the ball in pursuit but he does not play with a high level of intensity. He will not make many big plays but he will not make many big mistakes. He plays a very cautious free safety. He plays a very productive role on special teams but durability has been a problem. His ability to stay healthy over the course of a season has become an issue.


http://insider.espn.go.com/nfl/fa?playerId=4373

RE: Cowboys lose safety to Saints
 

who does everyone think will start in the secondary? i think dwight and mike on the corners and davis and bellamy at safety............so what about bullocks and stoutmire......where do they end up?

RE: Cowboys lose safety to Saints
 

Dwight and mike with Davis or Scott and Bullocks. I think Bellamy may be the player on the Bubble.

RE: Cowboys lose safety to Saints
 

Depends on who's going to call the plays.
As it stands now, I guess it will be MM and DS on the corners and Bellamy and Bullocks at safety. If someone else starts calling plays then I guess Bullocks and Davis will start.

RE: Cowboys lose safety to Saints
 

i think bellamy is a solid safety, people under estimate him, not real quick, but he tackles better then most on our def, but thats not sayin alot either

RE: Cowboys lose safety to Saints
 

I see some CBs cut and the dime package and maybe the nickle to be filled with safeties. At least the special teams will get a huge boost

RE: Cowboys lose safety to Saints
 

I live in Dallas, so I've seen this guy at several Cowboys games. He isn't a starting safety, but is an absolute beast on special teams. He is like a heat-seeking missle. This is a very good boost for special teams!!!

-He's actually my buddy's favorite Cowboy.

RE: Cowboys lose safety to Saints
 

It looks like Payton is placing alot of emphasis on special teams.

RE: Cowboys lose safety to Saints
 

The way things are going, we should have Roy Williams in about 3 years. He would match all of our safetys and ex-cowboys. Not that i'm complaining

RE: Cowboys lose safety to Saints
 

I think logically right now, it would seem like the best lineup would be MM and Dwight at the corners, and Bullocks and Bellamy at the safeties. However, I just don't know if moving Dwight to the corner is even going to happen. I haven't heard anything coming out of mini-camps about the move; which I think would be pretty newsworthy. I wouldn't be surprised to see us take a CB in the draft that we expect to start on Week 1.

RE: Cowboys lose safety to Saints
 

what about getting crom outta fsu...........

RE: Cowboys lose safety to Saints
 

Sweet getting the Secondary Stacked !!!! i like it..... and he is a special teams guy ewww i love that !!! I think it will be Smith and MM CBs then Bullocks and Bellamy maybe Scott????

Man, Dwight back at CB, where have I heard that before? :D

Another Safety Expected to Sign
 

RFA Keith Davis, Dallas

Safety Keith Davis is expected to sign an offer sheet with the New Orleans Saints by Tuesday, giving the Cowboys seven days to either match the deal or let last year's starting free safety walk without compensation - just as they did last week with offensive tackle Torrin Tucker, who signed with Tampa Bay.

While the Cowboys likely have been looking for an upgrade at starting free safety, they still valued Davis, who not only started 15 games last year, but arguably is the team's top special teams player.

In fact, Cowboys head coach Bill Parcells said as much during the 2004 season, when Davis finished second on the team with 21 special teams tackles and was starting to command double-team attention when covering kicks.

http://www.dallascowboys.com/news.cf...3315CB1ED453EF

I guess Dwight Smith will have to go to corner LOL

can't say that I know a lot about him so I saw what Dallas message boards had to say-

--Potentially another player lost without any compensation. Parcells really likes Davis on special teams, even to the point of losing sleep wether playing him at safety would negatively affect kick off coverage. With the dirth at safety already, I'd be surprised if he walks, especially with no compentation. Bummed too, I like what he brought to the game.

--You know what Silver, they will match that offer because Davis is a very good special teams player, maybe their best and Parcells loves those type of guys. I think they would pay that just for him playing special teams alone, He's that good. I would be surprised if they let him walk. $722,000 is not a lot, especially when they have plenty under the cap.

and from scout.com:
S Keith Davis – He’s Bill Parcells special teams’ ace, and a work in progress at the free safety position. In all, he started 15 games at free safety and led the team with 16 special teams tackles. He may not be the best compliment to SS Roy Williams, but he’s proven to be a capable back up if the Cowboys elect to draft or sign a better coverage safety this offseason. Davis should be back with the team in 2006.

I'm all about upgrading special teams, BUT we have one good player on the offensive line, and he's switching positions, and so is somewhat questionable at the time. I'll be pateint, put some faith in the team and hope they make the moves when it counts, BUT at the moment I'm getting a little concerned about our priorities. Safety is probably the last position on the defense that you need to fill. Plus we already have McAfee, Gleason, and Lewis returning for Special Teams coverage. It is hardly a glaring need. We already missed out on the best O-lineman in free agency, and we trade a good but old one (Gandy) for a very poor safety (Scott).

Also Dwight Smith would be a poor choice for a cornerback. He's bulked up way too much since college and has lost his quickness. He's fast, just not quick enough.

I like the possibility of acquiring Keith Davis. It would take a little of the sting out of losing Mel Mitchell. The secondary, which has been a glaring weakness over the last several seasons, looks to be really shaping up. Davis will provide great depth, can start if needed, and will be a HUGE boost to special teams. I hope the Cowboys don't match the offer.