DMN: Blog: Draft class closes door on Keith Davis

[Cbz40]

Draft class closes door on Keith Davis

10:40 AM Tue, Apr 28, 2009 | Permalink | Yahoo! Buzz
Tim MacMahon


There's no room for Keith Davis at Valley Ranch after this weekend.

Fifth-rounders DeAngelo Smith and Michael Hamlin will compete with Pat Watkins and Courtney Brown for two or three roster spots at safety. The Cowboys drafted with an emphasis on special teams, picking several players who can help fill the void left by Davis' departure.

Davis definitely had an interesting tenure with the Cowboys. He made the team as an undrafted free agent in 2002, then was cut the following year after getting shot while in the parking lot of a strip club, putting him in position for Bill Parcells to make an example out of him. After a stint in NFL Europe, he earned his way back onto the Cowboys' roster and was a special teams stud and occasional fill-in starter for the next six seasons, during which he survived another gunshot and spent a training camp with the Dolphins.

The young players might be able to replace Davis' production. He'll be tough to replace in the locker room. Davis, the special teams captain, was an emotional leader who didn't shy away from challenging his teammates and demanding accountability.

 

[DaBoys4Life]

I'd prefer we do away with Watkins Brown and Davis.

 

[Bob Sacamano]

shame

 

[Ren]

Pat Watkins is still part of the team while davis isn't somethings just wrong with that

 

[TellerMorrow34]

I'd rather they keep Davis and signal the end of Watkins. But I'm not going to be too hurt with the loss of either guy, honestly.

 

[hairic]

Good. His 2005 season still haunts me. He's also 30.

BTW, we can afford two rookies signed to minimum contracts for the same price as one unathletic Keith Davis on a minimum contract.

 

[Stash]

The young players might be able to replace Davis' production. He'll be tough to replace in the locker room. Davis, the special teams captain, was an emotional leader who didn't shy away from challenging his teammates and demanding accountability.

Sounds like a troublemaker to me!

We don't need his kind ruffling feathers and rocking the boat!

Good riddance!

 

[Bob Sacamano]

Matt Jones!

 

[Stash]

Matt Jones!

speaking of troublemakers, nice to hear from you!

 

[yentl911]

Pat Watkins is still part of the team while davis isn't somethings just wrong with that

I agree 100%....I would take Davis over Watkins any day of the week. Davis is a tema player, a demon on special teams and is a sevriceable player - I don't see any positives from Watkins...although he is good at crying...

I would keep Killer and let Watkins hit the road.

 

[Alexander]

I think he would be a progress stopper at this point.

It is regrettable but time to add youth and speed on special teams, not to mention at safety. If they expanded the gameday rosters, I'd love to have a player like him for a few plays a game. But beyond that, he can be improved upon.

 

[onetrickpony]

There is no doubting his effort but Killer's leadership didn't do much for our special teams last year.

 

[Alexander]

There is no doubting his effort but Killer's leadership didn't do much for our special teams last year.

As bad as it sounds, you are right.

 

[Vinnie2u]

I'm going to miss the bullet magnet.. At least he's not afraid to tackle...

 

[Pottsville Maroons]

to me, this decision is in keeping with this year's draft philosophy. Get guys that can help on ST now (like Davis) but ones that you feel can be starters in due time. The coaches have already been down that road with Davis and know what his abilities and limitations are in the regular defense. His absence gives the draftees more reps in the mini-camps, etc, and helps them get coached up more quickly.

While we know and like Davis' hunger, leadership, and ST ability, (our hope is) the scouts have targeted and drafted players with those same characteristics, but with higher ceilings, making Davis expendable.

I would suggest that Watkins and maybe even C. Brown may now be viewed more as an insurance policy in case they've missed on one of the draftees.

 

[onetrickpony]

I would suggest that Watkins and maybe even C. Brown may now be viewed more as an insurance policy in case they've missed on one of the draftees.

You could add Ball to that list, too. I think all three are on thin ice.

 

[Pottsville Maroons]

You could add Ball to that list, too. I think all three are on thin ice.

Very true. I was thinking more specifically of Safeties.