By STEPHEN HAWKINS, AP Sports Writer
March 5, 2007

AP - Mar 5, 1:48 pm EST



IRVING, Texas (AP) -- Leonard Davis got exactly what he wanted by
signing with the Dallas Cowboys.

It was more than just the money: a seven-year contract worth nearly
$50 million. It was a return home after six disappointing seasons in
Arizona, where the 6-foot-6, 372-pound offensive lineman never became
the dominating Pro Bowl-level player so many envisioned after he was
the No. 2 pick out of Texas in 2001.

"I felt like I did everything that I could possibly do. ... Sometimes
expectations can be unrealistic,

" Davis said. "I'm excited just to
know that something new is coming up. It will be a challenge, but I'm
all about challenges."

The deal with the Cowboys includes $18.75 million in guaranteed
money, a team-record $16 million signing bonus and a $2.75 million
salary for 2007. Davis became an unrestricted free agent when Arizona
decided not to name him a franchise or transition player.

Davis played guard and tackle while starting all 91 of his games in
Arizona. Where he plays for the Cowboys depends on whether they re-
sign right tackle Marc Colombo and the future of right guard Marco
Rivera, who just had surgery on his back for the second time in less
than three years.

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"We understand what he is as an offensive lineman. There's nothing in
my mind at all unknown about what he is as a player," Cowboys owner
Jerry Jones said. "We can talk about expectations all we want to.
What he's done is the kind of play at any of those positions that
will get it done for us, or we wouldn't be making the commitment."

Jones said the Cowboys had also agreed to terms on a new contract
with kicker Martin Gramatica, who was picked up in November when Mike
Vanderjagt was released.

The 28-year-old Davis visited with Washington, and the New York
Giants were interested.

"The decision when it came down to it was not about the money. It was
about where I really wanted to live my life," Davis said.

Davis is from Wortham, Texas, about 80 miles south of Dallas. Being
close to home will provide the opportunity for his 84-year-old father
to see him play in person and for Davis to play for the team he grew
up watching.

"It's a new chapter in my life," he said. "I want to win games, which
obviously I haven't been able to do in this part of my career. Right
now, all I can do is look forward to being successful. ... I want to
be able to have some respect, earn respect."

Davis' signing bonus surpasses the $13 million the Cowboys gave Hall
of Fame quarterback Troy Aikman, defensive back Deion Sanders and
former perennial Pro Bowl guard Larry Allen.

The deal came days after free agent linemen Eric Steinbach (Cleveland
Browns) and Derrick Dockery (Buffalo Bills) got similar seven-year
deals that included $17 million to $18.5 million in guaranteed money.

While Davis was being introduced to the media, quarterback Tony Romo
came in to greet his new protector.

"I just know that he's a good player. We definitely got someone that
gets me excited," Romo said. "Anytime you can get a guy to protect
you up front, it's a huge addition."

The Cowboys are still hopeful of re-signing Colombo, and Jones said
the signing of Davis "doesn't preclude" that. The Cowboys already re-
signed center Andre Gurode to a $30 million, six-year deal with $10
million guaranteed.

Jones said the offensive line was a priority this offseason.

"We've missed on a couple of our picks the last three or four years,"
Jones said. "(Davis) gives us a chance to really play catch-up and
really get back to where, arguably, if we had gotten a little better
results on our draft there on a couple of picks, we would be."

Updated on Monday, Mar 5, 2007 4:28 pm EST