Leonard Davis Officially UFA

[swerb]

http://www.gbnreport.com/

February 18
(12:01 AM): Cards to let LT walk… Arizona has reportedly told LT Leonard Davis that the team won't be naming him a franchise or transition player. That would make Davis, the second player taken overall at the 2001 draft, an unrestricted free agent when the NFL signing period starts on March 2nd. Teams have until Thursday to use the franchise and transition tags. Meanwhile, with Davis all-but gone, the Cardinals will be in need of a new left tackle. In fact, Wisconsin OT Joe Thomas is likely the player the Cardinals would love to get with the 5th pick overall this year, however, its unlikely that Thomas will last that long.

[consigliere]

OK, someone fill me in, is this a guy worth going after? I remember all the hype with him back in the Warren Draft....but, if the Cardinals have huge o-line issues and are letting him go, is this a sign of their stupidity or that Davis is really THAT bad?

[Dozen]

Davis would command the 120 percent figure. The franchise figure for offensive linemen this year is $9.556 million, slightly more than what Davis made in 2006.

Factor in his prorated signing bonus, and Davis' franchise figure would have been around $12 million.

That's a high price to pay for someone who has been viewed as a disappointment thus far. Davis has yet to make a Pro Bowl, and team officials often were frustrated by what they viewed as Davis' lack of motivation and intensity.

That's why the club allowed Davis to enter the final season of his contract, choosing not to cut him or extend his contract. Davis' agent, Ryan Tollner, said earlier this week the Cardinals have made no overtures about re-signing his client.

Davis has played both guard and tackle for the Cardinals, bouncing between the two positions during his first three years with the team. Former coach Dennis Green moved Davis to left tackle in 2004, reasoning that the second overall pick in a draft should not be playing guard.

Davis performed fairly well at left tackle, although he never reached the elite level that Green and many others expected of him.

Davis, however, will be one of the more coveted players in this year's free-agent market. There is a dearth of tackles, and Davis could command a contract that guarantees him $12 million to $15 million.

With Davis gone, the Cardinals are in need of a left tackle. There is no heir apparent to Davis on the roster, and the club will need to fill the void in free agency or the draft.

http://www.azcentral.com/sports/cardina ... s0217.html