PRO: Prior to the 2007 season, Leonard Davis joined Dallas as the highest profile free agent acquisition on the offensive line in club history. During the 2007 season, he exceeded all expectations and earned his first career Pro Bowl selection. Davis continued to establish himself as one of the most physically dominant guards in the NFL in 2008 as he earned his second trip to the Pro Bowl as an integral part of one of the league's biggest and most productive units. His massive size and natural strength make him a powerful force as a run blocker, and his pass blocking ability helped quarterback Tony Romo re-write the Dallas record book. Davis came to his native state of Texas after spending six seasons with the Arizona Cardinals. One of the most heralded offensive linemen to come out of the University of Texas, Davis was the second pick in the 2001 NFL Draft after the Falcons chose Michael Vick with the first pick. Davis' physical presence on the front will allow Dallas to line up with perhaps the NFL's most massive offensive lines again in 2009 as his four other starting teammates return. He joins tackles Flozell Adams (6-7, 340) and Marc Colombo (6-8, 318), center Andre Gurode (6-4, 318) and guard Kyle Kosier (6-5, 305). Other than Kosier, a seventh round pick in 2002, the offensive line is comprised of first or second round picks: Colombo went in the first round in 2002, Adams went in the second round in 1998, and Gurode was drafted in the second round in 2002. Davis has started 123 games in nine seasons and is expected to be a solid contributor at guard for several more seasons in Dallas. He played guard in his first three years in the NFL and switched to left tackle in Arizona in 2004.
TRANSACTION SUMMARY:
3/5/07: Signed as an unrestricted free agent from Arizona with Dallas.
12/31/04: Placed on Reserve/Injured with a left knee injury.
4/21/01: Drafted in the first round (2nd overall) by Arizona.
2008:
Earned his second consecutive Pro Bowl berth in 2008 as he started all 16 games at right guard for Dallas. Fellow offensive linemen, Adams and Gurode, also earned Pro Bowl nominations.
Dallas' passing game finished ninth in the NFL (fifth in the NFC) with 236.8 yards-per-game.
The rushing offense ranked 21st in the NFL (ninth in the NFC) gaining 1,723 yards on the season, 107.7 yards-per-game.
With an average of 344.5 yards-per-game of total offense, the Cowboys finished the season 13th in the NFL (eighth in the NFC).
In the win at Cleveland (9/7) the offensive line did not allow a sack as the offense rolled up 487 total yards - the highest yardage output on the road since 541 yards at Washington (9/12/99). The ground game picked up 167 yards with three touchdowns while Romo had time to complete 24-of-32 passes for 320 yards with one touchdown and one interception.
Allowed time for Romo to throw for 312 yards to mark back-to-back 300-yard passing games against Philadelphia (9/15) in the home opening win. Also did not allow a sack for the second consecutive week.
Provided holes for a running game that finished with 217 total yards on 35 carries at Green Bay (9/21) - the most team rushing yards since 217 on 41 carries at Tennessee (10/1/06). Barber finished for a career-high 142 rushing yards.
The line did not allow a sack in 47 passing attempts against Washington (9/28) as Romo threw for 300 yards - his 13th career 300-yard passing game, tying him with Troy Aikman for the most in club history.
In the overtime loss at Arizona (10/12) the line allowed time for Romo to throw for 300 yards for the 14th time of his career to become the first quarterback in club history to do so.
The offensive line blocked for the second 100-yard rusher of the season as Barber picked up 100 yards on 18 carries for a 5.6 average and one score at St. Louis (10/19). The passing game - led by Brad Johnson - gained 217 yards on 17-of-34 passing with one touchdown and three interceptions.
In a defensive battle against Tampa Bay (10/26), the offense only managed 172 total yards but was able to come away with a victory with no turnovers. The 172 total yards were the least amount gained in a win in team history. The club did not record a turnover - snapping a streak of 21 consecutive games with a turnover.
In Romo's first game back at Washington (11/16), the line did not allow a sack in 27 passing attempts and also blocked for Barber, who gained 114 rushing yards on 24 attempts and completely dominated the last six minutes of the game, allowing the Cowboys to run out the clock and seal the win.
Romo threw for a season-high 341 yards in the win against San Francisco (11/23) marking his fifth 300-yard passing game of the season - on 23-of-39 passes.
The offense scored on their first four possessions en route to a 34-9 victory against Seattle (11/27). The line did not give up a sack and allowed time for Romo to throw for 331 yards - the third-most by a Cowboy on Thanksgiving Day and his sixth 300-yard game of the season.
Helped block for rookie running back Tashard Choice, who finished with 88 rushing yards on 23 carries at Pittsburgh (12/7) - for the highest individual rushing total against the Steelers all season.
In the win against the N.Y. Giants (12/14), the line allowed time for Romo to pass for 244 yards on 20-of-30 attempts and two touchdowns. They also blocked for Choice, who rushed for a team-high 91 yards and a score.
In the final game at Texas Stadium against Baltimore (12/20), the line protected Romo as he threw for 252 yards on 24-of-45 passing with two touchdowns and two interceptions while allowing only two sacks. They also created holes for Choice, who finished with 17 carries for 90 yards and a touchdown.
2007:
Earned his first Pro Bowl selection after starting all 16 games at right guard, and joined his fellow line mates Adams and Gurode on the NFC offensive front.
Was one of 13 Cowboys selected - setting a team and NFL record.
Was also a second-team All-Pro selection by the Associated Press.
Played a key role in one of the most prolific offensive seasons in club history, while helping the team to a club record-tying 13 victories and the first NFC East title for Dallas since 1998.
The Dallas offense finished the season second in the NFL in scoring (first in the NFC) with an average of 28.4 points-per-game. The 455 points scored marked the second-most in club history behind only the 1983 team (479 points).
With an average of 365.7 yards-per-game, the Cowboys were third in the NFL (second in the NFC) in total offense.
Dallas ranked fourth in the NFL (third in the NFC) in passing with an average of 256.6 yards-per-game.
In the rushing offense category, the Cowboys were 17th in the NFL (seventh in the NFC) with an average of 109.1 yards-per-game.
In the win over the N.Y. Giants on opening night (9/9), the line allowed just one sack on 24 pass plays and the running game picked up 142 yards and a touchdown on 30 carries (4.7 avg.). The offense scored six touchdowns - which tied for the fourth-most in club history in a season opener as they racked up 478 total yards - the most in a non-overtime game since 1996.
Helped the line put up 431 total yards at Chicago (9/23) as the Cowboys produced a 100-yard rusher (Barber), 100-yard receiver (Owens) and a 300-yard passer (Romo) for the first time in a game since an overtime win at Washington (9/12/99).
In the win over St. Louis (9/30), the line allowed just one sack as Romo completed 21-of-33 passes for 339 yards. The running game gained 171 yards as the offense racked up 502 total yards for the first time since the Washington overtime win (9/12/99).
Against Minnesota (10/21), helped give Romo the time to complete 28-of-32 first half passes and 31 completions in the game for a single-game career-high.
In the win over Washington (11/18), the offense allowed only one sack on 32 pass attempts with Romo completing 22 passes for 293 yards and four touchdowns. It was the first time in team history a quarterback threw for four touchdowns in back-to-back weeks.
In the Thanksgiving Day win over the N.Y. Jets (11/22), helped provide the holes for the second 100-yard rusher of the season - Barber (103) - as the running game picked up a season-high 174 yards.
Against Green Bay (11/29), did not allow a sack for the third time in 2007 as Romo completed 19-of-30 passes for 414 yards and four touchdowns. It was the fifth time the offense amassed 400-or-more yards in the season and the sixth 300-yard passing game of the year for Romo.
At Detroit (12/9), the Dallas offense racked up 368 total yards as Romo recorded his seventh 300-yard game of the season with a 110.4 passer rating - his seventh consecutive game with a passer rating above 100.0.
In the playoff loss to the N.Y. Giants (1/13/08), the line led a season-long 20-play, 90-yard drive for a touchdown in the second quarter that consumed 10:28, marking the longest time of possession on any drive in 2007. The line also provided holes for Barber - who finished with a career-high 129 yards on 27 carries (4.8 avg.).
2006 (Arizona):
Started 16 regular season games at left tackle for the Arizona Cardinals.
Was the leader of a unit that helped Edgerrin James become the first 1,000-yard rusher for Arizona since Adrian Murrell in 1998.
Helped James produce the Cardinals first individual 100-yard rushing game since 2004 when he ran for 115 yards at St. Louis (12/3).
Then helped James rush for 115 yards the following week in a 27-21 win over Seattle (12/10). The Cardinals line did not allow a sack of quarterback Matt Leinart.
Two weeks later, James gained 105 yards in a 26-20 win at San Francisco (12/24).
2005 (Arizona):
Started the first 15 games at left tackle before a knee injury forced him to miss the final game of the season at Indianapolis (1/1/06).
His blocking helped Cardinals quarterback Kurt Warner complete a club record 64.5 percent of his 375 pass attempts.
The Cardinals finished with the NFL's best passing offense for the first time in club history with 277.3 yards-per-game and ranked eighth in the NFL in total offense with 348.4 yards-per-game.
2004 (Arizona):
Made a successful switch to left tackle after playing guard his first three years in the NFL.
Started 15 games at left tackle in 2004 under first-year Cardinals head coach Dennis Green.
Arizona went 6-10, including 5-3 at home, giving the Cardinals a winning record at home for the first time since 1998.
Helped the NFL's all-time leading rusher, Emmitt Smith, rush for 937 yards and nine touchdowns in his final season. Smith finished his career with 18,355 rushing yards.
Left the game against Seattle (12/26) with a knee injury and was placed on Reserve/Injured on December 31.
Missed the final game of the year, a win over Tampa Bay (1/2/05).
2003 (Arizona):
Missed the preseason after breaking a bone in his right hand during training camp.
Started the regular season at right guard in Detroit (9/7), marking the first time he had played right guard since the 2001 season finale at Washington (1/6/02).
Left the game against the Lions in the first half with a right ankle sprain and did not return.
Despite limited practice time, returned to full-time duty in the Cardinals home-opening loss to Seattle (9/14).
Was inactive the following two weeks, against Green Bay (9/21) and at St. Louis (9/28) due to the injury.
Blocking helped rookie Anquan Boldin set a rookie record for receptions with 101. Boldin also had 1,377 receiving yards.
2002 (Arizona):
A preseason injury to starting right tackle Anthony Clement forced Davis to move to right tackle for the first time in his NFL career.
Made first pro start at right tackle in the season opener at Washington (9/8).
While playing tackle and his regular position, right guard, helped Marcel Shipp rush for 834 yards and 4.4 yards-per-carry.
Arizona averaged 4.4 yards-per-carry and 113.9 yards-per-game on the ground.
Sprained his left knee in a loss to San Francisco (12/21) and did not finish the game.
After the season, underwent an arthroscopic procedure on the knee (1/16/03).
2001 (Arizona):
As a rookie, started 16 regular season games at right guard.
Was a consensus All-Rookie selection despite suffering from back spasms late in the season.
The Cardinals offensive line allowed just 29 sacks, the second-fewest in a 16-game season in Cardinals history. The 1978 Cardinals, which featured three Pro Bowlers - center Tom Banks, tackle Dan Dierdorf, and guard Bob Young - allowed 22 sacks.
With solid protection, quarterback Jake Plummer threw for 3,653 yards and 18 touchdowns, his most touchdown passes in a season as a Cardinal.
COLLEGE:
As the second overall selection in the 2001 NFL Draft, was the highest University of Texas Longhorn player chosen since Kenneth Sims went first in 1982.
Following his senior year, was a first-team All-America selection at left tackle by the Walter Camp Foundation, The Football Writers Association, and The Sporting News.
A consensus All-Big 12 Conference first-team selection, was one of three finalists for the Outland Trophy, given to the top lineman in college football.
As a senior, helped the Longhorns finish 12th in the nation following a 9-3 season and a berth in the Holiday Bowl.
Texas ranked eighth in the nation in scoring in 2000 with 38.6 points-per-game and 14th in the nation in total offense with 439.0 yards-per-game.
Began his collegiate career as a defensive lineman and moved to the offensive line after his freshman year.
PERSONAL:
Signing with the Cowboys allowed Leonard Barnett Davis to relocate to the NFL town closest to his home in Wortham, Texas, which is 70 miles southeast of Dallas.
In a town of just over 1,000 residents, attended Wortham High School, which had fewer than 150 students.
Was a first-team all-state selection on offense and defense at Wortham.
Was honored as a Parade magazine and USA Today first-team All-America after his senior season.
Also lettered in track and basketball.
Finished fourth in the shot put and fifth in the discus at the Texas Class 1A finals as a senior. He was third in the shot put and fifth in the discus at the state finals as a junior.
In basketball, averaged 10.0 points and 10.0 rebounds-per-game and led Wortham to the Texas Class 1A hoops title.
Always the biggest player on his high school teams, was 6-3, 305 pounds in seventh grade.
His older half-brother, Charles, began his NFL career with the Pittsburgh Steelers in 1974, then played for the St. Louis Cardinals (1975-79) and the USFL's Houston Gamblers (1980).
Has 21 half-brothers and half-sisters.
Before Leonard was born, his father, L.A. Davis, had 11 children from a previous marriage, and his mother, Sammie Lee, had 10 children from a previous marriage.
Davis and his wife, Amanda, have two daughters, Meeya and Mariya.
Was a youth and community services major at Texas.
COMMUNITY:
2007 Dallas Cowboys Early Thanksgiving Day Meal at The Salvation Army.
2007 Habitat for Humanity Build at Texas Stadium with Bank of America.
