CB Sammy Davis first signed with the Buccaneers a year ago
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers announced on Friday that they have re-signed sixth-year veteran cornerback Sammy Davis, the ninth player the team has signed, re-signed or traded for since free agency opened a week ago.
Davis is the first of the nine Buccaneers who became unrestricted free agents last Friday to return to the team. He first joined Tampa Bay's roster a year ago as a free agent, signing a one-year deal after splitting his first four seasons between San Diego and San Francisco. Terms of his latest contract were not disclosed.
In his first season as a Buccaneer, Davis proved to be a valuable reserve in the Buccaneers' secondary, which finished first in the NFL in pass defense in 2007. Though he was released before the regular-season on September 2, he was re-signed nine days later and spent the rest of the season on the active roster. In his first game back with the team, Davis actually started in a win over the New Orleans Saints, opening the game as the third cornerback in the Bucs' nickel package.
The 6-1, 195-pound Davis proved adept in that role and was frequently needed early in the season when cornerback Brian Kelly was struggling with injuries and cornerback Torrie Cox was on a reserve list. Davis also played on special teams and, in all, appeared in 14 contests with one start. His season statistics included 20 tackles, two passes defensed and one kick-coverage stop.
Davis entered the NFL as a first-round pick of the Chargers in 2003. The 30th player selected overall, he stepped immediately into San Diego's starting lineup, opening all 16 games in his rookie season. That 2003 campaign remains his most productive one to date, as he contributed 58 tackles, two interceptions and 10 passes defensed.
In five seasons overall, Davis has accumulated 172 tackles, three interceptions and 31 passes defensed.
After the 2005 season, his third with the Chargers, Davis was traded to the 49ers in exchange for wide receiver Rashaun Woods, another first-round pick. He ended up in a nickel back role in San Francisco's defense, registering 25 tackles.
A native of Humble, Texas, the 27-year-old Davis played his college football at Texas A&M. He finished his Aggies career ranked sixth in school history with 11 interceptions, and was a first-team all-conference selection as a junior.
Davis became an unrestricted free agent at 12:01 a.m. on February 29, along with fellow 2007 Buccaneers Anthony Becht, Mark Jones, Brian Kelly, Matt Lehr, Michael Pittman, Jerramy Stevens, Jeremiah Trotter and John Wade. As of Friday, none of the other eight unrestricted free agents had signed with the Buccaneers and only Becht (St. Louis Rams) had moved on to another team.
