<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE </div><div class='quotemain'>Bucs re-sign Davis, further strengthen OT positionBy Len PasquarelliESPN.comFurther strengthening the offensive tackle position, not only for 2006 but for the foreseeable future, the Tampa Bay Bucs on Monday signed two-year veteran Anthony Davis to a three-year contract extension worth $4.725 million.An emerging player who started all 16 games for the Bucs at left tackle in 2005, Davis was a so-called "exclusive rights" free agent, meaning that his contract had lapsed, but he could not solicit offers from any other clubs because he had fewer than three accrued seasons in the league.In the case of most players in the "exclusive rights" categories, teams usually sign them to just one-year contracts at minimum salaries. But the Bucs wanted to secure Davis for a longer term and made a generous financial commitment to the youngster. The deal includes escalators that could increase the base salaries if Davis retains his starting status and continues to show the kind of improvement he demonstrated in 2005.Tampa Bay signed starting right tackle Kenyatta Walker, its first-round choice in the 2001 draft, to a five-year contract two weeks ago after he had tested the unrestricted free agent market. The Bucs also added three-year veteran tackle Torrin Tucker, who started at left tackle for Dallas, by signing him to a two-year restricted free agent offer sheet the Cowboys declined to match last week.The combination of deals gives the Bucs three young tackles whose careers are still in ascent, and the oldest of which is 27.A versatile lineman who had displayed solid potential but played sparingly before 2005, Davis won the left tackle position in training camp after projected starter Derrick Deese was injured. Despite having appeared in just two games prior to 2005, Davis proved to be an effective blocker in the running game and a player who showed good progress as a pass protector.Tampa Bay tends to be a left-handed running team and tailback Carnell "Cadillac" Williams, who rushed for 1,178 yards and won rookie of the year honors in 2005, made much of his yardage behind the blocks of Davis and rookie left guard Dan Buenning. To keep his job in 2006, though, Davis will have to continue to improve as a pass blocker and perhaps fend off a challenge from Tucker in training camp.A former Virginia Tech star, Davis originally signed with the Bucs as an undrafted free agent in 2003. He spent most of his rookie season on the practice squad, and worked at every offensive line position except center, then made the active roster in 2004. At 6-feet-4, 322 pounds, Davis has a big frame and long arms, and seems to have good enough footwork to remain at left tackle.Len Pasquarelli is a senior NFL writer for ESPN.com.</div>http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/news/story?id=2404287
