Davis agrees to deal with Bills

TUSCALOOSA | Former University of Alabama defensive end Luther Davis has agreed to a contract with the NFL's Buffalo Bills as an undrafted rookie free agent, and is expected to sign the deal Tuesday.

"I spent all night researching their roster and their depth chart," Davis said. "I talked with (former UA teammate) Marcell Dareus last night and they were both confident that if I come in and work, I can contribute."

Dareus was drafted No.3 overall in the first round by the Bills in April. Davis said the Bills defense is similar to the Alabama defense he spent four years learning at the Capstone.

The Atlanta Falcons, Oakland Raiders, Detroit Lions and Carolina Panthers all showed interest in Davis. Davis said he expected to sign with the Falcons and join former teammates Julio Jones, John Parker Wilson and Mike Johnson, but the team's interest waned.

"I was blessed to have that many options," he said. "The thing I respect most about Buffalo is that they gave me a one-day extension to look over all my offers."

Davis played in all 13 games for the Crimson Tide last season, but was not a regular starter. He made 21 tackles, including three four losses, and recorded four quarterback hurries. Davis said an injury suffered early in his senior season prevented him from playing to his full capability, but he "played through it because it was my last year."

A Louisiana native, Davis said the freezing weather for which Buffalo is notorious will be a major adjustment.

"The furthest North I've ever been was when we went to D.C. for the national championship (White House visit), and we were only there a couple of hours," he said. "I don't know how I'll do going that far - it's almost in Canada."

Undrafted rookies were not permitted to sign free-agent contracts, as they typically do immediately after the April NFL Draft, due to the labor dispute between NFL owners and players. When the lockout ended Monday, undrafted rookies were free to sign with the team of their choice.

Former UA tight end Preston Dial, who was also undrafted, agreed to a deal with the Detroit Lions on Monday.

Reach Chase Goodbread at chase.goodbread@tuscaloosanews.com or at 205-722-0196.