Looks like a done deal. I thought for sure that he would end up in Houston.

<a href='http://espn.go.com/nfl/columns/clayton_john/1522388.html' target='_blank'>http://espn.go.com/nfl/columns/clayton_joh...hn/1522388.html</a>

Quote:The Panthers reached an agreement in principle Wednesday night with former Redskins running back Stephen Davis.

Following a day of negotiations at Panthers headquarters with his agent, David Canter, Davis accepted a five-year, $15.5 million deal that will pay him more than $4 million in the first year of the contract. In addition, Davis could receive as much as $3.6 million annually in incentives that could ultimately increase the contract's worth to $36 million over five years.

The agreement gives Davis, a native of Spartanburg, S.C., the opportunity to play close to home. Talks with the Panthers gathered steam during the past two days when the team took a more aggressive posture than the Houston Texans in trying to sign Davis.

"Stephen wanted to be in Carolina because this was his hometown team," Canter said. "It's a great situation for him there. He wants to prove that he is one of the best backs in the NFL."

Davis, 29, has consistently been among the league's top rushers, gaining 4,155 yards from 1999 to 2001. Injuries and a new Redskins offense limited his chances in 2002; Davis rushed for only 820 yards on 207 carries and seven touchdowns.

I thought he was going to Houston too.