Packers Have "Shown Interest" in Re-Signing CB Davon House
-- The Green Bay Packers' deficiencies at cornerback go beyond a nostalgia-laced reunion with Tramon Williams, but pairing his services with potentially re-signing Davon House is a good start.
ESPN's Rob Demovsky said on Friday that the Packers have shown interest in re-signing the 28-year-old House, who was signed last offseason to a one-year deal worth $2.8 million.
The Packers have @HighRizer22 back and also have shown interest in re-signing @DavonHouse https://t.co/MgAy6rtrMw
— Rob Demovsky (@RobDemovsky) March 23, 2018
The plan was never for House to be utilized in a starting role in 2017 when the Packers finished one of the league's worst pass defenses. With 33rd overall pick Kevin King battling a shoulder injury for a majority of his rookie year and Damarious Randall's resurgence taking until October, the Packers needed House's services more than initially thought.
That's why the Williams signing should be somewhat smoother; the Packers don't need him to come in and start, despite him being fully capable of doing so. As Williams showed during his lone season with the Arizona Cardinals last year, the 58.4 passer rating he forced in coverage ranked as the lowest amongst free agent cornerbacks.
Williams' contract details came in at $10 million on a two-year deal, giving him a $5 million average. But until the official numbers are released, the true structure behind the deal and whether or not it was incentive-based is unknown.
The Packers may structure House's contract in a similar fashion -- if they choose to retain him -- and help solidify their veteran foundation at cornerback.
Prior to last season, Williams and House both last played for the Packers in 2014, leaving the NFC Championship loss to the Seattle Seahawks as their last time sharing the field together for Green Bay.
Their familiarity with Joe Whitt Jr., the Packers' pass game coordinator and former cornerbacks coach, as well as Williams' with defensive coordinator Mike Pettine from his brief two seasons with the Cleveland Browns makes pairing the two of them in the secondary almost a no-brainer.
Those facts, and along with the fact that each are serviceable in their own way -- House when he's healthy and Williams in press man coverage -- and the Packers will be set up nicely for April's draft where they're expected to draft an early-round cornerback.
In just 12 games last season, House had 44 tackles, six defended passes and an interception on New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees.
Solidifying the bottom-half of the depth chart is crucial for a team who has banked heavily on undrafted free agents to come in and contribute at various positions in recent years. Relying on the former is a recipe for success more often than not.
__________________________
Zachary Jacobson is a staff writer/reporter for Cheesehead TV. He's the voice of The Leap on iTunes and can be heard on The Scoop KLGR 1490 AM every Saturday morning. He's also a contributor on the Pack-A-Day Podcast. He can be found on Twitter via @ZachAJacobson or contacted through email at [email protected].
Comments (48)
Since'61
March 24, 2018 at 09:25 am
It would be great to have two established veteran FAs as part of our CB rotation rather than the usual collection of ineffective UDFAs who don't belong in the league. If the price is right we should sign House ASAP. Draft a few CBs and put them all in the mix with King, Pipkins, Waters and Hawkins. Thanks, Since '61
worztik
March 24, 2018 at 01:38 pm
Hey ‘61 you old fart... (That’s the kettle calling you out... haHa!!!) I agree wholeheartedly with the signing of Tramon and House should be next! Sometimes the loss of a step or two can be made up with experience gained over the course of their careers! Experience is not something that can be overlooked in the big picture when putting together a winning roster! Sign House and we’ll have a couple of relatively contract friendly CBs that will help the young guys develop into our starters... Thanks since ‘51...
cheesehead1
March 24, 2018 at 09:28 am
Wasn’t impressed with House last season, hurt often, just not my first choice.
John Ramble Kirk
March 24, 2018 at 12:34 pm
Nobody was impressed with House last season. He was hurt often. He was nobody's first choice.
Davon is a baseball guy. He doesn't love football. This guy probably feels about his job as many do about theirs. It's just an obligation and a way to make money to support himself and his family. There is no passion or excitement in this guy about football. I'm shocked Ted ever drafted a guy like him.
One thing I can say about House... A scrub like him does give credence to the warning on overspending in FA. It's a cautionary tale regarding what Jacksonville did when it gave someone like him the money. It's not as bad on the end we're on, but he's still a scrub and we've got to do better.
jh9
March 24, 2018 at 06:12 pm
Between DBs on NFL rosters and DB FA, there is a pool of somewhere between 200-300 players.
No objective analyst would say Tramon Williams and Davon House are the best options for the Packers.
I’m trying very hard to not overact to every move BG makes. However, signing Tramon Williams and the serious consideration of Davon House make me question BG’s imagination and talent as a GM.
Spock
March 25, 2018 at 09:24 pm
JK, I'm going to REALLY disagree with your statement that "He doesn't love football". That is simply not true. You frequently ask if people "really read my comment". Well, how have you missed all of the stories about House being a mentor at the Packers.com site? I would have to ask if you have "really read the stories about House", lol. Here is just ONE of the six or eight I've read:
http://www.packers.com/news-and-events/article-player-feature/article-1/...
No "passion"? I don't know where you are getting that from at all!!!! Put "Davon House" in the search function on Packers.com or other Packers sites and you will find multiple articles about his love of football, wanting to be a leader/teacher, etc. Back up where you came with this comment!
stockholder
March 24, 2018 at 12:51 pm
You'd be less impressed with a rookie, going against the big money QBs in the central now.
GBPDAN1
March 24, 2018 at 09:36 pm
Even if we sign House, our secondary is still worse than last year at this point and we were one of the worst passing D's in the NFL last year. Gut was willing to Pay Fuller 14M a year(no doubt bears were going to match), but wasn't willing to pay one of the quality FA CBs that we actually could have landed for less money.
Now we have to get excited about House and old Williams? This is because no top CBs are left because Gut failed to land one when they were available. Gut failed in this regard. We will now have to throw a dart at a CB with our pick at 14 and hope we hit with an inexperienced rookie that can be a #1 shut down CB instead of drafting a much needed pass rusher. The only guy on our roster that maybe a #1 shut down CB is King, and that's a question mark at this point. Trading would cost to much in compensation now that teams have kept the players they want.
So, Could I please get a bunch of thumbs downs now because I'm right and you're wrong, thanks.
HankScorpio
March 25, 2018 at 09:22 am
"Even if we sign House, our secondary is still worse than last year at this point and we were one of the worst passing D's in the NFL last year."
If you believe the issues last year where all about talent and had nothing to do with coordination, this might be true.
I don't believe that. I believe the move they made in January will have a much greater impact than any move they have made or will make since.
worztik
March 24, 2018 at 01:40 pm
Who’s your first choice???
RobinsonDavis
March 24, 2018 at 09:35 am
House signed for $2.8 million last year. I think Zachary is spot-on with respect to how the Packers may be approaching his value, at a time when experienced CBs of 6 ft. height are quickly dwindling. Signing him does not preclude us from drafting others and provides insurance & experience at an oft injured position. At roughly $3 million/year with incentives, room for other signings exists.
Dzehren
March 24, 2018 at 09:42 am
Hope we can add House or another vet to a team friendly deal.
Then we should do with the DB position like we did last year with the RB position (Jones, Williams , Mays) Draft 3 DB’s & hopefully 2 pan out. 1 high pick (Rd 1 or 2) & 2 middle rd picks
dobber
March 24, 2018 at 09:59 am
"Solidifying the bottom-half of the depth chart is crucial for a team who has banked heavily on undrafted free agents to come in and contribute at various positions in recent years."
Ding! Ding! Ding!
Just because you sign House now doesn't guarantee he makes the 53 in September....or starts. It's inexperienced and undertalented depth that's been derailing this team over the last several seasons when injuries have hit. Having veteran depth will help tremendously. It's not a cure-all for what ails this roster, but it's an important pick-me-up.
1962Packer
March 24, 2018 at 10:40 am
House was great at Jacksonville when used in man coverage. He was bad when Jacksonville went to mostly zone. He came back to Green Bay and he was mostly used in zone. Same thing with King, is considered a man coverage CB, but constantly used in zone. Most of our CBs were better as man coverage; but they kept using them in zone. House will be fine as a depth veteran CB if used in man. Agree with Dobbersays, we need veteran depth, not UDFAs as the next man up.
Finwiz
March 24, 2018 at 01:25 pm
I hear excuses, with no evidence of performance.
Coincidentally, Jags had a number one defense the year after they dumped House. He was so good they didn't even want him back as the 5th or 6th DB.
We got the cast offs and he was good enough for Capers band of misfits.
One can only hope it was ALL scheme that caused such poor performance, but some of it was talent. Some might be good, some were not good.
I saw nothing out of House, and trust me, I wish I did.
Finwiz
March 24, 2018 at 10:51 am
Oh yeah....he was just a "play making machine" last year.
Just what we need to solve our CB problems.
No need to draft any CB's now, everything is all fixed.
I'm sure one of the top 3 CB's will be going to the pro-Bowl again. Oh wait.......
Desperation.
Minniman
March 24, 2018 at 11:39 am
I can only console myself that there's a different person at the DC helm, and maybe he's going to use these veterans to their strengths while he works out what he has in rookie and developing players. No-one wants to see rookies and low draftees as the starting cornerback again (I actually felt sorry for Ladarius Gunter - talk about a suicide mission)
stockholder
March 24, 2018 at 12:45 pm
The memory of Randall is short. We should not be locked in at CB!
HankScorpio
March 24, 2018 at 05:21 pm
It's just about adding competition at the CB spot. Competition for roster spots and for playing time. Competition is good.
Nobody is thinking it solves anything. It's just a step in the right direction. No need for ridiculous sarcasm and dramatic hyperbole.
Minniman
March 24, 2018 at 11:26 am
I'm not sure what happened at around 2014, but the wheels really came off the Packers approach to the secondary - from talent recruitment and how they were played, and even retained.
I do hope that Mark Murphy and Mike McCarthy as part of the off season review, really forensically looks at what happened there in order to avert a repeat - but with Ted not officially fired, I guess that in itself is an admission by the organization that they think that he wasn't principally responsible for the present mess at the Secondary position.
It's just unorthodox to be re-hiring two people that 4 years ago were deemed "not a retention priority" - although possibly TW's price tag and House's desire to play top cornerback were the prime factors to their departures
Minniman
March 24, 2018 at 11:29 am
Maybe Sam Shields' enforced early retirement was the deciding x-factor here too - and it's unfair to overly criticize the Packers organization for these types of scenaios
Thegreatreynoldo
March 24, 2018 at 11:44 am
When we signed House last season, I know I penciled him in as a starter. When we signed Twill, I penciled him in as a starter that I hope gives way to a rookie sometime during the season. Now if we sign a 2nd veteran FA CB, yes, I am finally thinking that player will be depth. That would be a good thing.
John Ramble Kirk
March 24, 2018 at 12:04 pm
If Tramon is not looked at as being a starter you tell me the other guy who you think is expected to start for the Packers opposite the questionable Kevin King on the other side? Tramon is looked at being the starter...until, as TGR points out their new prized rookie CB is "ready" to take over.
Moving on from Damarious brought hope of better days at CB. Very short lived because we did not find the upgrade expected and had to dumpster dive.
Honestly, how do you characterize what happened when it comes to what unfolded at CB this off-season? I find it impossible to characterize how it's unfurled as anything but extremely disappointing and I really don't understand the spin into anything but that.
dobber
March 24, 2018 at 12:37 pm
"you tell me the other guy who you think is expected to start for the Packers opposite the questionable Kevin King on the other side?"
<<puts on kooky side-show magician outfit>>
OH, MAGIC 8-BALL: Who will be the Packers' starting CBs in September?
Reply Hazy--Try Again Later
worztik
March 24, 2018 at 01:55 pm
Dob, We start House and Twill and work King in when healthy. I like the idea of 2 old timers starting at CB with our young drafted rookie working his way into the starting lineup, along with King! If King’s healthy, we start him at one outside corner and Tramon at the other. That leaves Pipkins (Great Name!!!) as the nickel or slot and a fast cover LB to crush the TE!!! Man, it all sounds so EASY... if only it were!
dobber
March 24, 2018 at 02:22 pm
I'd put $5 on the fact that one of the Packers two starting outside CBs on opening day isn't yet on the roster (and that doesn't include House).
John Ramble Kirk
March 24, 2018 at 02:52 pm
If it wasn't the Packers, I would bet a lot more than 5 bucks but we have an incredibly low standard for what passes as starting material here.
You're right, though. The starter for opening day better not be on this roster yet because our CB group is hot garbage as it stands right now.
Finwiz
March 24, 2018 at 03:10 pm
I'd say you're 100% correct on that one.
I certainly hope so anyway.
I think they're going to draft 3 CB's, and hope to find a starter or top 4 on the depth chart at the very least.
Minniman
March 24, 2018 at 04:43 pm
On a slight tangent here:
I've commented previously, and probably to the amusement of more learned CHTV fans, but I still come back to drafting either Vita Vea, DaRon Payne or Maurice Hurst (prefer VV for his pass rush) as the first pick and make the front O-line a monster that takes the pressure off the Secondary.
This being the reported deep DB class would leave many picks to go gem mining; and the vet DB's can help take the pressure off them while they develop.
I just think that VV would be an instant day 1 starter, in a group that can dictate just how opponents can attack GB's obvious rebuilding secondary
worztik
March 24, 2018 at 01:55 pm
8 ball here!!!
Cubbygold
March 24, 2018 at 01:26 pm
I had a similar comment to an article written yesterday. TW, at the moment, is GBs #1 CB. He's 100% starting on opening day, and thats not a vote of my confidence in TW, its just the reality. Maybe that'll change if breeland gets signed, and depending on who gets drafted in the first round, but thats a lot of ifs
Lare
March 24, 2018 at 12:06 pm
I think House would be a good insurance signing, it'll help to have a veteran there in case of injuries or if rookies don't develop.
The only way I wouldn't sign him is there's a chance they can get Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie.
dpwiener
March 24, 2018 at 12:13 pm
Even before we traded Randall, I was expecting the Packers to eventually sign Williams and House. It just made so much sense on many levels, and after Randall was gone it became a no-brainer. It gives us adequate cornerback coverage plus some depth. Our other young cornerbacks from last year, along with those we get in the draft, will be able to compete and develop. The position may not be one of great strength, but it won't be a disaster as in the past.
Meanwhile we're loading up the defensive line, and are likely to snag a top edge rusher at #14 spot. With existing players like Matthews and Perry (and hopefully Biegel, who looked like a 4th round steal last year), our sacks and quarterback pressures should leap up.
And of course we have a brand new and highly competent defensive coordinator. All in all, I am extremely optimistic that we'll have an excellent defense this year. That will take pressure off the offense, which is already superb and still improving.
If we can avoid catastrophic injuries, 2018 is going to be a wonderful year for the Packers.
Rossonero
March 24, 2018 at 02:09 pm
I'm all for signing House for a fair and reasonable price. We need veteran leadership and depth.
I'm a little surprised Packernet has not posted any links about Eric Reid. Since losing Morgan Burnett was a foregone conclusion, I've been banging the drum for Reid. So has Gary Ellerson, Jermichael Finley and LeRoy Butler.
Reid is 26, played multiple postions for the 49ers, is strong against the run and would immediately solidify the safety group. Plus, given the sluggish year for safeties, he'd come relatively cheap.
If teams are worried about him kneeling, he said he won't do that anymore, but will protest in "other ways." It's up to teams to find out what those "ways" are. Personally, if he helps us win football games, that's all that matters. We need to get better on defense and Eric Reid helps us do that immediately.
PatrickGB
March 24, 2018 at 12:29 pm
DPW, I agree for the most part. I expect that with the changes and Aaron's return we will be good and maybe even retake the NFCN. I also think that the rest of the North and league has also done well. I cannot see us making the NFC championship game this year. Yet, with the all the draft picks we have perhaps next year we can.
dobber
March 24, 2018 at 02:28 pm
" I cannot see us making the NFC championship game this year."
I suspect the lead horses in that race are currently the Rams, Eagles and Vikes, but they don't play the games in March. It's shaping up to be a tough conference in 2018.
John Ramble Kirk
March 24, 2018 at 03:02 pm
Right now, I'd say these are the teams better than the Packers in the NFC:
Philadelphia
Minnesota
New Orleans
Atlanta
I'd say we're in a group of teams below those 4 that include:
Carolina
LA
SF---might belong in the other tier
Dallas
If I had to slot Green Bay in the NFC, right now, I'd put them at the top team in the 2nd tier, for 5th best in the NFC just ever so slightly behind Atlanta. SF is a wildcard to me...not sure if they're better than us, or not.
Lare
March 24, 2018 at 03:07 pm
I'm sure everyone is predicting that the Vikings will win the Super Bowl. Of course, they've been saying that for almost 60 years now.
JohnnyLogan
March 24, 2018 at 03:21 pm
I'm agin House. For Eric Reid. Draft Edge (Landry) in first. Move back into first for Josh Jackson. If not still lots of good CB's to be had in 2nd.
A name to mention... Reggie Gilbert. Saw him last spring and he really stood out. Never understood Capers keeping him under wraps the whole year. What a butcher Capers was and still lasted forever in his little booth. I screamed, I hollered, I was thrown off Packer Forums... how I hated that man. Cost us a couple SB's I believe. Onward.
Finwiz
March 24, 2018 at 03:54 pm
For or against House? (agin)
Capers was a big problem with the D. Not sure why he managed to stay round here so long, particularly considering his preferred player type went so contradictory to what TT drafted. Never made any sense.
dobber
March 24, 2018 at 05:10 pm
Been suspectin' that this might be on the horizon...
https://www.profootballrumors.com/2018/03/cb-delvin-breaux-to-visit-with...
Handsback
March 24, 2018 at 05:24 pm
Breaux to me is like a getting the Packers Hayward when the Chargers did. He was never as good as Hayward but he had a good year followed by two years of injury. He's young and has the talent in man to man verses zone.
Better to get young talent that is proven verses old talent you know isn't that great. Health from his injuries is key and that is something I have no idea of but I'm sure the Packers will.
Lare
March 24, 2018 at 06:11 pm
Sounds like Breaux has had a few bad breaks (literally). Muscle tissue injuries should be avoidable with proper conditioning, flexibility and warm-up & stretching activities. Broken bones happen when the bone is in the wrong place at the wrong time.
Might be a good opportunity to get great talent at a reasonable cost if he's healthy.
4thand1
March 24, 2018 at 06:19 pm
Proper conditioning? The Packers have more injuries than anyone.
Bert
March 25, 2018 at 01:58 pm
Given his medical history I wouldn't touch Breaux with a 10 foot pole. We have enough guys in the whirlpool as it is.
4thand1
March 24, 2018 at 06:21 pm
TC we can go in with 90 bodies. My only concern is leaving a quality player off the 53 because we have so many defensive backs just in case.
Chuck Farley
March 25, 2018 at 08:47 am
Pass d can't be fixed in fa. That ship sailed two weeks ago. Until that Rodgers contract is inked, no big money, if there will be any, can be spent.
For all we know King may be done. Three major surgeries already. House stood around a lot gasping for air last year. Randall watched guys run past him. Dix just watched period. The rest are either to slow, lack quickness, or don't get it.
rob44rml
March 26, 2018 at 06:37 am
Don't do it Gute !! House has not shown the signs to be an effective CB....better to find someone with more potential that can develop...I like that interest in Breaux-he COULD BE a sleeper IF he can stay uninjured...