Interesting story. Cornerback Davon House had an offer from the Pittsburgh Steelers after being released by the Jacksonville Jaguars this past offseason. It was for two years and more money than he got from the Green Bay Packers.
The Packers gave House a $2.8 million, one-year deal.
Why come back to Green Bay then? He just really wanted to return to the Packers, where he spent the first four years of his career.
Money and a bit more security is not all House gave up when he made the decision, of course. The Packers will be watching the playoffs. The Steelers are a legit Super Bowl contender and own the No. 2 seed in the AFC.
“It’s been a good ride, man,” House said. “Like I was telling a buddy of mine, ‘If I had a chance, do I accept the Pittsburgh offer or come to Green Bay?’ I said, ‘If I had to do it again, I’m coming back here.’”
House says he has no regrets, but his future is most definitely uncertain.
While the Packers certainly are in need of cornerbacks, House has played in just 11 games this season. That’s not to say he’s injury-prone, but that will play a factor in the team’s decision to re-up him after the season.
House hasn’t been bad this season. PFF has him graded at 69.7, which puts him behind Damarious Randall’s 70.9, among regular starters. They have rookie Lenzy Pipkins with the best grade at 71.5. Every other corner on the Packers’ roster is in the 40s.
On the season, House has 43 tackles, one sack and one interception.
All of that being said, he’s not a true No. 1 and he hasn’t been as good as his first season in Jacksonville, when he defended an impressive 23 passes and picked off four balls.
So will the Packers re-sign House? If I’m making the call, they do. Randall is currently the only known quantity at the cornerback position on the roster. House may not be great, but he’s decent.
Quinten Rollins is a bust. Kevin King played with a shoulder injury this season, so who knows what the Packers have there. Josh Hawkins and Pipkins don’t get enough playing time for us to really know anything. Donatello Brown hasn’t even seen the field on defense.
House should get a new contract from the Packers, but he obviously would have been better off signing with the Steelers.
The Steelers, under the current coaching regime, play a zone defense. Davon House’s strength is playing in a man-to-man cover scheme. It’s unreasonable to assume that he would be better off playing with the steelers just based on their record. If Aaron Rodgers hadn’t been injured in week 6 would you be offering the same commentary?
I don’t think House had any week from training camp till now that he was not less than 100% health wise. That can be a concern, but at the right price the team should keep House.
House provides a veteran presence. House shows a interest in developing young players. House appears to want to be in Green Bay. House wants to be a Packer. House plays hurt and injured. House will play at a reasonable salary. This all means one thing. TT will not make one attempt to contact House and if House’s agent contacts the team he will be told that House is not in their plans, because House just isn’t Packer material.
House may not be a #1 or even a #2 corner and I think the team should always look to upgrade. In the case of House give House another year and let another year of his work ethic and attitude rub off on the young corners. Having House as the #5 or #6 corner by the end of next year would be a great improvement over the last 2 years.
He hasn’t done anything all season. Usually leaves his man wide open. I didn’t mind resigning him at the time, but, I don’t think he is a must resign.