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Davon House

Jaguars Release Davon House, Shopping Sen’Derrick Marks

March 6th, 2017 at 11:23am CST by Sam Robinson

Both Davon House and Sen’Derrick Marks saw their roles diminish last season after formerly being full-time Jaguars starters. And both could play elsewhere in 2017. After previously trying to find a trade partner for the cornerback, the Jags plan to cut House, Adam Caplan of ESPN.com tweets. They are now attempting to find a trade match for Marks, Ryan O’Halloran of the Florida Times-Union reports. Jacksonville officially cut House on Monday, Michael DiRocco of ESPN.com reports.

Jacksonville signed House to a four-year, $25MM deal in 2015. But he will join fellow key ’15 signees from that year in being cut or shipped out. The Jags traded Julius Thomas and cut Jared Odrick earlier this offseason. After shopping him during Combine week, the Jags evidently could not find a taker. This release will clear all $6MM attached to House off the Jags’ cap sheet, one that already had the team set at $70MM-plus in space entering Saturday.

The former Packers backup started all 16 games for the Jags in 2015 but was benched last season as the team retooled its cornerback corps, bringing in Jalen Ramsey and Prince Amukamara.

Marks saw an ACL tear in Week 17 of the 2014 season alter his career. The 30-year-old defensive tackle and full-time Jags contributor has started just three more games since. Marks played in all 16 games last season but sat behind Malik Jackson and Abry Jones, both of whom being set for long-term Jacksonville tenures after Jones was re-signed last month.

Marks has one more season at $4.675MM on his Jags contract. Should the Jaguars release Marks, all but $200K of his 2017 wages will be cleared off the books. He registered 8.5 sacks in 2014 but just 3.5 since.

Jaguars Shopping Davon House

February 28th, 2017 at 5:19pm CST by Connor J. Byrne

Just two years after signing cornerback Davon House to a big-money deal in free agency, the Jaguars are ready to go in another direction. Jacksonville is shopping House in hopes of trading him, and it’s likely to cut the 27-year-old if it’s unable to find a taker, according to Ian Rapoport of NFL.com (Twitter link).

Davon House

House is halfway through the four-year, $25MM deal (including $10MM in guarantees) he secured with the Jaguars in 2015. Now, by ridding themselves of House, the Jags would save his entire $6MM cap hit for 2017. House, who spent the initial four seasons of his career in Green Bay, filled the stat sheet in his first year as a Jaguar. In addition to logging 16 starts in 2015, House notched career highs in tackles (60) and interceptions (four).

Unfortunately for the Jags and House, his play took sizable steps backward last season. House appeared in 16 games again, but he only started four and finished with just 16 tackles and no picks. Overall, House’s performance received a grade of 43.6 from Pro Football Focus, which would have placed him among the league’s worst corners had he registered enough snaps to qualify.

Extra Points: Romo, Gase, House

November 20th, 2016 at 12:18pm CST by Rory Parks

Let’s round up a few notes from around the league as the early Week 11 rage on:

  • We heard earlier today that retirement was a real possibility for Tony Romo at the end of the season, but Jon Machota of the Dallas Morning News reports that the Cowboys‘ newest backup quarterback fully plans to play in 2017 (Twitter link). If Romo did retire, Dallas could recoup $19.6MM from him, according to former NFL agent Joel Corry (via Twitter), which further supports the belief that Romo will not hang it up just yet.
  • The Dolphins have turned their season around in a big way, and Jason La Canfora of CBS Sports observes that first-year head coach Adam Gase is getting a great deal of credit both inside and outside the locker room. The players have responded to Gase’s no-nonsense, meritocratic approach, highlighted by his decision to release starting offensive linemen Billy Turner and Dallas Thomas, and his decision to leave Jay Ajayi home during the team’s Week 1 trip to Seattle (Ajayi’s subsequent breakout performance, of course, has been a big reason for Miami’s success). Gase has also stood steadfastly by quarterback Ryan Tannehill, which has done wonders for Tannehill’s confidence.
  • The Jaguars‘ signing of Davon House in 2015 was widely regarded as a shrewd move that added a young and ascending player to Jacksonville’s secondary. During the first half of this season, though, opponents were 16-of-19 passing for 204 yards and three touchdowns against House in man coverage, and as Ryan O’Halloran of the Florida Times-Union observes, House has been fully phased out of the team’s game plan. It seems likely that the Jags will part ways with House in the offseason, as they could save $6MM against the cap without absorbing any dead money.
  • 49ers wideout Torrey Smith is unlikely to play today, according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter (via Twitter). If Smith does not suit up, his streak of 89 consecutive regular season games played, which dates back to the first game of his rookie year in Baltimore, would come to an end.
  • Bucky Brooks of NFL.com takes a look at two collegiate prospects who are generating a great deal of buzz: USC’s Adoree’ Jackson and South Alabama’s Gerald Everett. Brooks writes that Jackson could be one of the top prospects in the 2017 or 2018 class, and Everett could become the best tight end in the 2017 class, which is especially impressive considering that this year’s crop of tight ends is quite strong.

Contract Details: Maxwell, Murray, McPhee

March 12th, 2015 at 3:19pm CST by Luke Adams

Here are some key details on some of the notable contracts agreed to or signed around the NFL this week:

NFC deals:

  • Byron Maxwell, CB (Eagles): Six years, $63MM base value. $25MM fully guaranteed. $6MM signing bonus (Twitter links via Tom Pelissero of USA Today and Aaron Wilson of the Baltimore Sun).
  • DeMarco Murray, RB (Eagles): Five years, $40MM base value. $42MM max value. $18MM fully guaranteed (Twitter link via Albert Breer of the NFL Network).
  • Pernell McPhee, OLB (Bears): Five years, $38.75MM base value. $8.675MM fully guaranteed (Twitter link via Pelissero).
  • Antrel Rolle, S (Bears): Three years, $11.25MM base value. $4.9MM guaranteed. $3.9MM roster bonus in 2015 (Twitter link via Wilson).
  • Tom Johnson, DT (Vikings): Three years, $7MM base value. $2.75MM guaranteed. $1.5MM roster bonus in 2015 (Twitter link via Wilson).
  • Matt Prater, K (Lions): Two years, $4.55MM base value. Third-year team option for 2017 (Twitter link via Dave Birkett of the Detroit Free Press).

AFC deals:

Jaguars Sign Davon House

March 11th, 2015 at 10:18am CST by Luke Adams

WEDNESDAY, 10:18am: The Jaguars have officially signed House, the club announced today (via Twitter).

TUESDAY, 10:40am: House’s deal will feature $10MM in guaranteed money, tweets Tom Silverstein of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel.

10:17am: The Jaguars continue to be busy as the NFL’s free agent period nears. Having already reached tentative agreements with Julius Thomas, Jermey Parnell, Jared Odrick, and Dan Skuta, the Jags have also agreed to terms with cornerback Davon House on a deal worth about $6.25MM per year, reports Ian Rapoport of NFL.com (via Twitter). It’ll be a four-year contract for House, tweets Rand Getlin of Yahoo! Sports.

ESPN’s Adam Caplan had tweeted earlier today that several teams were pushing to land House. Caplan specifically named the Jags as a viable destination for the cornerback, given the presence of former DeWayne Walker on the team’s coaching staff. Walker, Jacksonville’s defensive backs coach, was the New Mexico State head coach when House was in college.

House, 25, was one of two Packers cornerbacks eligible for free agency today, along with Tramon Williams. Williams was one of Green Bay’s starters in 2014, while House saw part-time action in nickel and dime packages, but the younger player of the duo will likely end up doing better on the free agent market.

When I ranked this year’s top 50 free agents, I listed House 34th, four spots ahead of Williams. As I noted in that piece, quarterbacks only completed 46.8% of their passes into House’s coverage last season, per Pro Football Focus, which placed him fourth among all qualified cornerbacks.

The Packers, Jets, Seahawks, Bears, Cowboys, and Vikings had also been viewed as potential players for House.

Vikings Notes: Murray, Peterson, McCourty

March 9th, 2015 at 4:40pm CST by Zachary Links

The latest on the Vikings..

  • If the Cowboys let DeMarco Murray walk, Adrian Peterson would be interested in going there, provided that Dallas would guarantee at least $25MM on a deal that amounts to a three-year pact, Charles Robinson of Yahoo Sports tweets. Robinson adds (link) that if the Cowboys won’t pay Murray $8MM per year and guarantee $25MM+, they’re unlikely to deal for Peterson and do the same thing.
  • The Vikings were in on Devin McCourty until the bidding reached $7MM per year, Darren Wolfson of 1500 ESPN tweets. That could be an indication of how far they’re willing to go on free agent safeties.
  • The Vikings have also inquired about linebacker Brooks Reed, Chris Tomasson of the Pioneer Press tweets. The Cardinals, Jets, Raiders, and Bears are interested in Reed but he’s reportedly leaning towards signing with the Falcons.
  • You can count the Vikings among the teams that are interested in cornerback Davon House, Matt Vensel of the Star Tribune tweets.
  • The Vikings will likely host cornerback Brice McCain for a visit, Andrew Krammer of 1500 ESPN tweets.
  • The Vikings have inquired on free agent linebacker Andrew Gachkar and may bring him in for a visit later in the week, Wolfson tweets.
  • The Vikings have checked on guys like Bradley Fletcher and Sterling Moore, but everything is still preliminary with both, Ben Goessling of ESPN.com tweets.

Market For Davon House Heating Up

March 9th, 2015 at 12:21pm CST by Luke Adams

The market for Packers cornerback Davon House, who is eligible to sign with a new team in a little over 24 hours, is “heating up,” according to Rand Getlin of Yahoo! Sports (via Twitter). Getlin identifies the Packers, Jets, Jaguars, Seahawks, Bears, and Cowboys as teams in play for House.

House, 25, is one of two Packers cornerbacks eligible for free agency tomorrow, along with Tramon Williams. Williams was one of Green Bay’s starters in 2014, while House saw part-time action in nickel and dime packages, but the younger player of the duo could end up doing better on the free agent market.

When I ranked this year’s top 50 free agents, I listed House 34th, four spots ahead of Williams. As I noted in that piece, quarterbacks only completed 46.8% of their passes into House’s coverage last season, per Pro Football Focus, which placed him fourth among all qualified cornerbacks.

While House probably won’t match the $8-10MM annual salaries landed by players like Kareem Jackson, Brandon Flowers, and Byron Maxwell, a $6MM-per-year offer appears within reach for a player who is poised to become a full-time contributor.

Vikings FA Notes: Hill, Brinkley, Clayborn, Selvie

March 7th, 2015 at 5:06pm CST by Rob DiRe

The Vikings have a promising quarterback situation after drafting Teddy Bridgewater with the last pick of the first round last year, but lost their backup when they traded Matt Cassel to the Bills. However, they might already have their eyes on Shaun Hill as a veteran backup, writes Chris Tomasson of the Pioneer Press.

Hill played with the Vikings between 2002 and 2005, and has experience with offensive coordinator Norv Turner from their time together with the 49ers in 2006. Hill started eight games in 2014 in relief of Sam Bradford.

Here are some more notes from the Vikings as they build their roster for 2015:

  • One player currently on the roster who wants to be back is linebacker Jasper Brinkley, writes Tomasson. Brinkley was with the team from 2009-2012 and returned to the team in 2014. “I would love to come back,’’ Brinkley said. “They gave me an opportunity and it still feels like home for me. I would love to definitely come back. Coach Zimmer is doing great things with the team, turning the culture around there and everything is on the up and up.’’
  • The Vikings’ big move last season was keeping defensive end Everson Griffen with the team, and this offseason the team could look to add a pass rusher across from their young star. Ben Goessling of ESPN reports that the team has looked into the possibility of signing Adrian Clayborn (via Twitter).
  • Another pass rusher the Vikings may be interested in is former Cowboys defensive end George Selvie, according to Goessling (via Twitter).
  • One player the team has not reached out to as of yet is division-rival Packers cornerback Davon House, according to Goessling (via Twitter). They also have not expressed interest in Tramon Williams, according to Tomasson (via Twitter). That wouldn’t rule either out as a potential target.
  • While the team has reached out to a number of players already and has been rumored to be linked to a few more, Matt Vensel of the Star Tribune warns that rumors fly this time of the year but that does not necessarily mean the Vikings will land all or any of these players.

NFC FA Rumors: Vikings, Seahawks, House

March 6th, 2015 at 3:28pm CST by Luke Adams

On the eve of 2015’s “legal tampering period,” during which teams can talk to agents for players who are eligible for unrestricted free agency on Tuesday, let’s round up a few FA updates from around the NFC….

  • Having started his career in Minnesota, Tarvaris Jackson hasn’t played a game for the Vikings since 2010, but he’d have interest in returning to the team, he tells Chris Tomasson of the St. Paul Pioneer Press. “I still go (to Minnesota) to train every summer,” Jackson said. “Coming there, I think I could definitely help Teddy out. I love being in Minnesota. It’s a place that I’ll never forget. It’s a part of my life. … I don’t know why (the Vikings) wouldn’t be interested in me.” The Vikings will certainly be in the market for a backup after trading Matt Cassel, so they could take a look at Jackson, who has spent the last couple seasons backing up Russell Wilson in Seattle and is a free-agent-to-be.
  • Speaking of Seattle, don’t be shocked if the Seahawks emerge as a viable landing spot for tight end Julius Thomas, tweets Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk. A player like Thomas would certainly be a nice addition to Seattle’s offense, giving Wilson a top red zone option.
  • Agent Kenny Zuckerman confirmed today that Packers cornerback Davon House expects to reach the open market, and Zuckerman thinks his client will draw “a lot of interest,” writes Rob Demovsky of ESPN.com. That doesn’t rule out a return to Green Bay, but it looks like other teams will get the opportunity to pursue House.
  • Cornerback Walter Thurmond, who is coming off a season-ending pectoral injury, is not expected to re-sign with the Giants, and Vaughn McClure of ESPN.com expects the Falcons to strongly consider the veteran. Thurmond formerly played on Dan Quinn‘s defense in Seattle.
  • Expect the Buccaneers to kick the tires on free agent safety Chris Conte, tweets Rand Getlin of Yahoo! Sports, pointing out that Conte played for current Bucs head coach Lovie Smith in Chicago.

NFC Mailbags: Rams, Panthers, Lions, Packers

February 28th, 2015 at 11:51am CST by Ben Levine

We took a look at ESPN.com’s AFC mailbags earlier this morning. Let’s now shift focus to the NFC…

  • Nick Wagoner says the Rams would like to re-sign tight end Lance Kendricks, but the writer wonders if the rumored $4MM annual salary the player is seeking is too pricey.
  • The Panthers need a speedy wideout to pair with Kelvin Benjamin, and David Newton suggests free agents Eddie Royal, Ted Ginn Jr. and Michael Crabtree, although he warns that the former 49ers receiver may not be a “Dave Gettleman guy.”
  • With Cam Newton‘s contract situation being a priority in Carolina, Newton says the Panthers likely won’t make any progress on an extension for Luke Kuechly until next season.
  • The Lions releasing Reggie Bush is not an indication that they’ll draft a running back early, says Michael Rothstein. The team still has Joique Bell and Theo Riddick, so there doesn’t need to be any panic from the organization to replace the former second-overall pick. With the said, Rothstein still believes the team will select a running back, albeit much later in the draft.
  • Dan Graziano believes Bush would be the type of running back the Giants would be looking to acquire. However, the writer says that the team wasn’t among the organizations that displayed initial interest in the veteran.
  • Rob Demovsky says the Packers could keep both Tramon Williams and Davon House, but he notes that it’s unlikely for both players to remain on the roster. After all, the team is looking to expand Casey Hayward‘s role, meaning one of the two defensive backs would be on the outside looking in.
  • John Keim opines that Washington needs to improve their tight end depth. The writer says the team can’t rely on Jordan Reed, and he adds that Logan Paulsen is most productive as a blocker. Keim points to former Eagles tight end James Casey, noting that Washington has already shown interest in the 30-year-old.
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