Green Bay Packers: Who should be re-signed? Who should walk?
Cornerbacks
Dec 8, 2014; Green Bay, WI, USA; Green Bay Packers cornerback Davon House (31) breaks up the pass intended for Atlanta Falcons wide receiver
Julio Jones(11) during the fourth quarter at Lambeau Field. Green Bay won 43-37. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports
Now that Cobb and Bulaga have been taken care of, we can forget the term franchise tag. Despite those two being the main priorities, Ted Thompson still has many tough decisions to make …
Tramon Williams: Walk
Cornerback Tramon Williams joined the Packers in 2006. Since making his debut in 2007, Williams has gone on to play 127 regular season games for the Packers, including 99 starts.
Dec 21, 2014; Tampa, FL, USA; Green Bay Packers cornerback Tramon Williams (38) against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during the second half at Raymond James Stadium. Green Bay Packers defeated the Tampa Bay Buccaneers 20-3. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
He was a part of the Super Bowl XLV winning team, and was selected for the Pro Bowl in the same year.
Williams has totaled 465 tackles, 28 interceptions and a touchdown in his time in Green Bay.
He’s been ever-present in the Packers secondary and showed he can still play in 2014, making 71 combined tackles, three interceptions and one fumble recovery.
So why should Thompson let him walk?
Well, the Packers can’t bring everyone back, and Williams accounted for $9.5 million on the cap in 2014.
He will be 32 years old by the time the 2015 season starts, and Thompson tends to let veterans leave when they become free agents at this stage in their careers.
Thompson let Greg Jennings walk in 2013 and James Jones last year — both were 29 at the time of their departure.
Thompson believes in replacing the veteran players with younger guys in order to protect the salary cap, and that’s why Tramon Williams might have to be a free agent casualty this year.
Davon House: Re-sign
Should Williams leave, the likelihood that Thompson will try and re-sign Davon House increases. House could be a less expensive option to re-sign than Williams, and he is only 25 years old.
Oct 26, 2014; New Orleans, LA, USA; New Orleans Saints running back
Mark Ingram(22) fights off Green Bay Packers cornerback Davon House (31) as he carries the ball in the second half at Mercedes-Benz Superdome. New Orleans defeated Green Bay 44-23. Mandatory Credit: Crystal LoGiudice-USA TODAY Sports
House finished 2014 with 28 combined tackles, one forced fumble and one interception, but played primarily as a backup, making only four starts.
Being a backup could be a thing of the past for House, however, as he has said he wants a starting job somewhere:
"“I know I can play. I truly believe the film says I can play in this league. If my film doesn’t show it, I don’t mind playing special teams. But I think my film shows I’m a starter,” House told the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel."
The only issue for House has been staying healthy; he’s had issues with both shoulders and missed three games in 2014.
Despite that, with his youth, potential and smaller contract, he should stay in Green Bay.
Jarrett Bush: Walk
Jarrett Bush is another veteran in Green Bay. Bush has been a Packer since 2006, but his main contributions come on special teams now.
Bush finished the 2014 season with just 16 combined tackles.
He played 318 snaps on special teams.
Bush is an experienced player and valuable member on special teams, but his time could be up in Green Bay.
Next: Guion or Raji?