King appreciates second shot
Veteran corner brings versatility to secondary
At home in San Diego, Desmond King II was surprised when he saw the Texans calling him.
King, in his seventh year in the NFL, was released by Houston in training camp. The cornerback signed with Pittsburgh, played three games and was released Oct. 18.
Pondering his next opportunity as a free agent, King, 28, never thought it would be back with the Texans. Until it was.
Houston signed King to its practice squad Monday.
“I was a little bit (surprised), yeah,” King said. “I’m excited to be back, though. That’s all that matters. They’re giving me a second chance here, just to come back and be with the family. Missed these guys so much, and just to see them doing well, it’s good to be back in a good presence with them.”
The 5-foot-10, 220-pound King played the previous two seasons with the Texans. He played in 33 games, with 25 starts, and totaled 182 tackles with five interceptions and two fumble recoveries.
King’s versatility and experience are admired. He can play on the outside, as well as line up at slot. He is physical with strong ball skills and also gives the Texans another option in the return game.
“We wanted to add another veteran guy for our secondary,” coach DeMeco Ryans said. “He’s played nickel, safety, corner. … Adding a guy with that flexibility and experience is good for us right now.”
King’s know-how is what makes him attractive to teams, particularly young ones like the Texans.
“My versatility helps me in the way of the student of the game I am,” he said. “I don’t just study one position. I look at everybody — D-linemen, linebackers, safeties, corner, nickels. So I know if this person messes up, what can I do to help them? Where can I step in? What advice can I help him with? Bringing the versatility as a plug-and-play kind of guy.”
King said he was surprised he was cut by the Texans in training camp. He did not dwell on it, however. He turned his attention toward Pittsburgh.
“I got to be around a historic program and got some great advice from them,” King said.
When that did not work out, King took a break from football. He went to San Diego and spent time with his 1-year-old daughter, taking “Minnie Mouse” trickor-treating for the first time.
“That was amazing,” King said. “Minnie Mouse is her favorite ever since I took her to Disneyland. I was just being a father. Spending time with her, working out, taking time for myself.”
The first person King told when he re-signed with Houston? Nickelback Tavierre Thomas, King’s best friend since they grew up together on the same street in Detroit.
“I knew before everybody,” said a beaming Thomas, whose locker is next to King’s. “I’m so happy. Happy for him, happy for everyone. It’s great to have him back. He’s very versatile. He’s going to help me out a lot, help the back end out a lot. He can play all positions. Having him back is a blessing.”
King still followed the Texans after being released and watched their games. He was a Steeler on Oct. 1 when the Texans beat Pittsburgh 30-6 in Houston.
King, who last played in a game Oct. 8, sees a Texans team he can fit perfectly with. Again.
“They’re playing together. That’s what you see,” he said. “And it’s not just the defense. The offense, too. They’re playing together. Special teams. You can tell those guys are out there playing as a family and with each other. They have each other’s back. That’s what I see, and that’s what I’m all about as a family guy.”
King said he appreciates being back in Houston. He can just play and not think too much.
“I’ve taken it as a fresh start and just going in and doing what I do best, and that’s play football,” he said.
King said there were smiles on everyone’s face when he walked into his new old locker room this week. God gave him another opportunity, he said, and now it’s up to him to take advantage of it.
“We’ve known what Des can do,” defensive end Jonathan Greenard said. “Definitely glad to see him get another opportunity. It’s going to be a great leadership opportunity for the young guys. We all know his experience, his mentality. We benefit overall as a whole, and to have him back is pretty cool, for sure.”