Al Harris is in no danger of losing his cornerback job, but if he glances over his shoulder, he will catch a glimpse of a young, hungry, unheralded backup who some day soon wants to be in the starting lineup.
Tramon Williams is one of the fasting rising backups on the Green Bay Packers’ roster. He has attended every offseason workout and weight-training session, looked sharp in the two organized team activity practices open to the media in May, and is drawing rave reviews from the coaching staff.
“Tramon has had a very good offseason,” Packers coach Mike McCarthy said on Thursday. “Really, the first week of practice, he has been outstanding, particularly in the slot in the nickel and also on the outside. He’s a lot stronger. He’s doing a lot better job in his bump technique, as far as the releases. He’s had three or four that I can think of where he basically buried the receiver at the line of scrimmage.”
That’s no faint praise for a guy who has been climbing uphill his entire football career. Williams walked on at Louisiana Tech, then was undrafted in 2006 before signing as a free agent with the Houston Texans. He was cut the week before the regular season began.
Williams estimates he tried out with nine NFL teams that fall. Finally, in late November, the Packers signed him to their practice squad.
He returned in 2007 but was given little chance of making the team. How far down the pecking order was he? In the Packers’ media guide, Williams was listed in an obscure section after the veterans and rookie draft choices under the heading “other free agents,” which included such names as Jerry Babb, Travis Leffew, Alvin Nnabuife and Devarick Scandrett.
The 5-foot-11, 182-pound Williams not only earned a spot on the roster, but worked his way into the Packers’ cornerback rotation. Now, he’s making a bid to become the primary nickel back, maybe more.
“I’m pushing for the highest role there is,” Williams said. “I’m pushing to be a starter. But whatever role they give me, I’m going to play it 100 percent.”
No one has suggested Harris is ready to be put out to pasture. But time stops for no man in the NFL, and at 33, Harris is the oldest Packer. He has been a solid starter for the past five seasons and earned his first Pro Bowl berth in 2007. But Harris struggled late in the season, including a forgettable performance against the New York Giants’ Plaxico Burress in the NFC championship game.
Harris was a no-show at the team’s open OTAs, which gives a player like Williams more chances to shine.
“He’s someone that’s really taken full advantage of our program here,” McCarthy said of Williams. “He’s someone you can point to, he’s an excellent example of a young man that’s here all the time. He doesn’t miss any workouts. He’s up there one-on-one with his coaches, both in special teams and the defensive back room, taking full advantage of his opportunity. We’re really proud of what he’s accomplished so far, but he still has a lot in front of him.”
Williams, 25, is grateful for getting a chance to play with the Packers, but he isn’t satisfied.
“Not just do it, but be great at it,” Williams said of his goal. “That’s what I’m hoping to do here.”
Mike Vandermause is sports editor of the Press-Gazette.
Tramon Williams is one of the fasting rising backups on the Green Bay Packers’ roster. He has attended every offseason workout and weight-training session, looked sharp in the two organized team activity practices open to the media in May, and is drawing rave reviews from the coaching staff.
“Tramon has had a very good offseason,” Packers coach Mike McCarthy said on Thursday. “Really, the first week of practice, he has been outstanding, particularly in the slot in the nickel and also on the outside. He’s a lot stronger. He’s doing a lot better job in his bump technique, as far as the releases. He’s had three or four that I can think of where he basically buried the receiver at the line of scrimmage.”
That’s no faint praise for a guy who has been climbing uphill his entire football career. Williams walked on at Louisiana Tech, then was undrafted in 2006 before signing as a free agent with the Houston Texans. He was cut the week before the regular season began.
Williams estimates he tried out with nine NFL teams that fall. Finally, in late November, the Packers signed him to their practice squad.
He returned in 2007 but was given little chance of making the team. How far down the pecking order was he? In the Packers’ media guide, Williams was listed in an obscure section after the veterans and rookie draft choices under the heading “other free agents,” which included such names as Jerry Babb, Travis Leffew, Alvin Nnabuife and Devarick Scandrett.
The 5-foot-11, 182-pound Williams not only earned a spot on the roster, but worked his way into the Packers’ cornerback rotation. Now, he’s making a bid to become the primary nickel back, maybe more.
“I’m pushing for the highest role there is,” Williams said. “I’m pushing to be a starter. But whatever role they give me, I’m going to play it 100 percent.”
No one has suggested Harris is ready to be put out to pasture. But time stops for no man in the NFL, and at 33, Harris is the oldest Packer. He has been a solid starter for the past five seasons and earned his first Pro Bowl berth in 2007. But Harris struggled late in the season, including a forgettable performance against the New York Giants’ Plaxico Burress in the NFC championship game.
Harris was a no-show at the team’s open OTAs, which gives a player like Williams more chances to shine.
“He’s someone that’s really taken full advantage of our program here,” McCarthy said of Williams. “He’s someone you can point to, he’s an excellent example of a young man that’s here all the time. He doesn’t miss any workouts. He’s up there one-on-one with his coaches, both in special teams and the defensive back room, taking full advantage of his opportunity. We’re really proud of what he’s accomplished so far, but he still has a lot in front of him.”
Williams, 25, is grateful for getting a chance to play with the Packers, but he isn’t satisfied.
“Not just do it, but be great at it,” Williams said of his goal. “That’s what I’m hoping to do here.”
Mike Vandermause is sports editor of the Press-Gazette.