Evan Siegle, packers.com
GREEN BAY, Wis. – You never get a second chance to make a first impression.
But that’s exactly what Tramon Williams did Thursday night.
In his first snap back since re-signing with the Packers, Williams showed everyone in Green Bay he can still play by returning an interception for a 25-yard touchdown.
“Young guy, they’re going to try and start the game off slow with him and try to get him an easy throw,” Williams said of his INT off Pittsburgh’s Mason Rudolph. “It was just the wrong guy to try and get an easy throw against.”
The 12-year veteran is out to prove he’s more than just a mentor for Green Bay’s young secondary.
“I’m more experienced,” Williams said when asked how he’s different since returning to the Packers.
“I’ve learned a lot of the past few years from being gone and being in different situations. I’ve learned and grown and I just try to bring it back here to the young guys and this team and try and do my part.”
His experience in Mike Pettine’s defense from his time in Cleveland certainly doesn’t hurt, but it’s not the sole reason Number 38 was brought back.
The best thing about Tramon is he can play,” said Pettine. “If we wanted a guy who just knew the system, you just hire another coach. But here’s a guy who’s played in it. His ability just with how long he’s lasted in the league and kind of starting the way he started as a free agent. I mean it’s a great story and I am just thrilled for him that he’s been able to have the kind of career that he has because he’s just an A-plus person.”
The 35-year-old cornerback hopes to bolster a Green Bay secondary that finished 23rd against the pass in 2017.
Thursday he was happy to see one of his prized pupils Josh Jackson get a pick six of his own in the second preseason game against Pittsburgh
“I think he’s been really good day one, both guys him and Jaire,” said Williams. “Both guys have been really good for us. The competition is up and everyone is performing. Like I tell guys all the time, we’re going to need everybody in the room to get to where we have to go. Your number may not be called Day 1, but it will be called so we have to be ready and prepared.”
“Tramon did a great job reading out the break and just getting a pick-six,” Jackson said after the game Thursday. “So he really set the tempo of the game, so I just try and do my job and do my best to get one.”
Aaron Rodgers has talked a lot about Williams since he returned to Green Bay. No. 12 is excited about what the veteran brings on and off the field.
“Not only is he a fantastic player and has been for his entire career as a Green Bay Packer, Cleveland Brown, and Arizona Cardinal, but he’s a fantastic locker room guy,” Rodgers said. “You can’t have enough great leaders like Tramon Williams, and I’m glad he’s back in the green and gold.”
Williams knows what an opportunistic play-making defense can accomplish. He helped lead such a unit to the Super Bowl back during the 2010 season.
“I try to preach to the guys that we looking to be great,” Williams said. “We looking to be great this year. And for all the guys to show they are capable of getting the job done, that’s a start.”
After leaving the first time around with a sour taste in his mouth following the 2015 NFC Championship collapse in Seattle, the 35-year old Williams has his sights set on a better last impression in his return to Titletown.
“Coming back to a place where you started at, first and foremost, is always special. Not a lot of guys get a chance to come back and actually play. Most guys get to come back and sign a one day contract and call it quits. But I get a chance to come back and play, and I’m really humbled by that. I don’t take it for granted, and I’m going to try and do the best I can to get these guys back to the Super Bowl where we belong.”
Via: wearegreenbay.com