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Green
Bay Packers cornerback Tramon Williams (38) takes part in
drills during mini camp practice on Monday in
Green Bay
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GREEN BAY - After waiting until
the last minute to agree to his restricted free agent tender offer
last week, Tramon Williams was back in Green Bay for a mandatory
minicamp Monday.
That's a good thing for the Packers,
especially after coach Mike McCarthy said he was concerned that
veteran cornerback Al Harris' injured left knee might not be healed
in time for the beginning of training camp.
Outside of Williams, an up-and-coming
player held in high regard by coaches, the Packers don't have much
experience behind Harris and Charles Woodson. The team's front
office had to be happy when Williams accepted a one-year tender
offer instead of sitting out and trying to force them to give him a
long-term deal.
"You know, it's just one of
those deals where you come in and you do what you can on the things
you can control," Williams said. "And the only thing I can
control is being here and being accountable, being here and being a
great teammate. And that's what I'm here for."
McCarthy said Williams reported in
"excellent" shape, and didn't expect him to need much time
to knock the rust off.
"He's someone that I've
personally enjoyed watch grow from his time here, the way he came
into our program and the individual success that he's had, and
really for the bright future that's in front of him," McCarthy
said. "It's great to have Tramon back."
Another restricted free agent, safety
Atari Bigby, remains unsigned and was not at the minicamp Monday.
By accepting the offer, Williams will
make just over $3 million this season. Had Williams not responded by
last week's deadline, the Packers could have reduced their offer to
around $580,000.
"No promises have been made, we
haven't really done a lot of talking," Williams said. "But
like I said, I'm just here to play football."
And while he's getting a healthy
raise this season, he doesn't have the financial security of a
long-term deal.
"There's always a gamble in
football," Williams said. "It's the name of the game, it's
the business. You know, I never was one to worry about injuries or
any of that stuff. I haven't ever been injured in my career, so
hopefully that stands."
Williams said sitting out the team's
voluntary workouts in the offseason was "a blessing"
because his wife has been having a difficult pregnancy. Williams
said he worked out with a trainer and other NFL players while he was
away from the team.
"Basically, that's why I've been
gone, was taking care of my wife," Williams said.
Now Williams is back while Harris,
the player Williams had to step up and replace late last season,
remains sidelined after a season-ending left knee injury against San
Francisco Nov. 22.
"I think Al is going to be
definitely challenged to make it at the beginning of training
camp," McCarthy said.
Harris didn't dispute that he might
miss the start of training camp, but insisted he would be ready to
start the regular season opener.
"There's no doubt in my
mind," Harris said. "That was my goal from day one, and
that's still my goal today."
Bigby could be headed toward a
long-term contract impasse with the team, but McCarthy passed on the
chance to criticize him.
"You definitely probably have a
little more leniency or understanding toward an individual that you
have gone to battle with," McCarthy said. "Atari Bigby has
been here through offseason programs. I have watched Atari grow as a
football player from NFL Europe, so I do appreciate his (situation).
He is trying to do what he feels is in his best interest as a
professional football player and for his family, and I respect
that."
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