The offseason strength and conditioning program is well underway in Green Bay, giving Packers.com a chance to catch up with a few guys to get their thoughts on the past season, next season, and what they've been up to in between.
Cornerback Tramon Williams began 2007 as a longshot to make the roster out of training camp, but he flashed some impressive cover skills early, made the team, and did nothing but improve as the season went along. He has essentially become the defense's nickelback for the stretch run, and he finished the season with 11 tackles (10 solo), one interception and four passes defensed. As a regular return man, he also averaged 22.8 yards on 30 kickoff returns and 19.7 yards on six punt returns, including a 94-yard return of a pooch punt for a TD against Carolina.
Here's what Williams had to say …
How does it feel to be back?
It feels great. We got a couple months off to relax, hang out with your family. But we know in our heads it's time to get back to business.
What have you been up to during the offseason? Any exciting trips anywhere?
Not really. I took a few road trips, to go to Houston, back to see my Mom, see some people and chill out with my girl. That's basically what I did. I worked out here and there, but got my legs back and everything. I relaxed a little bit, and now it's time to come back here and do the job.
If you had to grade yourself on your 2007 season, what grade would you give yourself?
Let's see … I'd give myself a B-minus. I'm not of the status to be an 'A' guy, first of all, but just about the progression that I made throughout the season from the start, continuing to build and becoming consistent as a player, making the coaches depend on me, I feel I became a reliable guy, so I'd put myself in the 'B' category.
What do you think you need to do to improve on that?
Basically just to become even more consistent, make sure I know every step of the defense, playing fast and to the best of my ability. I just want to go out there and have fun.
What was your personal favorite moment of last season, on or off the field?
I don't like to dwell in the past myself. I'd rather look forward to the future. The past is the past. This league is by the moment. If you're doing good, you're here. If you start doing bad, then it's a different story. So I don't really want to live in the past. I made a few plays, but none (worth mentioning) in particular.
What are you most looking forward to about 2008?
How our team is going to come together. With the whole Brett thing behind us, I have a lot of confidence in Aaron. I feel he's going to come in and do a great job. People are going to be doubting us now, but that's the way it was last year. People doubted us coming into the season, and we went 13-3 in the regular season. We just want to come in and show them that we can still do it.
What are your personal goals for the upcoming season?
Personal goals? I want to be a starter. That's what I'm supposed to come in and do. You want to be the best, so you want to start. You want to be consistent, show the coaches that you can play, that it wasn't a fluke season. I don't want to come in and do too much, but come in and do what I can do. I feel that I can play and be a big playmaker, so I just want to come out and do me.
