New Teams for Old Packers

It took a while, but the career of former Packer Backer favorite (until he got beat for the winning TD in overtime of the 2014 “Great Collapse”) isn’t over after Tramon Williams signed a 1-year contract with the Arizona Cardinals.

Tramon should feel at home with the Cardinals because they are having the same kind of luck the Packers always have, but last year it was concentrated on the cornerbacks.

Finding a solid performer opposite All-Pro left cornerback Patrick Peterson has been a problem this off-season for Bruce Arians. First it was Brandon Williams, but he got benched. Then he released former Packer Jumal Rolle and Tevin Floyd with injury settlements before losing the new presumed starter Justin Bethel with an hyper extended knee and the next day his replacement Ronald Zamort with a torn ACL.

When looking at who was left on the outside looking in after free agency there remained ancient Darrelle Revis (age 32) let go by the Jets, semi-ancient  (age 31) Brandon Flowers released by the Chargers and Methuselah (age 34) Tramon, who was cut by the Browns. Yes, those Browns.

After “Ted Terrific” let him walk after giving up the winning TD pass to the Seahawks he signed a 3-year $21 million contract with the Browns and lasted only a year and a half as the starter (the same as Davon House and “TT” re-signed him). Tramon was then cut after losing his starting job last season after the seventh game with one-year left on his contract. That is how bad they wanted to get rid of him.

I always liked Tramon and he did a great job for the Packers for a five or six year stretch after being signed as a street free agent in 2006 after being an undrafted free agent (“General Manager For Life’s” favorite kind of player) by the Houston Texans and then being cut in training camp. He intercepted 27 passes during his 7 years as a starter (he spent his first season with the Packers on the practice squad and his second as a backup with 1 interception) and was named to the Pro Bowl in 2010 earning him a 4-year $33 million extension, which he played out.

So good luck to him. He evidently had his eye on the desert or at least that’s what he wants his new team to think, “This team has always been in my vision, always been in play for me. When we got the call, it became reality.” Well, we do live in a Trump World where not telling the truth is SOP.

With the signing of Tramon and the waiving of Jumal that leaves 66 ex-Packers on the other 31 teams’ rosters. There has been a total of 73 since the beginning of the off season when they are all added up, but 9 were cut (with two being picked up by another team) and one traded.

Cut not re-signed were tight ends Kennard Backman (Lions), Jake Stoneburner (Saints) and Blake Annen (Bills); wide receiver Charles Johnson (Panthers); running back DuJuan Harris (49ers); center Patrick Lewis (Bills); and Rolle.

Linebacker Andy Mulumba was cut by the Raiders and picked up by the Rams. Wide receiver Harvey Binford was cut the Cardinals and picked up by the Colts and guard/tackle Allen Barbre was traded to the Broncos by the Eagles.

The Lions and Colts have the most ex-Packers with six each. The Lions have: #10 Jared Abbrederis (WR), #76 T.J. Lang (RG), #74 Matt Rotheram (G), #99 Khyri Thornton (DT), #62 Bruce Gaston (NT) and #67 Ego Ferguson (DT). The Colts have:  #16 Scott Tolzien (QB), #38 Christine Michael (RB), #2 Harvey Binford (WR), #67 Jeremy Vujnovich (T), #63 Blake Muir (T) and #60 Josh Boyd (DT).

The Panthers and the Saints have five each. The Panthers have: #79 Chris Scott (G), #73 Greg Van Roten (G), #44 J.J. Jansen (LS), #90 Julius Peppers (RDE) and #72 Eric Crume (NT) and the Saints have: #29 John Kuhn (FB). #77 John Fullington (G); #46 Jesse Schmitt (LS), #47 Thomas Gafford (LS) and #37 Chris Banjo (S).

The Bills, the Raiders and the Chiefs have four each. The Bills have: #94 Jerel Worthy (NT), #53 Carl Bradford (ILB), #49 Sam Barrington (ILB) and #23 Micah Hyde (SS). The Raiders have: #43 John Crockett (RB), #87 Jared Cook (TE), #73 Marshall Newhouse (T) and #2 Giorgio Tavecchio (K). The Chiefs have: #60 Andrew Tiller (G), #66 Josh James (G), #51 Frank Zombo (OLB) and #46 Keith Baxter (CB).

The Bears and the Vikings have two each. The Bears have: #71 Josh Sitton (LG) and #69 C.J. Wilson (NT). The Vikings have: #95 Datone Jones (DE) and #37 Terrell Sinkfield, Jr. (CB).

The Bucs, the Eagles, the Cardinals, the Seahawks, the Jets, the Ravens, the Bengals and the Texans also have two each. The Bucs have: #62 Evan Smith (C) and #61 Josh Allen (C). The Eagles have: #45 Rick Lovato (LS) and #66 Justin Hamilton (DT). The Cardinals have: #15 Jeremy Ross (WR) and #37 Tramon Williams (CB). The Seahawks have: #27 Eddie Lacy (RB) and #9 Jon Ryan (P). The Jets have: #16 Myles White (WR) and #98 Mike Pennel (DE). The Ravens have: #41 Anthony Levine, Sr. (ILB) and #31 Robertson Daniel (CB). The Bengals have: #46 Clark Harris (LS) and #23 Bené Benwikere (CB). The Texans have: #68 Breno Giacomini (T) and #73 Josh Walker (G).

These teams have one ex-Packer. Redskins: #41 Will Blackmon (S). Patriots: #93 Lawrence Guy (DE). Steelers: #34 Knile Davis (RB). Browns: #64 J.C. Tretter (C). Jaguars: #55 Lerentee McCray (WLB). Titans: #50 Nate Palmer. Chargers: #26 Casey Hayward (RCB). Broncos: #73 Allen Barbre (LG).

There are 15 remaining in the Canadian Football League:

Calgary Stampeders (6)
#81 Jarrett Boykin (WR)

#4 Micah Johnson (DL)

#11 Josh Bell (CB)

#17 Jarrett Bush (CB)

#64 Justin Renfrow (G) > Practice Squad

#98 James Vaughters (DL) > Practice Squad

Edmonton Eskimos (2)
#13 Mike Reilly (QB)

#45 Korey Jones (LB)

#25 Terrell Manning (LB) > Released

Montreal Alouettes (2)

#20 Tyrell Sutton (RB)

#64 Cory Tucker (OL) > Released

#95 Ray Drew (DL)

Ottawa Redbacks (2)

#84 Tori Gurley (WR)

#68 Tommie Draheim (C)

Hamilton Tiger-Cats (2)

#36 Ross Scheuerman (RB)

#87 Ed Williams (WR)

Saskatchewan Roughriders (1)

#3 Ricky Collins, Jr. (WR)

#8 Vince Young (QB) – [hamstring] > Released

There are 6 in the Arena Football League:

Philadelphia Soul (2)

#7 Darius Reynolds (WR)

#62 Brennen Carvalho (C)

Washington Valor (1)

#10 Terrence Smith (WR)

Cleveland Gladiators (2)

#74 Joe Madsen (C)

#40 Alstevis Squirewell (FB)

Tampa Bay Storm (1)

#99 Jordan Miller (DL)

There are 5 remaining in the Indoor Football League:

Arizona Rattlers (1)

Diondre Borel (WR)

Green Bay Blizzard (2)

#10 J.D. Roussell (DB)

Chris Malott (WR) > [IR-?]

Wichita Falls Nighthawks (2) -1

#15 Josh "Road Closed" Francis (LB) > {RELEASED}

#6 Angelo Pease (RB) > [IR-?]

Nebraska Danger (1)

#5 Demetruce McNeal (DB)

Salt Lake Screaming Eagles (1) -1

Mitch Skarban (WR) > {RELEASED}