Cornerback Problem?

by Ryan Stern on Dec 8, 2009 11:04 AM CST Comment 18 comments

The Ravens game last night was a disaster for CB Tramon Williams and his insistence on using an illegal arm-bar technique is going to sink the Packers when he is matched up against a competent. If the playoffs were to begin today the Packers would be matched up against the Arizona Cardinals, a nightmare match up for most secondaries but with Al Harris in the line up this may not have been a problem. Having Tramon matched up against Anquan Boldin and having Jarrett Bush matched up against Breaston would spell imminent doom for our secondary. The Packers must explore options at corner like the Saints did. After the jump I will examine the limited options the Packers have.

The only real option that could potentially get a short term upgrade at the position is to look for a serviceable veteran such as the Saints did with Mike McKenzie and Chris McAlister. The list of veteran cornerbacks is long but after sifting through the garbage I have found a few names that would make sense for the Packers to, at the very least, take a look at:

R.W McQuarters

I know these guys are all similar in terms of age, (except Holly) speed, and time out of the game but if the Packers would like to contend it is probably necessary that they get a proven back up, even if it does not mean taking Tramon out of the lineup. If Mark Clayton can force as many pass interference penalties as he did last night imagine the Packers going up against the Saints, Cards or even the Vikings without a viable option at nickel or dime back.

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Good points

We did just pick up Josh Bell I believe so I would say another signing would be unlikely but I wouldn’t be against it.

Tramon is ok he just needs to have more confidence in his abilities and not panick so much. Teams are going to go at him the rest of the year, simply because they really don’t have a choice. Woodson blankets receivers and usually ends up with a pick when teams try and throw to his side.

Bush is bad and Underwood hasn’t really had the opportunity to show much. I would expect Bell to start playing here more as he is probably becoming more and more accustomed to the scheme. I guess we’ll see though.

by packallday555 on Dec 8, 2009 11:09 AM CST reply actions

Tramon had a bad game yes…but it was his first bad game. It happens. I think this is a little extreme and I am not too worried about him to be honest. The gameplan today was clearly Iso Woodson on Mason and do everything possible to shut down the run…they basically FORCED the Ravens to try to exploit that matchup. Did you notice that there was almost NEVER safety help for him? He was out there on an island all game.

When we play a team like the Cards, the scheme will be VERY different. We’ll rely on our LBs and D line to shut down the run leaving the safeties to provide help over the top.

That said, I wouldn’t mind seeing a veteran being brought in to put in the Nickel spot. Sammy Knight is more of a safety these days. I don’t know what McQuarters has left, he was pretty good in his time but I just don’t know. Brown could be interesting, still surprised he isn’t on a team somewhere. I always like Surtain too. Here is the thing though, you can’t assume that Mckenzie is going to play like that all the time. In fact, the Redskins chucked the ball ALL DAY on that Saints secondary on Sunday. I just checked the REDSKINS put up 365 through the air on them so I guess my point is that just cause they had that HUGE game on prime time TV, doesn’t mean that they will keep playing that way.

by TrevorR on Dec 8, 2009 11:39 AM CST reply actions

The point was that the Packers need some insurance in situations that they do play against teams with multiple good receivers. In the playoffs we will most likely run into the Saints or Cards who have outstanding depth at the WR position. Do you seriously trust Jarett Bush covering Steve Breaston in the slot. I understand Tramon was left alone in order to take care of the run but in the playoffs 1 PI call can ruin a season and I would rather have someone who understands the game better then Jarett Bush out there

by Ryan Stern on Dec 8, 2009 1:29 PM CST reply actions

I agree…you aimed most of your critcizm against Williams in the original post and THAT is what I didn’t agree with. Bush is a serious liability, hopefully we’ll have something figured out by then though.

by TrevorR on Dec 8, 2009 2:36 PM CST up reply actions

I like Williams

He’s got to learn but…., as mentioned in other articles—- he was put on an island. But even so after waching the game——- the kid did not get burned deep, which is what you want. This could be the green and gold juice talking but 2 of those PI’s were NOT PI’s. One arm bar play….sure but the rest were just fighting and good coverage. I would rather see that than get burned deep. I think all of our CB’s except for Woodson would have been burned deep. The kid is improving, he has speed, OMG does he have speed. Did you see him catch Webb and save a ST TD? My veiw—- Williams is fast and the rest he can be tought.

by GBfan73 on Dec 8, 2009 3:54 PM CST reply actions

Everyone has a bad game very once in a while

We weren’t throwing Al Harris under the bus after the NFC Championship game. Tramon just committed a few penalties and it didn’t even effect the outcome of the game. He’s still one of the better cornerbacks in the league as Jay Cutler is sure to be reminded of. Earl Bennett! HA!

by Donald Driver on Dec 8, 2009 6:55 PM CST reply actions

yes we did

and favre to.

that is the game that cemented it for me.

favre will NEVER be considered the GOAT. Montana, Peyton, Brady, etc. don’t lost that game with 4 chances to get a field goal.

and Harris got worked all game.

come playoff time, we will all be very very happy that Tramon is the starter and Al Harris is hurt.

Sad but true.

by Acme on Dec 8, 2009 10:17 PM CST up reply actions 1 recs

I am with you…Harris has been slowly sliding for the past year or two. The new system really did him in. If we had more depth at CB, I would have not minded losing him at all, but with only Tramon behind him, it stinks.

by TrevorR on Dec 9, 2009 10:08 AM CST up reply actions

yep

it is the depth that is worrisome.

the injuries actually made the coaches job much easier. Everyone knew Jones and Tramon were better, but could you imagine the crap MM would get if he benched Harris and AK?!?

if our front 7 stay healthy, we will be very very dangerous come playoff time.

Will just have to be super conservative on ST and will be fine.

by Acme on Dec 10, 2009 9:54 PM CST up reply actions

I don’t know about Jones…but Tramon I would agree with. We didn’t really hear much about Jones until Kampman got hurt…in fact there was talk of Poppinga maybe being the starter I think.

by TrevorR on Dec 11, 2009 9:01 AM CST up reply actions

Rec

Completely agree with you. I feel exactly the same way with Favre and Harris, the latter of whom has especially been going downhill since that game. Remember when he went out last year and everyone freaked out for a second until Tramon stepped in and did just as good if not a better job than Harris?

I’ve always liked Tramon better for the big reason that he is FAST and won’t get burned, which is why him using his hands on Monday Night so much was puzzling- he’s got such great speed (remember that kick return that ALMOST went for a touchdown? Tramon was the one who caught up to the Ravens’ returner and saved the score) and jumping ability (the hops on the endzone INT were awesome) that it’s puzzling he had to resort to doing that sort of thing instead. Harris can only play press and push but if you get him on an island against a big, speedy receiver, he’ll get burned- Plaxico was the perfect foil for him.

by vitaminx on Dec 9, 2009 11:48 PM CST up reply actions

I’ve always liked Tramon better for the big reason that he is FAST and won’t get burned, which is why him using his hands on Monday Night so much was puzzling- he’s got such great speed…

I know and even the PI’s he did get he was right with the WR. Hopefully our coaches and Woodson will be able to help him out a bit this week but I don’t think he has anything to worry about.

by packallday555 on Dec 10, 2009 10:52 AM CST up reply actions

2008 - 4 starts and 3 INT's

I believe.

he did better than Harris.

First start this year and he gets a pick.

by Acme on Dec 10, 2009 9:52 PM CST up reply actions

There’s no question the kid is good. He came in last year, and showed that he has starting ability and has done the same pretty much all year as he probably played in 75-80% of our games before Harris got back.

He is going to be a very good Cb in the league.

by packallday555 on Dec 10, 2009 10:30 PM CST up reply actions

I actually have more confidence in Tramon after that game

Sure, he made some mistakes but everyone has bad games (Like Driver said with Harris in the NFC Title game) and what stood out to me was how he came back from it. He didn’t let his mistakes ruin his confidence and went out and made two game changing plays, the interception in the red zone and the TD saving Special Teams tackle. He’s a young corner with loads of potential, he’ll hit even more rough patches in the future but at least he’s shown he can bounce back from them.

by Charlie Kelly on Dec 9, 2009 9:03 AM CST reply actions 1 recs

Good point! He didn’t hang his head…he fought back and probably really restored his OWN confidence!

by TrevorR on Dec 9, 2009 10:09 AM CST reply actions

Definitely making his own positives from negatives

I like to see that out of a corner. I personally think Tramon can be a top corner in this league in a few years. No guarantee that he will of course, but he has that potential I believe.

Frye is honestly gotta be one of the top 10 3rd Stringers in all of the NFL right now--colbyb

by verno329 on Dec 9, 2009 10:45 AM CST up reply actions 1 recs