The Potential CB Tramon Williams Holdout

by Brandon on Mar 9, 2009 8:00 AM CDT in News Comment 6 comments

Most exclusive rights free agents are completely at the mercy of their team. They can't visit or talk with any other team and just have to take what the team has offered. But CB Tramon Williams' agent thinks his client can do better:

But agent Rodney Williams of Katy, Texas, made it clear last week that his client deserves to be paid in 2009 at a rate commensurate with other emerging young players at his position.

He's crazy. This is because RB Ryan Grant was an exclusive rights free agent last season, held out, and was given a big 4 year contract. But that was after Grant's incredible 2007 season. I consider Grant's situation similar to what happened with Pro Bowl TE Antonio Gates a few years ago in San Diego. It was obviously unfair to lump Grant or Gates in with a typical exclusive rights free agent. Williams is pretty good, but he doesn't fall into that class of player.

If anything, Grant's contract has proven to be a mistake given his poor 2008 season. The Packers should never give into an exclusive rights free agent again.

Williams will hear it from his teammates and coaches if he skips voluntary or mandatory off season activities because he's upset with his contract. He needs to sign, work his butt off to keep his status as the nickel back and learn the new defensive scheme, and use that to get a serious offer from another team when he becomes a restricted free agent.

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I'm with you, Brandon.

Oh, Tramon. You do know that you’re still a virtual unknown in the NFL, right? I mean, sure, everyone here loves you and thinks you have a real future here in Green Bay, and we definitely want to keep you around. But the thing you’re forgetting is that Ryan Grant managed to filch that $18 million because he was getting HUGE publicity from ESPN, SI, PFT, and other NFL-related acronyms, which artificially inflated his value and forced Teddy to give him a nice contract.

So, yes, you probably deserve a nice 4-year, $15 million deal. Just not until after you show us this season that you’re worth it.

"I'm so clean, cats think I sip Ajax."

by Mitchell_M on Mar 9, 2009 6:18 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Mitchell you nailed it on the head. I’m sure eventually Tramon will deserve that kind of money but not now. Ya we all saw all the skill, speed, and potential this guy has but not anyone of outside of here probably did. Even Grant asking for all that money last year was a bit ridiculous, the guy only played well for 9 games. I think he proved this year he was worth it, somehow managing to rush for 1,200 yards, despite our pass happy offense and less then stellar offensive line play.
Tramon is defintitely a guy we need to keep around though cause in 2-3 years he’ll probably be our starting cb and a damn good one to boot.

by packallday555 on Mar 9, 2009 6:35 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

+1

to both Mitchell and Packallday…

Tramon needs to be patient and he will make it. The Pack will get you some money just when you completely deserve it.

by bizzle4 on Mar 9, 2009 6:51 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Unless you have experience in the 3-4

You’re auditioning for a job in my opinion. There’s no room for hold outs.

"You just don't know understand how frustrating this is"- Kevin Borseth

by TkGoUWGB on Mar 9, 2009 11:20 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Politely disagree...

Tramon deserves more…he’s clearly a talent, our cornerbacks are aging…he has bargaining power here! Also, football is a dangerous game where you risk horrible injury and a shortened lifespan….Your career can any at any moment…If i were him, hold out.

by PackFaninFL on Mar 10, 2009 3:55 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Big risk

I’m on the side of players; they’ve got short (usually) careers and have to make sure they take the opportunity to get paid when it becomes available. Teams can cut these guys at the drop of a hat, so they should have the right to play hardball too.

But he’s taking a big risk that they’ll blink before he does. TT didn’t blink at Favre last season, so Williams has no chance. And he has no other options. He can’t visit with other teams. It just isn’t his time; yet.

by Brandon on Mar 10, 2009 10:55 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs