ATLANTA Tramon Williams insists that hes not drawing any extra motivation from being snubbed in the NFC Pro Bowl balloting.
If thats in fact true, then imagine how well the Green Bay Packers fourth-year cornerback would be playing if he was out to exact revenge on the rest of the league for what is fast becoming an obvious injustice.
Not really, Williams said Saturday night, smiling. But thats one way to shut people up to go to the Super Bowl instead of the Pro Bowl.
If he keeps this up, hell do exactly that. Williams intercepted two passes one that kept a touchdown off the board, the other that he returned 70 yards for a touchdown to end the first half and break the Atlanta Falcons spirits to lead the Packers to a 48-21 NFC Divisional Playoff victory over the Falcons at the Georgia Dome.
And all this came just six days after clinching the Packers NFC Wild Card victory over the Philadelphia Eagles with an interception in the end zone with 10 seconds to seal that win.
Because the NFL moved the Pro Bowl to the week before the Super Bowl last year, players who make Super Bowl XLV wont play in the Jan. 30 game in Honolulu.
Tramon Williams, he's clearly played at a Pro Bowl level, there's no question about it, said Packers coach Mike McCarthy, who couldnt vote for his own players in the recent balloting. Just to see your big-time players step up in prime-time games, that's what it's all about.
We're a very confident football team. We've definitely hit our groove. We're very, very proud of what we accomplished here today. But Tramon Williams, he's done it all year. He's been playing at this level all year.
His two plays Saturday night were game-turners.
On his first interception, which came with the score tied at 14-14 and the Falcons facing third-and-21 from Green Bays 26-yard line, Williams skied to pick off Matt Ryans pass intended for Mike Jenkins in the end zone. While it appeared Williams was initially beaten on the play Jenkins seemed to have two steps on him Williams explained that the defense was in a Cover-2 look and that he sunk under the receiver, knowing he had safety help over the top.
The problem was, he really didnt. Not that it mattered, as Williams went high to snare Ryans pass. Not only did the play keep the score tied, but the offense then went 80 yards the other way to take a 21-14 lead.
Matt put some air underneath the ball and that gave me a chance to get there, Williams said of Ryan, who actually had top receiver Roddy White one-on-one on the other sideline against rookie nickel back Sam Shields. If he put it on a rope, he couldve snuck it in, but hed have had to throw it a lot earlier, and the receiver probably wouldnt have been in the end zone.
The end zone was where Williams ended up on his next INT. The Falcons were moving into field-goal range when Ryan was sacked for a 9-yard loss by Clay Matthews. Facing second-and-19 at the Packers 35, Ryan tried to hit White on an out route in front of Williams, only to see Williams recognize the formation and play, undercut the route and pick off the pass, weaving his way 70 yards to push the lead to 28-14 as time expired in the first half.
The play of the game, in my opinion, was Tramon's pick, said Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers, who then led the offense on a touchdown drive to open the second half. That's a 10-point swing, potentially."
Added linebacker A.J. Hawk: Tramons been awesome all year, obviously. That was the play of the game, I think. No one was expecting that to happen. He jumped in front, got a pick and to score going into halftime like that youre up two scores, you know youre getting the ball back, and then the way the offense is playing, you cant say enough about a play like that.
Nor can you say enough about how Williams is playing. After signing a four-year, $33 million extension Nov. 29, hes proving to be worth every penny.
Hopefully I continue to make plays like that for my team, Williams said. Hopefully everyone keeps playing like theyve been playing. The offense is hot right now. All we have to do defensively is hold up.
"JASON WILDE" wrote: