Charles Woodson wins NFC Defensive Player of the Week

Charles Woodson has been named the NFC Defensive Player of the Week for his performance in the Pack’s 17-7 win over the Cowboys.  Woodson played a role in all three of the Cowboys turnovers.  In the second quarter, he stopped a drive in Green Bay territory by forcing a fumble that was recovered by linebacker Clay Matthews.  Then in the fourth quarter, with the Packers leading 10-0, Woodson had a strip sack of Tony Romo forcing a fumble that was recovered by Matthews to set up a first-and-goal for Green Bay at the three-yard line. It led to a Packers’ touchdown and a 17-0 lead.  The next drive, with the Cowboys on the Green Bay one-yard line, Woodson picked off Romo.  On the day, Woodson had a team-high 9 tackles, 2 forced fumbles, and 1 interception.  He was also named NFC Defensive Player of the Month for September.    

Every week I look forward to watching Woodson at his craft.  He’s a player that’s in his prime with his physical gifts still intact and has mastered the mental part of the game.  Woodson is one of the most physically gifted players ever to play in the secondary.  His attitude was questioned in Oakland, but we’ve learned that Oakland should be questioned themselves.  He is able to do everything in the secondary, jam physical receivers, keep up with speedsters, come up in run support, play zones, and bait quarterbacks into making bad throws.  Woodson is a magician in the secondary making quarterbacks see openings that aren’t there.  This week he’ll matchup with 49ers tight end Vernon Davis and try to stop the emerging star.  Woodson made life difficult for Jason Witten and Kellen Winslow the last two weeks.  He’s in his 12th year in the NFL, but I believe has a lot of good football left in that 33 year-old body.  I can see him successfully making the transition to safety if it comes to that point. 

I have been a fan of his since I saw him tear up the Big-Ten when I was in high school.  I believe the 5-time pro bowler is the pre-eminent corner in the game today.  Nnamdi Asomugha of the Raiders is a very good cover corner and rarely gets balls thrown his way.  Antoine Winfield of the Vikings, the Eagles Asante Samuel, Darrelle Revis of the Jets, and the Titans Cortland Finnegan are close to entering the discussion as well.  Aqib Talib of the Bucs is an emerging player that will torture quarterbacks for years to come.  Woodson can tackle as well as Winfield, is a ball hawk like Samuel, sticks to receivers like Asomugha and Revis.  Woodson is able to annoy receivers like Finnegan.  For all the criticism Ted Thompson receives and some rightly so, this is one player nobody wanted.  Thompson took rolled the dice and hit the jackpot.

Tags: Charles Woodson, Packers