Woodson Not Opposed To Playing Safety
The wheels are in motion people.
A week after we talked about the obvious benefits (as well as the likelihood) of the Green Bay Packers moving cornerback Charles Woodson to safety, the topic came up in a radio interview.
Woodson, who would replace the recently-released Nick Collins, said he isn’t opposed to it.
“I think that it comes down to what the other guys are going to be able to do as far as the cornerback position is concerned,” Woodson said. “If one of those guys can take over that role and make the plays that need to be made at corner … with Nick Collins leaving, [and if] they need me to play safety, I’m not opposed to that. But I think that we have to make sure that cornerback position is going to be solidified and we’re comfortable with who is going to be out there at the corner.”
The Packers looked to solidify their cornerback position by drafting Casey Hayward in the second round, last month. They also have Sam Shields, in addition to starter Tramon Williams, who is likely to get a look. If either player proves capable opposite Williams, bet on Woodson taking over for Collins.
He just wants to win. If him playing safety is best for the team, Woodson doesn’t mind.
Don’t forget D House….we don’t know what we have yet with him as a CB. Hopefully he has a strong summer and adds some competition to the mix
Davon House is going to be a good corner in the NFL. He was a guy, I believe, the packers did not want to expose too much to ingame action in his first year… kind of like they did with Aaron Rodgers, in order to help his confidence and abilities. I believe House has a real good chance to be the starter opposite Tramon Williams.
Don’t forget all the young guys getting an off season as well. That is why sam guys didn’t progress. I think You will see a big jump in improvement in the corner play.
We need Heyward or House to be able to play the outside so that Shields can play the slot. Since he is quicker than he is physical, that is the perfect place for him.
C-Wood is the frickin man. What can you say. I am actually kinda surprised he is this amiable to it.
Woodson has just shown what many other veterans don’t/won’t/can’t,the acceptance of fact,if he wants to continue playing for a few more years,it is/must/will be at another position.
His statement cannot be any more PC and that excites the fans ,the team and himself as he reaps the rewards for being so.
I’m not sure what fact you are alluding to.
Here are some though:
Woodson was a Pro Bowl CB last season.
Woodson, as a CB, tied for the NFL lead in INTs with 7.
Several opposing offensive coordinators said they stopped throwing the ball at Woodson in the 2nd half of the season. They said throwing the ball at Tramon was smarter than risking a pick.
Has Woodson declined as a CB? A little, sure. But my point is that the “facts” don’t seem to support the notion that Woodson HAS to move to safety to keep playing in the NFL.
Ironically, the number #1 decline for Woodson last season was his tackling and his blitzing ability, which explains why I have some reservations about how successful he can be at safety.
Rather than have Woodson replace Collins at FS, I’d guess he becomes the starting SS and Burnett moves over to FS full-time (where he played much of last year). Woodson can definitely tackle better than Burnett and appears to be a better blitzer — those sound more like SS characteristics to me.