The one and only Charles MF Woodson has been in the news a lot this season, mostly due to his continuing to kick ass at the age of 39, and due to the fact that the Oakland Raiders are only mostly crap for once instead of being total crap.
Well, his two picks against Peyton Manning (not exactly rare events this season) a couple weeks ago prompted a rather awesome article by Peter King where King just basically threw it out there that C-Wood might deserve consideration as the greatest defensive back to ever play in the NFL.
In his weekly MMQB article, King talked about not only Woodson’s career stats but also about interviewing C-Wood in the locker room following the Packers’ Super Bowl victory over the Pittsburgh Steelers. King rehashed the broken collarbone and halftime speech that are now indelible Woodson lore.
This naturally reminded me of the greatest moment of the C-Wood legend, and that was the play after C-Wood broke his collarbone in the Super Bowl. What happened on that play? Nothing. The Packers called a timeout. Why would the Packers call timeout with the Steelers driving, trying to get themselves back in the game before halftime? The Packers called timeout to get Charles Woodson off the field.
That’s right. After breaking his collarbone, Charles Woodson stayed on the field and attempted to keep playing. The Packers had to burn a timeout to get the guy off the field because apparently a broken bone wasn’t enough to convince him on its own.
Considering that, it should surprise no one that Woodson continues to play this year, even with a dislocated shoulder. Despite the fact that injuries seem to be a constant reality for the aging C-Wood, he has joined Tom Brady in claiming he could play for another 10 seasons.
Now, time is undefeated, even for a guy like C-Wood, but on the other hand, it wouldn’t surprise me if a 49 year old Woodson was still able to kick some ass.
THE DB GOAT, no question in my mind. Rod, Lott, Adderley etc. were all incredible but his Woodness takes the cake. Dude is the very definition of a baller, there’s a reason the Steelers got back in the game only after Chuck Wood got hurt. Sure wish the Raiders were coming to town this year instead of the Chargers or Chiefs; even though he’d be better at 43 than players like Ahmad Carroll could ever dream of being, I doubt any team would want to pay multi-millions to a skill position player only a few years away from an AARP membership.
If the president don’t wanna come watch us in the super bowl, we’ll go see him! White house on three. 1, 2, 3.. WHITE HO– USE!
That line alone is why we fucking won the Super Bowl.
I think Dieon Sanders is the best defensive back of all time. No one threw at him if he was on the field. When they tried, he intercepted it. Woodson was great, but he could be passed on.
In his prime, not so much. Plus Deion could not and would not tackle so he was a liability in the run game, Chuck never had that problem. There’s more to being a great DB than just coverage.
one of my all time favorite Packers.
Deion had no tackling game, dudes shit was weak in that sense but definitely the best cover corner in the history. Chuck is the best all around corner in my opinion. He could tackle, cover, blitz, catch the ball, and more importantly return it for a TD. Dudes a legend
Woodson was almost always the smartest guy on the field. Great instincts. His athleticism and hands are exceptional as well. I assumed he was washed up his last season here. I’m glad to be proven wrong. CWood is a beast.
Not even close to the best, but probably the best you’ve seen play. Willie Buchanon, Jack Tatum, and a few others come to mind off the top of my head.
Mr. Woodson is very good, but he never caused any changes in the way the game was played. You may cite longevity, but with that logic, Ray Guy is the best QB of all time, and George Halas is the best owner.
The Tuck Rule, sure not the Mel Blount Rule, but Chuck was responsible at least in part for a significant change.
Ray Guy was a punter.
The more intriguing question is whether he will retire a packer or a raider?
He’ll retire as a Raider but he’ll represent in the HoF as both.
There have been so many great ones it’s nearly impossible to anoint just one player. Same with quarterbacks. No doubt Woodson is a truly great db and has been for a long, long time.
Him and Nick Collins are the prime difference between the Super Bowl squad and this team. I miss him. Ted Thompson has little mercy for old age or he could still be over there and Sam shields would be the #2 corner. Think about that.
Woodson no longer has the the speed or quickness in space to be a corner. Why he has played safety from his last year in GB till now with the raiders.
And to think that T.T. got rid of Woodson to make way for younger guys like M.D. Jennings and Jerron McMillian. Let that sink in for a moment….
Those pieces of shit probably aren’t even in the league anymore and Woodson is almost 40 still tearing it up.
And Ha Ha Clinton-Dix, Morgan Burnett, and Julius Peppers. It wasn’t age alone that resulted in Chuck leaving GB, it was largely money.
HaHa and Peppers weren’t even on the team at the time and Burnett has been up and down when available. Not to mention that limp dick move he pulled in the NFCCG. Woodson was due a lot of money but the Packers didn’t even try to negotiate with him, which I’m sure he was open to.
My point isn’t to bitch about our current players because they are doing well, just to point out how horrible Jennings and McMillian were because they were the immediate replacements for Woodson.
Fair enough, but my point was to recognize the cap room and opportunity for youngsters freed up by Wood’s departure. No doubt it was a bad move for 2 years but it’s paying off now.