1) Introduction: Packers S Charles Woodson was moved to safety in the team’s base 3-4 defense. A broken collarbone injury at St. Louis on October 21st forced Woodson to miss the rest of the regular season. He did not return until the Packers’ Wild Card matchup against the Minnesota Vikings.
2) Profile:
Charles C. Woodson
- Age: 36
- Born: 10/07/1976
- Height: 6’01”
- Weight: 200
- College: Michigan
- Rookie Year: 1998
- NFL Experience: 15 years
3) Expectations coming into the season: The Packers wanted to extend Woodson’s career and make him more effective in the defense by moving him from cornerback to safety. They also hoped that he could help develop some of the younger defensive backs as well as be disruptive in run support and in the team’s blitz packages.
4) Player’s highlights/low-lights: Woodson’s best performance came against the Chicago Bears in week 2 when he posted two quarterback hurries and five tackles. Woodson’s worst performance unfortunately came in Green Bay’s most important game of the season, the Divisional playoffs, when he was largely ineffective against Colin Kaepernick and the San Francisco 49ers offense.
5) Player’s contribution to the overall team success: Woodson’s biggest contribution this season came off the field. Due to his injury, he was largely ineffective in his play but he has continued to be a vital piece of the Packers locker room and was undoubtedly helpful in developing the team’s young defensive backs.
6) Player’s contributions in the playoffs: Woodson had eight tackles in the team’s two playoff games. He was largely ineffective in the team’s season-ending loss to the 49ers
Season Report Card:
(C-) Level of expectations met during the season
(C-) Contributions to team’s overall success.
(D) Contributions to team during the playoffs
Overall Grade: C-
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Jason Perone is an independent sports blogger writing about the Packers on AllGreenBayPackers.com
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The “Cap” issue comes into play big time this year. His experience is still needed and hopefully a deal can be reached. The second collar bone break definetely impacted his style of play when he finally did return. Can’t pay the $10 mil he has coming.
Woodson has been a great Packer, but his days a re coming to an end. We can’t continue to pay his high salary for the level or play that he can bring at this point in his career. If the Packers want to keep his experience they should transition him to a coaching position for DB’s. Otherwise, sadly, I think that it is time to let him go.
Thanks,
Since ’61
While Woodson has definitely lost some speed, he is still one of the best tacklers in our secondary. I agree that Pack can’t pay anything close to $10 million, but I’m also skeptical that we could “coach up” any of our developing talent to the point where they could immediately replace what he brings against the run. The best case would be to have him play 1 more year at half the price.
Woodson is probably done. He has lost more than a step or two. He gets called for holding a lot. He cannot keep up with WR’s. Even at safety, he doesn’t seem to be able to cover. Even if he didn’t make 10 million, it would be hard to keep him. C-, might be a little high, but it doesn’t really matter. They kept Driver last year, paid him 2 million, and he never played. I think Charles has to realize that time is undefeated, and I think he just won another.
If the 8 Million is only available to keep either Woodson or Finley – I say keep Finley who contributed this year.
Reading everything above this says Woodson was injured most of the season, is 36, held on too many plays and kept off of IR for the post-season. Then in the post-season he earned a D.
Time to move on – now.
Woodson is one of several Packer vets/ on defense who are very highly compensated, but on the downside of their career—CW, Hawk, Bishop, Williams. Pickett’s still performing at his usual high level.
Time to cut Sir Charles loose, and use that $$$ to lock up CM 3 long-term. Woodson’s a HOF player, but he’s breaking down and relegated to safety. And, if he’s the D’s best tackler they are in trouble.