CWood Article
November 26th, 2014 at 10:19 PM ^
but Woodson is featured prominently this week:
Charles Woodson: The defensive Peyton.
Peyton Manning, the first overall pick in 1998, finished second in the 1997 Heisman balloting. He is 38. Charles Woodson, the fourth overall pick in 1998, finished first in the 1997 Heisman balloting. He is 38.
We are collectively marveling at how Manning is playing (68 percent completions, plus-25 TD-to-pick differential) for an old man. What of Woodson? The Raiders are the lost sheep of the NFL, to be sure, at 1-10. But that 1? It happened Thursday night over the playoff-contending Chiefs, and Woodson was one of the best players on the field. A key sack of Alex Smith made Woodson the first player in history with at least 50 interceptions and 20 sacks. (I hate invented stats, but this one is pretty informative.)
More impressive is this: Woodson has played all but 11 of the Raiders’ 739 defensive snaps this season. And some of those have been pretty damned unimportant for a man who will have a good chance at Canton someday.
“I feel great,” he said from California the other day. “If I continue to feel the way I feel right now, there’s no way I don’t think I can play next year. And I would like to. I’m happy. I really am, playing in the NFL, the greatest game in the world, and playing at this level.”
I asked Woodson if, seeing how he’s still able to contribute at a high level, he has any regrets about picking the Raiders before the 2013 season. “No,” he said. “When free agency came around, no one took me seriously. I guess it was my age, but everyone pretty much wrote me off. But I am proud to have been productive since I’ve come back. I’ve taken pride in my games. I have been productive in every way possible. It hasn’t been hard to give my all every week. But it is hard to lose like this.
“Seventeen years, though … In a weird way, it’s gone pretty fast. But thinking back to 1998, wow. Lasting this long? Wow. The only thing I can say is I’m blessed.”
And playing himself into position for another contract. He’s working on a one-year, $2.5 million deal with the Raiders. Woodson has proved, with him, that age is a number. He’s not a Pro Bowler, but he’s playing well enough to earn another year somewhere. He and Justin Tuck should be brought back to be the leaders—on and off the field—that this young Raider defense needs.
http://mmqb.si.com/2014/11/24/odell-beckham-catch-new-york-giants-week-12-nfl/7/
November 26th, 2014 at 10:33 PM ^
good read but Fuck Peter King. his campaign to keep Art Monk out of the HOF was despicable. ill never have respect for the brillo pad headed idiot.
November 26th, 2014 at 11:02 PM ^
Blasphemy! Stone him to death!
November 26th, 2014 at 10:45 PM ^
Have a good chance at Canton? Is he serious? I thought Woodson would be a lock for HOF honors given the defensive MVP, defensive rookie of the year, Super Bowl and number of interceptions over his career.
November 26th, 2014 at 11:13 PM ^
Completely agree. If Woodson isn't a guaranteed HoF'er then who is?
November 27th, 2014 at 10:21 AM ^
He is a LOCK.
November 26th, 2014 at 11:01 PM ^
The greatest wolverine ever.
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November 26th, 2014 at 11:21 PM ^
and what a gracious interview, but you might be forgetting about tom harmon. regardless, woodson is a stud and a standout, no questions asked.
November 26th, 2014 at 11:36 PM ^
Of the last 70 years? Yes, without much doubt. Greatest defensively? A slam dunk.
But if we're talking about the all-time greatest Wolverine, IMO the conversation starts with Tom Harmon.
November 26th, 2014 at 11:39 PM ^
All he needs is a big red "S" on his chest...
November 26th, 2014 at 11:52 PM ^
but nothing 'red' this week. Or, for that matter, never anything 'red' or the letter 'S'.
Instead, how about a nice big Maize and Blue "M' ?
November 27th, 2014 at 4:37 AM ^
Once I was in a bar with a game on and Woodson caught a pick; the guy next to me says "Man, I don't know how Charles Woodson can be so old and still be so good."
...And this was four years ago.
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November 27th, 2014 at 7:59 AM ^
I digress. He is an absolute treasure to M fans. What a stellar career and what a marvelous ambassador for the program.
November 28th, 2014 at 2:52 AM ^
Remember how when he was entering the NFL, so many people said "Yes, a great college player, but he'll never compare to Deion Sanders"?
"Neon" Deion:
14 seasons, 53 INT, 9 INTTD, 1 Sack, 0 FF, ?? Tackles (stats not available)
Charles "Please let's not call him CWood" Woodson:
17th season, 58 INT, 11INTTD, 20 Sacks, 27(!) FF, 723 Tackles
Sanders has the return game over Woodson by a healthy margin, but as a corner, Woodson is without question the more complete player.
Thanks for sharing the article. We gotta live in the past these days, but as long as Woodson is still suiting up, it feels more present.
November 27th, 2014 at 7:46 PM ^
Uncle Chuck deserves better then Oakland, he should still be in Green Bay.
November 27th, 2014 at 8:06 PM ^
He doesn't need a "cool" nickname. He's just Woodson.