I wrote a post on Friday saying that the Vikings could really use the 2009 version of Jared Allen to show up against the Packers.
You could say the same thing for Green Bay hoping last year’s Charles Woodson arrives on the field in a few minutes against Minnesota.
The 2009 Defensive Player of the Year has struggled in coverage and been called for nine penalties this year. His cornerbacks coach Joe Whitsett tells Bob McGinn of the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel there are no plans to move Woodson to safety, at least not this year.
“[Woodson] can’t cover anymore,” a personnel man that has watched every Packers game this season told McGinn. “He could have been
called for 10 more penalties. He’s a guesser with great anticipation and
instincts. That’s why he’s been so productive.”
Tramon Williams has taken over the No. 1 cornerback role in Green Bay, with quarterbacks often attacking Woodson. A move to safety makes sense eventually because he would still be in a position to make the “splash plays” that have mostly been absent this year.
Cornerbacks coach Joe Whitt defended Woodson’s coverage skills, but
admitted he “is not playing to his standards, and to the standards we’ve
set for him.”
Despite the loss of two starting safeties for the year, Woodson will remain at cornerback. The Packers just hope he picks up his play.
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Woodson’s cover skills have always been grossly exaggerated. If not for all of the contact he used to get away with, he would have been average at best, which is what he was in Oakland, where he actually got flagged, like he is again now. And we all see his struggles when forced to play by the rules.
Tonight won’t be dull
A “guesser with great anticipation and instincts”… for where to go when the opposing team throws a pass? Sounds to me like he can still cover pretty well.
His skill set fits safety
He’s excellent against the run
He reads and anticipates routes very well
Has good play recognition
Very good backpeddal and hips
His only bad thing is that he’s bad at the line of scrimmage. So why not move him to safety?
A move to safety is good if and when al come back.
“Woodson’s cover skills have always been grossly exaggerated. If not for all of the contact he used to get away with, he would have been average at best, which is what he was in Oakland, where he actually got flagged, like he is again now. And we all see his struggles when forced to play by the rules.”
What exaggerated? I have never heard people call Woodson a good cover corner. People pay as much attention to him as they do because he is a playmaker.
Woodson would be an awesome safety.
I remember the Raiders would put him at SS when playing against Gonzo and the Chiefs.
The guy is an excellent tackler, he’s strong, smart as hell, and strips the ball like nobody else.