Heatherthepackgirl
Cheesehead
By BOB McGINN
[email protected]
Posted: Jan. 8, 2007
PICK OF THE LITTER
This season started for cornerback Charles Woodson much the same way that his last five had gone in Oakland, with the team losing and him not making many plays.
Counting the 58 games that he played for the Raiders from 2001-'05 and his first five in Green Bay, Woodson had merely seven interceptions in those 65 games.
Less than a minute into the second half of the Week 6 game in Miami, Woodson reacted quickly when a bootleg pass bounced off the hands of tight end Randy McMichael. Little did anyone know it but his 23-yard interception return for a touchdown was the start of a spectacularly productive span of 10 weeks that stamped Woodson as one of the premier playmakers in recent club annals.
Woodson finished with eight interceptions, tying for third place in the National Football League. It was the highest total by a Packers cornerback since Mark Lee had nine in 1986; in the previous 19 seasons, the highest total was six by MikeMcKenzie in '99 and Dave Brown in '89.
Since the dawn of the Lombardi era in 1959, the only cornerbacks with as many or more interceptions were Bob Jeter, who had eight in 1967, and Willie Buchanon, who had nine in '78.
"I thought Charles, like a number of individuals, started slow at the beginning," coach Mike McCarthy said. "But I think as he got comfortable with his teammates and the scheme, he was exceptional. He's probably the most instinctive defensive back that I've seen or worked with."
Besides the eight interceptions, Woodson forced three fumbles and made one fumble recovery. His 12 turnover-producing plays were the most by a defensive player in Green Bay since safety LeRoy Butler also had 12 in 1993, counting playoffs. The last time a cornerback led the team in turnover plays was '97 when Tyrone Williams had seven, counting playoffs.
Woodson also led the club with three of the 12 dropped interceptions.
[email protected]
Posted: Jan. 8, 2007
PICK OF THE LITTER
This season started for cornerback Charles Woodson much the same way that his last five had gone in Oakland, with the team losing and him not making many plays.
Counting the 58 games that he played for the Raiders from 2001-'05 and his first five in Green Bay, Woodson had merely seven interceptions in those 65 games.
Less than a minute into the second half of the Week 6 game in Miami, Woodson reacted quickly when a bootleg pass bounced off the hands of tight end Randy McMichael. Little did anyone know it but his 23-yard interception return for a touchdown was the start of a spectacularly productive span of 10 weeks that stamped Woodson as one of the premier playmakers in recent club annals.
Woodson finished with eight interceptions, tying for third place in the National Football League. It was the highest total by a Packers cornerback since Mark Lee had nine in 1986; in the previous 19 seasons, the highest total was six by MikeMcKenzie in '99 and Dave Brown in '89.
Since the dawn of the Lombardi era in 1959, the only cornerbacks with as many or more interceptions were Bob Jeter, who had eight in 1967, and Willie Buchanon, who had nine in '78.
"I thought Charles, like a number of individuals, started slow at the beginning," coach Mike McCarthy said. "But I think as he got comfortable with his teammates and the scheme, he was exceptional. He's probably the most instinctive defensive back that I've seen or worked with."
Besides the eight interceptions, Woodson forced three fumbles and made one fumble recovery. His 12 turnover-producing plays were the most by a defensive player in Green Bay since safety LeRoy Butler also had 12 in 1993, counting playoffs. The last time a cornerback led the team in turnover plays was '97 when Tyrone Williams had seven, counting playoffs.
Woodson also led the club with three of the 12 dropped interceptions.