Best of the Packers: Top 10 defensive backs since 1960
By Phil Watson
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Charles Woodson (21) of the Green Bay Packers rushes Minnesota Vikings quarterback Christian Ponder (7) during a Nov. 14, 2011, game at Lambeau Field in Green Bay, Wis. (Photo by Mike Morbeck via Flickr.com/This file is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 2.0 Generic license.)
4. Charles Woodson (2006-12)
Charles Woodson had been an All-Pro and a four-time Pro Bowler in his first four seasons with the Oakland Raiders, but injuries robbed him of his effectiveness over the next four years.
Still, the Green Bay Packers rolled the dice that Woodson could still be a dominant performer in the secondary when they signed the only player to win the Heisman Trophy as a primarily defensive player to a seven-year, $52 million deal in April 2006.
Did the signing work out? Woodson was the NFL Defensive Player of the Year in 2009, when he led the NFL with nine interceptions and three interception returns for touchdowns, earning All-Pro honors as well.
He was an All-Pro again in 2011 after leading the NFL with seven interceptions. Woodson was named to four Pro Bowls as a Packer.
Moved from left cornerback to strong safety in 2012, Woodson missed more than half the season with a broken collarbone and was released in February 2013. He returned to the Raiders and is signed for the 2015 season, his 18th in the NFL.
In seven seasons in Green Bay, Woodson had 38 interceptions—nine returned for touchdowns—as well as 99 passes defensed, 15 forced fumbles, 11½ sacks and 462 tackles.
Named to the Pro Football Hall of Fame’s All-2000 Team as a first-team member, Woodson is tied for fourth in Packer history with 38 interceptions and is fifth with 568 yards on interception returns.
His nine career returns for touchdowns are an all-time Packer record. He is second with 99 passes defensed and 15 forced fumbles and also scored a touchdown on a fumble return in 2007.
Next: A Cornerback Found A Home At Strong Safety