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All-timer.
Thanks for the memories dude.
And a class act.
Amazing. I realize the Packers almost never retire a number. But if you look at Reggie White's stint here and his...
Really. You could make the argument to retire 21.
It's Charles.
Now Im convinced Charles told Aaron his time in the NFL was done before the game. Aaron wanted his final pick to be from him. Those two ****ed with the other for years in practice and made the other better.
Soldier of Green Bay. Charles is along side Reggie and LT. Maybe the 3 greatest defensive players of all time. Two of them were Packers.
Loved Charles' days with the Pack. Great guy, even better player.
HOF for sure. Thanks for the memories Chuck!
While I really liked Woodson as a player in Green Bay, Bob Jeter made "21" famous before Woodson did.
Gave Millions of his own money to Children's Hostpitals.
Never played dirty. He just played.
Legend.
I think you're right about Rodgers throwing that pick, Chilli. Everything about that throw was utterly inexplicable otherwise. Chuck is the only player Aaron would do that for, too.
Charles is and has always been an incredible player -- utterly unique in skill set, temperament and instincts -- but what I find even more compelling about him is his growth as a person, most of which apparently happened after coming to Green Bay. Turned into an stone cold leader not just by his talent but dedication to his profession, and willingly mentored players on both sides of the ball. The esteem from and impact he had on Rodgers, Tramon, Shields, Matthews and all the rest bears witness to that. Charles made that happen but so did Ted and Mike by bringing him in -- the latter by kicking him in the ass and settling it out like men. And his charitable work to me is simply astounding.
I've seen those bozos who vote for Canton **** up a lot of things but first ballot induction to the PFHOF for him has got to be a lock. We as football and Packer fans were truly fortunate to see this man play and represent our colors so well.
Mind, Goal, Purpose, Heart.
"White House on three..."
Number no, name there, yes. Because Clay's number and name is going up when he's done and Charles equally as key
So being in the ring of honor is separate from number being retired? I realize for GM's coaches etc that would make sense. But I assumed if as a player your name is in the ring of honor so would your number?
All Packers who are in Canton have their name on the ring of honor. This includes management like Curly, Vince, and Ron Wolf.
Not the same as a number retirement which has its own display on the stadium facade.
Nevermind I found this from 2012 (obviously Brent's been added now):
Found this on an older article:
The names listed on the east and west facades of Lambeau Field's bowl (technically the team doesn't call them the 'Ring of Fame' or' Ring of Honor') are the 22 Packers who have been enshrined in the NFL Pro Football Hall of Fame in Canton, Ohio: James Lofton, Forrest Gregg, Mike Michalske, Willie Wood, Jim Ringo, Herb Adderly, Clarke Hinkle, Robert (Cal) Hubbard, Henry Jordan, Tony Canadeo, Don Hutson, E.L. (Curly) Lambeau, Johnny (Blood) McNally, Arnie Herber, Vince Lombardi, Willie Davis, Ray Nitschke, Bart Starr, Jim Taylor, Paul Hornung and Reggie White.
(And thank you Chuck, former general manager Ron Wolf's name was added in 2006...)
Otherwise, the Packers have retired just five uniform numbers: Canadeo, Starr, Nitschke, Huston and White. Select company, there. The team has said when the time is right, the Packers are also expected to retire Brett Favre's No. 4.
@andrewbrandt: Remember signing Charles Woodson in 2006; no real competition as teams thought he was old then. Was instantly our best athlete/defender.
@andrewbrandt: Remember having some issues with a couple of our younger defensive backs. Talked to Charles, he said "I got this." And he did. #Woodson
@RyanGrant25: Anyone who was given the chance 2 play w/ Charles will tell you how he embodies what it means 2 be a professional. Approach is 2nd to none.
[Former Raider CEO] @AmyTrask: Oh - one more thing - as is said: big players make big plays in big games - I'll just leave this here:
Attachments
When MM had to pull Charles aside his first year in camp I'm guessing he didn't tell him to knock off the petty horse**** schoolgirl nonsense and to grow the **** up.
Things may have gone differently.
A somewhat dissenting view--but does credit his time in Green Bay with being the reason he is considered great.
"Charles Woodson: Great but not the greatest"
http://110percent.blogs.pressd...ut-not-the-greatest/
39 years old after accomplishing everything there is to get done in football at every level he's still throwing himself around to try and win. Breaks up a Cobb screen and blows up his shoulder and he's back in 3 plays later.
Probably never played an NFL down over 210lbs and he never backed down from anyone.
I'll never forget his game against the Jets in 2010. He owned that game. He took it over. He wanted that shutout so bad over Rex and Revis. Rex thinking Charles wasn't the best defensive player of the year. Never tug on Supermans cape Rex.
Incredible football player.
slowmo posted:A somewhat dissenting view--but does credit his time in Green Bay with being the reason he is considered great.
"Charles Woodson: Great but not the greatest"
http://110percent.blogs.pressd...ut-not-the-greatest/
Sorry but this is a horseshi* article. He's basing this on Woodsons early practice habits and a couple of off the field incidents early in his career.
Well here's a news flash: You could have written the same shiit about Randy Moss early in his career who didn't care about practicing and "played when I want to play". And Brett Favre also drank like a fish in his early years, didn't practice or review film and I highly doubt he was an instant saint the moment he arrived in GB. Both Moss and Favre are among the best to ever play their position.
Woodson was the ultimate professional. There was no diva in him, at least not here and not in anytime I have seen since finishing his career in OAK. To say he's not even in the discussion of the best DB's in history is just silly.
Dec. 7, 2009.
BAL @GBP
4th qtr, GBP leading 24-14, 9:46 left in the game.
Ravens are on the GBP 1, 1st and goal.
Flacco hands it to Willis McGahee and it looks like he will score easily. Woodson lays out and brings McGahee down with 1 arm for a 2 yard loss. Tramon INT on the next play.
Still don't understand how he did this.
packerboi posted:
Sorry but this is a horseshi* article. He's basing this on Woodsons early practice habits and a couple of off the field incidents early in his career.
Well here's a news flash: You could have written the same shiit about Randy Moss early in his career who didn't care about practicing and "played when I want to play". And Brett Favre also drank like a fish in his early years, didn't practice or review film and I highly doubt he was an instant saint the moment he arrived in GB. Both Moss and Favre are among the best to ever play their position.
I don't put Moss in any discussion with Chuck. Talent on the field is but one part of the equation, especially when speaking of the best that ever played the game. Moss had all the talent in the world, but could never sniff Wood's jock in the leadership or professionalism categories, even in Randy's later "more mature" years.
My point wasn't to compare Moss to Woodson. That makes me wanna throw up. But it was to point out the writer of that article stated that Woodson shouldn't even be in the conversation on whether he is among the greatest DB's to ever play the game and proceeds to list his early practice habits and early 2 off the field incidents as reasons why.
And that is just stupid. I listed 2 other future HOFers who also had early bad habits, leaned on their talent as an excuse to not work as hard as they could, and did stupid things when they were young.
packerboi posted:My point wasn't to compare Moss to Woodson. That makes me wanna throw up. But it was to point out the writer of that article stated that Woodson shouldn't even be in the conversation on whether he is among the greatest DB's to ever play the game and proceeds to list his early practice habits and early 2 off the field incidents as reasons why.
And that is just stupid. I listed 2 other future HOFers who also had early bad habits, leaned on their talent as an excuse to not work as hard as they could, and did stupid things when they were young.
Fair enough PB.
slowmo posted:
Interesting piece. Charles really had two careers- his first stint in Oakland and everything since then. I wouldn't penalize him for his early wasted years but can understand that perspective. A great player who rejuvenated his career and punched his ticket to Canton in Green Bay.
Came to GB with a bit of a rep as a malcontent and that 1st season there were some bumps but wow did he turn out to be one of the best FA signings in franchise history. A complete difference maker/playmaker in the secondary and one of the team's most vocal leaders in the locker room. Loved the way he took all the young DB's under his wing during his tenure here. Will go down as one of my favorite Packers of all-time and am thankful that he got to spend close to half his career in GB. Such a treat to watch play the game
Good to see him going out on his own terms and after having what will perhaps be a Pro Bowl season. Congrats on the retirement and see you in the HOF, Charles
1-2-3 WHITE HOUSE!
Would hope the team would honor him at half time in an upcoming season with "Charles Woodson Night." Can't help but believe a lot of people still have his jersey sitting in their closet.
slowmo posted:A somewhat dissenting view--but does credit his time in Green Bay with being the reason he is considered great.
"Charles Woodson: Great but not the greatest"
http://110percent.blogs.pressd...ut-not-the-greatest/
This article is pure bull**** written by a small child.
"But to suggest he’s the greatest defensive back ever is to ignore guys like Ronnie Lott, Deion Sanders and Ed Reed".
Deion?!?!? It was a bad article before he went Deion.
Deion is in the conversation for best shut down CB, but not top 10 for best DB conversation.
Deion is probably the best coverage CB ever. He ran a 4.19 40 and was rumored to have run about a 4.6 40 backpedalling. Obviously, he was terrible in run support and couldn't tackle anybody, but there was a reason the 49ers and Cowboys won Super Bowls in back to back years with him on both winning teams. You basically could play 10 on 10 even matching him up against a Pro Bowl receiver.
Best overall DB is tough to judge because coverage CBs and safeties are asked to do very different things.
http://www.ign.com/boards/thre...backwards.146391235/
"Best overall DB is tough to judge because coverage CBs and safeties are asked to do very different things."
And in CW's time in GB, he was asked to do a little of everything and excelled at it. He was Caper's ultimate wild card/joker and that role got him a DPOY and then a ring.
The best comparison for Charles Woodson is Rod Woodson. Both were Pro Bowl cover CBs who were high first round picks from Big 10 schools. Both were good punt returners and had a lot of versatility that was used by Dom Capers to make them DPOY. Rod Woodson went into the HOF in 2009 (somehow not in his first year of eligibility). Charles Woodson will be similar.
Charles Woodson is likely going to be the second HOF defensive player from the Packers modern era (post-Ron Wolf). There should end up being 2-3 more, but if Jerry Kramer never got in you never know what happens.
1. Reggie White - HOF
2. Charles Woodson - almost a lock
3. Julius Peppers - likely
4. Leroy Butler - how the heck is he not already in?
5. Clay Matthews 3 - not a sure thing yet.
I know Ketchman refers to both Woodson's as "the same guy", and granted I don't remember Rod as well as Charles, but I think Charles was more athletic.
I don't recall RWood playing the run as well as CWood, but of course didn't see as many RWood games.
DH13 posted:I know Ketchman refers to both Woodson's as "the same guy", and granted I don't remember Rod as well as Charles, but I think Charles was more athletic.
Actually, if anything Rod Woodson was more athletic. They were the same size and while both were fast, Rod was even faster than Charles. I looked it up and Charles ran about a 4.40 coming out of college while Rod was at a 4.28. Rod Woodson was also a Pro Bowl level punt and kick returner, while Charles was decent. Rod had 4 punt or kick returns for TDs, while Charles never returned one for a TD. Rod also returned picks for a LOT more yardage than Charles (1483 to 966).
The parallels are pretty eerie.
Interceptions (Rod-71, Charles-65)
Interception return TDs (Rod-12, Charles-11)
Sacks (13.5 vs. 20)
Combined forced fumbles plus fumble recoveries (51 vs. 52)
Total tackles (includes assists) - 1157 vs. 1196
Years played (17 vs. 18)
Pro Bowls (11 vs. 8)
DPOY - each one once
Super Bowl rings - both have one, Rod played in two other Super Bowls on the losing team - Charles played and lost in one Super Bowl with the Raiders
Both ended their career with the Raiders
If one gets a thrill from watching football greatness, watching Charles Woodson should intoxicate you.
He finishes with one the best football resumes you'll ever see. Mr. Ohio in high school, two-time first team all-american in college, only defensive Heisman in history, best player on a National Title team, top 5 draft pick, defensive rookie of the year, 8 pro bowls, defensive player of the year, and defensive leader on a Super Bowl team. Doesn't get much better than that. Only Marcus Allen can rival that resume (look it up, quite impressive).
We'll keep seeing hall of fame caliber defensive backs come through the league but I doubt we'll see a player like Woodson any time soon, if ever. Outside CB, slot CB, ILB, Safety.......he played all of those positions in one half of football. Polomalu was the closest in terms of versatility and impact but he couldn't cover like Woodson and had half the career length. I'm proud that I was able to watch him in his prime and cheer for him as part of my team. He'll do well for himself in retirement. Probably won't but I'd love to see him be a part of the Packers in some way.
MichiganPacker posted:Actually, if anything Rod Woodson was more athletic. They were the same size and while both were fast, Rod was even faster than Charles. I looked it up and Charles ran about a 4.40 coming out of college while Rod was at a 4.28. Rod Woodson was also a Pro Bowl level punt and kick returner, while Charles was decent. Rod had 4 punt or kick returns for TDs, while Charles never returned one for a TD. Rod also returned picks for a LOT more yardage than Charles (1483 to 966).
Speed alone doesn't make someone more Janis, I mean athletic. Rod was also a fixture at PR and KR = many more opportunities for TD. Charles wasn't as frequent a returner and I doubt it was because he wasn't athletic enough. I'm not going by stats but more by watching them play and how they moved.
MichiganPacker posted:Charles Woodson is likely going to be the second HOF defensive player from the Packers modern era (post-Ron Wolf). There should end up being 2-3 more, but if Jerry Kramer never got in you never know what happens.
1. Reggie White - HOF
2. Charles Woodson - almost a lock
3. Julius Peppers - likely
4. Leroy Butler - how the heck is he not already in?
5. Clay Matthews 3 - not a sure thing yet.
Pretty remarkable when you consider our current GM's philosophy and what numbers 1-3 have in common.