Professional Football Researchers Association Forum

I will immediately question any reporter/fan who uses "best ever" whether it be defensive backs or chocolate chip cookie (though I have had some darn good chocolate chip cookies). Whether it be a reporter, announcer or anonymous poster on an ESPN forum, throwing out phrases like "best ever" or "certain hall of famer" tend to be used to incite reaction, inflate the ego of the person making that statement or just good intention poorly delivered.

As a Packer fan, I love what Woodson brought to the team when signed as a free agent. I am also a sucker for second acts. And I am always fascinated when a player choses to go out when he could probably go a few seasons longer (I cannot fault a player for wanting to make it last as long as possible).

No question Charles Woodson is a deserving HoFer. His honors profile is currently 4/9/00s (5/9/00s if he gets named 1st team all pro by some organization). That's plenty good enough. He's arguably among the best CBs of his time, though he's got stiff competition from Darrelle Revis and Champ Bailey in that regard.

But best all-time? Not compared to folks like Deion Sanders, Dick Lane, Willie Brown, and Jimmy Johnson, sorry.

Agreed that sportswriters and sports media types all too often throw bogus "Greatest Ever" and "Future Hall of Famer" qualifiers around like confetti at a tickertape parade.

JWL wrote:

NWebster wrote:Ok. I'm going to be the one to have to do it. Love him, think he's a HOF'ER, but he the second best Woodson to play DB. He belongs in, but did wand in the wilderness for a number of years with rumors of alcoholism, I cannot lend credence tk that or not, but he had a series of meaningless years in the middle. Hard to say that for Lane, Sanders, Rod, etc.

I would also take Rod Woodson over Charles Woodson.

LOL.
I immediately thought of Abe Woodson...

Would it be accurate to say Charles Woodson was a "second tier" cover corner who contributed significantly more near the line of scrimmage and in the return game?
It was good to see him mature and I concur with the "second act" sentimentality.

Outside of the "greatest ever" comment in the link, which unfortunately is par for the course and completely expected that in this situation the media is going to throw around "best of all-time", because that's what they do. Other than that I'm not sure why he needs to be compared to anyone?

His career stands on it's own. I care less and less about the PFHOF by the day but he's obviously a clear HOF'er (which can't be said about a lot of recent inductees), there's no borderline or this guy isn't in so he shouldn't be or that guy is in so he should be. His place in professional football is secure.

Even more, his place in the sport is secure and is hard to match. Those that are football fans (not just fans of one level of football) are well aware that he's at the top of the list with a select few as one of the most accomplished college football players there's ever been (and even if you're like me and put little stock in the overrated Heisman Trophy, he's still at the top) and furthermore, he is without a doubt one of the best and most accomplished High School football players of all-time. I first read about him as kid (I was in middle school when he was at Michigan) when he was in high school. He was known. He's an "all-time" football player.

Football player. A key phrase. He's not a specialist, he's not a one trick pony, he's not even just multi-faceted at one position. He was a legendary RB, he made plays as a receiver, was a great return man, CB, nickel, safety, in the box, could get to the QB, he tackled, could cover, man, zone, owned it all. I personally appreciate the genuine football player. Especially as professional and college (and to a much much lesser extent, high school) football gets further and further away from having true football players. It's more rare than ever that you can have a guy who legitimately could have played in any era. Tough enough to play anytime, athletic enough to play multiple positions, proved he could play both ways so could have played when you had to play both ways, and so on.

Also, if we're going to go "off the field" (alleged alcoholism) lets at least balance it with his charitable work and large donations - which as with him on the field, is legendary.

Peter King, who I usually enjoy reading, called Woodson one of the greatest defenders of our generation, on a plane with Elway, Barry, Rice, etc... Glad I'm not the only one who feels it was a little over the top. I do agree with King that Charles Woodson had probably the best career after 30 of any defensive back. I think he just barely passes Rod Woodson for that "honor," although Rod did pretty well for himself, considering he tore up his knee in his first game after turning 30.

conace21 wrote:Peter King, who I usually enjoy reading, called Woodson one of the greatest defenders of our generation, on a plane with Elway, Barry, Rice, etc... Glad I'm not the only one who feels it was a little over the top. I do agree with King that Charles Woodson had probably the best career after 30 of any defensive back. I think he just barely passes Rod Woodson for that "honor," although Rod did pretty well for himself, considering he tore up his knee in his first game after turning 30.

I enjoy reading Peter King as well—for NFL business and politics news. For football itself? Not so much. That SI.com made him their bell cow tells you just how much the NFL writing talent pool has dried up.

Love Don Banks. Ten times the chops. Nowhere near the Rolodex.

JWL wrote:

NWebster wrote:Ok. I'm going to be the one to have to do it. Love him, think he's a HOF'ER, but he the second best Woodson to play DB. He belongs in, but did wand in the wilderness for a number of years with rumors of alcoholism, I cannot lend credence tk that or not, but he had a series of meaningless years in the middle. Hard to say that for Lane, Sanders, Rod, etc.

I would also take Rod Woodson over Charles Woodson.

I concur.

He has been a fabulous player, for sure. But I cannot put him anywhere near the best DB to play in the NFL. Ronnie Lott takes that nod, IMO.

He was, however, the best cornerback I ever saw in college.

Woodson will be inducted into the College and Pro Football HOF's.

JWL wrote:

NWebster wrote:Ok. I'm going to be the one to have to do it. Love him, think he's a HOF'ER, but he the second best Woodson to play DB. He belongs in, but did wand in the wilderness for a number of years with rumors of alcoholism, I cannot lend credence tk that or not, but he had a series of meaningless years in the middle. Hard to say that for Lane, Sanders, Rod, etc.

I would also take Rod Woodson over Charles Woodson.

I concur.

He has been a fabulous player, for sure. But I cannot put him anywhere near the best DB to play in the NFL. Ronnie Lott takes that nod, IMO.

He was, however, the best cornerback I ever saw in college.

Woodson will be inducted into the College and Pro Football HOF's.