The former 4th overall pick in the 1998 draft returns to Oakland where he spent the first 8 years of his career before moving over to Green Bay.  Woodson spent 7 years with Green Bay, winning a Super Bowl title in 2010.  He had possibly his best year as a pro in 2009 when he won Defensive Player of The Year.

Woodson will be looked upon to help mold 2013 1st round pick D.J. Hayden.  Woodson is likely to slide right into the vacant spot left by Michael Huff at safety. This move is sure to conjure up feelings of past success for Raider fans as Woodson was a key player in the Raiders run to Super Bowl XXXVII.

Jan 12, 2013; San Francisco, CA, USA; San Francisco 49ers receiver Randy Moss (84) attempts to elude Green Bay Packers cornerback Charles Woodson (21) during the first quarter of the NFC divisional round playoff game at Candlestick Park. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

The San Francisco 49ers have rumored to be in the cornerback market all offseason. Most famously they were linked with the New York Jets as a potential trade partner for Darrelle Revis. But as nothing has emerged from that end and free agency began and deals were being signed the 49ers were forced into the market.

To address the cornerback position they’re reportedly in “serious discussions with free agent Nnamdi Asomugha. The cornerback is no stranger to the Bay Area having played most of his career for the Oakland Raiders.

“Update: The @49ers are n serious discussion w/Asomugha and Charles Woodson. Reuniting these 2 in the 2ndary is a major upgrade. #FreeAgency” Akbar Gbajabiamila of the NFL Network tweeted.

With Dashon Goldson left and signed a deal with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers leaving another void in their secondary at safety. Bringing in Charles Woodson, who spent most of his career at corner but recently converted to safety, would help fill that hole. I don’t know that at this point in their careers he is a better alternative to Goldson.

Woodson is 36 years old, and last year as a safety he had only 1 interception, though just two seasons ago he had seven interceptions as a cornerback. Goldson, 28, had 4 interceptions last year.

Jan 5, 2013; Green Bay, WI, USA; Green Bay Packers safety Charles Woodson (21) celebrates a play during the fourth quarter of the NFC Wild Card playoff game against the Minnesota Vikings at Lambeau Field. The Packers won 24-10. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports

Charles Woodson has been released and their is no doubt that he’ll have suitors. He’s transitioned from his natural corner position to strong safety in this last season and could play there in a successful system. Despite being 36 and turning 37 in October he could still have a few years ahead of him. He had his career best season at age 33 when he recorded 9 interceptions. In 2011 he had 7 interceptions, however teams weary of Woodson will most likely look at his injury shortened 2012 season.

But nevertheless their are a lack of dominate safeties out there, and his injury riddled 2012 season means some lucky NFL franchise out there could get Charles Woodson for a couple years at a bargain price.

5. Dallas Cowboys

They’ve long had a love affair with safeties and their secondary. The secondary is usually the scapegoat for the underperformance of the defense and the team as a whole. They lack someone who can consistently compile interceptions and Woodson could be that man playing behind a revamped corner situation with Morris Claiborne in his second year and big 2012 free agent signee Brandon Carr. Plus they haven’t had a dominant safety despite many attempts at resolving the situation since Darren Woodson was in town, so there would be little to no competion for the job. The Cowboys would take him, the hurdle for them is their cap issues but a few cuts here, a few restructured contracts there and they are under the cap. Would Woodson want to go to Dallas though, and does he believe they’re as good as Jerry Jones think they are.

4. St. Louis Rams

They need a safety and want a safety. Many people, including myself, think they could go after Kenny Vaccaro in the first round, and they have two picks. But with a team that is so close to turning things around they might want to sign Woodson as a band-aid to use those 2 first round picks elsewhere to delay addressing the problem. It is however less likely that Woodson would want to go the Rams.

3. Philadelphia Eagles

The Eagles have one of the most glamorous yet underachieving tandem of cornerbacks in the NFL. A ball hawking safety up top might help them, especially playing some of the best quarterbacks in the NFL on a regular basis in RG3 and Eli Manning not to mention Tony Romo putting intercept able balls out on a silver platter on a regular basis. Would he want to be a part of some sort of “rebuilding project” though?

2. Baltimore Ravens

If the Ravens chose not to sign Ed Reed they could have a replacement in Charles Woodson. Charles Woodson would be attracted to go to a defensive franchise straight of a Super Bowl win. However with Ray Lewis gone do the Ravens lose that defensive appeal? Not necessarily. They still are a run stoping franchise that challenges quarterbacks to throw.

1. New England Patriots

They’re said to be on the market for a safety. Ed Reed was rumored to be amongst those headed to New England. Though Woodson being available might be more appealing. Woodson has slightly more pedigree and might be cheaper, either way New England has their pick here between the two.

July 28, 2012; Green Bay, WI, USA; Green Bay Packers cornerback Charles Woodson (21) prepares to catch a pass during training camp practice at Ray Nitschke Field. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports

Earlier today, the front office of the Green Bay Packers informed 36 year old defensive back Charles Woodson, that they will release him. His first season in Green Bay (2006), Woodson lead the conference with 8 interceptions, passing his career high from his rookie season of 5 interceptions back in 1998 with the Oakland Raiders.

Woodson’s Agent spoke out on his clients release saying, “The Packers told Charles they’re going in a different direction. Charles told me he still wants to play – for a Super Bowl contender.” – via AP.

With the release of Charles Woodson, the Green Bay Packers will clear up around $10 million in cap space.  Woodson being the only player in NFL history with touchdowns off interceptions in 6 straight seasons (2006-2011) and leads the entire league with 9 touchdowns off interceptions since he first joined the Green Bay Packers in 2006.

In his 7 seasons with the Green Bay Packers, he has become a pro bowler 4 times, AP NFL Defensive Player and NFC Defensive player of the year (both in 2009), a Super Bowl champion and was named All-Pro 4 times. He has battled injuries, one where he broke his collarbone in a win over the Pittsburgh Steelers in Super Bowl XLV. Last season he re-broke the same collar bone in a 30-20 win over the St. Louis Rams where he was forced to miss 6 weeks.

A.J. Hawk on Charles Woodson:

“Charles has been a stud in this league for 15 years, so when he’s on the field with us, he’s always a huge threat. Not only is he a threat to make huge plays throughout the game, but quarterbacks, I think they know where he’s at every single play. He seems to know what receivers are running before they do. And I think he has an intimidation factor as well.” – via ESPN.com

Now being on the market, it is pretty clear that teams will be blowing up both Woodson and his agent’s cellphones come March 12th. A total of 589 tackles, 17.0 sacks, 55 interceptions, 24 forced fumbles and 11 touchdowns in his career, 435 tackles, 11.5 sacks, 29 interceptions, 9 touchdowns and 15 forced fumbles were recorded while he was with Green Bay. With Woodson on the market and cap space available, Green Bay could work on potential long term contracts with James Jones, Clay Matthews or B.J. Raji to keep them in a Packers uniform. Woodson has  clearly shown to be one of the best players on Green Bay’s defense when he was healthy, the ability to blitz the quarterback or stop a running back before they hit the line, his speed shows he could possibly handle a few more years in the league. His only problem is can he stay healthy and play all 16 games in a season for whatever team brings him in. That collarbone could still be a problem, but I don’t think he will have trouble finding a new home as soon as free agency begins.

Oct 23, 2011; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Green Bay Packers cornerback Charles Woodson (21) celebrates his interception against the Minnesota Vikings in the third quarter at the Metrodome. The Packers win 33-27. Mandatory Credit: Bruce Kluckhohn-US PRESSWIRE

There is a feel good story coming from the NFL this evening as the folks in the northeast continue to feel the effects from Hurricane Sandy’s devastation.

While everyone is urged to donate and help the victims of the storm as they try to regroup, there is one man in the NFL who has the ability to reach out and he has taken every advantage of that platform.

Green Bay Packers cornerback Charles Woodson is donating  $100,000 to the Red Cross to help the families that were hit by he storm.

Per the Associated Press:

He says he’s grateful for the sense of community that allowed the Packers to thrive in Green Bay, and he wants to give back to other similar communities that are hurting.

Woodson made his comments Thursday at the Austin Straubel International Airport, at a Democratic rally ahead of a campaign stop by President Barack Obama. Woodson praised Obama for setting politics aside to help with storm relief. He noted that Obama teamed up with Republican New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie to tour affected areas.

It’s nice to see a player go above and beyond his call of duty and help those people who are in need. It is not every day that you get a feel good story coming from the league but this is one of the ones that deserves recognition from the mainstream media. Kudos to Woodson for his generous donations.

December 11, 2011; Landover, MD, USA; Washington Redskins cornerback DeAngelo Hall (23) before the game against the New England Patriots at FedEx Field. The Patriots won 34-27. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-US PRESSWIRE

Washington Redskins cornerback DeAngelo Hall has been known for his speed and ability to cover receivers downfield over his career. He’s had a nose for the ball and often would make big plays. Now, Hall will find himself around the football even more thanks to the changes new defensive coordinator Raheem Morris’ is bringing to Washington.

In fact, Hall believes that the changes to the defense will give him a role similar to that of Charles Woodson in Green Bay.

“You don’t ever see [Woodson] running down the field not looking for the ball,” Hall said via the Washington Post. “He’s always underneath, blitzing, having some type of zone coverage underneath so he can see the ball, using instinctive football ability under there. And that’s kind of what we’re doing.

“[Woodson] got defensive player of the year [covering slot receivers], so hopefully I can get that same kind of buzz and excitement out there, making plays. I’m definitely relishing the opportunity to get in there. It’s hard, it’s different, but I’m down. It’s a lot more space. …

“It definitely is a little bit different, but it’s part of the evolution.”

You have to believe that the changes will be nothing but good moves for the Washington Redskins this season. If Robert Griffin III can bring the excitement on offense that many believe he is capable of, along with an improved defense, the Redskins could have a strong shot at competing with the very best in the NFC East.

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Where does Darrelle Revis rank on this list?

Before last season I attempted to do a list of the top five players at every position, but their performance in ’09 didn’t exactly correlate with my rankings. But being the masochist all journalists are, I figured I’d give it another shot.

The rankings will simply consist of 2009 performance, expected performance in 2010, and my own personal feelings about the individual player’s talent. Also, players will be judged as an individual, and not based on the caliber of team on which they play.

For instance, there very well could be players from teams like the Lions, Chiefs, Rams, and Raiders whereas a team like the Patriots, Jets, Colts, or Saints might not be included. Football is a team sport, but this is all about the player and where they rank in comparison to the others playing their position around the league.

Now that’s out of the way, let’s get on with the rankings.

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