AP: Packers to Release Defensive Back Charles Woodson

[Nick]

Packers to Release Defensive Back Charles Woodson
By LARRY LAGE AP Sports Writer
February 15, 2013 (AP)

Charles Woodson is on the market.

The Green Bay Packers have informed the 36-year-old defensive back he will be released with two years left on his contract.

NFL.com first reported the move on Friday and it was confirmed by The Associated Press with Carl Poston, Woodson's agent. The team has not commented on reports that it has decided to cut Woodson.

"The Packers told Charles they're going in a different direction," Poston told the AP. "Charles told me he still wants to play — for a Super Bowl contender."

Woodson signed a five-year deal before the 2010 season that was worth as much as $55 million. He missed nine games during the 2012 regular season because of a broken right collarbone and played in two postseason games for the Packers in his seventh year with the franchise.

"We had a good run," Woodson wrote to ESPNWisconsin.com in a text message.

Woodson was the NFL Defensive Player of the Year in 2009 and the Defensive Rookie of the Year in 1998. He spent the first eight years of his career with the Oakland Raiders, who drafted him out of Michigan with the No. 4 overall pick.

He's the only player in NFL history with touchdowns off interceptions in six straight seasons, a feat he pulled off each year from 2006 to 2011, and leads the league with nine touchdowns off interceptions since 2006.

Woodson was productive for the Packers, but they have some tough decisions to make this offseason to manage the salary cap. Woodson had a year left on his lucrative deal and linebacker A.J. Hawk is under contract next year for a team that probably wants to give long-term deals to receiver James Jones, linebacker Clay Matthews and defensive tackle B.J. Raji because each of the relatively young standouts could potentially be free agents following next season.

The Packers clear about $10 million in cap space by releasing Woodson.

Despite his age and recent injury, Woodson will likely be an in-demand free agent. He was injured last October, bounced back in time to defend two passes in the playoffs.

"Charles has been a stud in this league for 15 years, so whenever he's on the field with us, he's always a huge threat," Hawk said in January. "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."

Woodson had a career-high nine interceptions in 2009 and picked off seven passes in 2011 and made one interception in seven games during last year's injury-shortened season.

The 1997 Heisman Trophy winner led Michigan to the 1997 national championship and has donated more than $2 million to the University of Michigan Mott Children's Hospital and Women's Hospital, where he supports pediatric clinical research. With the Packers, he was a leader as one of the best players on the team and as a mentor to younger players.

"He's like a big brother to all of us," former Green Bay safety Nick Collins once said.

[jjigga3000]

Charles Woodson was just released by the Pack. He defintely would be an upgrade over Dahl, and I'd bet almost anything that Fisher is going to go after him.

[sosa39rams]

Well, this is in the wrong section of the forum, but I'd be very interested in Charles Woodson. He may be old, but he still is productive. He would make for a pretty good 1 year stop gap. I'd prefer to see us sign a younger FA like Kenny Phillips and draft a guy, but there is some different routes to take.

[NJ Ramsfan1]

Fisher and company haven't shown that part of their approach includes signing aging veterans- even those that might have something left. Woodson may or may not a little left in the tank, and I respect his career, but I think we'd be better served drafting a guy to fill the need.

[RAMFANRAIDERHATER]

Would be a good pickup.

5 years ago.

[VegasRam]

What he said.

[TekeRam]

Insert witty comment about it no longer being 2009 here. If he comes for a vet minimum, sure... but I doubt that as he will have suitors, but he's far past his prime.

If we want a past his prime DB, I'd look at Ed Reed... but neither is really worth their cost.

[eric2810]

Charles Woodson is still out there. With the addition of T.J. at one of the safety positions, could adding Woodson make this a stronger unit for a year or so? Both Mcdonald and Woodson could alternate as in the box safeties and outside the hashes. I know it isn't like Fisher and Co. to take a chance on aging vets, but you can't deny the fact he would be an upgrade over what we already have in place.

[ZiaRam]

Honestly Id rather bring Mikell back is still a possibility.

[mde8352gorams]

Honestly Id rather bring Mikell back is still a possibility.

I would agree with bringing Mikell back. He offers good insight into the position and I have to believe he more left in the tank than Woodson, simply because he's younger. Lastly, he knows our system and the players around him. Frankly, I'm not certain we have either player in our sights as Fisher and Snead are committed to youth. There's a financial aspect to that as well. We're essentially tapped out with cap spending for this year, after signing our draft picks.

Go Rams!

[THOLTFAN81]

FYI, Woodson has stated he is willing to play for anyone

Per Rotoworld -

Free agent Charles Woodson is now willing to join a team in rebuilding mode.
"When this process first started out, I needed to go to a contender," Woodson said. "I know I am toward the end of my career. At this point, I want to play football. So if it is a rebuilding stage, at this point if that is the circumstances I have to play under, then that is what I am going to do." Woodson is confused by the lack of interest in himself and other 30-plus-year-old free agents. Some teams that could still use safety help are the Panthers, Browns, Cowboys, Broncos, Chiefs, Vikings, Jets, Chargers, and Rams.

I suppose we will see if any real interest emerges... I certainly would not be opposed.

[KoaKoi]

He should go to the Cowboys.... where good stars go to die badly