The crazy time of year that is free agency is fast approaching, so KCChiefs.com has you covered with a 30-day free agency look, highlighting the 30 most intriguing free agents or players who could be released/traded during the offseason.
You may have noticed, there are no restricted free agents on the list, largely because they rarely leave their current teams. None of the reports are indicative of the Chiefs plans for the 2013 free agency season.
Former Heisman Trophy winner/Super Bowl champion Charles Woodson is a free agent, the Green Bay Packers announced Friday.
Woodson joined the Packers as an unrestricted free agent in 2006, following eights seasons with the Oakland Raiders (1998-2005).
He started in every one of the 100 games he played in a Packers uniform, during his seven seasons with the team (2006-12).
The Fremont, Ohio native was named to the Pro Bowl four-consecutive seasons (2008-11) and earned first-team All-Pro recognition from The Associated Press, twice (2009 and 2011).
"We had a good run," Charles Woodson said in a text message Friday afternoon to ESPNWisconsin.com and since it's likely not his last, let's see what the 36-year-old brings to the table.
DAY 9 of 30
Name:Charles Woodson Position: DB Height: 6'1
Weight: 202
College: Michigan
Born: October 7, 1976 (Fremont, Ohio)
Age: 36
Experience: 14 years
Drafted: 1998, 1st Rd 4th Pick, by the Oakland Raiders
STRENGTHS:
It's a gross understatement to say Charles Woodson has experience. Entering his 15th season, Woodson is hoping for one more end-of-the-year celebration, with him hoisting the Lombardi Trophy, for a second time.
Woodson's instincts in the secondary are uncanny, leading to 55 INTs. He is tied for second in league history with 11-career INT returns for TDs, trailing only Rod Woodson (12).
When he does make the pick, Woodson isn't easily satisfied; he is the first player in league history to record a pick-six (return an INT for a touchdown) in five-straight seasons (2006-10).
NFL.com's Kareem Copleand, who covered the Packers while with the Green Bay Press-Gazette, said of Woodson, "He can cover on the inside, matches up well with athletic tight ends and is still disruptive around the line of scrimmage. His intelligence enables him to be a coach on the field and makes up for some physical limitations."
Woodson's Career-Stat Line:
206 games (203 starts), 780 tackles, 156 assists, 17.0 sacks, 55 INTs, 11 TDs, 185 passes defensed, 29 forced fumbles and 11 fumble recoveries
"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," former Packers teammate A.J. Hawk told the Detroit Free Press in January. "And I think he has an intimidation factor as well."
WEAKNESSES:
His 36 years of age is a concern. During his 15 years in the league, Woodson played in all 16 games of the season, seven times (3-Oak, 4-GB).
Injuries. None of Woodson's sustained injuries were more widely recognized than his broken left collar bone, causing him to leave Super Bowl XLV.
Despite his absence, the Packers defeated the Pittsburgh Steelers, 31-25, and following the game, Woodson ignored the injury enough to hold the Lombardi Trophy high, which impressed Sports Illustrated's Peter King.
Woodson missed nine games in 2012, following a broken right collarbone, yet made it back for two playoff games.
FINAL TAKE:
It's no secret that Woodson doesn't have the speed and agility that he had playing on offense, defense and special teams at Michigan, or shutting down his side of the field in Oakland and Green Bay, but his experience and leadership will be sought after by many teams.
His championship swagger will also likely open a few extra doors, in the exciting world of free agency.
YOUR THOUGHTS ON CHARLES WOODSON?
