Charles Woodson Finished; unreal he beat out Revis last year

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Foxborough, Mass. — Charles Woodson was the epitome of a shutdown corner a year ago, able to take some leading wide receivers and tight ends right out of the game.

Today, as Woodson completes his fifth season for the Green Bay Packers and 13th in the National Football League, he's become a cornerback that his defensive coordinator must try to hide.

A strange, strange scenario has been unfolding for four months, one in which the Associated Press defensive player of the year in 2009 has lost much of his effectiveness in coverage and a good share of his confidence covering wide receivers just one season later.

Because of his reputation, Woodson has received the benefit of every doubt from the network television people and the national press. The Pro Bowl is a reputation-based honor, and Woodson probably stands a good chance to be selected for the third straight year even though his unheralded teammate, Tramon Williams, has outplayed him almost without fail for 13 games.

Before the Baltimore Ravens played at Lambeau Field last December, veteran wide receiver Derrick Mason was asked about Woodson.

"He's one of those corners that can play a guy man-to-man and not need any help and pretty much shut down that side of the field," Mason said. "He's playing tremendous right now."

This year, since early in the season, opponents have been attacking Woodson wherever he's lined up, trying to take advantage of his decline in one-on-one matchups.

"People try to get him on the outside and go after him," a wide receivers coach for a Green Bay opponent said. "When he's in the slot, he can take more chances and do more things. When you're on that corner on the outside and you take chances like that, you can get yourself burned."

Last Sunday, the Detroit Lions kept waiting and waiting for an opportunity in which Calvin Johnson would be matched outside against Woodson. Dom Capers was able to prevent that from happening by matching Williams on Johnson in all nickel situations, which was the entire game save seven snaps in base.

The Packers have been in their 3-4 front no more than 15% of the downs this season, which is when Woodson lines up outside. On an estimated 75% of the downs, the Packers are in a nickel defense in which Woodson covers a slot receiver while rookie Sam Shields and Williams cover outside receivers.

Finally, late in the third quarter, Lions offensive coordinator Scott Linehan caught Capers in a 3-4 with man coverage outside and Nick Collins in a single-safety shell. When Woodson guessed wrong on what route Johnson would run, Johnson released outside and burned him deep for 44 yards.

Much the same thing occurred Nov. 7 against Dallas, when Woodson found himself alone on the left side across from Miles Austin. That would have been a 61-yard touchdown pass if not for a terrible overthrow by Jon Kitna, because Austin was 4 yards behind Woodson.

From the slot, Woodson's vulnerabilities deep are minimized. The top long-ball threats usually don't play inside, there are more combination coverages involving linebackers and safeties, and when Capers does blitz it's almost always with five men backed by zones.

Three weeks ago in Atlanta, the Falcons sent out three wide receivers on third and 3. It isn't often that an opponent is able to isolate Woodson deep against a slot receiver in nickel, but because of down and distance Capers brought Collins into the box.

From the left slot, No. 3 receiver Harry Douglas beat Woodson badly on a deep corner route that would have been a 35-yard gain if not a 65-yard touchdown. This time, Matt Ryan overthrew him.

Woodson hasn't been burned often, allowing a team-leading total of 5½ plays of 20 yards or more that is in line with his totals from the past four seasons. That's partly a reflection of the succession of low-ranked quarterbacks on the schedule and the Packers' stiff pass rush that's ranked No. 5 in the NFL.

Woodson's eroding cover skills were evident early when he was penalized nine times in the first six games. In all, he has a career-high 11 penalties, whereas the other defensive backs have been almost penalty-free with a combined total of four.

Capers generally gives his cornerbacks freedom to play from an off position or a bump-and-run position. Neither has been kind to Woodson.

He continues to struggle in bump and run because he isn't moving his feet well. If the receiver escapes the jam, Woodson will reach and grab.

When receivers are 10 to 15 yards downfield, Woodson will panic, trying to locate his man with those long arms of his and then falling down a shocking number of times. On a fade by Miami's Brian Hartline, of all people, Woodson ended up on the deck in front of the Packers' bench and the easy completion was worth 19 yards.

If Woodson doesn't have to change directions or turn and run, and the ball remains in front of him, he still can cover effectively.

What would happen if injuries or circumstance forced Woodson to play the majority of a game outside?

"I think he'd get exposed on the vertical stuff," one personnel director said. "He's a little bit slower. He's lost a little twitch. I know he is (slipping)."

One reason for Woodson's decline in coverage has been his diminished practice time.

Of the 42 practices the Packers have had during the regular season, the team has said Woodson was a full-time participant in only 14 (33.3%). Last year, his full-time practice numbers were 31 of 51 (60.8%), even though his nagging injuries appeared no more limiting this year.

Even in training camp this year, Woodson often would stand off to the side when the other cornerbacks honed their timing and technique in one-on-one or seven-on-seven drills.

Friday - the day for 2-minute, nickel and dime work - is crucial. Even though that practice is never conducted in pads, Woodson has worked fully only 50% of the time compared to 88% a year ago.

No one knows the value of practice more than the coaches, but both Capers and cornerbacks coach Joe Whitt support Woodson's practice routine. They say Woodson is highly diligent in his classroom preparation. Woodson could insist on practicing, but Capers said that if he did practice every day his game-day performance would be compromised.

It's obvious, however, that even for an amazing athlete such as Woodson, coverage skills begin to erode at age 34 when they aren't practiced. His total of eight passes broken up pales against 21 and 20 the past two years.

Last week, Woodson told the New England press corps that he probably was asked to do more than any defensive back in the league. He and Minnesota's Antoine Winfield might stand alone in how they're used as run stoppers by their coaches.

Partially because Woodson has played the slot probably more each season in Green Bay, his tackles-per-game average has increased each year to its current level of 6.9.

"He's fearless in terms of playing," one of his coaches in Oakland said four years ago. "He has no regard for his health."

Woodson still takes down linemen in space, stands up to lead-blocking fullbacks and hurls his body around downfield even in loose situations when the proximity of onrushing 300-pounders heightens the chance for injury.

Last week, Woodson missed three tackles. He has 14 misses in all, five more than team runner-up Charlie Peprah and four more than in any of his previous seasons in Green Bay.

The lethal chop that Woodson often delivers across the forearms is his greatest weapon and it has resulted in four forced fumbles. But when Woodson sticks his arms out rather than wrapping up, ball carriers that stay away from his body have been bouncing off or running through him.

As a pass rusher, Woodson has 48% (57) of all blitzes by defensive backs. His total of seven pressures is comparable to previous seasons.

Perhaps the one facet of coverage in which Woodson has improved is his restraint and discipline.

Even when Woodson was receiving all the accolades a year ago, his coaches were dismayed by the number of times in which he dropped coverage or vacated zones. Some people who have studied Woodson say he is one of those rare players, such as Troy Polamalu and Ed Reed, who have almost a sixth sense and see another game.

Part of Woodson's tendency to drift, read, bait and freelance a year ago was the newness of Capers' defense. Another was the success he had early in the season making enormous plays. A third was the selfishness that comes with being born something of a maverick.

Woodson intercepted nine passes in 2009, seven more than he has now. Some of it is just not getting to the ball as often, but another factor is his adherence to the scheme. A month ago, coach Mike McCarthy said Woodson has never been as committed to the team as he has been this season. Capers said he couldn't recall the last time Woodson flat dropped coverage.

"I don't want a one-for-one trade off, to intercept one and give up a touchdown," said Whitt. "He hasn't voided a coverage this year as he's done in the past. He's part of the reason why we're the No. 1 scoring defense."

Morgan Burnett, Collins and Peprah will return next year and Atari Bigby might, too. Everyone has speculated on a shift by Woodson to safety, but the feeling here is that he loves playing cornerback and would resist such a move.

The Packers surely will select a cornerback high in the draft. Woodson's recently extended contract runs through 2014. It's hard telling where his career will go from here.