Out of the Woods.

For Charles Woodson, the road culminating in a Super Bowl championship has its own share of twists and turns.  As is always the case, what matters more is not the destination, but the journey, and what you learn from it.

Word on the block was that Woodson was washed up and when most teams opted to pass on him, Green Bay took a chance on him, signing him in 2006.  Five seasons later, the Packers are reaping the benefits of that gamble.  Woodson has been a key component for the Packers as his career has experienced a renaissance of sorts.

Woodson was injured on this play

In five seasons with the Packers, he has recorded more interceptions (30) than he did during 8 seasons with the Oakland Raiders (17).  He also holds the franchise record for most defensive touchdowns (8 total; 7 on interception returns, 1 on a fumble return).  Quarterbacks prefer not to throw in his direction, which leaves him free to help in run support and the occasional blitz (which he's really good at).  Tramon Williams, Sam Shields and Nick Collins have been the beneficiaries of Woodson's versatility.

It was rather amazing that Green Bay survived his absence during Super Bowl XLV, after he broke his collarbone during a pass break-up in the first half (picture).  While he wasn't on the field, his emotional half time speech fired up the Packers and they went on to victory; helping erase the painful (and embarrasing) memories of Super Bowl XXXVII, when the Raiders got routed by Tampa Bay.

Woodson during his time at Michigan.

In Green Bay, Woodson has made three straight Pro Bowl teams (2008-2010) and was named the 2009 NFL Defensive Player of the Year; an honor that is rarely awarded to defensive backs.  He has also avoided any major injuries, something that plagued him during his later years in Oakland.

Woodson was drafted 4th overall by the Oakland Raiders in 1998 after an an All American junior season, in which he won the Heisman Trophy (the only primarily defensive play to win the award) and was part of the Michigan team that won a share of the national title; the school's first since 1948.

Woodson in the Black Hole

His career started off on a high note, as he won the NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year award.  He was also a 4 time Pro Bowl selection, a 2 time "First Team All Pro", and helped changed the fortunes of the Raiders who had yet to record a winning season since moving back to Oakland from Los Angeles in 1995.

From 2000-2002, the Raiders won the AFC west division but would only make one Super Bowl appearance.  They lost to the Ravens in the 2001 AFC title game, but seemed to be on the right track after beating the NY Jets in 2002 Wild Card game.  Then came a trip to Foxboro, MA. 

The Raiders were leading 13-10 with a little under 2:00 minutes left, when Woodson came on a blitz, sacking Tom Brady and forcing a fumble that was recovered by Oakland's Greg Biekert for what appeared to the game clinching play.  The problem is that things got a little complicated.  Thanks to a little thing called the "Tuck Rule", New England retained possession, tied the game and went on to win in overtime.  A few seasons later, Tom Brady is the proud owner of 3 Super Bowl rings; go figure.

Woodson admitted to thinking about the "tuck rule" incident every now and then.  However now that the Packers are the champions, he should be able to close the door on that chapter.