Packers’ Charles Woodson Voted AP NFL Defensive Player of the Year

by

Jan 12, 2010

NEW YORK — In his own view,
Charles Woodson put together his best pro season in 2009. How
appropriate, then, that he is The Associated Press 2009 NFL Defensive
Player of the Year.

The versatile Woodson tied for the
league lead with nine interceptions, returning three for touchdowns,
and was a key to the Packers' turnaround on defense. His role in Green
Bay's ranking second in overall defense, first in interceptions (30),
takeaways (40) and turnover margin (plus-24) earned Woodson 28 votes
Tuesday from a nationwide panel of 50 sports writers and broadcasters
who cover the NFL.

"Yeah, it's the best," Woodson said
of his performance this season. "There's no question about it. I was
hesitant to say it early on this year; just consistent play, playing at
a high level every week, turnovers, playing multiple positions and
playing them well. Combine that with just going out there and having
fun, and this is definitely the best."

He doubled the number of votes for
New York Jets cornerback Darrelle Revis in becoming the first Green Bay
winner since Reggie White in 1998 and just the second Packer in the
36-year history of the award.

Woodson, the 1997 Heisman Trophy recipient, is the first cornerback chosen top defensive player since Deion Sanders in 1994.

He got the honor in great part
because of the way he anchored a defense in transition. Woodson was
used in a variety of ways by new defensive coordinator Dom Capers as
Green Bay made the switch to a 3-4. At times, the unit was shaky –
except for Woodson, who played the role of cover cornerback, blitzer,
run-stuffer and ballhawk.

"Any time you go out there on the
field, you go out there to win the game, of course," Woodson said, "but
you go out there to be consistent and a reliable player. And that's
what that award is. You go out there, you can make plays and can
continue to make them through the season and you're mentioned as far as
being Defensive Player of the Year, you know you're doing some things
right."

The Packers went 11-5 during the
season, including taking seven of eight games in the second half of the
schedule to secure an NFC wild-card berth. In that span, Green Bay
allowed 15.6 points per game. Take away a last-second 37-36 loss to
Pittsburgh, and the number becomes a minuscule 11.4.

Woodson had 63 unassisted tackles and
18 assists, according to the Packers, plus 21 passes defensed, four
forced fumbles and one recovery, two sacks for 18 yards and three
quarterback hits.

"I've said it before, he's had two
or three games that I can't imagine any defensive player in the league
having better games," said Capers, who also coached Rod Woodson (1993)
and Jason Taylor (2006) when they won the award. "I think it speaks
volumes when he was player of the month in September and came back and
got player of the month again (in November)."

In his third season, Revis
established himself as the league's premier cornerback, taking away
such prime threats as Steve Smith, Randy Moss, Andre Johnson, Terrell
Owens, Chad Ochocinco
and Marques Colston. He had six picks, returning
one for a TD.

Denver linebacker Elvis Dumervil,
who led the league in sacks, and New Orleans safety Darren Sharper, who
tied with Woodson for the interceptions lead and also ran back three
for scores, each got three votes. Minnesota end Jared Allen received
the other two votes.

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