Cornerback, Oakland
Raiders
Age: 22 (Oct.
7)
College: Michigan
Height: 6’1” Weight: 197
Prelude:
Woodson was a
versatile college performer, prone to making big plays, who won the 1997 Heisman
Trophy as a primarily defensive player. He intercepted 18 passes while also
catching 25 for 402 yards on offense and excelling as a punt returner (8.7-yard
average on 47 returns). Entering the draft following his junior year, Woodson
was taken by the Oakland Raiders in the first round (fourth overall) and moved
quickly into the starting lineup.
1998 Season Summary
Appeared in
all 16 games
[Bracketed
numbers indicate league rank in Top 20]
Interceptions
– 5 [14, tied with nine others]
Most
interceptions, game – 1 on five occasions
Int. return
yards – 118 [9]
Most int.
return yards, game – 46 (on 1 int.) at Arizona 10/4
Int. TDs – 1
[10, tied with many others]
Sacks – 0
Fumble
recoveries – 0
Forced fumbles
– 2
Tackles – 61
Assists – 3
Scoring
TDs – 1
Points – 6
Awards &
Honors:
NFL Defensive
Rookie of the Year: AP, PFWA
Pro Bowl
Raiders went 8-8
to finish second in the AFC West.
Aftermath:
Woodson was
chosen to the Pro Bowl in each of his first four seasons. Outstanding in all
facets of the cornerback position, he also was a consensus first-team All-Pro
in 1999. Injuries began to become an issue, however, and he missed time during
each of the next four years as a result while also drawing criticism for
inconsistent play despite his great ability. Joining the Packers as a free
agent in 2006, he revived his career, intercepting 8 passes, and he was once
again a Pro Bowl selection in ’08 despite playing with a broken toe. In 2009,
Woodson garnered NFL Defensive Player of the Year honors from the Associated
Press after leading the league with 9 interceptions and three returns for
touchdowns. He had Pro Bowl seasons in 2010 and ’11, again leading the NFL in
interceptions in the latter year with 7. He compensated for declining cover
skills with fine playmaking ability, but missed most of 2012 due to injury.
Woodson considered retirement, but returned to the Raiders in 2013 and started
at free safety, recording a career-high 97 tackles. Through 2013, he has
intercepted 56 passes, returning 11 of them for touchdowns, and has been a
consensus first-team All-Pro three times and selected to eight Pro Bowls.
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Rookie of the Year Profiles feature players who were named Rookie
of the Year in the NFL, AFL (1960-69), or USFL (1983-85) by a recognized
organization (Associated Press – Offense or Defense, Newspaper Enterprise
Association, United Press International, The Sporting News, or the league
itself – Pepsi NFL Rookie of the Year).
