NFL Guide

GREEN BAY, Wis. - The gigantic GMC Yukon pulled into Austin Straubel Airport in Green Bay on a chilly afternoon, usually in winter 2006.

Currently Charles Woodson had settled into the seat of the SUV, while considering all the options it would be an unrestricted free agent after eight seasons with the Oakland Raiders. What he did was not enjoying much of the visit he had had with the Packers in Green Bay.

In addition to eating with coaches and enjoying a brief conversation with his driver today - then the Packers player relations director George Koonce - Woodson had all enjoyed the trip is over-departure time for his flight home.

Woodson has not been moved when Koonce tried a recruiting ground for the last while dropping Woodson at the airport.

"Then I'll see you at the OTA in March?" Koonce asked.

Woodson just a little laugh.

"George told me that I could really fit into a place like that," Woodson said during a recent interview.

"And all I thought was that I would not come to Green Bay. This did not happen. "

It is interesting to hear about Woodson that memory today because he realizes how truly short-sighted, it was then.

While Koonce seen a player gifted with the chance to join a tradition-rich franchise eager to start winning again, Woodson thought it would eventually wither away in the NFL equivalent of Siberia. What Woodson could not see was when he needed a place like Green Bay as far as this organization needed him.And today, he proved how beneficial that the union was.

At this stage, there should be little doubt about who deserves to be named NFL Defensive Player of the Year.

Woodson numbers alone - 70 tackles, eight interceptions, four forced fumbles, two sacks and two touchdowns defensive - should be enough for him to become the fourth corner to win this award....

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