Woodson wins Defense Player of the Year

[cantstopthepack]

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

Charles Woodson, CB
Green Bay Packers

2009 Statistics
Tackles: 74
Sacks: 2.0
Forced fumbles: 4
Interceptions: 9
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)."

NFL Defensive Player of the Year voting
Player Pos. Team Votes
Charles Woodson CB Packers 28
Darrelle Revis CB N.Y. Jets 14
Elvis Dumervil LB Broncos 3
Darren Sharper S Saints 3
Jared Allen DE Vikings 2
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.

Jets coach Rex Ryan was upset that Revis didn't win.

"It's unfortunate in that you can't get a higher individual award than that award," Ryan said. "Hopefully, he's a young, talented player, but you can't take anything for granted.

"This, in my opinion, was the best year a corner has ever had, the most impact a corner has ever had in the National Football League. That's my opinion. Apparently, that wasn't how everybody felt."

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

Copyright 2010 by The Associated Press.

Personally I believer Woodson was the most deservin of the award. Revis is a better shuutdown coverage corner but Woodson did it all and pretty much anchored the transition to 3-4 defense. Also think Ryan is bein a big baby about Revis not winnin, already tired of him..

 

[Blake]

Well deserved.

I just sounded like a dip-<Censored> in the news room, lol.

 

[jarrod2323]

honestly - I think Sharper deserved it.. just my opinion

 

[WhenIRap]

Revis deserved it.

 

[footballplaya52]

Revis deserved it.

only jets fans think that

 

[jarrod2323]

DPOTY should be based on stats --- Champ Bailey was by far the best CB for years and never won. Holding most WR to 0 catches at times.. Revis isn't there yet

Sharper proved most valuable to the Saints defense... R

 

[Blake]

I would have liked to see Sharper too.

 

[jonathanlambert33]

Darren started out strong but when Greer and Porter both went down he had to play the conventional FS position. He was regulated to covering recievers and tight ends rather than roaming the field and making plays. I thought Revis deserved it.

For what it's worth, Revis was targeted 35 more times but only gave up 2 more completions. Woodson gave up 23 more yards and three more TD's. Woodson had Revis in interceptions by three, but Revis had 15 more pass deflections.

 

[footballplaya52]

imo woodson made more big plays

 

[cantstopthepack]

Woodson had 3 more ints, 3 FFs, 1 FR, and 3 TDs, and actually played run defense. Sharper was good but hasnt been the greatest later half. Also Woodson played in every posistion asked of him, he would blitz, play one on one best WRs, play safety and line up against TEs. Then at his age, its just crazy what he was able to do

 

[yezzir]

DPOTY should be based on stats --- Champ Bailey was by far the best CB for years and never won. Holding most WR to 0 catches at times.. Revis isn't there yet

Sharper proved most valuable to the Saints defense... R

Except Champ didn't always follow the receiver around wherever he was. He would just cover his spot and making sure there were no catches in that area. Of course I'm bias and think Revis should've won it, but Woodson is deff deserving of it too.