“He was locked in and he went to another level in his mindset.” “I think the move to Green Bay cemented Charles’ Hall of Fame status,” said Reggie McKenzie, the Packers’ former pro personnel director and Raiders’ former general manager, in a phone interview Sunday. Gruden was traded to the Buccaneers a month later and Woodson lasted four seasons longer before the Raiders let him walk in free agency, eventually landing with the Packers. How would the trajectory of Charles Woodson’s and Tom Brady’s careers change if this play remained a fumble? (Matt Campbell / AFP / Getty Images) The 2001 playoff loss to the Patriots via the Tuck Rule - Woodson came on a cornerback blitz and clearly knocked the ball loose with the hit on Tom Brady, but it wasn’t ruled a fumble - helped launch Brady into a title-winning “Groundhog Day” movie and Raiders coach Jon Gruden and Woodson on eventual paths elsewhere to find glory. 4 pick in 1998, Woodson used that mindset to win defensive rookie of the year and was a first-team All-Pro selection in 19. His mindset separated him from everybody else.”ĭrafted by the Raiders with the No. “One of the first things out of his mouth that I really related to was that when he was on the field, he felt like he could make every play. “He knew what to expect from studying, and he was fast enough mentally and physically in the moment to do something you wouldn’t expect someone to do. “Some people were just born to play the game,” Mack said. Incredible ability to diagnose routes in real time, fantastic in his disguise.”Īnd he was fast, much quicker in the games than in any workout. He’s one of the most savvy defensive players that I’ve ever seen on the field. He for sure made me a better player going against him every day in practice. “His ability to impact the game was unbelievable. “I think he’s the most talented guy that I ever played with,” Aaron Rodgers said in November. It was a big deal to be out there on the field with him and to be on the same team with him after seeing him on TV all those years.”Ī Heisman Trophy winner at Michigan because he made highlight reels playing both defense and offense, Woodson helped the Raiders become winners and the Packers become champions. “Laid-back, but when he talked, you made sure you were listening. “C-Wood was just a cool dude, man,” Mack said in a phone interview last week. Khalil Mack was a rookie with the Raiders in 2014 and hung on every word Woodson said.
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