GB_Packers wrote:JayMKE wrote:JimmyTheKid wrote:
I would have been happy with 'right now' Charles Woodson at safety. This defense got no pressure on Kapernick (something Woodson was great at), blew coverages, and had Jarret Bush on the field not keeping contain on arguably the biggest play of the game. Meanwhile TT didn't even approach Charles Woodson for a pay cut. Just flat out released him.
Charles Woodson (right now, at safety) > MD Jennings or Jarrett Bush (and arguably Morgan Burnett)
Absolutely, he might not be the player he once was but he can't be worse than what we trotted out there this year and his leadership on D was sorely missed. He's an all time great Packer and I don't like that Ted let him go so unceremoniously.
We need another Charles Woodson caliber signing on our D, we need somebody that actually can make plays on defense. We had soooooo many dropped INTs this year...
And then the first time he leaves a guy open because he just doesn't have the speed to keep up anymore, the honeymoon would be over and people would remember why he was let go in the first place. Then lots of complaining about why did they waste money keeping him around.
Obviously you start by approaching him with a pay cut. Again, I'm not blaming the defense for yesterday's loss. Its squarely on McCarthy and the offense. And its not revisionist history to say "why didn't we try to keep Woodson" because many of us were dumfounded we let him go without any real pay cut/reduced role conversation. Its as simple as "is he better than what we saw from the safety position this year?" Easy "yes" for me. And that doesn't even touch on his locker room presence, natural instincts, comfort level with the system, and big play making ability. Sure, he's a step or two slower than prime Woodson. But, IMO, thats still better than the motley crue of safeties who contributed next to nothing this season.
