Welcome to the Hall of Fame, Rod Woodson

by Bruce Raffel on Aug 8, 2009 7:54 AM EDT Comment 23 comments

Former Baltimore Raven Rod Woodson gets his just due when he is inducted into Pro Football's Hall of Fame in Canton, Ohio this afternoon. Woodson, who of course is much more well known as one of the hated Pittsburgh Steelers, played for the Ravens when they won Super Bowl 35 in 2001.

Woodson retired and sits at or near the top of the list of the best defensive backs of all time. His statisitics make a great case to actually be considered the best of them all at his position, even though he played safety for the Ravens while most of his career was spent at cornerback. Woodson was also named to the NFL's 75th Anniversary Team, after only seven years in the league, which is an amazing accomplishment. But was he the best defensive back of all time?

Larry Acker emailed me to give me the link to a story he wrote that he also posted under 'wolfpacksteelfan' over at SB Nation's Pittsburgh Steelers' site, 'Behind The Steel Curtain' (BTSC). It's a real good argument on Woodson's behalf. So, despite his Steelers pedigree, let's all join together as pure football fans to salute one of the greatest players of all time.

Check the story out here.

Poll

Is Rod Woodson the best defensive back to ever play the game?

Yes, without a doubt as the statistics don't lie.

60 votes

Yes, but only until the Ravens' Ed Reed retires!

181 votes

No, there are better ones out there.

74 votes

315 votes | Poll has closed

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Comments

Split betwwen Rod and Primetime Sanders… i did vote that he is the best though untill Reed retires

by ravsagain on Aug 8, 2009 12:46 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Thanks Bruce

I appreciate you posting a link. As you said, we can all at least agree on Woodson’s greatness (at least until you start to think Reed’s accomplished enough to surpass him :)).

For ideas on statistical analyses, email me at wolfpacksteelersfan@gmail.com.

by WolfpackSteelersFan on Aug 8, 2009 2:11 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Jim Leonhard

You have to hate losing more than you love winning.

by Mr MaLoR on Aug 8, 2009 2:27 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Isn't he a Jet now? :)

So, your vote for greatest LB ever is Bart Scott, right? ;)

For ideas on statistical analyses, email me at wolfpacksteelersfan@gmail.com.

by WolfpackSteelersFan on Aug 8, 2009 2:32 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Na

But we are going to miss Jim Leonhard more than any other player in the history of the Ravens, according to the “experts.” He was Rod Woodson, and Jason Seahorn rolled up in one with a little Steve Atwater sprinkled on top. Greatest football player in history, I am so worried of how we will recover.

Greatest LB, I have to give that to Levon Kirkland. If you can play MLB at 375 pounds, that is incredible.

You have to hate losing more than you love winning.

by Mr MaLoR on Aug 8, 2009 2:39 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Levon was a monster, wasn't he?

If I had to guess, I’d say you miss Scott more, just because Ray’s getting older. Of course, Reed’s not old, but I heard he’s considering retiring with a couple years. Can’t remember where I heard it, probably NFLN. But, Leonhard’s no Reed.

For ideas on statistical analyses, email me at wolfpacksteelersfan@gmail.com.

by WolfpackSteelersFan on Aug 8, 2009 3:11 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Are you guys going to miss foote?

No, because you have a guy in Timmons that you are very excited to see step up. Well, we are in the same situation, not sure if you know that. We have 2nd year LB out of the University of Miami, Tavares Gooden, who was our 3rd round pick last year. It has been said that he is the most athletic LB on our team at the moment and they call him “Baby Ray” for how much he plays like Ray Lewis.

We will not be missing Scott at all and I can 100% guarantee you that Gooden is going to be a major upgrade over Scott. Scott will do worse without having Ray by his side before Ray ever does worse without having Bart by his side.

You have to hate losing more than you love winning.

by Mr MaLoR on Aug 8, 2009 3:17 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

No, wasn't aware of Gooden

I know Timmons was fast enough to catch Darren Sproles from behind in the playoffs last year, so that’s why many Steelers fans think he will be an upgrade. But, I’m not surprised. The Ravens seem to have the same knack for replacing defensive players as the Steelers. There’s always another good LB waiting in the wings.

For ideas on statistical analyses, email me at wolfpacksteelersfan@gmail.com.

by WolfpackSteelersFan on Aug 8, 2009 3:23 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

And Reed is 31 years old man

He may not be THAT old, but he is up there. Right now, he is in the prime of his career, so of course retirement in 3 or 4 years is a consideration. Playing when you are 34 or 35 years old is not common in this league and Reed may choose to retire at that point. Never know….

You have to hate losing more than you love winning.

by Mr MaLoR on Aug 8, 2009 3:18 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Reed's older than I thought.

I thought he was 29 or 30, since he’s only played 7 years up to now. As good as he’s been, I’ve seen him as one of those 13-15 year guys.

For ideas on statistical analyses, email me at wolfpacksteelersfan@gmail.com.

by WolfpackSteelersFan on Aug 8, 2009 3:25 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Yea, he came into the league when he was 24 I believe.

You have to hate losing more than you love winning.

by Mr MaLoR on Aug 8, 2009 3:32 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

But, Leonhard’s no Reed.

No, he is god…

You have to hate losing more than you love winning.

by Mr MaLoR on Aug 8, 2009 3:13 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Badly worded question

Rod Woodson, I agree, is the best CB, not DB ever (in my life). Best Corner & Safety, Ronnie Lott. Nothing like him, including Woodson as Safety for the Ravens, as Lott did at both positions. Woodson’s special teams play for the Steelers may have cost him a step or two on some deep plays at Safety while with the Ravens. Still a great CB.

by aka John Lennon on Aug 8, 2009 5:29 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

glad someone mentioned Lott

other greats get over looked

asmodeus1971

by asmodeus on Aug 8, 2009 11:13 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Dick “Night Train” Lane is the best ever.

by archon095 on Aug 9, 2009 12:52 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Bruce Laird?

Such a great proponent, outspoken, for the old vets out there regarding benefits.

aka 'Rexx'

by Bruce Raffel on Aug 9, 2009 11:32 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I’ve lost some respect for Rod Woodson… Only because he disrespected the Ravens in his acceptance speech. He said that he was glad that “Steeler’s nation” booed him when he put on a Raven’s uniform. Seriously? The Ravens were the BEST team that he played for and won his ONLY Superbowl.

I can understand him wanting to go into the hall as a Steeler… He played 10 seasons in Pittsburgh. However, I cannot understand why he would disrespect the Ravens like that. He seems like a band-wagoner. I wonder if he would have said the same thing about the Ravens if they had won it all last year. I still respect his accomplishments, but I have lost respect for him personally.

by BAL_Hawk on Aug 9, 2009 11:38 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Another thing

He called us the Raver’s to. He was thinking Ravens and Raiders, but said Raver.

You have to hate losing more than you love winning.

by Mr MaLoR on Aug 10, 2009 12:50 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Yeah, but...

….he said all theright things about Art Modell, which is one of the biggest travesty’s in the NFL. Too bad they’ll never get him in beofre he passes, as he is pretty old and not well. F-ing Cleveland fans!!!

aka 'Rexx'

by Bruce Raffel on Aug 10, 2009 4:07 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

All he meant was that he expected them to boo him playing for another team, even though he had become a living legend among many Steelers fans. I don’t see that as being disrespectful of the Ravens.

For ideas on statistical analyses, email me at wolfpacksteelersfan@gmail.com.

by WolfpackSteelersFan on Aug 10, 2009 4:38 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs