Wilson: Ravens aware of Woodson's talents

OWINGS MILLS Md. – The impactful, dangerous presence of Green Bay Packers Pro Bowl cornerback Charles Woodson is enough to make any smart quarterback understandably wary.

A top candidate for NFL Defensive Player of the Year honors, Woodson has intercepted seven passes and forced four fumbles.

Against the Detroit Lions, he intercepted two passes and returned one for a touchdown while also recording a sack, a forced fumble and a fumble recovery. He also stonewalled imposing wide receiver Calvin Johnson, holding him to two catches.

“He has shown that he can be around the ball and make tackles and make plays in the secondary,” Baltimore Ravens quarterback Joe Flacco said. “He’s a guy that we’ll be aware of and we’ll do what we have to do to make sure we account for him.”

That has probably been the agenda of several other quarterbacks, though.

Such as Dallas Cowboys quarterback Tony Romo earlier this season. However, Woodson wound up forcing two fumbles, intercepting a pass and sacking Romo.

The NFC Defensive Player of the Month has two sacks in his past three games, and his five sacks through last season ranks first during that span among all defensive backs regardless of position.

“He’s clearly our most productive, and he’s our best player on defense,” Packers coach Mike McCarthy said in a conference call with Baltimore reporters. “He was our defensive MVP last year in a different scheme, and I’m sure he’s well on his way to being our defensive MVP this season.

"We’re utilizing his strengths, particularly playing him at different positions, and I just can’t say enough about the year he’s having.”

Woodson has registered 60 tackles to rank second on the team and has deflected five passes with two sacks.

His six career interception returns for touchdowns ranks him second behind Hall of Fame defensive back Herb Adderley.

Between Woodson’s size and natural instincts, it’s tough to stop him.

“Charles is an incredible player,” Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers said. “I think his ability to understand route concepts and read and react, trust his instincts, is second to none. And there really isn’t a player that I’ve seen on film, or in person, who I wouldn’t take Woodson one-on-one in any position against, as far as who is a better player.

“He’s that good. He’s so smart, athletic, incredible ball skills, and he’s able to take over games at times for us, or keep us in games. And he’s done an incredible job for us, on and off the field, in the locker room, and he’s just been a very good pro for us.”

And Woodson has 43 career interceptions, ranking second in the NFL with 27 for the most interceptions since 2006 behind Asante Samuel.

The Packers have the top-ranked defense and the top turnover margin at plus-17 for the year.

“Woodson’s playing phenomenal,” Ravens offensive coordinator Cam Cameron said. “He’s having obviously another Pro Bowl year. I think the ranking of the defense kind of speaks for itself.”

Woodson is tied for third in the league in interceptions and ranks second in forced fumbles.

“He’s playing tremendous right now,” Ravens wide receiver Derrick Mason said. “You can’t say anything but good things about him. So, we have to be aware of what he’s doing and where he is.

“He’s one of those corners that can play a guy man-to-man and not need any help and pretty much shut down that side of the field. You just have to be in tune in what you’re doing and take advantage of an opportunity when you have one.”

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