The Darren Woodson Appreciation Thread

[Yakuza Rich]

I don't ask for much, but I think this needs to be pinned.

Anyway, Woodson was the consumate pro and a great safety to have on your team. A big time hitter who was better in coverage than given credit for.

The one thing that will stick out in my memory of Woodson was for him willing to stick his neck out and state that there was too much goofing around, playing cards and dominoes and not enough players being serious during the Campo era. Remember, even guys like Emmitt were playing dominoes in the locker room before practice and games and Woody had the guts to call him out.

If anything, that may have helped Jones decide to get Parcells and whether you like Parcells or not, this team is much more disciplined and competitive now.

Even if Parcells doesn't suceed, I think Woody's willingness to call it like he sees it got Jones to think we needed a coach who would have a more disciplined approach to leading this team, for now and the future.


Rich.................

[Everlastingxxx]

Thanks Darren for the memories. It was great watching you play all these years. I'll miss you. Best of luck in all that you do.

- Anthony

http://pages.sbcglobal.net/bcalz/woodson.jpg

[Hostile]

His play blessed my life because he helped me enjoy his career. What more can a fan ask than that a player represent the team and the fans the way Darren Woodson did? I will miss him and his leadership very much.

[Bobo]

One of the greatest players to ever play for one of the greatest sports organizations.

[TonyS]

Darren Woodson - Consummate professional, hard worker, stand-up guy, represented the team well on and off the field, didn't need to talk smack, showed up for work ready to play, proud of his job, leader...there's not much else to say.


Thanks DWood. :worthy2:

[EveryoneElse]

It'll be hard for the team to find a player to fill Darren Woodson's shoes, imo. A guy like DW doesn't come around too often. He always did his job and was one of a small few that I think we all knew we could count on to show up every Sunday, and do what was asked of him. We had a stretch where things looked bleak for the team, Darrenn was constantly the bright spot when things looked bad.

Thank you Darren Woodson.

[The30YardSlant]

Woody is my second favorite Cowboy of all time behind only Roger Staubach, thanks for the memories and the rings, you will be missed in Big D. :)

[5 Super Bowls]

One of the greatest players to ever play for one of the greatest sports organizations.


Don't forget CLASS. This man's picture should be in the Dictionary next to CLASS. God Bless him and his family.

[5 Super Bowls]

Woody is my second favorite Cowboy of all time behind only Roger Staubach, thanks for the memories and the rings, you will be missed in Big D. :)

I love Roger the football player, but some of his companies moves have been downright wrong. His company raised access fees for Addison airport from $2500 to $65000 in one year, and they are fighting it like hell. The only ones getting any money are the lawyers. SOB's.

God bless Roger the QB, he had a lot of class as a player too.

[irvin88]

the most underrated player ever along with Curtis Martin.

[PJCOWBOYS]

Thanxs Darren for being a bigger Star than the one you wore on the helmet. He was the rock for our defense. Sometimes overlooked when stats were concerned, but always dependable and appreciated. He was the glue that kept our past defenses together. Never complained, never wanted to be the center of the spotlight.

God bless you in your new life.

[Cowboyfan81]

When we played the Pats last year, Drew Bledsoe was quoted calling Williams and Woodson "A couple of trained killers." The team will miss him greatly. One of the classiest guys not only to don the star, but to play in the NFL.

[TruBlueCowboy]

http://home.pages.at/plummer/Darren%20Woodson.jpg

[TruBlueCowboy]

http://www.bluestarboys.com/Gallery/DWoodson%20(2).jpg

http://www.bluestarboys.com/Gallery/DWoodson%20(4).jpg

http://www.bluestarboys.com/Gallery/DWoodson%20(16).jpg

http://www.bluestarboys.com/Gallery/DWoodson%20(10).jpg

[TruBlueCowboy]

http://www.bluestarboys.com/Gallery/DWoodson%20(1).jpg

http://www.bluestarboys.com/Gallery/DWoodson-(19).jpg

http://www.bluestarboys.com/Gallery/DWoodson-(20).jpg

http://www.bluestarboys.com/Gallery/DWoodson%20(8).jpg

[jdnalls]

His play blessed my life because he helped me enjoy his career. What more can a fan ask than that a player represent the team and the fans the way Darren Woodson did? I will miss him and his leadership very much.
I couldn't have said it any better myself.

He was a true professional and was definately one of the most enjoyable players to watch these last many years.

It's a shame that we couldn't have brought him any more gold but no matter how good or bad our team was playing he always gave his 110% effort and it was truly an honor watching him play.

You'll be missed Darren. Good luck and God bless you in all you do.

http://tiger.towson.edu/users/bzilli1/ot_getImage.jpg

[TruBlueCowboy]

Man, listening to the press conference makes me want to: :cry2:

He's dropping names of all the coaches and players over the last fifteen years. Memories.

One thing I never realized was what Jerry Jones said. Woody was always the guy every single coach could count on. He was always the one player a coach knew was on his side whether it was Gailey, Switzer or Camp and he was always trying to get the program to work. Players like that are invaluable. Kevin Smith taught him everything he knows about coverage. Gig em!

If Woody could have been just a few years younger, what a legendary safety duo that would have been with Roy and Woody knocking heads. :cry2:

[SuspectCorner]

despite the defense's late season surge, look at the performance this year as opposed to last year. i will now call him darren "the difference" woodson. thanks for all those years of dedicated excellence woody. you and cliffo are my guys in the all-time dallas secondary. mel and everson man the corners.

[joseephuss]

At of so many great players this franchise has produced, he became my favorite. He was solid and at times outstanding. Definition of team player.

[ravidubey]

Best Cowboys safety ever, and I don't care what the uninformed say, he was the NFL's dominant safety of the 1990's.

Class act off the field and a warrior on the field, heck in 1997 he spearheaded the #2 pass defense and I believe also led the Cowboys in tackles.

Awesome pro (defined the word, really) and definitely headed for the ROH.

[SALADIN]

I hate that I don't feel bad about his retirement.

I hate that I've become so immunized with todays NFL that even though I knew that he would neve wear a Cowboys uniform all I considered was who would replace him.

I hate that its only now that I realize that players like Woody don't come along in ever draft or to every franchise.

I hate that I took the player and a man like himself for granted so long.

And I hate that there will never again be a football player and person like Darren Woodson.

http://www.newmexicoet.com/NMET_Cowboys_06.jpg

[CowboyManDan]

I remember clear as day, when Woodson's name was announced in the 2nd round of the 1992 draft... And I scrambled to look him up on my draft ranking magazines....only I couldn't find him listed anywhere. I was so upset, thinking the Cowboys wasted a 2nd round pick on a guy they could have picked up much later. Little did I know he wasn't on the rankings I had, because he was a tweener between LB and SS. And even more little did I know that he would become the Cowboys all time leading tackler. Gladly, I was at that Cowboy/Seahawk game he set that record, which for me living in Boston is not a convenient trip. But it was well worth it. The best thing about Woodson in my opinion, was that he was so professional and classy.

I hope someday, that Roy Williams can reach the standard that Darren Woodson has set. Until then, Darren Woodson will become a legend to me as I watched him throughout my youth as a Cowboy fan. I'll miss you, Woody.

[TruBlueCowboy]

I'm disappointed that more Cowboys fans haven't commented in this thread. I guess you have to be at one of the skilled positions before people notice you. :(

[Lord Sun]

Tru, I came to this thread with the intention of addig my thoughts - I don't have "favourite Woody moment," but I have nothing but love for him, he was a great hitter, great pass defender, just a great player, and (as I've found out in more recent years) a great guy. But I don't think we can articulate our feelings much better than they have been already. I spent several minutes just watching the pics in this thread alone.

[godofwar]

My feelings reflect many of the sentiments expressed above. I'm not quite ready for this era to end. That's why I'm adding my two cents, to keep this thread on the front page. Man, I'm gonna miss 28 on the field.

Good luck Darren, and thank you for the memories.

[HTOWN COWBOY]

I remember when he broke the record to become the COWBOYS all-time tackle leader, it was the same game Emmitt broke Payton's record. I had thought to myself during the game, Darren wouldn't have wanted to do it any other way. That game pretty much summed up his great career, he was never in the spotlight by himself, he always shared it with his teammates.

I hope Woody goes into Fox and becomes an analyst, hopefully replacing Collinsworth and making it a real dream team with Aikman and Joe Buck. Imagine that, you would have two former QB"s of AMERICA'S TEAM (one on offense, the other on defense). Or perhaps he will stay with the team as a secondary coach. Whatever he does, I'm sure he will be great at it. I'll miss you Woody and HAPPY NEW YEAR!

[Big Country]

His play blessed my life because he helped me enjoy his career. What more can a fan ask than that a player represent the team and the fans the way Darren Woodson did? I will miss him and his leadership very much.

Darren Woodson is the type of person that every human being ought to aspire to be... He defines class and dignity in every sense of the word. God bless you Darren Woodson. Thanks for all you did Woody, you will be missed.

[Big Country]

It'll be hard for the team to find a player to fill Darren Woodson's shoes, imo. A guy like DW doesn't come around too often. He always did his job and was one of a small few that I think we all knew we could count on to show up every Sunday, and do what was asked of him. We had a stretch where things looked bleak for the team, Darrenn was constantly the bright spot when things looked bad.

Thank you Darren Woodson.

I worked with a guy once who was kind of a long haired, hippie type fella. He liked to ride Harleys and take weekend trips to the lake with his drag boat as well. You might say he flew the "dixie flag" because of his long hair and southern roots, but I wouldn't consider him a racist or anything.

Anyway, what I'm getting at is that he has always been a DIE HARD Dallas Cowboy fan too. What was really cool, was at his house, in his hallway was a whole wall full of family photos. The only non-family photo was a picture of him and his son standing beside Darren Woodson after a Cowboy game... He said that guy (Woody) would be classy enough to be on anyone's wall. I just thought that was a cool way to speak of a true class dude. PeaceOut.

[jamez25]

I will miss you Darren :( ...a class act and always a team first player...see you on the tube "Woody".

[Tio]

Thanks Woody for....being woody I guess...
If you don't make it in the hall of fame it would be a shame, and I look forward to having you as a commentator next year...
A great player, and even better human being....