SI: Woodson knows he may be finished

[Kittymama]

Cowboys' Woodson knows he may be finished
Posted: Monday November 15, 2004 2:41PM; Updated: Monday November 15, 2004 2:57PM


IRVING, Texas (AP) -- The more Darren Woodson watches from the sideline, the more he considers the reality he may have played his last game for the Dallas Cowboys.

This season, and forever.

Woodson, the only player still around from all three Super Bowls the Cowboys won in the mid-1990s and the team's career leading tackler, hasn't even practiced because of lingering effects from back surgery just before training camp.

"Actually, it didn't hit me until like about a month ago that I may not play again," Woodson said. "Someone told me to keep hope alive, so I'm going to do that."

After Monday night's game against the Philadelphia Eagles, Dallas has two more weeks to make a final decision. The five-time Pro Bowl safety will have to be put on the 53-man roster or injured reserve for the rest of the season.

"I still have hope everything can heal up," he said. "It's a wait-and-see thing. We've been waiting for a long time."

Woodson had a herninated disc removed from his back in late July and was put on the physically unable to perform list just before the season opener.

The Cowboys last week beat a league deadline to declare Woodson eligible to return to practice. That left open the chance of him playing this season, but also started a three-week window that is one-third done without him getting back on the field.

His back feels fine, but Woodson's rehabilitation has been slowed by a nerve that runs from his back through his right leg. That has affected the strength in his leg and his ability to run and make cuts.

"I'm feeling better," he said. "Can I go out there and do the things I want to do as far as what I've done for the last 12 years and covering the slot receiver and making tackles? I don't know. I'm not there yet."

Until quarterback Vinny Testaverde signed during the summer to reunite with coach Bill Parcells, the 35-year-old Woodson was the oldest Cowboy. Testaverde turned 41 on Saturday.

Without Woodson (1,350 tackles in 178 regular-season games), the Cowboys have been conservative in how they use hard-hitting Pro Bowl safety Roy Williams.

Williams can't just be let loose like in the past, especially with the struggles of the cornerbacks, Terence Newman and whoever happens to be on the right side. Rookie Lance Frazier is the fourth starter at right cornerback, after Tyrone Williams (left hamstring) was injured and waived after just two starts. Tony Dixon and Lynn Scott have started in place of Woodson.

"Of course, we really miss Woody out there," Frazier said. "He's the type of guy that adds that extra comfort and adds that extra help that you might need at times."

Woodson was quick to meet Frazier with words of encouragement after a strange play against Detroit, when the defender had the ball taken away from him. David Kircus then completed a 50-yard touchdown, but Frazier later helped clinch the win with an interception.

But the pep talks aren't the same as Woodson being on the field.

"There is an impact, but not the same if he's not playing," defensive tackle La'Roi Glover said.

"It's tough losing Darren because you can't replace those intangibles that he brings to the game," linebacker Dexter Coakley said. "With us not having him, it's obviously been a lack, and it's tough."

Woodson has two years left on the $20 million, five-year contract he got when he became a free agent after the 2001 season. The salary cap hits would be $4.3 million next season and $6.8 million in 2006, so it could become a business decision for the Cowboys, like fellow three-time Super Bowl champs Troy Aikman and Emmitt Smith in the past.

Even without playing this season, Woodson doesn't plan to make any quick decision about 2005 and beyond.

"I wouldn't be fair to myself if I said I'm not going to play," he said. "I have to give myself time to get 100 percent, get healed up and then I could make that kind of decision."

[Portland Fanatic]

Sadly I think he's done...with his age and the way his recovery is not going. It's really a sad day for Woody...love the guy.

[SA_Gunslinger]

depressing, but harsh truth in that article.

[Kittymama]

I really think that's why they've held off on putting him on IR. He's such a class guy & has meant so much to the organization that they're letting him come to that realization & retire on his own rather than force him.

[fiveandcounting]

Originally Posted by Kittymama

Cowboys' Woodson knows he may be finished
Posted: Monday November 15, 2004 2:41PM; Updated: Monday November 15, 2004 2:57PM


IRVING, Texas (AP) -- The more Darren Woodson watches from the sideline, the more he considers the reality he may have played his last game for the Dallas Cowboys.

This season, and forever.

Woodson, the only player still around from all three Super Bowls the Cowboys won in the mid-1990s and the team's career leading tackler, hasn't even practiced because of lingering effects from back surgery just before training camp.

"Actually, it didn't hit me until like about a month ago that I may not play again," Woodson said. "Someone told me to keep hope alive, so I'm going to do that."

[View Full Quote]After Monday night's game against the Philadelphia Eagles, Dallas has two more weeks to make a final decision. The five-time Pro Bowl safety will have to be put on the 53-man roster or injured reserve for the rest of the season.

"I still have hope everything can heal up," he said. "It's a wait-and-see thing. We've been waiting for a long time."

Woodson had a herninated disc removed from his back in late July and was put on the physically unable to perform list just before the season opener.

The Cowboys last week beat a league deadline to declare Woodson eligible to return to practice. That left open the chance of him playing this season, but also started a three-week window that is one-third done without him getting back on the field.

His back feels fine, but Woodson's rehabilitation has been slowed by a nerve that runs from his back through his right leg. That has affected the strength in his leg and his ability to run and make cuts.

"I'm feeling better," he said. "Can I go out there and do the things I want to do as far as what I've done for the last 12 years and covering the slot receiver and making tackles? I don't know. I'm not there yet."

Until quarterback Vinny Testaverde signed during the summer to reunite with coach Bill Parcells, the 35-year-old Woodson was the oldest Cowboy. Testaverde turned 41 on Saturday.

Without Woodson (1,350 tackles in 178 regular-season games), the Cowboys have been conservative in how they use hard-hitting Pro Bowl safety Roy Williams.

Williams can't just be let loose like in the past, especially with the struggles of the cornerbacks, Terence Newman and whoever happens to be on the right side. Rookie Lance Frazier is the fourth starter at right cornerback, after Tyrone Williams (left hamstring) was injured and waived after just two starts. Tony Dixon and Lynn Scott have started in place of Woodson.

"Of course, we really miss Woody out there," Frazier said. "He's the type of guy that adds that extra comfort and adds that extra help that you might need at times."

Woodson was quick to meet Frazier with words of encouragement after a strange play against Detroit, when the defender had the ball taken away from him. David Kircus then completed a 50-yard touchdown, but Frazier later helped clinch the win with an interception.

But the pep talks aren't the same as Woodson being on the field.

"There is an impact, but not the same if he's not playing," defensive tackle La'Roi Glover said.

"It's tough losing Darren because you can't replace those intangibles that he brings to the game," linebacker Dexter Coakley said. "With us not having him, it's obviously been a lack, and it's tough."

Woodson has two years left on the $20 million, five-year contract he got when he became a free agent after the 2001 season. The salary cap hits would be $4.3 million next season and $6.8 million in 2006, so it could become a business decision for the Cowboys, like fellow three-time Super Bowl champs Troy Aikman and Emmitt Smith in the past.

Even without playing this season, Woodson doesn't plan to make any quick decision about 2005 and beyond.

"I wouldn't be fair to myself if I said I'm not going to play," he said. "I have to give myself time to get 100 percent, get healed up and then I could make that kind of decision."

I have a gut feeling this guy will make a great head coach. I'd love to see him coaching Dallas someday, so it just follows that I'd love to see him start his apprenticeship right away as an assistant for Zimmer next year. Anyone hear anything about his career plans?

[Jarv]

I think he did some broadcasting in NFL Europe.

[BrAinPaiNt]

Originally Posted by Portland Fanatic

Sadly I think he's done...with his age and the way his recovery is not going. It's really a sad day for Woody...love the guy.

Same feeling here Portland.

The guy was always a great player and leader and you knew he always gave it his all even though the talent around him was not always the best.

The guy always seemed to be a class act as well.

I do not think you can find but maybe a handful of people who did not like Woodson.

But he is not a young guy, before he always seemed to bounce back quicker then people predicted...but his age and this injury in itself has the odds against him.

If he does not get to play any longer then I would hope that he could some how get a job with the cowboys or on TV...they guy has given so much to this team and I would think that we could use someone to be a specific coach for the CBs....it seems that Zimmer can not do a good job of that area IMO.

OR maybe he could get a good job on TV as he seems like the kind of guy who could do a good job in that area.

I wish Woodson the best in whatever happens...IMO he deserves that for what he has done on this team and for this team.

[noshame]

suit him up for a game, let him come up to the line, move Roy to the back for a game, and let Woody knock the * *$# out of a few folks for just one last time.

Then he's done, one of my all-time fav's.