Green Bay Packers cornerback Charles Woodson has been named as the NFL Defensive Player of the Year.
Packers star named best in NFL in defence for season
Green Bay Packers cornerback Charles Woodson has been named as the NFL Defensive Player of the Year after dominating the poll taken by the Associated Press.
Woodson polled 28 of the 50 votes cast by respected sportswriters and broadcasters in America who cover the NFL - twice as many votes as second-laced Derrelle Revis from the New York Jets.
The 33-year-old is in veteran status after 12 years in the NFL but he has said that this season has been his best yet and those watching obviously agree after handing him the prestigious award.
A Heisman Trophy winner back in 1997, Woodson is just the second Packer to win the award and the first cornerback since Deion Sanders in 1994, but it reflects how instrumental he has been in Green Bay.
"Any time you go out there on the field, you go out there to win the game, of course," Woodson said. "But you go out there to be consistent and a reliable player.
Honour
"And that's what that award is. You go out there, you can make plays and can continue to make them through the season and you're mentioned as far as being Defensive Player of the Year, you know you're doing some things right."
Woodson is as versatile a cornerback as there is in the league, and he tied the lead in the NFL with nine interceptions this season, three returned for touchdowns, and helped the Packers end up second in overall defence.
Woodson also recorded 63 unassisted tackles and 18 assists, with four forced fumbles and one recovery, two sacks and three quarterback hits as he combined playing as a cover corner to also helping in the blitz and stopping the run.
The Packers had defensive troubles at the start of the season but Woodson helped them turn it around to finish 11-5 and make the play-offs, only to lose a thrilling wildcard game in Arizona.
Third-year cornerback Revis is widely regarded as the best in the NFL at shutting down opposing wide receivers, with the Jets man keeping the likes of Steve Smith, Randy Moss, Andre Johnson and Terrell Owens out of games this season.
The NFL leader in sacks, Denver linebacker Elvis Dumervil got three votes in the poll along with New Orleans safety Darren Sharper, while Minnesota's Jared Allen received the other two.
