GoPackGo
07-29-2006, 07:56 PM
Pompei's SportingBlog
Woodson gets fresh start in green and gold
July 29, 2006
In my wildest dreams, I didn't think I'd ever see Charles Woodson in green and gold. But there he was Saturday, playing cornerback on Clark Hinkle Field during the Packers' second day of training camp.
Woodson was a welcome sight for new coach Mike McCarthy, who told me he liked the way Woodson practiced with savvy. McCarthy also liked the way Woodson looked physically, which was a potentially big issue.
The Packers signed the former Raider to a big free agent contract in the offseason with the hope that he would be a leader, even though that wasn't his reputation in Oakland. McCarthy was trying to emphasize that all his players take part in the offseason conditioning program.
In previous Green Bay regimes, the offseason program had not been emphasized. About 30 percent of the team participated in the 2005 offseason, and about 75 percent participated in the 2006 offseason.
But Woodson was not among them. He chose to work out in Houston, so the Packers didn't know what to expect. But Woodson showed up weighing about 200 pounds, down 10 or so from his previous weight. This is a leaner Woodson than the Raiders knew.
The Packers hope a new environment will bring out the best in Woodson. The Raiders' environment might have brought out the worst.
Generally speaking, players don't change their spots when they change their teams. But the Packers believe Woodson will be an exception.
Woodson gets fresh start in green and gold
July 29, 2006
In my wildest dreams, I didn't think I'd ever see Charles Woodson in green and gold. But there he was Saturday, playing cornerback on Clark Hinkle Field during the Packers' second day of training camp.
Woodson was a welcome sight for new coach Mike McCarthy, who told me he liked the way Woodson practiced with savvy. McCarthy also liked the way Woodson looked physically, which was a potentially big issue.
The Packers signed the former Raider to a big free agent contract in the offseason with the hope that he would be a leader, even though that wasn't his reputation in Oakland. McCarthy was trying to emphasize that all his players take part in the offseason conditioning program.
In previous Green Bay regimes, the offseason program had not been emphasized. About 30 percent of the team participated in the 2005 offseason, and about 75 percent participated in the 2006 offseason.
But Woodson was not among them. He chose to work out in Houston, so the Packers didn't know what to expect. But Woodson showed up weighing about 200 pounds, down 10 or so from his previous weight. This is a leaner Woodson than the Raiders knew.
The Packers hope a new environment will bring out the best in Woodson. The Raiders' environment might have brought out the worst.
Generally speaking, players don't change their spots when they change their teams. But the Packers believe Woodson will be an exception.