Packers and Pro Football HOFer To Be -- Charles Woodson Gone Soon?

Hot off the press from the Press-Gazette website:

GREEN BAY, Wis. - Indications are that the Green Bay Packers intend to release veteran defensive back Charles Woodson.The first indication came from the Twitter account of his winery, @TwentyFourWines, which posted: "Thank you Green Bay. It was a great run!" A picture of Woodson followed.Then, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reported that he spoke with Woodson's agent, Carl Poston, who said: "They're getting ready to release him. It's part of the business." Poston also told Rapoport that Woodson would like to continue playing for another Super Bowl contender.

There was no official word from the Packers, but this move seemed like a strong possibility.

Releasing the 36-year-old would give the Packers $10 million in salary cap space. Woodson, a likely Hall of Famer for his stellar play at cornerback, moved to safety last season but sustained a broken collarbone that kept him out of the final nine games of the regular season. He returned for the playoffs.

It's unclear whether the Packers asked Woodson to take a pay cut.

RingoCStarrQB wrote:Hot off the press from the Press-Gazette website:

GREEN BAY, Wis. - Indications are that the Green Bay Packers intend to release veteran defensive back Charles Woodson.The first indication came from the Twitter account of his winery, @TwentyFourWines, which posted: "Thank you Green Bay. It was a great run!" A picture of Woodson followed.Then, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reported that he spoke with Woodson's agent, Carl Poston, who said: "They're getting ready to release him. It's part of the business." Poston also told Rapoport that Woodson would like to continue playing for another Super Bowl contender.

There was no official word from the Packers, but this move seemed like a strong possibility.

Releasing the 36-year-old would give the Packers $10 million in salary cap space. Woodson, a likely Hall of Famer for his stellar play at cornerback, moved to safety last season but sustained a broken collarbone that kept him out of the final nine games of the regular season. He returned for the playoffs.

It's unclear whether the Packers asked Woodson to take a pay cut.

Seeing Jennings and Driver go was a sour pill to swallow. Seeing Woodson go would be like drinking Castor oil. Oh well. Looks like 2013 will be somewhat of a rebuilding year with younger guys trying to fill the shoes of veterans who have had great careers. It is the changing of the guard. Who knows? Maybe one of these young bucks will become a Hall of Famer someday.

Had to be done. Hard to hear, but had to be done.

Charles is a smart man and knows the score. If he wants another season and he has the option of taking a huge pay cut for GB or taking some moron's boatload money to play for a season in say...Dallas, it's a foregone conclusion what he'd choose.

That said,

#21 you played like a man among boys. Eternal respect to you, sir.

Nooooooooo! Charles Woodrow is the BEST safety I have EVER seen! How can Mike Mcarthly allow this to happen? Ted Turner is so WRONG for doing this. I think he is no better than a B general manager.

Maybe Aron Rogers can play safety for us, though. He is the BEST QB I have EVER seen! And there's no reason to think he can't be great on defense, either. God, he is SO boss! I LOVE him as our QB! YEAH!!!! Go PACKERS!!!!!!!!!!!!

JnC4GB wrote:Had to be done. Hard to hear, but had to be done.

Charles is a smart man and knows the score. If he wants another season and he has the option of taking a huge pay cut for GB or taking some moron's boatload money to play for a season in say...Dallas, it's a foregone conclusion what he'd choose.

That said,

#21 you played like a man among boys. Eternal respect to you, sir.

Every once in a blue moon, I really HATE to see someone have to go. Like now. Will always be the best ninja to wear the uniform and a truly great Packer.

It's going to be sad not to have Woodson or Driver around anymore. Both of them contributed so much to the Green Bay Packers with their on the field performance and as locker room leaders, Woodson especially. I'm just glad that each of them got their much-deserved rings, even though some of the enduring images of that Super Bowl were watching them nervously pacing the sidelines, cheering the team on. It must have been hell for them to get knocked out of that game and watch the Packers come close to losing it.

However, it's time for the Packers to move on without them. Business is business and in 2012 neither was close to being worth the money they were being paid.