Big Pete: Broncos should go after Woodson

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The Green Bay Packers released Strong Safety Charles Woodson yesterday to free up the $10 million he was owed in 2013. As we all know, Charles Woodson won the Heisman Trophy in 1997 (edging out Peyton Manning) after leading Michigan to the National Championship. He was drafted by the Raiders, before moving on to the Packers.

Woodson was an All-Pro cornerback and is probably destined for Canton. Like our very own Champ Bailey is rumored to consider when the time is right (in the next handful of years), Woodson moved from Cornerback to Safety once his lost step became two lost steps.

Woodson’s position is of vital importance. He currently plays the Strong Safety position, which is occupied by Mike Adams. This is important because Rahim Moore plays the Free Safety position. This would give the Broncos the Safety tandem of Rahim “the dream killer” Moore and Charles Woodson. They would join Champ Bailey and Chris Harris in our starting back field.

A starting back field of Chris Harris, Rahim Moore, Charles Woodson, and Champ Bailey would without a doubt be the best backfield in the NFL… Bar None! This move makes sense for more reasons than an obvious upgrade at the Safety position. Let me explain.

Realistically, Champ Bailey has only 2 more years as a starting cornerback. While some might argue that he’s already washed up, I think that 2 plays doesn’t end a career. Let us not forget that Bailey shut out Torrey Smith in the 2nd half of our playoff game, so it isn’t as if Champ is washed up. The reason why Bailey’s time frame is so vitally important is because Woodson plays the position that Champ would slide over to if he wanted to prolong his career by switching to safety. Woodson is 36 years old and wants to play for a contender as he probably only has 2 years left in his tank.

The transition from Charles Woodson being our safety to Champ Bailey being our safety would be seamless. We would have a HOF player in Woodson for 1-2 years as Safety, and then have a HOF player in Bailey replace him in 1-2 years. The sheer timing of it all makes this a virtual no brainer. After all, does anybody think that Mike Adams will send Champ Bailey into retirement because he wouldn’t give up his Safety position when the times comes for Champ to move to safety? I didn’t think so either!

Additionally, Rahim Moore made a bad play, but he grew exponentially from last year to this year, and there is no reason why he can’t continue that growth. He could very well be our very own Ed Reed, and, he isn’t set to retire in 1 or 2 years! Besides, in today’s NFL, Woodson is a better safety than Reed because of the space he occupies in the passing game. While Reed is a more punishing hitter, Woodson is a better coverage defender. You basically pick your poison with them. Do you want the thunderous hits from Reed, or the interceptions and coverage from Woodson?

The Broncos are poised to have Super Bowl runs for the next 3+ years, which fits perfectly into the Woodson and Bailey timelines. Harris, Carter, Boldin, and Moore are very young players that could benefit from Bailey and Woodson’s tutelage. Not only would this move set the Broncos up for their 3+ year Super Bowl runs, but it would also set up their replacements for an extended run into the future.

What do you think BroncoTalk faithful? Should the Broncos go after Charles Woodson, or should they pass? Should they go after Ed Reed instead? Or should they just stand pat and let the draft and free agency play out? Lets get the discussion going in the comments below!