Tag: Charles Woodson

Left tackle Jeff Backus has started every Detroit Lions’ game since the team drafted him with the 18th overall pick in 2001. That’s eleven straight years and 175 consecutive games without missing a start, good for the longest streak in franchise history. All has not been sunny for Backus, however, as the Lions have been the laughing stock of the NFL over that time, with fans repeatedly calling for him to be replaced. I’m uncertain as to why Backus developed into everyone’s favorite scapegoat for the Lions’ woes, but it’s nice to see this former Michigan athlete finally get a reprieve from ugly losses and fan criticisms.

Against the Chargers on Christmas Eve, the Lions clinched their first playoff birth since 1999 and Backus played well: he didn’t give up a single sack and paved the way for two third down conversions on third and short. “Detroit Lions offensive tackle Jeff Backus dominant against the San Diego Chargers,” read an Mlive headline after the game while Pro Football Focus wrote,”Jeff Backus has really put together some nice performances as of late. In the last five games, he has graded out as an 8.7 while only allowing one quarterback sack and one quarterback hit.” After a challenging eleven year start to his NFL career, hopefully this is the sign of better things to come for Backus and his Lions.

Honorable Mention: Brady again threw for 300 + yards last week as he lead the Patriots to their 12th victory of the season by overcoming a 17 point first half deficit to defeat the Dolphins, 27-24. Although on pace for much of the year, Tom Brady won’t beak Dan Marino’s 1984 single-season passing record of 5,084 yards because Drew Brees beat him to it, breaking the record on Monday Night Football. But with only 190 yards separating Brady and Brees, it’s still possible for Brady to end this season with the record. Saints coach Sean Payton has a history of resting his starters in the second half of the final regular season game and may do so again with the Division already sewn up and nothing to gain if the 49ers take care of the lowly Rams as is expected.

Miscellaneous: Braylon Edwards caught a nine yard pass on Sunday but was cut by the 49ers after the game. Morgan Trent, now with Jacksonville, recorded his second career interception last week to go along with four tackles. Jake Long returned from his biceps injury against the Patriots but left the game after re-aggravating it. Martell Webb was cut from Tampa Bay’s practice squad. Jake Long, Tom Brady and Charles Woodson were named starters for the 2012 Pro Bowl.

Brady threw for 357 yards and three touchdowns with one interception as his Patriots defeated the Redskins, 34-27, on Sunday. After throwing the interception, Brady joined in a profanity-filled shouting match with offensive coordinator Bill O’ Brien (watch it here). Maybe the two were merely venting their frustrations with New England’s awful defense because the passing game appears to be the least of their worries. Brady has thrown for 4,273 yards through 13 games and is on pace to break Dan Marino’s 1984 single-season passing record of 5,084 yards if Drew Brees doesn’t beat him to it. This Sunday, Brady will go head-to-head with quarterback media darling Tim “he just wins games” Tebow.

Honorable Mention: Mario Manningham caught a 47-yard touchdown pass in the Giants 37-34 win over the Cowboys on Sunday Night Football, but the reception was due to a blown coverage, and he later dropped what would have been the game-winning touchdown pass. So Honorable Mention goes to Charles Woodson this week, who recorded six tackles, two pass defenses and an interception, which puts him in a tie with Eric Weddle and Kyle Arrington for most INTs this season (7). His Super Bowl defending Packers remain undefeated (13-0) after a 46-13 rout of Woodson’s former team, the Oakland Raiders.

Miscellaneous: Jake Long left the Miami-Philadelphia game with a lower back injury in the first quarter. The Dolphins gave up a franchise-tying nine sacks in his absence, and Coach Tony Sparano was fired after the game. Long’s status for next week against the Bills is uncertain, which may end his 60 game start streak.

Martell Webb signed with the Tampa Bay practice squad late last week.

Charles Woodson owns a Super Bowl ring as well as a Heisman Trophy. And after his performance this Sunday, he also owns the bragging rights to this here TTB award for the second time in three weeks. His children must be proud.

Woodson turns 35 years of age on tomorrow (10/7/11), yet he continues to give Old Father Time a run for his money. Against the Broncos, he scored on a 30 yard pick-six in the first quarter and also tallied four tackles, which helped his Packers earn a 49-23 victory in week four. Woodson is now only one trip to the endzone away from co-owning the NFL record for most touchdowns scored by a defensive player (12). That record is currently held by former teammate and fellow Woodson, Rod, although the two players are not related.

Charles Woodson saved the game for the Packers in their 30-23 victory over the Panthers by snagging two picks and recovering a fumble. He also made five solo tackles and deflected two passes. The Packers gave up a whopping 432 passing yards to rookie Cam Newton–who also threw for over 400 yards last week in his NFL debut–but Woodson’s 3 takeaways ensured that last year’s Super Bowl champs weren’t upset by last year’s most losing team.

Honorable mention: Tom Brady threw for 423 yards and three touchdowns with zero picks as his high-octaine Patriot offense destroyed my fantasy defense, which made the difference in my week two fantasy defeat. That’s okay, though. He went to Michigan.