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Darren
Woodson #28 - Strong Safety |
Height: 6-1
Weight: 219 Born: 04/25/1969
College: Arizona State
Pro Career
Through eight NFL seasons, Darren Woodson has established himself as one of the NFL's
premier strong safeties. His consistency, athleticism, aggressiveness and ability to
perform in the big game have put him in the elite level of performers in the NFL. And his
versatility at playing both the run and pass at an extremely productive level have
separated Woodson from the rest of the strong safety field. In eight NFL seasons, he has
been selected to five Pro Bowls, been named first team All-Pro four times and played in
three Super Bowls. A converted college linebacker, Woodson is the complete NFL package at
safety. He combines size (6-1, 219) and speed (4.4 in the 40-yard dash) with great
football instincts and hitting ability. He has maintained the aggressive nature that he
displayed as a college linebacker, but has used his quickness and speed to make a very
smooth transition to the secondary. Woodson has finished first or second on the team in
tackles in five of the last seven seasons (1993-96, 1998), missing out in 1997 when
injuries kept him out of two starts and 1999 when he missed one game due to injury. He
also went over the 100 tackle mark for four consecutive seasons (1993-96), becoming the
first Dallas player to accomplish that feat since Michael Downs (1983-86). In 1995, he
became the first Dallas defensive back to lead the team in tackles (144) since Bill Bates
in 1988 while duplicating the feat in 1998. In 1993, he established a Dallas single-season
record for tackles by a defensive back (155). A very strong and sure tackler, Woodson has
32 double-figure tackle games in his career. In the Cowboys base defensive alignment,
Woodson lines up at strong safety, but he has also shown great production when lining up
at outside linebacker in certain nickel pass defenses, often covering a slot receiver. His
versatility and aggressive attitude makes him a very valuable special teams performer,
posting a combined total of 50 special teams tackles in the past four seasons. He has
started 119 of the last 123 Cowboys games, including playoffs. Woodson's next selection as
an All-Pro will enable him to earn that honor more times (five) than any other Dallas
safety. He is currently tied with Mel Renfro (1965, 1967, 1969 and 1971) and Cliff Harris
(1975-1978), who were each named All-Pro four times during their Dallas careers. Renfro
earned a fifth All-Pro selection as a cornerback in 1973. Woodson is one of the team's
hardest workers, and his character and leadership ability make him a very valuable asset
within the framework of the team.
1999
Although not receiving public accolades, Woodson still performed at a level Cowboys
coaches, players and fans have come to expect. Despite missing the game at Philadelphia
(10/10) with a sprained left ankle, he finished third on the team with 128 tackles while
recording a career-high seven quarterback pressures, eight passes defensed, three tackles
behind the line of scrimmage, two interceptions and a sack. While registering five double
digit tackle games during the season, he also finished fourth on the team with 13 special
team stops. c
1998
Back to full health in 1998, Woodson regained his spot at the top of the Dallas tackle
chart, leading the team with 136 stops - the third best performance of his seven-year
career. His three sacks tied his career-high, and he posted six double figure tackle
games, bringing his career total to 27. He was also second on the team with 11 passes
defensed, the second best total of his career. Another sign of his effectiveness in 1998
was his selection as an All-Pro by The Sporting News. It was the fourth time in his career
he has been named All-Pro, tying him with Mel Renfro and Cliff Harris as the most
decorated safeties in club history. Following the season, Woodson made his fifth
consecutive trip to Hawaii as a member of the NFC Pro Bowl squad. The honor that may have
meant the most to Woodson was the Ed Block Courage Award, an honor voted on by his Dallas
teammates and given to the player who has overcome injuries to return to the field. He
opened the season against Arizona (9/6) by finishing third on the team with five tackles,
and he added a pass defensed while helping limit the Cardinals to 205 total yards (45
rushing, 160 passing).
1997
Although Woodson's season was affected by injuries, causing him to miss two regular season
starts for the first time in his career, he was still recognized as the game's very best
strong safety, earning his fourth consecutive spot on the NFC Pro Bowl squad. For the
first time since becoming a full-time starter in 1993, Woodson missed a pair of games due
to injury. From week No. 2 of 1993 through week No. 7 in 1997, Woodson had started 80
straight games (including playoffs), but that streak came to an end when he was forced to
miss the game at Philadelphia (10/26) with a hyperextended right knee. It was the first
time he had not suited up in a game in his career (100 consecutive games). He also missed
the Thanksgiving Day game against Tennessee with a sprained right shoulder. Woodson's
ability to play through injuries in 1997 earned him the Dallas Cowboys Unsung Hero Award
from the NFL Players Association. Despite the two missed games, he still finished the year
fifth on the team with 97 tackles, while also leading the team in forced fumbles with
three. He also tied for the team lead in fumble recoveries with two.
1996
Woodson capped another stellar season with his second consecutive All-Pro selection and
his third straight Pro Bowl appearance...He tied for the team lead with five interceptions
and was second with 118 tackles.
1995
Woodson was a consensus All-Pro at strong safety for the second consecutive year, and he
earned his second straight starting bert in the Pro Bowl...He led the Cowboys with 144
tackles and returned an interception 37 yards for a touchdown.
1994
He was a consensus All-Pro and tied for the Cowboys' team lead in interceptions
(5)...Became the first Dallas defensive back to be a starter at the Pro Bowl since Everson
Walls in 1985...Recorded 113 tackles.
1993
Woodson collected 155 tackles, the most ever by a Cowboys' defensive back...Also
registered his first professional interception in the playoffs against Green Bay and he
recovered a fumble in Super Bowl XXVIII against the Bills.
1992
Woodson led the special teams units with 19 tackles...On defense he recorded 33 tackles
(28 solo), second among Dallas' rookies.
College Highlights
An All-PAC 10 second-team selection his senior season and honorable mention All-America as
a junior...Woodson played linebacker at Arizona State...Started his career as a
walk-on...He registered 122 tackles during his sophomore season.
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