Charles Woodson ties NFL record: 'I'm one of the greatest to ever play this game'

http://www.freep.com/article/20131007/SPORTS06/310070069/charles-woodson-record-oakland-raiders

Charles Woodson ties NFL record: 'I'm one of the greatest to ever play this game'

OAKAND, Calif. – Terrelle Pryor’s day began with talk that the Oakland Raiders were interested in acquiring another quarterback in Josh Freeman.

It ended with perhaps his best game yet as an NFL quarterback.

Pryor threw two touchdown passes in the first quarter and then set up a late field goal by turning a potential sack into a third-and-long conversion that gave the Raiders a 27-17 victory over the San Diego Chargers on Sunday night.

“That’s what the kid brings to us,” coach Dennis Allen said. “Terrelle brings that ability when things aren’t right, when things break down, he brings that ability to make plays.”

Despite that ability that has Oakland fans as excited as they have been for years about their quarterback, Pryor apparently still has some doubters to win over. The Raiders (2-3) were reportedly one of the teams interested in signing Freeman before the former Tampa Bay quarterback reached a deal with Minnesota instead late Sunday night.

“I heard some of it and at the end of the day I can’t really control what I can’t control,” Pryor said. “Whatever happens, happens. No one’s going to work harder than me, so I try not to focus on things I can’t control.”

Charles Woodson tied an NFL record with his 13th defensive touchdown and then sealed the win with a late interception as the two most popular Raiders turned this rare late-night start into a celebration.

Philip Rivers had his third 400-yard passing game of the season, throwing for 411 yards and two touchdowns. But he also had three interceptions as the Chargers (2-3) turned the ball over five times in the loss.

Here are five things to take away from the Raiders win over the Chargers:

PRYOR’S PASSING: With his sprinter’s speed, few have doubted Pryor’s ability as a runner. It’s what he has done passing that has pleased the Raiders so much. Pryor completed his first 10 passes, including a 44-yard touchdown to Rod Streater and a 2-yarder to Denarius Moore to get Oakland off to the fast start. But his biggest play might have come in the fourth quarter with Oakland protecting a seven-point lead. He got away from pressure on third-and-14 to throw a 20-yard completion to Brice Butler that set up a field goal that gave the Raiders a two-score advantage.

“That’s one of the better things I do, create time,” said Pryor, who went 18 for 23 for 223 yards. “I’m always trying to get better in the pocket.”

PROLIFIC PHILIP: Rivers has adjusted well to new coach Mike McCoy’s offense, doubling his career total of 400-yard passing games in the past four weeks. But after playing mostly mistake-free the last three weeks, Rivers reverted to the quarterback who committed 47 turnovers the past two seasons, tied for the second most in the NFL over that span. He was intercepted on a deep pass by Usama Young on the opening drive to set up a touchdown and then threw an interception in the end zone to rookie D.J. Hayden with less than 2 minutes left. He added a third in the closing minute to overshadow his 411-yard passing day.

“It should have never come down to that,” Rivers said. “I’m not saying we should have won in an easy fashion. Those plays are obviously big, but when you dig the whole we dug then those are even bigger because you can’t afford any mistakes.

CHARLES IN CHARGE: When Woodson returned to Oakland as a free agent this offseason, the thought was he’d bring leadership to a young defense. The old guy showed he still has that knack for big plays. Woodson returned Danny Woodhead’s third-quarter fumble 25 yards for his 13th career defensive touchdown, tying the NFL record held by Darren Sharper and Rod Woodson. He then sealed the game with his first interception of the season, just minutes before turning 37.

“It just means I’ve been around the game a long time,” Woodson said of his record. “I’ve made a bunch of plays and I’m one of the greatest to ever play this game.”

LATE NIGHT: Much was made in the lead-up to the game about the late start that was necessary to allow time to convert the Coliseum to its football configuration after the Oakland Athletics played a baseball playoff game here Saturday night. The process took about 18 hours and was completed around 3:30 p.m. PDT, more than five hours before kickoff at 8:35 p.m. That was the latest start for a West Coast game in NFL history but it only enhanced the atmosphere at the sold-out Coliseum.

CLEAN KICKS: Much has been made of Oakland kicker Sebastian Janikowski’s early season troubles as he adjusts to new holder Marquette King after 13 seasons working with Shane Lechler. Janikowski missed three field-goal attempts in his first four games, including a 48-yarder in the opener and a 35-yarder in Week 2 against Jacksonville that ended a streak of 50 straight makes from less than 40 yards. Janikowski delivered two long field goals off the infield dirt, hitting a 47-yarder in the second quarter and a 50-yarder in the fourth that gave Oakland breathing room with a 27-17 lead.

his comment is somewhat disappointing...he doesn't have to say he's the greatest -he's a first ballot HOFer. let the wannabes do all the talking.

mgoblue93 wrote:

his comment is somewhat disappointing...he doesn't have to say he's the greatest -he's a first ballot HOFer. let the wannabes do all the talking.

I get your point but I like that he said it. Just the same as if a former O$U were to have said it. I guess it just doesn't bother.

Ricky Henderson said it in baseball.  Dion Sanders said it in football.  I have no problem with it.  

I hope he is a first ballot hall of famer, but I'm not sure he has ever gotten his due.

I have no problem with it either, especially since it's true.

I take issue with the fakes that say it that are just absurdly wrong.

While Charles has clearly matured an unbelievable amount off the field (primary example being everything he has, and continues to do, for Mott), he's the same old kid on it.

Remember what he said after the Ohio State game in '97 to the camera that was following him on the field?

"I make plays, baby. I make plays."

No one will ever replace Chuck as my favorite football player of all time. No one.

fishgoblue22 wrote:

Ricky Henderson said it in baseball.  Dion Sanders said it in football.  I have no problem with it.  

I hope he is a first ballot hall of famer, but I'm not sure he has ever gotten his due.

Here are just a few other quotes by athletes that are some of the best to ever compete in their respective sports.

“[Magic Johnson and Larry Bird are] 6-(feet)-9 and Jordan was 6-6 and a half. If they were all 6-1, it wouldn't even be a question. They wouldn't even fucking rate. If they were all my size, shit, they wouldn't even be talked about. I beat the shit out of them when they were that big. If we were all the same size, fuck.” - Isiah Thomas

"I never threw an illegal pitch. The trouble is, once in a while I toss one that ain't never been seen by this generation." - Satchel Paige

"I'll fight any man, any animal, if Jesus were here I'd fight him too." - Mike Tyson

"I'm like a superhero. Call me Basketball Man." - LeBron James

"I can get a title shot any time I want to. They know I can beat 110% of the champions out there right now. I just have to be motivated. Most of them are going to be trying to not give me a shot." - Roy Jones Jr.

"It's called talent. I just have it. I can't explain it. You either have it or you don't." - Barry Bonds.

"I told you all I was going to be No. 1, and I did just that." - Usain Bolt

"God sent me to Earth to show people how to play football." - Cristiano Ronaldo

"I'm not the greatest, I'm the double greatest. Not only do I knock 'em out, I pick the round." - Muhammad Ali

Charles Woodson is, in fact, one of the greatest DBs to ever step onto a football field. He is still the only primarily defensive player to win a Heisman Trophy. He is a 7 time All-Pro. He has a Super Bowl Ring. He has a Defensive MVP. I have no problem with the quote.

Admin, you need to do this. Your man-crush dictates it...

http://michigantoday.umich.edu/2011/11/story.php?id=8093#.UlO5R53D8dU

Line-by-line reply to ADmin:

Admin wrote:

I have no problem with it either, especially since it's true.

As the former coach (Bill Curry?  Frank Broyles?) who was commentator during his highlight-reel INT at MSU said: "It ain't braggin' if you can do it."

Admin wrote:

I take issue with the fakes that say it that are just absurdly wrong.

My dad always said about co-workers, and could also have said about those sort of athletes: "If you have to continually reiterate,
speaking or writing, how good you are---it must not be very obvious."

Admin wrote:

While Charles has clearly matured an unbelievable amount off the field (primary example being everything he has, and continues to do, for Mott), he's the same old kid on it.

 
Kudos for his support of Mott.

Admin wrote:

Remember what he said after the Ohio State game in '97 to the camera that was following him on the field?
"I make plays, baby. I make plays."

I remember the following quote more: (On David Boston's prediction OSU would win that game by 2-3 TDs): "I felt like a father
chastising his son...for running his mouth to the wrong people."

Admin wrote:

No one will ever replace Chuck as my favorite football player of all time. No one.

Amen here, bro'...

Greatest College Football Player I have ever seen.

My favorite player of all time is Anthony Carter for many reasons:

1) 3 time All American

2) Picked for an SI all time college team

3) His incredible skill set played a part in getting Bo to open up the offense.

4) The joy in playing that he exhibited.

But Charles Woodson is the best college player I have ever seen.

'shoes

michmike....it was Bill Curry on that INT call. So you were right with your first guess!