Looking For Work, Woodson Plans Private Combine Nfl Great Wants To Prove He Can Still Play, Even At 32

Rod Woodson is one of the best cornerbacks ever. As a member of the National Football League’s 75th anniversary team, he has been honored as one of the best players ever. So why can’t the former Pittsburgh Steelers standout get a job?

Woodson is 32 years old and coming off knee problems, and while he is not the Woodson of old - the one who used to scare quarterbacks away from throwing to his side - he is still one of the top corners in the game and is considered an extremely hard worker and a class act.

Woodson is taking a very unusual step to answer any doubts about his health and fitness. He plans to hold a workout for teams at Purdue University (his alma mater) on June 2.

It is believed to be the first time a veteran of Woodson’s caliber has held such a workout. In effect, it is like a one-man combine. Except this is no rookie from a small college; this is a potential Hall of Famer.

“A big reason why things have been quiet for Rod in free agency this year is timing,” said his agent, Eugene Parker. “He had arthroscopic surgery on his knee after the Pro Bowl. As a result, I think teams had concerns about his health. The workout is to alleviate those concerns. Teams just want to see where he is.”

Several teams believe Woodson can still play. Representatives of Cincinnati, San Francisco, Tampa Bay, Jacksonville and Carolina will attend the workout, and it is believed that almost a dozen teams in all may send personnel to watch.

The Bengals may make the biggest play for Woodson because they have more room under the salary cap than most other teams in the league, and their coaches know Woodson well.

“There is no question he can still play and is one of the best corners in the league,” said Bengals defensive coordinator Dick LeBeau, who coached Woodson for five years when both where with the Steelers.

And don’t think the workout date of June 2 is arbitrary. One day earlier, teams will be trimming their rosters because June 1 is the day they can let big-ticket salaries go without a huge salary cap hit.

Teams that are interested in Woodson will then have money to spend on him.