![]() We just did it out of the 4-3 (as opposed to Pittsburgh's 3-4 base). So we called the fire zones and all that stuff. Remember, Marvin Lewis was our defensive coordinator, and he started in Pittsburgh. RW: "Looking at Baltimore, we really kind of ran the same system that we ran in Pittsburgh. I was making all the muscles around the knee stronger. Getting my knee bent up all the time and trying to get back to a physical form even though the knee was going to heal when it heals. Going through the rehab was pretty grueling. RW: "That's when I knew that I had a little toughness about me. Where does that recovery rank for you in terms of career milestones? But if nobody does, then we can ride this thing out.'" But if anybody else gets hurt, I'm going to have to put you on IR. But it started with Bill Cowher saying, 'You know what? I'm going to listen to you. Carnell Lake did a tremendous job moving from strong safety to playing corner, and we got back to the Super Bowl. "Obviously, if we had more injuries, if we had a ravaged secondary with injuries, they would have had to put me on IR to put more bodies on the active roster. He did leave that light at the end of the tunnel for me. I don't think any other coach in the league would have done that. As soon as he said four months, I started thinking, 'I can play.' Bill was open-minded enough to listen. On Monday, when Bill Cowher and I sat down, the team doctor said that's like a 4-6 month recovery period. I had no idea what the recovery period was for that injury. ![]() ![]() Looking back on what you went through after leaving Pittsburgh, what would your advice be for him? There are plenty of doubters as it relates to Ben Roethlisberger heading into the 2021 season. Woodson recently spoke with CBS Sports about Big Ben, his own history-making recovery, comparing the 2000 Ravens defense with his "Blitzburgh" units in Pittsburgh, and his role in the NFL Alumni's campaign to tackle COVID-19 vaccination hesitancy. Despite last year's success, Roethlisberger and the Steelers' late-season collapse led to outside doubts regarding Pittsburgh's future Hall of Fame quarterback. It's safe to say that Woodson understands what Ben Roethlisberger is going through. He made All-Pro two years later, his sixth such honor. He was part of the Ravens' historically dominant defense that led them to their first world title. He twice led the league in interceptions, a feat he never accomplished in Pittsburgh. After moving from cornerback to free safety, Woodson was named to four consecutive Pro Bowls. ![]() ![]() The short answer was yes, Woodson was still an elite player. That's why, after 10 glittering years with the Steelers, Woodson left Pittsburgh motivated to prove he still had it. The Steelers may not have been in that camp, but they didn't necessarily go to great lengths to keep the former Defensive Player of the Year that ensuing offseason. Many, however, thought Woodson's better days were behind him at age 31. The first NFL player to return the same season after undergoing major knee surgery, Woodson was selected to his seventh Pro Bowl in 1996, his first full season back from his injury. Rod Woodson knows a thing or two about being doubted. ![]()
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