Could Charles Woodson be a player the New Orleans Saints bring in?

Oct 14, 2012; Houston, TX, USA; Green Bay Packers safety Charles Woodson (21) against the Houston Texans in the fourth quarter at Reliant Stadium. The Packers defeated the Texans 42-24. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports

Safety Charles Woodson was informed by the Green Bay Packers yesterday that he will no longer be in their plans for the secondary.  This begs the question if he could be in the plans for the New Orleans Saints.

It could be a mere “window shopping” thought on Woodson but I’m sure the thought has crossed the minds of Saints fans and at least considered it before either crossing their fingers that he’ll come to New Orleans or bid him good luck in his future, just not here.

But everyone has been clamoring for the team to sign Baltimore Ravens safety Ed Reed who is set to be a free agent on March 12th so why not consider Woodson to be in the mix?

Like Reed, Woodson’s name has been intermingled in conversation with possibly being the next Darren Sharper style pickup for the Saints.  Sharper breathed life into the defense in 2009 as a free safety and became a serious aggravation to opposing quarterbacks and showed his veteran instinct in every game.

Woodson does have the same veteran profile and is just as deadly in the ball-hawking area as Sharper and Reed as well as being a leader on defense in the secondary just as he was with the Packers.  It’s two areas that were painfully lacking for the Saints this past season.

Another bonus is that Woodson has spent time at both the cornerback and strong safety position in his career and made the jump to safety just this past year as well as playing some in the nickel cornerback position.

The only issues that exist for Woodson are his age and his durability.  He is 36 and will turn 37 this October.  Woodson also has battled injuries including two broken collarbones the past two seasons and hamstring issues littered in with that.

Another problem that presents itself is what Woodson will be looking for in a free agent contract.  The Saints are about $16.6 million over their salary cap and may not be able to afford him if he’s looking to get that one last big deal before he retires.

Still Woodson should get several looks from teams who are in need of a cornerback or safety that can make plays and the Saints could very well be one of them.