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09/09 16:04 CDT Packers sign Woodson to contract extension

Packers sign Woodson to contract extension

By CHRIS JENKINS AP Sports Writer GREEN BAY, Wis. (AP) -- The Green Bay Packers signed cornerback Charles Woodson to a contract extension through the 2014 season on Thursday, a deal that will likely allow the 2009 AP Defensive Player of the Year to retire as a Packer. The 33-year-old Woodson signed a five-year contract that is worth as much as $55 million, a person familiar with the deal told The Associated Press. The person, who spoke on the condition of anonymity because financial details of the contract were not released, said Woodson can make $20 million in advances and bonuses and about $33.5 million in the first three years of the new deal. "The mission at this point is to retire here," Woodson said. "It's a big deal." And Woodson wants to bring a championship to Green Bay before it's all over. "I mean, we've got it here," Woodson said. "We've got the players to get it done. We've got the coaching staff to get it done. It's all going to rest on our shoulders, on the players to go out there and get it done. Our mission as a team is to get there and I think we can do it." Woodson had three seasons left on his existing deal. But his standout play, combined with a recent new deal for New York Jets cornerback Darrelle Revis, likely compelled the Packers to act. He had a career-high nine interceptions last season and was the cornerstone of a much-improved defense under coordinator Dom Capers. "I love the defense," Woodson said. "I can't say enough about playing in the 3-4 and playing for Dom Capers. All of those things combined brings us to this point. I'm very happy about this moment." Woodson came to Green Bay as an unrestricted free agent before the 2006 season, but he wasn't enthusiastic about the move at the time. Known as something of a malcontent in Oakland, Woodson didn't have many other offers on the table, so he went to the Packers. He didn't have a positive perception of the town or the team coming in, but he came around eventually. "It was a gradual thing," Woodson said. "I think probably the more people that I met around here in the community and just throughout Wisconsin and just playing here with the guys that we have and the organization and the way they are with their players and the way they take care of their players, it was a gradual process. Once I realized what I had here in Green Bay, then it was a done deal from there." Today, he is seen as a leader in the defense and mentor to young players. "He's like a big brother to all of us," safety Nick Collins said. "If he's getting a new contract, congrats, it's well-deserved." ___ AP Sports Writer Larry Lage in Detroit contributed to this report.