Rod Woodson and Carnell Lake have been reunited in the Steel City as it was announced on Tuesday that the Pittsburgh Steelers former 1987 first-round draft pick will be serving as an intern for the rest of the offseason practices as well as in training camp.
Woodson, who spent 17 seasons in the NFL, coached the Oakland Raiders defensive backs in 2011, but was let go after just one season.
“It’s a privilege to come here and be around Mike Tomlin, a guy who in the near future is going to be one of the better coaches ever to coach in this league, Dick LeBeau, who everyone knows how knowledgeable he is, and Carnell Lake, who has done a tremendous job with these young guys his first few years,” Woodson told the Steelers website. “It’s great to be in this environment, a winning environment where I can learn a lot.”
Woodson won\’t have to introduce himself to one of the Steelers cornerbacks; however, as he coached cornerback DeMarcus Van Dyke during his rookie season with the Raiders in 2011. Van Dyke started four games as a rookie under Woodson, but like his coach, was released the following offseason.
During his time on the Steelers coaching staff, Lake really has made an impact, and it certainly won\’t hurt to have a Hall of Famer like Woodson around lending a hand. The Steelers spent two of their nine draft picks on defensive backs in safety Shamarko Thomas and cornerback Terry Hawthorne so any extra attention that both can get will be more than welcomed.
In addition to having Woodson around, Mark Kaboly of the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review reports Tuesday evening that former Steelers players Mike Tomczak, Jason Gildon and Rod Rutherford are also helping out this week during the mandatory mini camp that runs through Thursday.
