The crowning achievement in Rod Woodson's career left him more motivated than satisfied.
Winning that elusive Super Bowl rewarded a 14-year chase for that championship moment yet fueled his desire to return in the process.
Woodson will place his Super Bowl ring in a drawer after Saturday's ring ceremony and keep the Hall of Fame speech on hold. This season, it's all about repeating as champion and pursuing some personal redemption.
"I'm hungrier this year than I was last year," said Woodson, who worked out with the team yesterday for the first time since the Super Bowl. "I don't think I played that good last year. I was consistent, but I wasn't great.
"I didn't make enough big plays when the team needed them. I didn't do a lot of that last year when it had to be done. Throughout the season, personally, I made an impact, but not the way I wanted to. That brings a hunger."
But Woodson's standards are higher than most.
The cornerback-turned-safety was named to the NFL's 75th anniversary team two years ago and the NFL's All-Decade Team for the 1990s. He is a nine-time Pro Bowl pick, a six-time All-Pro. He has 58 career interceptions, which ties him for eighth all time and leads active players.
As the senior member of the Ravens' record-setting defense last year, Woodson ranked fifth on the team with 82 tackles to go along with four interceptions and 10 passes broken up. In the playoffs, he was the Ravens' second-leading tackler with 23 stops.
"His coming back shows the drive that he has to be the best," defensive coordinator Marvin Lewis said. "Once again, I think he's climbed to the pinnacle of his profession, both at position and now obviously at team stature. He just thrives at competition and working to be the best."
During the Super Bowl run, the Ravens looked to Woodson as a leader and an inspiration.
Four days before the game, Lewis put a Sun article on an overhead projector at a team meeting that told of Woodson's sole desire to play - his quest for a ring. So when the Ravens make their visit to the White House today, it's no surprise that Woodson was selected as the player representative greeting President Bush.
"I told him in the Super Bowl, I'd do anything in my power to get you this ring," middle linebacker Ray Lewis said. "Just to see him get that is a great reward for him ... at this time in his career. It was just heartwarming to see a guy have it all."
