hats wrong with Charles Woodson?

Joe Whitt has heard the question, and the Green Bay Packers cornerbacks coach understands why.

His star player who won the NFLs defensive player of the year award last season hasnt made the kind of eye-opening plays he did last season, when he tied for the league lead with nine interceptions, three of which he returned for touchdowns, and forced five fumbles (including the playoffs).

Through seven games, Woodson has just one interception, although he did return it 48 yards for a touchdown in Week 4 against Detroit, and two forced fumbles.

He hasnt played poorly, Whitt said on Friday. Hes actually played better than he did last year.

When asked how that was possible, Whitt pointed to Woodsons coverage. Last season, according to STATS, an independent sports data and statistical services, Woodson gave up completions 47.6 percent of the time teams threw at him. While Whitt said he didnt have Woodsons up-to-date numbers, he said they are better than last season.

I hear everybody saying hes having a down year, Whitt said. Hes covered better. Hes given up less plays than he did last year. Wood gave up some plays last year, but he made so many splash plays that he just overwhelmed them. Hes just not making the splash plays like he did last year.

In addition to the lack of game-changing plays, two things stand out about Woodsons play. He already has been penalized nine times one more than he had all of last season, when he led the defense in that category and he has been on the ground far more than in the past. One of the basic rules of football is to stay on your feet.

The penalties have been a source of frustration, according to his coaches and teammates, and there are indications that the toe injury that has kept Woodson from practicing much of this season is worse than anyone knows. Woodson may also be dealing with other physical problems, although he rarely talks about injuries. He wasnt in the Packers locker room Friday when it was open to reporters.

I havent asked him (about his health), Whitt said. I have a policy that if youre going to play on game day, were not going to make any excuses. Youve got to play.

Whatever Woodsons health problems are, he seems more bothered by the penalties than anything else. Woodson was furious over the pass interference penalty that was called on Packers rookie Morgan Burnett late in the Week 3 loss at Chicago. After that game, he said, Its such an offensive-minded league that you can just throw a ball up on a play and if we touch a guy remotely, then they call a penalty, and thats got to change.

Two weeks later against Washington, Woodson was penalized three times for illegal contact, illegal use of hands and pass interference. The week after that against Miami, Woodson was called for two penalties illegal contact and holding while covering receiver Brandon Marshall, who finished with 10 catches for 127 yards (not all against Woodson).

Hes been very frustrated, Packers coach Mike McCarthy said. Like against Brandon Marshall, the guy throws us like three times, then (Woodson) gets up and gets called for it. He is a little bit marked. Its happened too many times. He feels a little marked because of his style of play.

The Packers believe that began last season in the playoffs, when referee Scott Greens crew warned Woodson before the wild-card game at Arizona that they would be watching for his physical play. Twice, Woodson allowed touchdowns when a Cardinals receiver knocked him over.

When hes getting pushed around and things are happening to him and then he does the same thing and hes getting flagged for it, its frustrating, Whitt said. Mentally, it puts him in a position where, how can he play the game where he feels the receiver is gaining an advantage over him? Its difficult for him. He loves this game and is passionate about it and when he feels like hes being slighted, hes a prideful man.

Tramon Williams, who starts at the cornerback spot opposite Woodson, has noticed his running mates frustration but believes hes over it now and will start playing like he did last season.

I think at one point he may have been frustrated because it took him out of his game a couple weeks in a row, Williams said. Its kind of unfair how the game has shifted to obviously more offensive oriented with the calls. But I think hes going to come out and play, and hes going to be the guy hes been.

If the Packers are going to overcome all of their injury woes, they probably need Woodson to play like, well, Woodson.

I wish he would make those splash plays because hes capable, and thats what this defense needs from him, Whitt said. In my opinion, he cant play good. He has to play great. Thats what my standard is for him, and thats what his standard is for himself. For him to play like an average guy is good for some guys. Its great for some guys. But not Charles Woodson.