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Oakland Raiders’ Fans Had Part in Landing Charles Woodson

May 23rd, 2013 at 9:44 AM
By Nick Gill

'Charles Woodson' photo (c) 2009, Mike Morbeck - license: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0/ No matter where the team is in the standings or going in the future, Raidernation stands up. The Oakland Raiders are coming off a tough 4-12 year and a significant playoff drought since 2002. However, that has not deterred the silver and black fans from coming out to show Charles Woodson how much they would love to have him back in Oakland.

“I’ll tell you man, it was overwhelming,” Woodson said in a conference call with the media. “I think that if at any time I’d ever forgotten what the love was like in Oakland, I was definitely reminded yesterday.”

Upwards of 100 Raider faithful met Woodson when he landed to meet with the team. He was drafted by the Raiders in the 1998 NFL Draft and played his first eight NFL season in Oakland. He made four Pro Bowls as well as being a key cog in three straight playoff appearances from 2000-2002, which included a Super Bowl trip. With that kind of success, Woodson is a fan favorite and that support helped him choose the Raiders.

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Charles Woodson Brings Leadership and Experience to Oakland Raiders’ Defense

May 22nd, 2013 at 7:10 PM
By Nick Gill

When Charles Woodson decided to return to the Oakland Raiders yesterday, it said a great deal about the credibility general manager Reggie McKenzie is gaining. Woodson had other opportunities, but choose to get back to his roots. Now his greatest value to the franchise will be his experience and leadership.

Last season, the Raiders had veterans like Richard Seymour and Michael Huff to serve as the voice of the defense. Both are gone and Woodson along with Tyvon Branch are the players setting the standard. Woodson is a Super Bowl champion, a Defensive Player of the Year, and a seven time Pro Bowl selection. That spells respect for a defense that is coming off a brutal year. So much turnover has occurred on the defensive side of the ball. Woodson has the pedigree and accolades to become the example for other players.

The 15 year veteran also brings his plethora of experience. Woodson was one of the game changers at the cornerback position. His intelligence, athleticism, and ball hawking skills were the gold standard in the NFL. He has 55 career interceptions; 11 of which he returned for touchdowns. He has forced 24 fumbles and recovered 10 in those years. With that type of production and the respect it brings with him to Oakland, Woodson can serve as the glue that brings this piecemeal defense together.

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Oakland Raiders Agree to Deal with Charles Woodson

May 21st, 2013 at 7:27 PM
By Nick Gill

Chuck is back. The Oakland Raiders and free agent Charles Woodson agreed to a one year deal today. Woodson was welcomed by Raider nation fans after visiting with the team today and hours later the parties came to an agreement.

Woodson played the first eight years of his career for the silver and black after he was selected by the team with the fourth overall selection in the 1998 NFL Draft. The Associated Press named him the Defensive Rookie of the year at the end of the season. The former Heisman Trophy winner and Defensive Player of the year in 2009 is an eight time Pro Bowl selection and was the man that forced the fumble on Tom Brady that led to the infamous Tuck Rule debacle.

During free agency Woodson left Oakland for a big money deal with the Green Bay Packers. He spent seven seasons there including a Super Bowl XLV championship. Now he returns to Oakland and brings his 55 career interceptions with him. He will be penciled in as a starting safety adding another piece to the revamped secondary. General manager Reggie McKenzie continues to use his connections as the former director of player personnel for the Green Bay Packer to lure former Packers to Oakland.

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Oakland Raiders QB Matt Flynn Focused on Improving to Solidify Starting Job

May 21st, 2013 at 2:57 PM
By Nick Gill

As the Oakland Raiders embark on their first organized team activity session this week, eyes will be on the quarterback position. General manager Reggie McKenzie said that Matt Flynn would begin the offseason program as the starter. Now Flynn wants to improve to stay in that position while holding off the competition.

“What we do from here on out is who plays the best,” Flynn said after the first OTA practice. “So somebody’s got to take the first one. There can only be one quarterback on the field. My job is to go out there and play the best that I can, compete with myself. Be better tomorrow than I was today.”

The contenders for the starting quarterback role are Flynn, Terrelle Pryor, and Tyler Wilson. All three are very inexperienced so reps and playbook knowledge will be crucial. All three are on level ground as far as the offensive system. Greg Olson replaced Greg Knapp as offensive coordinator so all three quarterbacks are starting from square one.

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Oakland Raiders Begin Organized Team Activities Today

May 20th, 2013 at 8:21 AM
By Nick Gill

After the Oakland Raiders held their rookie mini-camp two weekends ago, the entire team will join for organized team activities or OTAs today. With so much roster turnover this offseason, Monday will be the first time all of the team is together at their first practice.

Because of all the change that has taken place for the Raiders, this may be a more anticipated gathering. Reggie McKenzie has said Matt Flynn will start at quarterback this offseason as that competition begins. The Raiders are also trying to transition into using multiple defenses which will take time to acclimate. New offensive coordinator Greg Olson will get his first chance to introduce his offense to the team. All these factors will be put on the forefront during the three day practice session.

It will be telling who lines up with the first team at several open competition position battles. The Raiders have a plethora of position battles and although starting OTAs does not assure an opening day start, it is telling where the coaches believe the players are in the process. Tight end, free safety, and linebacker are the most interesting position battles awaiting the Raiders as well as quarterback.

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