Charles Woodson is once again part of Raider Nation. After seven years with the Green Bay Packers he has returned home to Oakland to the team he was drafted by in 1998 and where he played eight seasons with the Raiders. Woodson signed the one year deal on Tuesday worth $1.3 million with a $700,000 signing bonus. Including incentives, Woodson could make a maximum of $4.3 million in 2013.
Woodson did draw some interest this offseason by the Denver Broncos, Carolina Panthers, San Francisco 49ers, and New York Giants along with the Raiders. He even had a meeting in Denver before coming to Oakland and Broncos corner Champ Bailey called his trip to Oakland a ‘scare tactic’ as there was “no way he wanted to sign with Oakland.” Well, luckily for the Raiders, Bailey was wrong and Woodson indeed wanted a homecoming with the silver and black.
This is a signing Raiders fans were hoping for and it is a signing that has brought some excitement to the Raider Nation. Woodson was drafted back in 1998 in the first round as the fourth overall pick in the draft by the Raiders. He had a great career in Oakland and has been a fan favorite as he was part of the glory days of the Raiders last winning seasons. Hundreds of fans lined up outside Raiders headquarters for hours waiting the arrival of Woodson, and when he finally showed he expressed his appreciation.
The defensive back can help this team in more ways than one. While the Raiders aren’t getting the same Woodson they had before, they are gaining a veteran presence that can help improve the team in the long run. Woodson is one of the best defensive players in the game, and arguably a first ballot hall of famer. He was an All American, Big 10 Defensive Player of the Year, and won the Heisman trophy with Michigan in 1997. He is also one of only seven players in the NFL to win Defensive Rookie of the Year and Defensive Player of the Year. He also has a Superbowl ring, which he won with Green Bay in 2010. Woodson knows what it takes to win, he knows how to be a leader on the field, he knows the meaning of commitment to excellence, and he can greatly help a young defense.
The Raiders have a lot of new faces in their defense this year, and they are a younger team. Woodson can help develop these guys into the best players they can be and teach them how to play the game the right way. He can not only lead vocally, but also lead by example. Who wouldn’t want to work with an emulate a guy like Charles Woodson?
Despite the fact that Woodson is 36-years-old, and will turn 37 in October, he’s still able to play his position well and is an improvement in the secondary from last year. Last season, the Raiders secondary was weak to say the least, they got burned more times than not, but this year their secondary will consist of Woodson, 2013 first round draft choice D.J. Hayden, Tyvon Branch, and Tracy Porter.
Woodson is a 16-year NFL vet, highly respected in the league, and one of the best to play the game. His career has come full circle as he’s come back to where it all began and will once again don the silver and black proudly. Raider Nation hasn’t had much to be excited about this offseason, but this signing has brought just that to the fans. Welcome home C. Woodson.