Charles Woodson was brought back to the Oakland Raiders to not only be a true threat on defensive, but bring veteran leadership to a team going through a long rebuilding process. After being released from the Green Bay Packers and sitting on the free agent market for a long time, Woodson agreed to join back with the team where his career begun. As a well-established veteran of the league, the cornerback is making his presence known to every player.
At 36, Woodson could have easily called it a career after the Packers opted not to have him back. On the older side of the NFL, interest was low and he actually considered retirement before the Raiders made a contract offer. Now after going through OTAs and minicamps, Woodson is teaching the young players that age is simply a number and a not a dictator of skills.
"He's a veteran guy. A lot of guys look up to him. So, just seeing him out there and taking contract, seeing guys look up to him on the defense. I don't think it's the age that really matters. He's the type of guy, he's going out there and getting it in and doing what he's supposed to do. So, it's about how you go out there and handle yourself," Darren McFadden said.
The Raiders are certainly a much different team than when Woodson was originally with them. Now with Reggie McKenzie committed as general manager and Dennis Allen now head coach, Woodson recognizes a new attitude with the team. Woodson believes that Allen's attitude and goal of winning is what is helping change the team.
"Here, I really see, probably a new attitude from where they've been previously. You have a head coach who's in his second year, and he's trying to establish that winning mindset around here. But for us, if we come out and practice in a way that's going to help us go out there and win games it won't really matter what anybody else says.
Entering into his 17th season with the NFL, Woodson certainly would have preferred to sign with a Super Bowl contending team, but that simply was not an option. He says that while no one else may be giving the team a shot to compete in 2013, the players are taking the attitude that winning multiple games is a goal well within their reach.