Post by lazarus on Jun 15, 2003 10:38:41 GMT -5
Raiders Notes: Charles Woodson wants more money -- now
By Gregg Bell -- Bee Staff Writer
Published 2:15 a.m. PDT Saturday, June 14, 2003
ALAMEDA -- Now that the Raiders have completed their offseason hocus-pocus, somehow rearranging their money to get under a salary cap that many thought would force them into mediocrity this season, the AFC champions can kick back and ... figure out how -- or whether -- to give Charles Woodson more money.
The four-time Pro Bowl cornerback used the conclusion of the Raiders' third minicamp practice Friday afternoon to declare that he wants a new contract -- and he wants it now.
He wants to avoid playing out his current deal (which will pay him a base salary of $2.4 million this season), then entering the uncertainty of free agency.
"I want to be here," Woodson said of the only NFL team for which he has played. "I would love for them to make that commitment to me the way I made that commitment to them."
Woodson said his agent, Carl Poston, and the Raiders have started negotiations on a new deal. Raiders senior assistant Bruce Allen, who negotiates the team's contracts, said he does not publicly discuss negotiations.
Allen did say, however, "Charles is obviously a marquee player -- not only for us but the entire NFL."
At 26, Woodson is heading into his sixth season still young enough in NFL years to be considered in his prime. But because of injuries, last season was by far the most frustrating and least productive of his career.
Woodson broke his right shoulder defending an end-zone pass Sept. 15 at Pittsburgh. That cost him four games.
After he returned for a Nov. 3 game against the 49ers, Woodson played through hamstring and groin pulls. The result was opposing receivers breaking through his usually tight coverage in the next five games. Then, a broken leg cost him all but one drive of the final three regular-season games.
And even though he started Super Bowl XXXVII and had a first-quarter interception, Woodson admitted Friday that he was far from 100 percent for that game.
Woodson, however, sees last season as an aberration -- not evidence of reduced effectiveness.
"They know about the injuries," he said of the Raiders. "I know about the injuries. Everybody knows about the injuries. I'm still one of the top players in the game."
Woodson said he heard offseason rumors that the Raiders might trade him. The most prominent talk linked him to Dallas for a first-round draft choice.
Allen and Raiders coach Bill Callahan denied the rumors.
"It's insulting," Callahan said before April's draft. "He's started in four Pro Bowls. It's unconscionable to me that Charles Woodson would be mentioned in that process."
Woodson said he grew tired of the trade talk -- and the lack of confirmation from the Raiders that it was unfounded. He also said Poston told him there was no truth to the scuttlebutt.
"My only thing was, Let me know up-front what's going on," Woodson said. "I didn't want to be in the streets and finding out there."
Plans for Buchanon -- Phillip Buchanon, last year's top draft pick, was back returning punts and playing cornerback this week. He appears fully recovered from the broken wrist that ended his rookie season after six games.
Defensive coordinator Chuck Bresnahan said he is planning to use Buchanon a lot more as a fifth defensive back to cover inside "slot" receivers, leaving Woodson and this year's No. 1 pick, Nnamdi Asomugha, on the corners.
"Yeah, we feel like (Buchanon) can shut people down," Bresnahan said.
Williams still out -- Starting tight end Roland Williams watched minicamp wearing a warmup suit instead of a helmet. He had surgery on his left knee and the big toe of his left foot in February. He said he expects to return "in a couple of months."
That likely would make 2002 rookie wonder Doug Jolley the starter for the Sept. 7 regular-season opener at Tennessee.
---------------------------------------------------------
About the Writer
---------------------------
The Bee's Gregg Bell can be reached at gbell@sacbee.com.
By Gregg Bell -- Bee Staff Writer
Published 2:15 a.m. PDT Saturday, June 14, 2003
ALAMEDA -- Now that the Raiders have completed their offseason hocus-pocus, somehow rearranging their money to get under a salary cap that many thought would force them into mediocrity this season, the AFC champions can kick back and ... figure out how -- or whether -- to give Charles Woodson more money.
The four-time Pro Bowl cornerback used the conclusion of the Raiders' third minicamp practice Friday afternoon to declare that he wants a new contract -- and he wants it now.
He wants to avoid playing out his current deal (which will pay him a base salary of $2.4 million this season), then entering the uncertainty of free agency.
"I want to be here," Woodson said of the only NFL team for which he has played. "I would love for them to make that commitment to me the way I made that commitment to them."
Woodson said his agent, Carl Poston, and the Raiders have started negotiations on a new deal. Raiders senior assistant Bruce Allen, who negotiates the team's contracts, said he does not publicly discuss negotiations.
Allen did say, however, "Charles is obviously a marquee player -- not only for us but the entire NFL."
At 26, Woodson is heading into his sixth season still young enough in NFL years to be considered in his prime. But because of injuries, last season was by far the most frustrating and least productive of his career.
Woodson broke his right shoulder defending an end-zone pass Sept. 15 at Pittsburgh. That cost him four games.
After he returned for a Nov. 3 game against the 49ers, Woodson played through hamstring and groin pulls. The result was opposing receivers breaking through his usually tight coverage in the next five games. Then, a broken leg cost him all but one drive of the final three regular-season games.
And even though he started Super Bowl XXXVII and had a first-quarter interception, Woodson admitted Friday that he was far from 100 percent for that game.
Woodson, however, sees last season as an aberration -- not evidence of reduced effectiveness.
"They know about the injuries," he said of the Raiders. "I know about the injuries. Everybody knows about the injuries. I'm still one of the top players in the game."
Woodson said he heard offseason rumors that the Raiders might trade him. The most prominent talk linked him to Dallas for a first-round draft choice.
Allen and Raiders coach Bill Callahan denied the rumors.
"It's insulting," Callahan said before April's draft. "He's started in four Pro Bowls. It's unconscionable to me that Charles Woodson would be mentioned in that process."
Woodson said he grew tired of the trade talk -- and the lack of confirmation from the Raiders that it was unfounded. He also said Poston told him there was no truth to the scuttlebutt.
"My only thing was, Let me know up-front what's going on," Woodson said. "I didn't want to be in the streets and finding out there."
Plans for Buchanon -- Phillip Buchanon, last year's top draft pick, was back returning punts and playing cornerback this week. He appears fully recovered from the broken wrist that ended his rookie season after six games.
Defensive coordinator Chuck Bresnahan said he is planning to use Buchanon a lot more as a fifth defensive back to cover inside "slot" receivers, leaving Woodson and this year's No. 1 pick, Nnamdi Asomugha, on the corners.
"Yeah, we feel like (Buchanon) can shut people down," Bresnahan said.
Williams still out -- Starting tight end Roland Williams watched minicamp wearing a warmup suit instead of a helmet. He had surgery on his left knee and the big toe of his left foot in February. He said he expects to return "in a couple of months."
That likely would make 2002 rookie wonder Doug Jolley the starter for the Sept. 7 regular-season opener at Tennessee.
---------------------------------------------------------
About the Writer
---------------------------
The Bee's Gregg Bell can be reached at gbell@sacbee.com.