Hall of Famer Woodson joins Raiders' staff as CBs coach

[Kulluminatii]

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The Oakland Raiders added a Hall of Famer to their coaching staff Monday, hiring Rod Woodson to tutor their cornerbacks.

Woodson, one of the most accomplished defensive backs to play in the NFL, was selected to the league's 75th Anniversary Team. He played the final two of his 17 seasons with the Raiders, helping them win the 2002 AFC Championship Game.

"It's an honor to be back with the Raiders and be able to talk to Raider players about true football," Woodson said in a statement released by the team. "I'm looking forward to working with the organization and the challenges of the 2011 season."

Among Woodson's first responsibilities: Help convince three-time Pro Bowl cornerback Nnamdi Asomugha, whose contract was voided when he failed to reach certain performance incentives this season, to return to the Raiders. Asomugha became an unrestricted free agent in early January.

"Hopefully, Nnamdi will come back," Woodson told NFL Network's "NFL Total Access" on Monday. "I think we're going to do some different things this year on a defensive side, some more looks, some more things for the corners to make plays, get them to face the football, hopefully, a little bit more so they can get interceptions, so they can be playmakers for this defense. If we can do that, and if we can get a Nnamdi Asomugha back in Oakland, one of the best corners in the National Football League, it makes my job a lot easier."

Woodson had recently served as an analyst for NFL Network and Big Ten Network, but he decided to go into coaching.

"I've been thinking about coaching for quite a long time," he told "NFL Total Access." "I was offered a job when I first retired seven years ago, but after spending 17 years in the league, I wasn't ready to do it then. The last couple years, I've been thinking about it, talking to all my guys and friends who are coaching in the league, and I talked to (Raiders owner Al) Davis, and I talked to Hue (Jackson, the team's new head coach), and I was offered the job.

"I just didn't want to pass it up. I didn't want to live my life in regret, not having the opportunity -- or at least taking the opportunity to try this thing out. ... So I'm going to give it a shot and see how it works out."

Woodson spent the bulk of his playing career with the Pittsburgh Steelers, starring with them for 10 seasons. He was named The Associated Press' NFL Defensive Player of the Year for Pittsburgh in 1993 and helped the Steelers reach the Super Bowl following the 1995 season.

Woodson also spent one season with the San Francisco 49ers and four with the Baltimore Ravens, winning the Super Bowl with the latter following the 2000 season.

Woodson was voted to 11 Pro Bowls and the 1990s all-decade team, and he was selected a first-team All-Pro six times as a cornerback, safety or kick returner.

"I'm excited that we have a Hall of Fame player who is coming back to the organization," Jackson said in the team-issued statement. "I was extremely impressed during the interview process with his communication skills, and I'm looking forward to Rod imparting his wealth of knowledge to our players."

Woodson told "NFL Total Access" that he hoped to give his players a "first-person take of it, on what I did on the field, things I enjoyed doing to make it successful to get balls in my hands, and hopefully they can do that, and if I can do that, we'll have a better secondary."

He also said: "Everybody has a different tool belt. Some guys have a lot of tools in their tool belt, some guys don't. I think what I have to do is give those guys more tools on their tool belt so when they get on to game day, they can perform. And put them in positions they're comfortable with to make plays."

Woodson's 71 career interceptions rank third in NFL history. He is the career leader in interception returns for touchdowns (12) and interception-return yardage (1,483).

Woodson will work in Oakland's secondary with Kevin Ross, who is coaching the safeties.

The Raiders haven't announced who their defensive coordinator will be next season. Chuck Bresnahan, who was defensive coordinator when Woodson played in Oakland, is on staff as a defensive assistant and is a likely candidate.

Interesting move by Al...would be surprised if Woodson could convince Nnamdi to stay, but even if he can't, I'd love to see what he could do with our younger CBs.

[thunderkyss]

I think he'll make an excellent coach. He really understood the game.

[thunderkyss]

I wonder if we interviewed him for our position.

[Kulluminatii]

Originally Posted by thunderkyss

I think he'll make an excellent coach. He really understood the game.

I hope he turns out to be great, but history has shown great players rarely translate into great coaches. Then again, Rod is starting small at the position he knows best...so maybe in a few years time we'll see him take on a bigger role...and hell maybe he'll be a HC some day .

[thunderkyss]

Originally Posted by Kulluminatii

I hope he turns out to be great, but history has shown great players rarely translate into great coaches. Then again, Rod is starting small at the position he knows best...so maybe in a few years time we'll see him take on a bigger role...and hell maybe he'll be a HC some day .

I think it's about finding your niche... Dungy turned out to be a pretty good HC. Haslett (IMHO) is a pretty good DC.

Rod may never want to step beyond position coach, but if he addresses it the way he addressed his playing career, he could very well be the best secondary coach there ever was.

[BigBull17]

Originally Posted by thunderkyss

I wonder if we interviewed him for our position.

Uh, hello, he has never been a Bronco, or a friend or relative of Gary. No chance in hell...

[HOU-TEX]

Whatever it takes to get him off NFLN, I'm happy. Couldn't stand his mouth when he was with the Steelers and it didn't improve when he tried to sabbatage my favorite channel by his mumbling and bumbling.

However, Torry Holt's not doing much better. I sure hope they keep looking. Between Holt's poor speech and a middle finger that's perpendicular to the others....I'll pass.

[Mr teX]

YUCK!

[drs23]

Originally Posted by HOU-TEX

Whatever it takes to get him off NFLN, I'm happy. Couldn't stand his mouth when he was with the Steelers and it didn't improve when he tried to sabbatage my favorite channel by his mumbling and bumbling.

However, Torry Holt's not doing much better. I sure hope they keep looking. Between Holt's poor speech and a middle finger that's perpendicular to the others....I'll pass.

I agree completely. When I see Holt's mug on the screen I'm on the mute button. Can't stand listening him talk. The NFLN needs to find someone else for that seat.

[Double Barrel]

Originally Posted by thunderkyss

I think he'll make an excellent coach. He really understood the game.

I agree completely. I think his attention to detail and worth ethic will help any secondary that he's working with.

Originally Posted by HOU-TEX

Whatever it takes to get him off NFLN, I'm happy. Couldn't stand his mouth when he was with the Steelers and it didn't improve when he tried to sabbatage my favorite channel by his mumbling and bumbling.

That's funny, because I have the exact opposite opinion. Woodson is one of my favorite analysts on All Access, and I will miss his presence.

As always, though, to each his own.

[HOU-TEX]

Originally Posted by Double Barrel

I agree completely. I think his attention to detail and worth ethic will help any secondary that he's working with.



That's funny, because I have the exact opposite opinion. Woodson is one of my favorite analysts on All Access, and I will miss his presence.

As always, though, to each his own.

Admittedly, my stance on him being on NFLTA might be a bit bias from his Steelers days. Every time we played them he had some smartass comment to make about the Oilers. He was an arrogant prick.

*ahem* Would've liked to have him on my team though

[Texecutioner]

Originally Posted by Double Barrel

I agree completely. I think his attention to detail and worth ethic will help any secondary that he's working with.



That's funny, because I have the exact opposite opinion. Woodson is one of my favorite analysts on All Access, and I will miss his presence.

As always, though, to each his own.

Yeah, I don't get the hate on Woodson at all as an analyst. He speaks well and I have always enjoyed hearing his takes. As a player I hated him so badly when he was on the Steelers. He used to kill the Oilers back in the day. By the time he retired though and was out of the Oilers hairs he became my favorite DB of all time. The guy was great at CB and at safety.

[Texecutioner]

Originally Posted by HOU-TEX

Admittedly, my stance on him being on NFLTA might be a bit bias from his Steelers days. Every time we played them he had some smartass comment to make about the Oilers. He was an arrogant prick.

*ahem* Would've liked to have him on my team though

So it would have been okay if he would have been that same guy on the Oilers and made the same types of comments about other team rivals? Pretty hypocritical then I'd say. It's okay if our players are acting that way, but when other team's players are they're D-Bags?

[HOU-TEX]

Originally Posted by Texecutioner

So it would have been okay if he would have been that same guy on the Oilers and made the same types of comments about other team rivals? Pretty hypocritical then I'd say. It's okay if our players are acting that way, but when other team's players are they're D-Bags?

Dude, it was a joke. Hop off your little high horse

He was a dick and always will be a dick. Talented? Yes, but still a dick

[Texecutioner]

Originally Posted by HOU-TEX

Dude, it was a joke. Hop off your little high horse

He was a dick and always will be a dick. Talented? Yes, but still a dick

Still have not gotten any real description as to why he was "a dick" but whatever. Carry on.

[El Tejano]

I would like to see us atleast ask Aaron Glenn if he'd like to coach DBs.