Raiders DB Charles Woodson to retire after 18th season

Even at Woodson’s advanced age of 39, Woodson returned to the Raiders where he has been an above average safety and mentor for three seasons. His final home game-and quite possibly the Raiders’ final home game in Oakland depending on if they move back to Los Angeles-will be Christmas Eve against the Chargers, while his final game will be January 3rd at Kansas City.

“I”™m very grateful that I was able to come back here and play for a second time around,” Woodson said. “I never intended on playing as long as I have, but this is the way it”™s happened and I”™m so grateful for it.”.

“I think it has more to do with how the independent doctors evaluate him and how our training staff works with them as far as the evaluation”, O’Brien said. “I woke up that morning and for whatever reason, I knew it. It was weird, actually, but I knew it at that point in time that this was going to be it”, he said.

-Should Charles Woodson not get an interception in his last two games, cornerback David Amerson essentially stole his chance to break a tie with Ken Riley.

Charles Woodson gave a holiday gift to his Oakland Raiders teammates and coaches this week. He played for the Raiders up until 2005, before he went to Green Bay in 2006. Marty Schottenheimer didn’t put much on him, as LaDainian Tomlinson – remember how much he loved playing in Oakland – ran 31 times for 131 yards and a touchdown, and Michael Turner ran 10 times for 37 yards and a TD.

Woodson spent seven years with the Packers and helped the team win Super Bowl XLV.

San Diego Chargers free safety Eric Weddle signs autographs after their win against the Miami Dolphins during the second half in an NFL football game Sunday, Dec. 20, 2015, in San Diego. Woodson was the NFL’s defensive player of the year in 2009 and built a statistical resume that will likely earn him first ballot induction to the Pro Football Hall of Fame. “I’m happy to be out there, make plays when I can and try to do my job”.

While Oakland fans surely appreciate the opportunity to honor and enjoy Woodson one last time, so does the organization. He has five interceptions this year despite an injured shoulder.

“It certainly won’t be the same for me”, said quarterback Philip Rivers, whose voice cracked Sunday when talking after the game. With the Packers, he would go on to win a Super Bowl.

Said Gannon: “Jon Gruden made a deal with him”. He was pulled toward the end of Sunday’s game, but Musgrave said that was because the team liked having J’Marcus Webb back at guard and Khalif Barnes in at tackle as they went to a pass-happy offense trying to comeback. But he decided he wanted to spend more time with his family, his winery and perhaps start a TV career. “One thing I’ll tell those guys when I talk to them is if it’s the last game here in Oakland, make it the best”. Rivers threw for four touchdowns and no interceptions in San Diego’s previous victory on November 29. “I’m sure it will be pretty revved up”.

Although the Raiders’ playoff push saw the final nail in the coffin in the hands of his former team, Woodson has seen the lowly Raiders franchise ascend from pure dilapidation, to unquestioned competence.