Woodson may miss opener to learn new defense
ESPN.com news services
NAPA, Calif. -- Charles Woodson has yet to reach an agreement with the Oakland Raiders, but he reportedly will end his holdout.
His agent, Carl Poston, told the Contra Costa Times on Tuesday that the four-time Pro Bowler will join his teammates next week.
"The longer it takes, the more it's eating at him," Poston told the paper. "He's in great shape. He's doing two-a-days that are well beyond what [his teammates] are doing in their two-a-days."
New Raiders coach Norv Turner expressed doubt Monday that Woodson would be able to play when the Raiders start the season at Pittsburgh on Sept. 12.
Turner said Sunday that he believed Woodson would be with the team before the preseason ended. But there likely won't be enough time for Woodson to get up to speed with Oakland's new defense in time for the season opener.
"Obviously, the longer it goes, the harder it is," Turner said. "I've been in situations where a guy came in in a week and could contribute and play. But that was a situation where the guy had been in the same system and knew the calls, knew everything. Obviously, when Charles gets here, it's going to be harder. It's all new for him."
Woodson, tagged in February as Oakland's franchise player, has been unhappy with his current contract status and reportedly is seeking a long-term deal that would make him the highest paid cornerback in the NFL. He has been hesitant to sign the team's one-year tender that would pay him $8.7 million.
"Per league rules, Charles has to sign the one-year tender," Lombardi told the Contra Costa Times on Tuesday. "When Charles gets here, we'll proceed to work on a long-term contract."
The Times reported that according to Poston, Woodson is willing to sign the one-year tender provided the Raiders show good faith in working out a long-term deal.
"I need an assurance, and Charles needs an assurance that the Raiders are going to work diligently on putting together a long-term deal," Poston told the paper. "I have a hard time believing in their diligence when they haven't done anything for three years."
Oakland is switching from its traditional 4-3 defense to a 3-4 look under first-year defensive coordinator Rob Ryan, and Woodson has yet to be exposed to it. He did not take part in any of the team's offseason workouts or minicamps and has remained at his home in Houston where he was reportedly working out with a private trainer.
"I know he's played an awful lot so the physical part of it, he would be able to play right away," Turner said. "The big thing is the communication part of it, knowing the system and the checks and all the different things that are involved. In the secondary, one missed check could result in a big play and a big play at the wrong time could be a disaster.
"I think he understands and we all understand that he's not coming into a situation he's played in for four years. This is all going to be brand new to him. I think it'd be real hard to get him ready in a week."
Information from The Associated Press was used in this report.
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