Oakland Raiders: Rod Woodson Brings Winning Tradition

The Raiders not only added a Hall of Famer to their coaching staff Monday, but the hiring of Rod Woodson is bringing the wisdom, knowledge and tradition of a consistent winning attitude back to the Silver and Black.

Woodson played 17 NFL seasons and was nominated to 11 Pro Bowls from 1987-2003, the final two with the Raiders. He’s made three appearances in the Super Bowl with Pittsburgh, Baltimore and Oakland and has a Super Bowl ring to validate his credibility.

“It’s an honor to be back with the Raiders and be able to talk to Raider players about true football,” said Woodson. “I’m looking forward to working with the organization and the challenges of the 2011 season.”

Woodson played collegiate ball at Purdue and was the Pittsburgh Steelers first round draft pick in 1987. He’ll work with the secondary with Kevin Ross, who is coaching the safeties, but he has the ability to work with the cornerbacks, safeties and kick returners. He specialized in all three positions during his 17-year playing career in the NFL.

Woodson is a teacher, and players will be like sponges when he speaks to the team. He’ll be able to teach the defensive backs techniques on how to play against top receivers in the AFC West and maintain inside leverage on certain down and distance situations, and how to win games in the fourth quarter.

Hue Jackson knows Woodson is a communicator, and the Raiders need a voice of a leader in the organization who has been down the road the players are trying to reach.

"I'm excited that we have a Hall of Fame player who is coming back to the organization," Raiders coach Hue Jackson said. "I was extremely impressed during the interview process with his communication skills."

Woodson was a role model on the field and off the field, and the players will understand the importance of taking care of your body during the season.  He’ll communicate what it takes to play 17 years in the National Football League with consistency and push the Raiders into becoming the best defense in the NFL.

He’ll take the younger players into the film room and break down game situations to show the tendencies of how offensive coordinators think, and what they are trying to accomplish in certain offensive formations to move the ball against the Raiders.

Jackson sees the value of adding Woodson to the coaching staff and Raiders fans shouldn’t be surprised to see Woodson in an expanded role within the organization in future years because of his ability to be a teacher on and off the field.

Woodson was named to the NFL's 75th Anniversary Team.

The Raiders just struck gold, and the fans should get prepared to see a traditional brand of Raiders’ football that will see Al Davis make good on his promise to the Bay Area. “The future will be bright again,” said Davis during his introduction of Hue Jackson at recent press conference.