Charles Woodson optimistic even though Raiders 'haven't put it all together'

Tom Pelissero | USA TODAY Sports

Charles Woodson says they're "still the Oakland Raiders that I left" 7½ years ago, despite the passing of owner Al Davis in 2011 and all the changes that have taken place since.

What's different is the way the Raiders are perceived — once one of the NFL's flagship franchises, reduced to answering questions about the "success" of a 3-4 start after a 10-year playoff drought.

"Of course, with the way it's been here for a while, nobody has any high expectations for this team," Woodson, the eight-time Pro Bowl defensive back, told USA TODAY Sports by phone after practice this week. "Everybody's talking about the lack of talent we have as a team. Nobody really gives you a shot."

Yet the Raiders do have a shot. They're one game back of the AFC's sixth seed at the midpoint of a season that figured to be another trying step in their transition under general manager Reggie McKenzie, who has spent two years shedding contracts while trying to fix the salary cap.

Quarterback Terrelle Pryor — Davis' final draft pick — has provided a spark on offense. A defense filled with retreads and castoffs has kept the Raiders competitive each week under creative coordinator Jason Tarver. And none of their next six opponents has a record better than .500.

"I see a team scratching the surface, man," Woodson said. "Your record is what it is, but I'm standing there and I think our record would be much better than it is. We have some very talented players. We have super coaches. We just haven't put it all together."

Once known for — and at times troubled by — fast living off the field, Woodson is different now, too. He's married. He has two young sons, ages 4 and 2, and says he spends a lot of his downtime "at the park these days, helping out with the monkey bars and swings and that stuff."

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Woodson became a pro's pro in seven seasons with the Green Bay Packers, mentoring teammates and winning defensive player of the year honors in 2009, then returned to Oakland — the team that drafted him fourth overall in 1998 — on an incentive-laden, one-year contract in May.

Now in his 16th NFL season at age 37, Woodson laughs when reminded he's gone from one of the youngest guys in the Raiders locker room to the oldest.

"I probably feel the same way Brett (Favre) felt," said Woodson, who played with the legendary quarterback for two years in Green Bay. "He wasn't hanging out (with teammates) all the time. I think he was probably spending most of his time hunting. I'm mostly at home."

Unlike Favre, though, Woodson hasn't given retirement much thought. He plans to hang on until no one will have him — and he's still making his share of plays. He tied the NFL record with his 13th defensive touchdown last month against the San Diego Chargers and iced that win with an interception.

"As long as I still have the physical and I can go out there and perform and do my job, I'm going to stick around as long as I can," Woodson said, "because the passion ain't going anywhere."

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