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Raiders star may be absent
WOODSON LOOKS LIKE A NO-SHOW
By Darren Sabedra
Mercury News
The agent for cornerback Charles Woodson, the Raiders' franchise-tag player, said the chances are ``negative 10 percent'' that his client will be on the field when the team begins training camp a week from today.
Carl Poston, speaking publicly on the matter for the first time in months, said Thursday that the Raiders don't seem to want to budge in negotiations and that a deal is long overdue.
``My job is to get him fair market value,'' Poston said. ``I'm hoping that we could get closer to get something done.''
Raiders officials could not be reached for comment. But NFL sources told the Mercury News that Woodson, a four-time Pro Bowl player, has been offered a contract that would make him the league's highest-paid cornerback and that the Raiders are hopeful that a long-term deal can be completed.
``He has been offered a contract better than what Champ Bailey got when he went to Denver,'' a league source said.
Bailey received a seven-year, $63 million contract from the Broncos in March that included $18 million in guarantees and $27 million over the first three years. Woodson wants a contract that is substantially more than that, league sources said.
As the Raiders' franchise-tag player, Woodson, 27, is guaranteed a one-year tender of $8,782,400, which is the average salary of the top five players at his position.
Woodson is seeking a long-term deal because, Poston told the Mercury News in April, the franchise tag and its mandated contract length of one year deprives players of long-term financial security.
Poston said he last spoke with the Raiders a couple of days ago and would probably call them today. He added that the team hasn't budged since Woodson's cap figure increased in the spring.
``They don't think that has an impact on his contract,'' Poston said.
Poston said he called the Raiders soon after the negotiating period opened July 15 but that it ``takes two to tango.''
Woodson has been working out in Houston, and Poston said he is 100 percent certain his client would be ready to practice next week.
``He's in great shape right now,'' Poston said. ``He's really dedicated. He knows the business. He just says let me know.''
If Woodson does not reach a deal soon, the Raiders could turn to Nnamdi Asomugha in his absence. At the team's mini-camp in June, Coach Norv Turner praised the former Cal standout as a player who looks as if he could start.
• The outlook is apparently just as bleak for the area's other franchise-tag player, 49ers Pro Bowl linebacker Julian Peterson, who is represented by Poston's brother, Kevin.
``That one is looking even worse,'' Carl Poston said.
WOODSON LOOKS LIKE A NO-SHOW
By Darren Sabedra
Mercury News
The agent for cornerback Charles Woodson, the Raiders' franchise-tag player, said the chances are ``negative 10 percent'' that his client will be on the field when the team begins training camp a week from today.
Carl Poston, speaking publicly on the matter for the first time in months, said Thursday that the Raiders don't seem to want to budge in negotiations and that a deal is long overdue.
``My job is to get him fair market value,'' Poston said. ``I'm hoping that we could get closer to get something done.''
Raiders officials could not be reached for comment. But NFL sources told the Mercury News that Woodson, a four-time Pro Bowl player, has been offered a contract that would make him the league's highest-paid cornerback and that the Raiders are hopeful that a long-term deal can be completed.
``He has been offered a contract better than what Champ Bailey got when he went to Denver,'' a league source said.
Bailey received a seven-year, $63 million contract from the Broncos in March that included $18 million in guarantees and $27 million over the first three years. Woodson wants a contract that is substantially more than that, league sources said.
As the Raiders' franchise-tag player, Woodson, 27, is guaranteed a one-year tender of $8,782,400, which is the average salary of the top five players at his position.
Woodson is seeking a long-term deal because, Poston told the Mercury News in April, the franchise tag and its mandated contract length of one year deprives players of long-term financial security.
Poston said he last spoke with the Raiders a couple of days ago and would probably call them today. He added that the team hasn't budged since Woodson's cap figure increased in the spring.
``They don't think that has an impact on his contract,'' Poston said.
Poston said he called the Raiders soon after the negotiating period opened July 15 but that it ``takes two to tango.''
Woodson has been working out in Houston, and Poston said he is 100 percent certain his client would be ready to practice next week.
``He's in great shape right now,'' Poston said. ``He's really dedicated. He knows the business. He just says let me know.''
If Woodson does not reach a deal soon, the Raiders could turn to Nnamdi Asomugha in his absence. At the team's mini-camp in June, Coach Norv Turner praised the former Cal standout as a player who looks as if he could start.
• The outlook is apparently just as bleak for the area's other franchise-tag player, 49ers Pro Bowl linebacker Julian Peterson, who is represented by Poston's brother, Kevin.
``That one is looking even worse,'' Carl Poston said.
