Oakland Raiders: 5 Key Veterans That Need To Step Up
Dec 28, 2014; Denver, CO, USA; Oakland Raiders free safety
Charles Woodson(24) prior to the game against the Denver Broncos at Sports Authority Field at Mile High. Mandatory Credit: Isaiah J. Downing-USA TODAY Sports
1. FS Charles Woodson
There is a good reason that Charles Woodson is listed here as the No. 1 player when it comes to leadership. Woodson is the oldest player on the team at 38; he has both won a Super Bowl with Green Bay and has been on the Raiders when they were a winning franchise over a decade ago. Perhaps no player on the Raiders is better equipped to lead this group of younger players on both offense and defense than Woodson.
On a smaller level, the Raiders secondary comes into the season with several question marks. Will D.J. Hayden develop into a reliable 16 game starter? Can T.J. Carrie build on his promising rookie campaign from a season ago? What happens if any of the starters go down with injury, especially at safety? The Raiders can’t afford to have the corner backs or safeties take a step back in 2015. Woodson, like was previously mentioned with Marcel Reece, must be an on-the-field coach for Oakland as well as the teams biggest leader in every way possible.
Next: The Raiders need a 2-0 start
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