Oakland Raiders: Notes and Observations From Week Three

Sep 27, 2015; Cleveland, OH, USA; Oakland Raiders free safety Charles Woodson (24) intercepts a pass intended for Cleveland Browns wide receiver Travis Benjamin (11) during the fourth quarter at FirstEnergy Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports

Charles Woodson Is Not Human

There is no doubt that Charles Woodson is a first ballot Hall of Famer. There is no doubt that he is one of the all time greats. There is doubt though, that he is human.

Playing in garbage time in week one, Woodson — giving the all out effort he always does — dislocated his shoulder. Most any of we mere mortals would be in such agony and misery that we’d just shut it down until we healed.

Not Woodson.

Not only would Woodson not shut it down, he refused to stop practicing, and has refused to stop playing. And on Sunday, he came up with the play of the game to seal the win for the Raiders.

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Still Curtain

With Cleveland driving for the potential game tying score, Browns quarterback Josh McCown lofted one down the sideline for his receiver — only to see the apparently immortal Woodson dart in and grab the ball to stick a dagger in the hearts of Browns fans everywhere, icing the win for Oakland.

Yeah, Woodson isn’t at 100 percent. Yeah, he’s not able to wrap up the ball carriers. Yeah, his injury has forced him to miss some tackles he would ordinarily make. And yeah, he’s less effective — from a football standpoint — than he was prior to the injury.

But his presence on the field, playing through the pain, and still playing at a high level, serves as inspiration and motivation for his teammates. It shows the young guys the sort of sacrifice it takes to win in the NFL. Crazy? Maybe. But Charles Woodson at less than 100 percent is still better than a lot of safeties in the league who are.

And the Raiders are lucky to have him.

Next: The Future Looks Bright