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Four-time Pro Bowl cornerback Charles Woodson signed a $10.5 million tender Friday as the Oakland Raiders' franchise player, perhaps trying to force a trade.
By signing, Woodson puts the Raiders far over the salary cap.
"The actions of agent Carl Poston and Charles Woodson tell us that they must have reached a long-term deal with a team and we expect a trade very soon," the Raiders said in a statement.
Poston could not be reached for comment Friday, but may have determined that the Raiders planned to shop Woodson anyway and looked for a possible suitor himself.
Woodson, also the Raiders' franchise player last season, received the franchise tag Tuesday. He received a one-year contract offer worth $10.5 million, a 20 percent raise over last year's salary of nearly $8.8 million.
Some believed at the end of the Raiders' 5-11 season that Woodson would not return. He is a non-exclusive franchise player, which allows him to negotiate with other teams - and if he leaves, Oakland will get two first-round draft picks as compensation.
Woodson has said he wants to be the highest paid at his position, a distinction currently held by Denver's Champ Bailey.
Among the Raiders' most talented and popular players, Woodson has battled injuries and clashed with management and coaches in recent years. In addition, he was arrested in downtown Oakland in December for investigation of public intoxication.
Woodson and teammate Marques Anderson were arrested early Dec. 21 after refusing to leave the back seat of a woman's car, and both were jailed briefly.
Police said Woodson and Anderson were uncooperative, had problems maintaining their balance, had bloodshot watery eyes and a strong odor of alcohol. They were acting in a belligerent manner, police said.
Woodson, who signed a one-year tender for $8.782 million last Aug. 31 after missing 33 days of training camp, was sidelined for the final three games last season with an injured knee.
He finished with 74 tackles, 2 1/2 sacks, two forced fumbles and one interception.
Woodson also was suspended and sent home by former coach Bill Callahan for the final game of the 2003 season at San Diego for missing curfew.
Woodson was among Callahan's harshest critics, saying the coach was stubborn and lost control of the team. Callahan was fired after the '03 season.
In May 2000, Woodson was cited in warrants charging him with drunken driving and driving with a suspended license in Ann Arbor, Mich., where he won the 1997 Heisman Trophy for Michigan. Police said he registered a blood-alcohol level of 0.24 percent, more than twice Michigan's legal limit.
Source: AP
By signing, Woodson puts the Raiders far over the salary cap.
"The actions of agent Carl Poston and Charles Woodson tell us that they must have reached a long-term deal with a team and we expect a trade very soon," the Raiders said in a statement.
Poston could not be reached for comment Friday, but may have determined that the Raiders planned to shop Woodson anyway and looked for a possible suitor himself.
Woodson, also the Raiders' franchise player last season, received the franchise tag Tuesday. He received a one-year contract offer worth $10.5 million, a 20 percent raise over last year's salary of nearly $8.8 million.
Some believed at the end of the Raiders' 5-11 season that Woodson would not return. He is a non-exclusive franchise player, which allows him to negotiate with other teams - and if he leaves, Oakland will get two first-round draft picks as compensation.
Woodson has said he wants to be the highest paid at his position, a distinction currently held by Denver's Champ Bailey.
Among the Raiders' most talented and popular players, Woodson has battled injuries and clashed with management and coaches in recent years. In addition, he was arrested in downtown Oakland in December for investigation of public intoxication.
Woodson and teammate Marques Anderson were arrested early Dec. 21 after refusing to leave the back seat of a woman's car, and both were jailed briefly.
Police said Woodson and Anderson were uncooperative, had problems maintaining their balance, had bloodshot watery eyes and a strong odor of alcohol. They were acting in a belligerent manner, police said.
Woodson, who signed a one-year tender for $8.782 million last Aug. 31 after missing 33 days of training camp, was sidelined for the final three games last season with an injured knee.
He finished with 74 tackles, 2 1/2 sacks, two forced fumbles and one interception.
Woodson also was suspended and sent home by former coach Bill Callahan for the final game of the 2003 season at San Diego for missing curfew.
Woodson was among Callahan's harshest critics, saying the coach was stubborn and lost control of the team. Callahan was fired after the '03 season.
In May 2000, Woodson was cited in warrants charging him with drunken driving and driving with a suspended license in Ann Arbor, Mich., where he won the 1997 Heisman Trophy for Michigan. Police said he registered a blood-alcohol level of 0.24 percent, more than twice Michigan's legal limit.
Source: AP