Packers land deal with Woodson

Four-time Pro Bowl cornerback Charles Woodson, one of the last premium players remaining in the free agent market but also a potential gamble given his recent injury history, reached a contract agreement on Wednesday evening with the Green Bay Packers. The agreement came one day after quarterback Brett Favre urged Packers executives to make some high-profile additions to the roster in the offseason.

The agreement is a seven-year deal that can be worth as much as $52 million. Woodson will make $10.5 million in the first year of the deal and $18 million over the first three years. Woodson will also receive a $3 million bonus if he is selected to the Pro Bowl in two of the first three years of the contract.

Injuries plaguing Woodson were costly to the Raiders on the field but also off it. With the two consecutive franchise designations, Woodson earned a total of $19.32 million in 2004-2005. The return on that pricey investment: Just 103 tackles, two interceptions and 11 passes defensed.

Woodson chose the Packers over the Tampa Bay Bucs, essentially the only other team that demonstrated legitimate interest in him since he became an unrestricted free agent last month. Woodson, 29, had played his entire eight-year career with the Oakland Raiders, who took him in the first round of the 1998 draft.

With the loss of Charles Woodson, the Oakland Raiders are facing many problems going into this year's draft. The Oakland Raiders have the No. 7 pick and may have numerous players to choose from depending on their availability. Any of the top three quarterbacks, Matt Leinart, Vince Young, and Jay Cutler may be drafted by the Raiders or possibly A.J. Hawk which is said by many scouts to immediately contribute to which ever team drafts him. It would definitely help their Oakland Raiders and their defense which ranks as one of the worst in league.