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ALAMEDA, Calif. -- Charles Woodson had gotten word that Oakland fans had mobilized through social media to hold a rally at his free-agent visit to the Raiders. Even Woodson was blown away by the reception that included more than a hundred fans decked out in Raiders gear and costumes waiting at the team facility for his arrival Tuesday. "It was overwhelming," he said Wednesday. "I think that if at any time Id ever forgotten what the love was like in Oakland, I was definitely reminded yesterday." The love from the fans, the belief in general manager Reggie McKenzies rebuilding project and a one-year contract worth up to $4.3 million all led to Woodsons decision to return to his original team seven years after leaving as a free agent for Green Bay. "I was actually scared of leaving the facility and not having a deal done," he said. "I dont know if I would have made it out of there. But that was a big deal, and receiving that kind of welcome, it definitely put me in a mindset that it would be a good decision to make it happen." Woodson came into free agency after being released by Green Bay in February looking to play for a Super Bowl contender and met with upper echelon teams San Francisco and Denver during the process. Nothing came together with the 49ers and the Broncos werent willing to make the same commitment as the Raiders, leading to Woodsons decision to sign with Oakland. While the Raiders are coming off a four-win season and havent made the playoffs since Woodsons fifth season in 2002, he has trust in McKenzie after spending six seasons together in Green Bay where McKenzie worked in the Packers front office "After talking to Reggie, I got a good feel about how he felt about the team and that just really gave me confidence that theyre going in the right direction," he said. "Going into the facility yesterday, I felt good about where things stood, and if I signed I was going to be going to a team that has good players on the team. The game is about fundamentals and playing good football, and they have some good players, and if we can put it together then well win games." Woodson, the fourth overall pick in 1998 by Oakland, returns to the Raiders as a safety at age 36. He will likely slide in at free safety in place of the departed Michael Huff and the Raiders will use his versatility to upgrade a defence that struggled last season. Woodson said he has fully recovered from a broken collarbone that sidelined him for nine regular season games last year. Woodson is an eight-time Pro Bowler and 2009 NFL Defensive Player of the Year. He has 55 career interceptions, 17 sacks, 24 forced fumbles and 11 interception returns for touchdowns in eight seasons in Oakland and seven in Green Bay. "Im just going to bring the intensity," he said. "Im a football player so Im going to bring a lot of intensity, somebody thats passionate about the game, and a guy that knows how to make plays. Thats what Im going to bring. I think when guys watch me play, I think that raises the level of other guys because of the way I play the game. Im going to bring that mindset, that mentality to the game, the same as I always have and have fun doing it." One of Woodsons first orders of business will be negotiating with new teammate Tracy Porter to get his old No. 24 jersey back. He wore that uniform in his first stint with the Raiders, owns a Napa winery called TwentyFour and has many fans eager to bring out their old Woodson jerseys to wear to games next fall. "Well definitely have to have that conversation," Woodson said. "We havent had it yet. Raider Nation has me back but I dont know if theyll have me back without the 24 on my back." Cheap Bayern Munich Jerseys China . Perhaps Carroll was so prepared for a break because he believes there is very little the Seattle Seahawks need heading into the off-season. "I dont see anything that we need to add. We just have to get better," Carroll said. Cheap Soccer Jerseys . Boucher previously coached the Tampa Bay Lightning and had a 97-78-20 record over two-plus seasons. He was dismissed by the team last March after the Lightning struggled in the lockout-shortened season with a 13-18-1 record. http://www.cheapbayernmunichjerseys.com/ . Pert has formerly spent time as an assistant coach with Cardiff City, Coventry City, and Bahrain mens national team. "Martyn is a highly-respected coach with experience at the top levels in England," said Whitecaps FC head coach Carl Robinson. Cheap Bayern Munich Jerseys Authentic . Scott Kazmir allowed four hits in seven shutout innings, Michael Brantley hit a two-run homer in a three-run first inning and the Indians maintained their hold on an AL wild-card spot with a 4-1 win over the Houston Astros on Saturday night. Cheap Soccer Jerseys Authentic . Robinson finished with 17 points, all but two in the second half, and Lawson had 14 after halftime and finished with a game-high 11 assists as the Nuggets handed Dallas its first home loss in eight games this season. J.J. Hickson led Denver with 22, and Kenneth Faried added 10 points and 10 rebounds. NEW YORK -- With his staff pursuing yet another investigation into performance-enhancing drugs, Commissioner Bud Selig defended baseballs drug-testing program on the eve of the All-Star game and insisted "this sport is cleaner than its ever been." Selig declined to detail timing for decisions in the probe of the closed anti-aging clinic Biogenesis, accused of distributing performing-enhancing drugs. MLB could attempt to discipline former MVPs Alex Rodriguez and Ryan Braun along with other players. Baseball began drug testing for the 2003 season, added penalties the following year, banned amphetamines in 2006 and started HGH blood testing last year. Critics said baseball didnt move quickly enough. "People say, Well, you were slow to react. We were not slow to react," Selig said Monday. "In fact, I heard that this morning, and it aggravated me all over again." There were eight violations of the major league drug program last year, and All-Star game MVP Melky Cabrera was among those who served a 50-game suspension following a positive PEDs test. There have been no suspensions in the big leagues this year. During a question-and-answer session arranged by Politico, a question was sent by Will, identified as an 8-year-old in Los Angeles. He asked: "How old will I be when ... you can say that there are no more cheaters in baseball, not one?" "Will, this is what I would say to you," Selig responded. "I used to object way back when, when people would talk about steroids. Theyre not a baseball problem or a football problem or a basketball problem. Theyre a societal problem." Selig, who turns 79 on July 30, also denied his willingness to combat steroids has increased during his time in office, which started in 1992. "Some people say now that Im over-vigilant because Im worried about my legacy," he said. "Thats nonsense. Thats the silliest thing Ive ever heard. This is in the best interests of baseball. I was brought up to understand that you are to do whats in the best interest of this sport no matter what, even if its painful, and were going to do that." He maintained the majority of players object to being tainted as playing in whats referred to as the Steroids Era. "Most players on their team didnt do anytthing.dddddddddddd They were as clean as could be," he said. "So the Steroid Era in short to some people implies, well everybody did it. Thats wrong, and its unfair." According to Selig, Major League Baseballs decision to hire former U.S. Secret Service director Mark Sullivan to assist in its Biogenesis probe was evidence of baseballs effort to ensure there are "no stones unturned." "We have many groups, consulting groups that are working on this whole investigation," he said. Selig has said repeatedly he intends to retire, only to change his mind. His current term runs through December 2014, and he has made no effort to start planning for a successor. "Thats a subject that Im going to put off for a while. Right now we havent gotten into specifics," he said. On other subjects, Selig: --said hes never sent an email. "And I never will. ... Im illiterate when it comes to that, and proud of it. ... I did get an iPhone, so Ive made some slight progress." --is concerned about spending on players, whose average salary rose 6 per cent to $3.65 million on opening day, the steepest rise since 2008. Baseballs revenue is projected to reach $8 billion this year, and Selig wants clubs to spend less than half on players. "Weve made some new television deals and our clubs got a little excited, and so we may go over 50 per cent, and thats dangerous. I think we have to work on more mechanisms." --is deferring action on the Oakland Athletics preference to build a ballpark in San Jose until the city of San Joses antitrust suit against MLB moves forward. San Jose is in the territory of San Francisco Giants. "We are defending ourselves. So before I make any decisions, well see what happens to that. I feel pretty good." --is concerned with Tampa Bay and Miami, which have the lowest attendance averages in the major leagues. "I certainly havent given up on Florida. The demographics are too good," he said. As for Tampa, "We have a stadium problem there. Theres no question about it." And for Miami, "Weve had some things happen that need to be corrected." --Asked what song he would use to for his introduction while walking to home plate for an at-bat: "Bridge over Troubled Water." China NFL Hoodies Wholesale Authentic Jerseys Cheap Nike NFL Jerseys Jerseys NFL China Discount NFL Jerseys Wholesale Jerseys 2018 Wholesale NFL Autographed Jerseys ' ' '
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