LaMarr Woodley's tenure with the Pittsburgh Steelers should be a fond memory for fans.
Those memories of he and James Harrison coming off the edge and harassing quarterbacks like Joe Flacco. Those were the good ol' days. Riddled with injuries and a seemingly lack of motivation, Woodley now finds himself in Oakland trying to resurrect the once proud Raiders franchise.
Woodley's transition to the AFC West is one that will bring intense competition, similar to what he experienced in the AFC North when he was in Pittsburgh. However, that won't deter Woodley for declaring the Raiders as a playoff team in 2014.
Woodley told KGMZ-FM in Oakland, "I can definitely see us as a playoff team." "Last year going back and watching some film on the Raiders, there were a lot of opportunities here they just didn't close it out. Some games good in the first half, they just didn't close it out at the end of the game. So now we have to learn how to close out games and it'll be more wins than losses."
If the Raiders would improve to the playoffs in 2014, it would require a renaissance for Woodley and his career. Woodley and the Raiders likely have a ways to go after finishing 4-12 in 2013 and dead last in the AFC West.