Charles Woodson says Matt Schaub just needs fresh start, "I know he'll help us win"

The Raiders have been busy today. Earlier today they made the re-signing of Charles Woodson official and now they have officially acquired Matt Schaub in trade from the Houston Texans.

Even prior to the Schaub trade going through, I spoke with Woodson via conference call and he was asked about his thoughts on Matt Schaub as a quarterback. The often candid Woodson had some very positive things to say about the man who was to soon officially be his quarterback.

"I think he's had a very solid career," said Woodson of Schaub. "I think people look at Schaub and only look at his last year. I think they base his career off of his last year. But, I see a guy that, in my opinion, has been very steady. He's done some really good things throughout his time. Sometimes you just need a fresh start, a new set of circumstances to restart, to restart your history. Hopefully this is the place that he can get it done. I know he'll help us win, that's one thing for sure. A veteran player, he's been around for a long time, and he knows how to win games. He'll help the team win."

That last year of which Woodson speaks was a pretty bad one for Schaub in which he threw 14 interceptions - many of which were returned for touchdowns - to just 10 touchdowns in eight starts. But by the same token, that "solid career" of which he speaks shows 64% completions and a near 90 passer rating.

Woodson knows a thing or two about fresh starts. He has had two in his NFL career. After spending his first eight seasons in Oakland, he got a fresh start with the Green Bay Packers. He won a Super Bowl there. Then following the 2012 season, the Packers moved on from him and he got another fresh start back in Oakland with a position change.

He has also seen a prime example of a fresh start when he watched Rich Gannon go from journeyman backup to NFL MVP after his fresh start with the Raiders. It happens far too often to deny the possibility.