LaMarr Woodley reiterates Oakland Raiders are playoff team

Aug 23, 2013; Oakland, CA, USA; General view of an Oakland Raiders helmet on the field during the game against the Chicago Bears at O.co Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
Aug 23, 2013; Oakland, CA, USA; General view of an Oakland Raiders helmet on the field during the game against the Chicago Bears at O.co Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports /
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When LaMarr Woodley suggested that the Oakland Raiders were a playoff team in April, the defensive end was laughed at by many.

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But the veteran isn’t about to step away from his comments, recently reiterating that the Raiders were a playoff team to CSN Bay Area’s Scott Bair.

“People definitely reacted when I said this was a playoff-caliber team,” Woodley said. “That should always be the main objective. If your goal is to go 8-8, I don’t want you on my team. We’re aiming for the top. Anything less is unacceptable.”

Woodley’s comments weren’t completely pulled out of the air nor was he just trying to hype up his teammates and the Oakland fan base. In fact, Woodley says his predictions are based on his knowledge of the game and watching game tape of the Oakland roster.

“After going back and looking at Raiders games from last year, they were in a lot of close games and couldn’t seal the deal,” Woodley said. “During the offseason, they brought in guys who know how to win. You need that attitude to get to the next level.”

While making the postseason in the tough AFC West, let alone the AFC, isn’t going to be easy there’s no harm in suggesting such.

It’s certainly a long shot, but stranger things have happened and the Raiders, although older, are a much improved squad that brought in much needed leadership.

That’s something Woodley agreed with, suggesting that while the veterans understand how to win, it’s now up to them to teach the young players on the Oakland roster the same.