William Joseph tackles fresh start in Oakland

He’ll need all the help he can get out in Oakland, where the Giants’ former first-round pick signed yesterday . I haven’t seen the terms of the deal, but I find it hard to believe it’s more than one or two years or much more than the NFL minimum.

Actually, I really do believe this: If there are absolutely no expectations for Willie – and really, why would there be? – he’ll be fine. If he stays healthy, he’ll be a solid depth player who will even make a play every six weeks or so. But if they need him to start or be an important player … well, let’s just say he won’t be the Raiders’ ticket out of the bowels of the NFL.

In the meantime, I’d like to wish my Bay Area colleagues well trying to coax a quote out of Willie Jo. May you have better luck than we did in New York, and may you learn something else about Mr. Mystery than the fact that he’s “good.” (Memo to Bay Area repoters: Try not to snicker when he says that).

There is some poetic symmetry, by the way, with Willie Jo landing with the Raiders, one of the least media-friendly organizations in the league. He should be right at home.

(dailynews.com)