CONTRIBUTED
PEN TO PAPER: Former Northside standout, East Carolina Pirate and Super Bowl champion C.J. Wilson re-signed with the Oakland Raiders Wednesday afternoon in Greenville. To his left is his agent, Bill Johnson, also an ECU alumnus and eastern North Carolina native.

GREENVILLE — Under the tutelage of legendary coach Bing Mitchell, the 6-foot-4, 218-pound Northside lineman C.J. Wilson took off his signature black, silver and white jersey for what he thought would be the final time, following a defeat in the eastern regional championship in December of 2004.

But 10 years after he stepped off the high-school gridiron, following what he considered to be a stressful free agency process, the now 306-pound, Super Bowl champion found himself sporting a jersey of a similar make, signing a one-year deal to play with the Oakland Raiders. And after another free agency stint this NFL offseason, one that proved significantly less stressful, the 27 year old will once again don the black and silver, inking a two-year, $4.6 million deal, first reported by WNCT on Wednesday.

“I’m very honored and give all the glory to God first. I’d like to thank Oakland for giving me this opportunity,” Wilson said.

“Last year I was worried, didn’t know what was going on or whether I’d get called, but this year I was more relaxed, kept close to my family and just waited on my agent, Bill Johnson, one of the best agents in the industry. I waited for him to do his job and I knew I wanted to go back to Oakland the whole time. I was just hoping they’d want me back, so it worked out.”

For the Raiders in 2014, Wilson recorded 16 total and seven assisted tackles, two sacks and recovered his first career fumble, which he returned for 21 yards. Wilson, who, as a rookie, was apart of the Green Bay Packers’ Super Bowl run in 2010, has 99 combined tackles and 5.5 sacks for his career.

He will rejoin a Raiders’ team in the midst of a newfound commitment to the defensive side of the football, a team that has made a splash in free agency, thus far. On top of Wilson’s contract, General Manager Reggie McKenzie has inked deals with former Washington (D.C.) running back Roy Helu and Buffalo tight end Lee Smith, as well as Arizona defensive tackle Dan Williams, New Orleans veteran linebacker Curtis Lofton and Kansas City center Rodney Hudson, considered to be one of the best in the game at his position.

Despite the loss of running backs Darren McFadden (to free agency) and Maurice Jones-Drew (to retirement), Wilson sees Oakland, coming off a 3-13 finish, as a viable playoff threat moving into the 2015 season under Jack Del Rio, who enters his first year as Raiders head coach.

“A lot of games we were right there — about five or six teams — within three or four points,” he said. “When it came to the last couple minutes of a game, we’d end up losing. I know we have something very special out there in Oakland and have some new pieces coming to the table, a new coaching staff. I believe we’re going to be competing for a Super Bowl soon.”

Among the new additions is linebacker Malcolm Smith, a Super Bowl champion who spent the last four seasons with Seattle, logging 37 combined tackles last season.

Jennings joins a list of three players on the defensive side of the football who have either won or appeared in a Super Bowl — Wilson, Justin Tuck and Antonio Smith — a testament to the new direction the franchise has taken.

In terms of personal contributions, Wilson, who has spent most of his career bouncing between starter and second-teamer, believes versatility and leadership are the principal assets he brings to the table.

“I can play inside, D-tackle, nose-tackle, and I bring a lot of veteranship on and off the field. I can be a guy that can pretty much do it all,” he said.

“From the outside looking in, it shows that they’re committed to winning. Personally, knowing GM Reggie McKenzie, I know he’s a guy who is very passionate about Oakland and very passionate about winning. He’s going to do whatever it takes to win and the moves say they’re committed.”

Wilson also had high praise for the other side of the football, where Oakland is counting on its second-year, 23-year-old quarterback to build upon what, on paper, was an above average rookie campaign — 3,270 yards passing, 21 touchdowns and 12 interceptions.

“Most definitely (Carr) has done well,” Wilson said. “He’s going to be a great quarterback to be honest with you.”

Before recommitting himself to the NFL ranks, Wilson is hosting an Easter celebration in his hometown of Belhaven on April 4. The NFL veteran hopes the event, “Easter Fest,” will help bring together the community and raise money for future initiatives to help local children see the importance of education.