Silver and Black Report

GIBRIL WILSON

• STRONG SAFETY
• No: 28
• Height: 6’0
• Weight: 210
• Birth date: 11/12/1981
• College: Tennessee
• Acquired: Signed as an Unrestricted Free Agent during the 2008 off-season (2/29)

After winning Super Bowl XLII as a member of the New York Giants, Gibril Wilson cashed in on his success and inked a lucrative six-year, $39-million deal with the Oakland Raiders that included $16 million in guarantees and will pay him $19.5 million over the first three years.

Wilson is one of the two new faces in the Silver & Black’s secondary, and the third player that will be in a new position in 2008 for Rob Ryan’s unit. His physicality around the line of scrimmage has been touted and sorely needed at strong safety for some time. Oakland has looked to improve every aspect of their defense in 2008, and they hope that Wilson’s sure tackling will help a run defense looking to get better at every level.

The 26-year-old has started 51-games over his first four seasons with the Giants, while compiling 365-tackles, 27-passes defended, 6-forced fumbles and 11-interceptions.

During an off-season practice at the Alameda facility, Wilson stated, “the strong safety position is just a very physical position”, and he continued talking about his role on the club noting, “Yeah, I think what I bring is my physical presence, being in the box. I’m used to being in the box….”