braveht

http://www.cleveland.com/search/inde...l?s1bro&coll=2

LB Woods an early NFL success story
Wednesday, September 06, 2006
Roger Brown
Plain Dealer Columnist
While plenty of rookies have taken interesting paths to making NFL season-opening rosters, few have had a more inspirational journey than Pierre Woods, the former Glenville High star and Michigan linebacker.

This time last year, Woods was undergoing a humiliating, humbling season at the hands of Lloyd Carr, Michigan's increasingly clueless head coach. Carr largely relegated Woods to playing special teams and backup linebacker and defensive end - even though the native Clevelander had spent most of three previous seasons as a starting LB.

Now, one year later, Woods has made the New England Patriots' regular-season roster as a rookie linebacker. To do so, Woods beat huge odds as an undrafted free agent and did enough to impress a guy considered the defensive genius in today's NFL: Patriots head coach Bill Belichick.

Not only is Woods' success a testament to his determination and persistence as a player, it's yet another indictment of Carr's ability as a coach. And it may help explain why Carr is on the hot seat this season at UM.

OTLast season, the Browns were physically manhandled during three losses (a loss to Minnesota and both defeats to Pittsburgh) and showed less-than-ideal mental toughness during two others (Detroit and Houston). But, according to Browns head coach Romeo Crennel, the 2006 team is much tougher physically and mentally. Why? Crennel suggested players now have a better idea of what he demands from them than they did in 2005, his first as Browns head coach)

scott99

Pretty cool. I would love it if Pierre Woods becomes a huge NFL success. Maybe he has some of that Tom Brady attitude in him, where Tom always feels like he has to prove himself.

patsfan13

Carr of course had Drew Henson rated higher than T Brady clueless indeed.

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"Some guys play in all-star games, some guys don't. I don't know who picks all those all-star teams. In all honesty, I don't know who picks the combine, for that matter," Belichick said. "How does (Miami-Ohio offensive lineman Brandon) Brooks not get invited to the combine? How did Vollmer not get invited to the combine? I don't know. We can't really worry about that. We just have to try to evaluate them the best we can."

Digger44

rating henson higher than brady was not clueless at the time. henson was a very good qb in college.

Big_Os_Hometown

Better than Brady?

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Q: What was the rationale behind starting the game with nine straight running plays.
BB: To work on the running game.

mikey

I didn't follow Brady much in college, but the thing I remember about him was that he was a winner.

As he is today, a winner.

The guy just NEVER GAVE UP. He just kept coming back.

You could see it back then, the guy is very special.


.

zippo59

But college football is much more about pure athletic ability. Henson was a great athlete while Brady was skinny, lanky, and slow.

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"What Tom Brady just did gives me goose bumps."-John Madden after final drive in SB 36


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Unofficial Kevin Faulk supporter.

Joker

BB was going to take Brady in the 4th round that year..but read the draft correctly...still, he ALMOST lost him...to Minny I believe...but Brady was taken for one thing only....his presence in the pocket.His arm was average, he was skinny..he had negatives that normally prove out to be inadequate in the NFL

early on in Brady's first camp, BB noticed one peculiar thing..the kid moved in the pocket even though it was collapsing all around him...timed, BB found out the kid had a better better pressure recogniton and better footwork in the pocket than ALL PRO Bledsoe, who BB, let's face it, destroyed every time he gameplanned against him.

Now remember, Brady was kept as what, 3rd string that year, when everone thought he'd either be cut or practice squaded?..Then, out of nowhere, Brady works his way to #2 on the depth chart....all the experts thought BB was nuts..and when Bledsoe went done we were fooked...right?

Well, Brady had Rehbein mentoring him...and he worked with Troy Brown in sessions after team practice..and what they taught him was not to look for the downfiled big play, but be smart...look, aned if it's not there, look to the second, then the third...use your feet to move up in the pocket...and when you can't see any of the called play's options...well, take the 5 yard sideline to..guess who?? POsitve yardage is better than no yardage right?

Heh..the Patriots beat St Louis but Brady got the weak arm knock..thta's what these writers do...look for flaws before the team admits them and you're the big genius , right?

Well, Brady hit Brown just fine doing what he learned in that Super Bowl....Bledsoe would have went downfield, got into third and long, rush, overtime...we all know it...but what happened??? St Louis NEVER covereed what Brady first learned with Rehbein and Brown all those after practice sessions... it was beautiful..Tom Brady the hero??? Hardly...no..Tom Brady used what he was taught and what he trusted and the person he trusted the most, Troy Brown...to get arguably the greatest clutch kicker in history a shot to make a Super Bowl winning kick...on turf...ideal conditions....SEE YA, John Madden

It cost me a grand and it's the best I ever felt after a Patriots game...because Isaac Bruce and Tory Holt and Az Hakim and Ricky Proehl were the four BEST recievers in the entire NFL that season....but this little 5'10 180 pound goods hands but no better than a 4th receiver on any other team had taken the time to give this skinny kid THE one out no matter how the playcall came down.

And all anyone says today is..."look!! the Pats have Brown as their #1!!" Hahahahahahaaha!"

Is that right? read the archives and see what Holt and Bruce said after that game..."We had no answer for Troy Brown"..No ****.Well, Tom Brady CAN throw the deep ball, and with accuracy and touch, he's one of the best QB's in the league..everyone knows. You won't see Troy Brown catch anything from Brady this season on any out and up or post, but Troy IS going to make catches...wide open sonuv******** that little bastard did it again catches.


THAT is who we are...IMHO

PlattsFan

Troy Brown was one of the best receivers in the NFL in 2001. He was absolutely amazing; he was the MVP of the Pats that year, imo. Without him, the passing game had *nothing*. To me, it ranks with the best years I've ever seen a Patriots WR have ...

But back to Pierre Woods ... it's interesting how willing the Patriots are to take a chance with a college back-up or a guy who shares time at a position (like Brady). Basically, some college coaches are idiots, or (in the case of Cassell) some kids are stuck behind premiere talent. But Belichick and Pioli know what they are looking for, and the decisions of a college coach mean nothing to what they want to do ...

DarrylS

Makes me wonder who was the link that promoted Woods to BB and SP? Could it have been an opposing coach who saw something or does the coaching tree extend to Michigan?

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"Being the best doesn't mean you always win. It just means you win more than anyone else".. tweet from Kurt Warner to Tom Brady.