- Joined
- Aug 13, 2005
- Messages
- 19,267
- Reaction score
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Woodyard was a fish out of water when he was moved from a WLB to MLB. Problem was that he was a bad fit inside, a problem exacerbated by a neck injury. You know there had to be something physically wrong with Woodyard when he lost playing time to Paris Lenon (yes, the same Paris Lenon that was cut out of Patriots' training camp five years ago).
The problem for Woodyard in Denver is that his old position has been filled very nicely by Danny Trevathan, who is younger, cheaper, healthier and has more upside. The question for Woodyard and the Patriots is where he would fit on the roster, as it appears the Pats are set with their starters at linebacker - or would they prefer to enter the season with four starting-caliber linebackers? If so, does the money spent on the position weaken another position? Would Woodyard be willing to come in and compete for a job and playing time, and accept a backup/rotational role? Or would he be more interested in going to a team where he has a better chance to start, and therefore earn starting money?
Woodyard is a six-time captain (we know how Belichick loves team captains and their leadership) and is still only 27 (28 this summer). Dallas, Arizona, Miami, the Giants, Philly, Tennessee, Pittsburgh, Oakland, Jacksonville and San Diego all have a more pressing need for an OLB than the Patriots do - and as a result are going to be more willing to spend more (if they have the cap space) for Woodyard than a team like the Pats looking at a fourth linebacker.
The problem for Woodyard in Denver is that his old position has been filled very nicely by Danny Trevathan, who is younger, cheaper, healthier and has more upside. The question for Woodyard and the Patriots is where he would fit on the roster, as it appears the Pats are set with their starters at linebacker - or would they prefer to enter the season with four starting-caliber linebackers? If so, does the money spent on the position weaken another position? Would Woodyard be willing to come in and compete for a job and playing time, and accept a backup/rotational role? Or would he be more interested in going to a team where he has a better chance to start, and therefore earn starting money?
Woodyard is a six-time captain (we know how Belichick loves team captains and their leadership) and is still only 27 (28 this summer). Dallas, Arizona, Miami, the Giants, Philly, Tennessee, Pittsburgh, Oakland, Jacksonville and San Diego all have a more pressing need for an OLB than the Patriots do - and as a result are going to be more willing to spend more (if they have the cap space) for Woodyard than a team like the Pats looking at a fourth linebacker.
