In putting the best 11 defenders on the field this fall, New England Patriots head coach Mike Vrabel and his defensive coordinator Zak Kuhr will be rolling the dice a little bit.
The talent demands it. So, the Patriots will plan on starting a pair of safeties with very like skills in second-year man Craig Woodson and veteran free-agent pickup Kevin Byard.
Similar styles, similar impact
Both guys are big hitters, who excel moving forward defensively. Neither would be seen at their best in pass coverage.
But if they can carry the play with their superior instincts, aggressiveness and physical presence, the Byard/Woodson tandem could prove mighty dangerous to opponents this fall.
They continue to grow together on and off the field.
Relationship built in secondary
“(We) talk every day. We just talk just about things we’re seeing, stuff outside of ball. We’re building a good connection, and it’s just going to keep on improving. I’m excited,” said Woodson, who led the Patriots in defensive snaps last year as a rookie. “He has a voice that is really empowering when it comes to some of the things he’s able to preach to us as a DB group and even to the coaches as well.
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“When he speaks people listen, and that’s just something you don’t get with a lot of players. It’s good to have that leadership in the room.”
Byard fits in nicely
Byard, who has played 10 NFL seasons for three different teams – Tennessee, Philly and most recently Chicago – has earned three First-Team All-Pro nods. He led the National Football League in interceptions last year with seven.
He’s assimilated into the Patriots locker room like a player who has been here for years. And he’s been sure to take Woodson under his wing.
Together, they grow in the defense and hope to make it special when things start to fly for real on Sept. 9 in Seattle.
“At this point, I know the playbook, I have the experience of playing, and now it’s just going to make plays, not second-guessing and just trusting what I see,” said Woodson confidently.
