• Font Size    
E-mail

Close Window E-mail This Page

Broncos Rookie LB Woodyard Quietly Impresses

Required fields are marked with an asterisk(*)

The information you provide will be used only to send the requested e-mail and will not be used to send any other e-mail communications. Read more in our Privacy Policy

Send E-mail

   Print     Share +    Comments
Aug 28, 2008 11:52 am US/Mountain

Broncos Rookie LB Woodyard Quietly Impresses

Text 4broncos to 66247 sign up for CBS4 Broncos text alerts More Info

DENVER (AP) ― Rookie linebacker Wesley Woodyard lets his play do most of the talking.

"He not about making a lot of noise," Denver Broncos defensive coordinator Bob Slowik said. "He's all about going about his business."

The free agent from Kentucky enjoys flying under the radar -- just not the coaching staff's.

"I like it that way," Woodyard said. "I like just having to just going out and doing my job, completing my assignments."

The lack of public attention was farther emphasized since his arrival to Denver. Throughout training camp attending fans called him "Woodward" instead of "Woodyard."

"I'm used to it. People mispronounce my name all the time," Woodyard said. "They'll get the name said right if I continue to make plays."

Woodyard has playing without much fanfare throughout his career.

"Even in high school I've always been a guy that's loved proving myself," Woodyard said. "It always feels better when you earn your playing time."

During his first two seasons at Kentucky, Woodyard played on the scout team and he said he learned a valuable lesson from Wildcats coach Rich Brooks.

"I learned to enjoy the role of pushing people ahead of me to get better," Woodyard said. "If they don't get better, then I usually overtake them."

By the time he was finished, he was first-team All-SEC selection his last two seasons and led the conference with 10 1/2 tackles per game as a senior.

When undrafted, he didn't fuss and fret. He accepted the snubbing and that he thought was due in part to his 6-foot-1-inch, 230-pound frame.

"I had a lot knocks on my size, but I say you can't measure heart," Woodyard said. "So I go out there every play with a chip on my shoulder and just try to beat the person that's across from me."

Making the most of playing time afforded him by injuries to Boss Bailey and Louis Green, Woodyard had a team-high eight solo tackles in the team's first preseason game against Houston, and his coaches took notice.

"I saw Woodyard did a heck of a job jumping in once the lights went on," Slowik said.

Woodyard enters Denver's last preseason game Friday at Arizona tied with Domonique Foxworth for the team lead with 15 tackles.

"I feel real good, but I'm a type of guy that has to get better week in and week out. I'm trying to continue to prove myself on the field," Woodyard said.

Outwardly at least, he's not fretting over Saturday's final cuts.

"I try not to worry about it," he said. "Why worry about it if you are making plays when you get the opportunity? Let the playing make the point."

Stay Up To Date On The Denver Broncos





• Text: To sign up for CBS4 Broncos Insiders text alerts, text 4broncos to 66247 (More Info)
• E-mail: Sign up for CBS4 Broncos Insiders e-mail updates.

 

(© 2009 The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.)

Curious & Controversial News

Add Comment

here. here. Need a log in? Register here
  •  * Will not be displayed with comment
  •  * e.g. (http://www.mywebsite.com)
  •  
  • Click here to refresh with new letters

Show Comments (0)

Close Window Login


Close Window Flag Comment


loading...
You need the latest Flash player to view video content.
Click here to download.

Click here to bypass this detection if you already have the latest Flash Player.

Broncos

Top News Stories

© MMIX, CBS Television Stations Inc. All Rights Reserved.