Scouting Profile: Damien Woody
So who is this guy the Jets just got named Damien Woody to play right tackle? Here’s a quick compiled scouting report on the former Lion lineman Damien Woody, after the jump:
Physical Attributes: At 6?3? 325 pounds, Woody will become one of the biggest linemen the Jets have. Possesses an excellent combination of size, strength and athleticism.
Attitude: Solid work ethic and a good performer. Woody is a ‘model citizen’ and will bring consistency to the Jets’ line unit. His awareness and instincts continue to improve as he has learned the game more and more.
Skills: Strong first punch on defenders, able to hold defensive assignments in place or push them backwards during running plays. Known for his hand placement and technique. Plays with the low pad level and lower body strength to drive defenders backwards. Shows lateral burst in pass protection to effectively mirror speed rushers and keep his center of gravity low. Is able to hold at the point of attack against strength/bull rushes as well. Excellent at anticipating stunts and countermoves.
Questions: Must be more diligent about his conditioning regimen. He isn’t a great athlete, and his mobility and range will suffer if he doesn’t stay in shape. Can get exposed by elite linemen changing direction quickly or isolated in space.
37 Responses to Scouting Profile: Damien Woody
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Ghost of Gastineau says:
OK…we’ve made some deals. Now it comes down to coaching and conditioning these guys because it seems that we’ve added players with alot of questions. Faneca is the only player who doesn’t come in with questions:
Jenkins- Weight/Conditioning, Motivation
Woody- Weight/Conditioning
Pace- UnprovenSo, T-baum is doing his job, now it comes down to Mangini and his staff to prepare these guys for the expectations….because you know we as fans expect these pickups to make a significant impact.
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comesimangia says:
With this new o-line, and as far as myself and most other people are concerned, nothing but questions at the QB, and hopefully a much improved D, doesn’t it make sense to try and go get McFadden and just pound the ball with two very good backs with different running styles? How easy would Kellen’s job be then?
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Sean says:
I love the fact that you guys are all for KC being the QB and not CP.
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CP is a great team player and such an easy guy to root for, but watching KC play in the second half of the Baltimore game last year (despite the fact that Bmore dropped back and didnt rush him as much as they did earlier) really got me excited. He has a good arm and his accuracy will ony improve with a better O line. Imagine Coles and Cotchery getting the ball in their hands with some room to work with.
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j says:
If you held an open competition for the QB job, Chad would win hands down, Kellen is at this point not ready for prime time, regardless of the O Line, he has accuracy issues which are hard to correct. Last season the offense had to throw outs because they could not protect the QB, with protection they can throw the ball in the middle of the field (re, Bengals game), and use the play action.
If KC was seen as the starter in the eyes of the FO they probably would have dangled Chad for picks or a player. -
Chad has highest heart to armstrength ratio of alltime, it’s just too bad it’s not the other way around. He’s a great competitor and I will always be a fan of his, but watching EVERY SINGLE DB he played against just sit and wait for the out-route to run back for a TD, all year long, was too painful to watch. Atleast Kellen has potential, he’s still young and needs some time. And whoever thinks we’re trading for Brady Quinn or drafting Matt Ryan is out of their minds.
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You need to have 2 QBs in this leauge, they drafted Kellen and he is gonna get a chance this year, but you don’t just give Chad away for some 2nd day picks and have Brad smith as your back up, you want to see them running the option every play if Kellen were to go down?
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billvv says:
I’m still a CP fan. I’ve always liked his persona and the grace with which he takes the ups and downs of pro football. Very intelligent and smooth, excellent play fakes and I’ve always believed he has the arm when there is time for the play to develop. This year that may actually happen. I look forward to the competition as this year it should be meaningful.
Has anybody else thought that this surpirsing turn of events may have something to do with the cap possibly being removed next year? I get the feeling this sets the Jets to get through that period of uncertainty which could last four or five years. If they can draft wisely, a big if for any team, they could be well set by these moves.
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Clemens reminds me of Browning Nagle, great arm, bad accuaracy.
If they give him the season with all of the moves that they made they are taking a big step back! -
Jonathan says:
Favre is retiring, ESPN reports.
Awesome career. Wish him well. Can’t believe he could hang it up after coming so close last year. Guess having the ring already makes that easier. -
Kellen has, what, 6 or 7 career starts? All of which were behind a pretty awful o-line. It is way way way to early to pass judgment. If he can’t do it this year he can’t do it, but we gotta give him a chance.
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Russ says:
I too am a Pennington fan. He’s a great guy, works hard, has more heart then anyone. However, I just don’t feel confident with him at QB for us anymore. I was 100% for him coming into this season and, well, we know how that went. I know that he didn’t have an O line in front of him, but his arm strenght and fragility scare the crap out of me. Kellen is young and has a HUGE upside. Yes, he only has 6 starts under his belt, but this will be his 3rd year in the program and it’s now or never. There is not much future with Chad. Trust me, if Chad could go in there and win us a Superbowl I’d be all for it, I just don’t see that happening. I think his future is in coaching.
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Will the Jets win a super bowl with Chad Pennington at QB? Almost definetly not. So try Clemens, give him a year or two. He wasnt a #1 pick so its not a ton of money, and if you have to take a Henne/Flacco or a 3rd tier QB later do it.
I like Pennington, he is a great team player and all, but remember: “Mickey Mantle won’t pay your fathers rent”.
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jeff i says:
with an OL that was like swiss cheese, no stability at WR (coles and cotchey played together for clemens for exactly one play — the flea flicker where coles got hurt), no time to develop chemistry with WRs (2nd stringer works with scout team in season), is it fair to judge clemens on anything other than his toughness?
after he settled down, his pocket presence in the baltimore game was great and also very good in the washington game. any suprise it broke down over time given how much he was getting hammered? if you want to see the guys pocket presence, you need to give him a pocket first.
i’m not saying he’s going to be good, i’m just saying it’s waaaay to early to draw any conclusions at this point.
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redd5 says:
The QB situation is really a tough decision..Chad can win with a good team, but we don’t know if Clemens can. But Chad can only take us so far, imo, and its a really ugly, and annoying brand of football to watch.
I would probably trade chad, and bring in a veteran to back clemens up.
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ramble914 says:
You guys gotta give KC a chance. Go back and check out his college career, he was awesome. Jaworski and Theisman were higher on him coming out than they were on Leinart, Cutler, and Young. If he didn’t break his leg during his senior year he would have been a sure first round pick. He was a Heisman candidate before the broken leg. As for the comparisons to Nagel, not even close. Nagel never had the college career that Kellen had. Nagel had no brains, KC does. Now that we have an OL, and a running game he will be fine.
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david i says:
I love Chad and he can get us to the playoffs, but when the level of play in the playoffs kicks it up a notch, Chad just can’t make the throws that make champions! If a championship is won, it will be because the team can stop the run and run the ball down peoples throats…that is why we just doled out $62M in gaurantees. So, in the case of this teams QBs, it is the case in using someone who won’t lose you the game. Chad’s performance in year’s past proved that he couldn’t make the throws that won championships, but he was the guy that wouldn’t lose you any games. Last year, that all changed, when he lost the games he did by throwing the ball away. He is and should be plan B. Clemens can make the throws, he just needs more time behind a line that can give him the time, his accuracy will improve and he might be able to avoid losing games so we can win a championship!
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All QB’s from Oregon look good. I have no problem with him playing this year, but be prepared to have an inconsistent offense. Pennington can manage a game, and with an Oline that can open holes for the RB you will see a totally different player.
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96debacle says:
I see this went from Woody and the OL to CP verse KC. OK I’ll bite.
But I’m going to be selfish.
CP- Boring, predictable, one dimensional, dependable
KC- Exciting, Field stretcher, strong, inexperiencedDepending how training camp and pre-season goes. I would lean toward KP, but keep him on a short leash. Yeah he makes some bad decisions. at least he can make the throws. CP knows what he want to do but does not have the physical tools to accomplish them. unless its a 8 yard dinker.
But hey, i’m just some fan on a blog. throwing my 2 cents in.
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I saw Chad throw a 50 yarder in the Cincy game, you can only throw the ball by the play call, I think some burden lies with Schottenheimer, not a very impressive 2 year run.
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SackDance99 says:
Getting back to Woody (and Jenkins), everyone knows that a big man’s weakness are: knees, conditioning and weight, all of which are inter-connected. Woody was in the Detroit cesspool, where nobody works hard because nobody cares about winning. Woody was a Pro Bowler in NE, can play any OL position and is a huge man. Jenkins and the Carolina FO were at odds. How well do any of us do our jobs when we are fighting with our bosses? Whatever issues anyone has with Mangini, he does not tolerate laziness and demands professionalism. If Jenkins and Woody are in shape and motivated, the improvement of the Jets’ line play will be night-and-day.
As for Chad/KC. Here’s a take from someone who does not like either of them. If the Jets draft Run DMc, I would be inclined to start Chad. With the Jets improved OL, and a speed demon like McFadden, playing 8 men in the box is a real calculated risk. McFadden can take a seam and go on the fastest 70-80 yard run by an RB in NFL history. Even with his weak arm, Chad will be able to crank out enough long wobblers to keep a defense honest, especially in play-action. Also, there’s a chance that Chad’s problems were physical (ankle worse than we thought, scar tissue in shoulder that had to loosen, etc.). With Chad’s smarts and pocket presence, the Jets could be a playoff team next season and KC could still sit and learn some more.
On the flip side, if the FO is committed to KC, then he needs a speedy WR, a pass-catching TE, Run DMc, and an offense geared towards minimizing any deficiencies caused by his lack of height. He needs moving pockets and safety valves, especially at TE (although Run DMc could be like Reggie Bush in NO, who is Brees’ safety valve). The point is, the entire offense has to be specifically tailored for KC.
If the Jets intend to stick with a straight drop-back QB, which would be my preference after spending a gazillion dollars on the OL, then drafting or signing a classic drop-back QB makes sense. Ryan at 6, Flacco/Woodson/Ainge in the later rounds, Leftwich, etc. KC just isn’t a classic drop-back guy, while Chad is, but without the big arm. Brady, Big Ben, the Mannings, Palmer, Rivers…all 6-4 plus, all have big arms, all have classic drop-back QB skills. I keep on harping on this, but if the Jets want to be a perennial Super Bowl contender, they should draft or sign a QB that meets this profile. -
dakar says:
by improving this o-line the offense has also improved…we dont need mcfaden…TJ and leon will be just fine now that they will have holes to run through…unlike last year…and i also think c-penn or KC will do much better now that they’ll have more than 2 seconds to throw the ball…stay with these guys for 1 more year before giving up on them…be patient…just my thoughts…
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seanmac says:
Chad’s FO numbers on the season were DPAR 15.6 and DVOA -0.9%. Those aren’t good numbers, but it should be noted that there were two playoff quarterbacks who were notably worse- Vince Young (DPAR 11.7/DVOA -6.75) and, wait for it, Super Bowl MVP Eli Manning (DPAR 7.3/DVOA -10.2%). So Chad was better than Eli Manning last year. On the other hand, the legitimate powerhouse teams had quarterbacks who put up a minimum of 70 DPAR and 25% DVOAs, so unless you are counting on replicating the Giants’ flukey postseason run, you’re going to need better performance from the position. Chad has performed at that level in the past- his 2004 season was good for 77.2 DPAR and a whopping 31.6% DVOA- and those are numbers good enough to win a championship if you have a good team around you. It’s possible that he can no longer play at that level. On the other hand, it’s also possible that he can, provided the team is properly constructed. Chad’s game is made for a team with a powerful running attack. He completes such a high percentage of his passes, and his play action is so effective, that you can plug him in and have an offense that will consistently generate yardage, eat up clock and minimize turnovers (when not under pressure to win the game, Pennington simply doesn’t throw interceptions). He’s spent the last two seasons with no viable running game and not much of an offensive line, so his strengths have been basically negated while his weaknesses have been highlighted. It’s also possible that his arm strength is degrading to the point where he can’t be effective even in that capacity. I’m willing to give the coaching staff the benefit of the doubt on this- if they start him, they’re saying they think he can be effective, and I’ll buy it. If they don’t, I’ll believe that they’re saying he can’t be effective, and I’ll buy that as well. I don’t see a situation where an effective Pennington is beaten out by a more effective Clemens.
All that said, I’m not down on Clemens, at least not any more than his performance last year warranted. I don’t see any reason why he can’t develop along the lines of Drew Brees or Tony Romo, guys who have very similar physical stature and inferior skill sets. I think he was put into a terrible situation, but that ultimately he’ll be fine. I wouldn’t pass up an elite quarterback prospect simply because Clemens is on the roster, but I wouldn’t go chasing quarterbacks out of worry, either.
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seanmac, but Brees and Romo have offenses tailored to their skills. Romo has an elite WR (TO) and probably the best pass-catching TE (Witten) not named Gates in the NFL. Brees has speedy and tall WRs (Colston, Henderson) and a decent safety valve in Bush (and in SD he had Gates). I take it that you do not disagree with my premise that if the Jets go with KC, they have to surround him with the tools that a speedy, smaller QB needs for success (unless they put KC in a West Coast offense, and the Jets most definitely do not have the players or coaches for a West Coast offense).
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sean…nicely put…but i wouldn’t waist our 1st or 2nd round picks on a QB…not this year anyway…not after seeing what KC can do with an o-line and time to set his feet and throw the ball…just my thoughts…
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No, I don’t disagree, which is why I’ve been suggesting the team go after Shockey, who would add size, a vertical component and a safety valve all in one. No matter who the quarterback is, the team desperately needs a third receiving option beyond Coles and Cotchery. Unfortunately, this doesn’t look to be the year for it, at least not in the draft, as the tight end crop is terrible and the wide receiver crop, while not bad, consists mostly of guys who are destined to be #2 receivers, and the Jets already have two such players on the roster. So if the Jets are going to radically boost the efficiency of their passing game, it may have to come from the running back spot. McFadden would be very dangerous on screens, and Jonathan Stewart has excellent hands and was frequently used in the pass game. (Running more weakside screens would also take advantage of Ferguson, who has the quickness to get out to the edge and then to track down defenders in space.) Beyond that, they may give the Purdue tight end a sniff, but I don’t see too many other ways of addressing the issue.
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One more reason why DMc makes sense at 6, if he’s there. He helps both Chad and KC. Mangini, although from the Parcells coaching tree, doesn’t share the TE love. I’m not sure why.
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ian says:
seanmac–i agree about the need for weapons in general, but dont’ you think that improving at least 2/5 o-line spots will “radically boost the efficiency of their passing game?” also, i love the idea of more weakside screens to take advantage of Brick’s mobility (although he sometimes misses guys in space), but couldnt’ they just use leon for those screens?
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SeanMac,
Statistics are for losers, wins and losses measure a player. Look at Chad with a real line and RB, we have shored up some weak areas, but in the NFL crazy things happen, like a average statistical QB winning the SuperBowl.
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I can’t speak for seanmac, but the answer to ian’s question is : “no.” Coles and Cotchery are possession receivers, who don’t stretch the field and are mediocre red zone threats because of their lack of size (if I see the fade to Coles, again, I might leap from the upper level). So, you don’t get much bang for a Coles or Cotchery reception. Problem with screens with Leon is that when he’s in the backfield, defenses might not bite. But, DMC, who is more of an every down back, could sell it better.
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Upgrading the offensive line can only help things, but I’ve thought for two years that the Jets have been limited by their skill position players. The Jets just don’t have players who can create separation, and they certainly don’t have players who can open up a defense. Chad took a lot of grief for laying guys out on his intermediate throws, but it seemed to me that he simply didn’t have windows to put the ball into and that he placed the ball in pretty much the only spots he could. Clemens only confirmed this for me, as his balls were traveling twice as fast, but he was making basically the same kind of throws. I don’t have coach’s tape, but I suspect that people simply weren’t open very often.
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Agreed. Neither Coles or Cotchery has the type of speed, size or great route-running ability for an elite WR. Jericho runs good routes and Coles is close on speed, but neither is the complete package. I think Coles is a little better than probably seanmac does, but at 5-11, he’s the same size as a CB. If he were just 6-1, he’d have just a little more ability to create separation, like Chad Johnson, Housh or if he were just a tad faster, he’d be able to outrun CBs, like Steve Smith or Galloway. I still shake my head every time I think that Hofstra’s Colston was drafted in the 7th round.
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Hind sight is 20/20 Sack. I’m sure we’ll see a “who the hell is that?” as the season goes along. I would like to see the guy in Green and white though…
Interesting points being made on the WR and QB sides. Just how much can you do in one off season though? If we had no picks in the draft I would be content with what the FO has done.
But then again, I don’t have to be content.
What I’m getting from most bloggers is CP is a stop gap and not many people have confidence in KC.
So if Matt Ryan is available at 6 we take him?
Maybe trade up from the 2nd round or trade down from #6 and take Brohm?
There is no big and fast WR in the draft. Big yes, but not very fast WR out there. Maybe take a shot at Marcus Monk in the 4th. Even he runs in th 4.5s at least he’s 6’4. Still Raw talent.
Personally I’m scratching WR off the wish list in ’08.
As far as KC and CP go. This is the same story as last year. Probably the same debate will be going on next year as well. CP is smart, but no arm (never did, never will). KC doesn’t make the right read, is too short, but can rocket one short or long.
Its going to be the same as last year QB competition. CP serviceable. he can keep the ship afloat till they find his succesor. KC is just the 1st. If its not addressed this year, I’ll putt money it will be next year. Which is what I’m thinking will happen. KC has a shot to show improvement enough to take the rains otherwise he’s gone.
And I would have to agree with Ramble914. KC had a very successfully College career and he was touted highly if it wasn’t for a busted leg. Then again its coming up on year three and its time to show more improvement. Start showing that Franchise QB. -
Harvlis says:
Chad was the Comeback Player of the Year in 2006. We were 10-6. Derek Anderson won 10 games in Cleveland this year and the media said “Hey, he won 10 games, they can’t possibly let him go. They have to sign him to a big contract”. And the Browns did. For those of you who say that Chad can get us to the playoffs but, he will never take us to the promised land — many dumb Colts fans were saying the same thing about Peyton Manning. By the way, the Jets with Chad beat Peyton 41-0 in the playoffs. No QB could win with last years O-Line. Give Chad the weapons and he will do the job. At that point, the Defense has to perform (see the NY Giants). KC might blossom into a player but, Chad will win the job in the pre-season.
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JET-tison says:
Didn’t the Sack Exchange, LT Giants, 07 Giants teach everybody a lesson? Build a foundation in the trenches first. Jets need another elite DE/OLB to replace Barton or either of the two DEs. Jets need an attacking, disruptive front seven to get to the next level. Ask Tom Brady how he and his record breaking offense did against this style of defense.
We can speculate and try to predict about players in the draft who would help the Jets the most but if Jets management doesn’t string 2 or 3 terrific drafts together and stay with a coaching system that allows the players to succeed then the team with continue to be mediocre to slightly above avg (ONE AND OUT IN THE PLAYOFFS).
Put more money into scouting and talent recognition and a GM/Coach who will make the better decisions.
FYI the 2007 draft gave us 2 good players but was C to C+ when it comes to the amount of players that actually helped the team.
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Terry says:
I realize the Jets still by all means need a third reciever but some of the problem could be solved by throwin the ball to Chris Baker a little more. I realize he’s not that fast but we arn’t askin him to haul in 40 yard bombs. Hittin him up for shorter passes wouldnt be such a bad idea. Last year he was thrown to a couple times for pretty much the first time and he has some of the best hands ive ever seen. It seems every time he was thrown the ball he was either makin a one handed circus catch in the endzone while just gettin his feet in bounds or makin 5 yard receptions and then breakin 3 tackles for 5 or 10 more. I definitley feel we need another reciever but I really dont think it would hurt to throw the ball his way a little. I mean you know hes gonna catch it. If nothing else he provides a pretty good safety valve and should he get the ball thrown his way 4 or 5 times a game he could become a solid contributer to the Jets passing game. I would absolutley rather have had him gettin the ball in the endzone at the end of the Baltimore game then McCareins cause big daddy Baker would have done whatever he had to to come down with that ball.
Very happy with this move. I love the direction the O line is moving. One that was obviously, after last years mess, very much needed. The new line, Jones and Washington in the backfield, Coles and Cotch at WR, we’ll have a very solid core on O. HOpefully, with more protection Kellen will be able to get comfortable in the pocket and be the player he was at Oregon. Lets hope that D’Brick finally plays to his potential. Faneca lineing up next to him should surely help, on and off the field. I’m more excited today then I was for 60% of last season.