Link<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE </div><div class='quotemain'>Athletic Woods faces uphill battleBy Jeff Walcoff, Staff WriterFebruary 20, 2006Having just completed his college eligibility, Michigan defensive end and Cleveland native Pierre Woods is playing a tough role. He was not one of the 54 defensive lineman invited by the selection committee to this year's NFL combine. Not attending the biggest scouting week of the NFL calendar gives Woods a significant obstacle to overcome, but the Glenville High School grad still knows he has the physical tools to make it on the game's highest level. "I know I can play. I just have to get an opportunity," Woods said. "When the opportunity comes, you have to make the best of it. Nobody can help you but you. You have to do everything you can. "I love football. It's my passion. Regardless of what happens, I'll be on somebody's team." But just how did a 6-foot-5, 258-pound athletic phenom (a self-proclaimed "lean, mean muscle machine") from a big-name college program not get invited to the NFL's biggest talent evaluation week? It started two years ago at Michigan, when Woods was a budding star of the Wolverine defense. As a junior, Woods led his club with 14 tackles for loss and 7 sacks, marked 68 tackles, and was named second team All-Big Ten. Then suddenly during the following season, his playing time dropped off. He started just three games and made only 22 tackles. Rumors spread that Woods was in Michigan head coach Lloyd Carr's "dog house" - an accusation that was adamantly denied by both parties. But for some reason, Woods was still no longer playing. The trend continued during his fifth and final season in Ann Arbor, as he largely played as a backup before starting the final six games of his senior year due to injuries. While he managed only 24 tackles in 2005, 10 of them went for a loss. He also tied for the team lead with 3 sacks. But all along, Woods was positive. "People said ?they played you,'" Woods said. "I never worried about it. I respect all the coaches up there. I respect everybody up there. I never complained or anything like that. Everything happens for a reason. You have to make the best of your chances." An unintentional but positive byproduct of the situation was that, as a backup, Woods became a stalwart special teams contributor. Venturing into the NFL as a possible late-round pick, Woods could significantly help his chances to make a team if he can play on punts and kickoffs. "That's something I love to do," Woods said. "You get to run full steam ahead and hit somebody. You can make their momma feel it the next day. "Special teams is very key in the NFL for making a team. A lot of guys say they're not going to play special teams. ?Well, I don't know who told you that. You better wake up and smell the coffee. Otherwise that coffee isn't going to be here and you aren't going to either.'" For Woods, his big day is March 17, when Michigan hosts its annual pro day to showcase the school's senior talent. Woods is working out in Northeast Ohio to get in shape. What will stand out to NFL scouts when they meet Woods is his mild-mannered attitude and respectful personality. Despite all of the clouds surrounding his career at Michigan and his lack of an invite to the combine, he has nothing but positive things to say. In fact, he's still talking up his team's talent. "It's going to be the greatest show on turf," he said of the Michigan pro day. Woods also holds loyalty to his high school program, and to his high school coach, Ted Ginn, Sr. Woods' father died of emphysema when he was 14 and Ginn became a mentor after Woods developed an interest in football late in high school. Woods also is close friends with Ginn's son, Ohio State receiver Ted Ginn, Jr. At last week's National High School All-Star Combine at Browns Headquarters in Berea, Woods uttered sentiments that some Michigan fans might find offensive. He said even he cheered for Ohio State against Notre Dame during the 2006 Fiesta Bowl. "There's no bad blood with me," Woods said. "I got guys from my high school on Ohio State's team. I was cheering for my little brothers. That rivalry between Ohio State and Michigan - I'm out of school now, so it doesn't bother me what people say." Having played with a bevy of talent at both Michigan and Glenville, Woods said the best players with which he has ever played are former Glenville and Ohio State athlete Darius Hiley, Michigan running back Mike Hart and Browns receiver Braylon Edwards. Now, turning his attention towards the pros, Woods said he would love to join Edwards and play for his hometown team. With 4.6 speed, Woods feels he could be an ideal pass rushing outside linebacker in a 3-4 defensive scheme similar to the Browns'. "At Michigan I played defensive end and rush linebacker and outside linebacker, so I know the position," he said. "I have to work on some things and open my hips. I know what my perceived weaknesses are, so I'm just working on them. "That would be awesome (to play for the Browns). But it's up to the Browns. I can't make anybody do anything they don't want to do. Whatever happens, happens, but I'd love to be back home. "I'm always a Browns fan regardless. That's my hometown. I'll never forgive John Elway for what he did. The Browns have always been my team."</div>
