FOXBOROUGH – Mike Vrabel has preached that every player on his roster needs to prepare like they’re a starter. That way, if the time comes, a backup is ready to step up for the Patriots.
That moment came for backup cornerback/special teamer Charles Woods in Sunday’s win over the Atlanta Falcons. Woods hadn’t played on defense until Christian Gonzalez exited the game in the fourth quarter due to a head injury.
With 7:35 remaining and the Patriots clinging to a one-point lead, Woods was brought into the game.
“Go out there and do what I prepare to do every week. No matter what man I am on the depth chart, I’ve got to prepare like a starter,” Woods said. “Just for scenarios like that – if someone goes down, I have to step in, and it can’t be a big drop off.”
It was a big task for Woods and the Patriots secondary without their All-Pro cornerback. Up to that point, Gonzalez allowed two catches on six targets for 51 yards. He also had two pass breakups on Falcons quarterback Michael Penix.
Woods hadn’t played any defensive snaps the week before and totaled six defensive plays in the previous three games combined. On Sunday, he played the team’s remaining 14 defensive snaps.
“It’s intense, but something we’ve been doing all our lives,” Woods said. “It’s football at the end of the day. So rely on your technique and fundamentals that coaches tell you to do and go out there and make a play.”
The Patriots had their hands full with Falcons receiver Drake London. The 6-foot-4 wideout finished Sunday with nine catches for 118 yards and three touchdowns. When Gonzalez exited the game, the Falcons went right to their top target, who was then matched up with cornerback Carlton Davis.
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London caught an 8-yard touchdown with Davis in coverage while Woods was covering Darnell Mooney.
Atlanta had one more opportunity in their next drive. They failed on third-and-20 when Penix threw an incomplete pass to receiver David Sills, who Woods covered.
“It means a lot to me, me being picked up Week 1, coming in and finding a way to try to help this team,” Woods said. “It means a lot to me to go out there and strap up with my teammates.”
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