Woodyard Shines In Jack Del Rio's Broncos Defense
DENVER (CBS4) - Broncos linebacker Wesley "The Lumberjack" Woodyard has been a beast on the field for Denver so far this season totaling double-digit tackles in each of the last four games. He says it's all about defensive coordinator Jack Del Rio's scheme.
"He allows us to fly around and make plays," Woodyard said on Xfinity Monday Live! "We get guys together who believe and buy into his system, you know, we can't be stopped."
He said he has a little competition with his teammates on who will get the most tackles in a game.
"We usually keep track to see who is leading between us on the team," Woodyard said. "We'll occasionally look up at the scoreboard to check it out."
Woodyard currently ranks fifth in the league with 75 total tackles and he says much of the credit goes to fellow linebacker Von Miller, who seems to be getting better every week.
"It hard to block him; everything he can do; he can run past you with his speed or he can go straight through you with his power," he said. "He's allowed his game to grow and be able to switch up on different levels."
The Broncos currently have the 10th ranked defense in the NFL, which has been getting better every week. Miller said it's the pressure on the quarterback that helps the secondary get interceptions.
"It all goes hand-in-hand. Up front we've got to do our job, we've got to play good on the underneath coverage. If our secondary, if they're locked down and the quarterback has to get rid of that football, as you saw yesterday, Champ (Bailey) got that interception. It gives us a little more momentum and makes things happen."
Woodyard also gives credit to the offense and Peyton Manning.
"(The defense has learned) from him and he's learned from us, so it's always great having a guy like that in the locker room and on the football field to keep everybody's head straight," he said.
He said the defense is able to take a few more gambles because Manning is likely to move the ball.
"At any given time he's due for (a touchdown). He always has a chance to score and drive down the field and make a big play happen."
The Broncos travel to Charlotte to take on the Carolina Panthers this Sunday. Kickoff is at 11 a.m. on CBS4.
- By Matthew J. Buettner, CBSDenver.com
Watch more of the video with Wesley Woodyard in the Xfinity Monday Live! section.
