Jets tackle Damien Woody goes through limited practice, believes he's ready to play against Colts

[Jetfan13]

Damien Woody has had his mind on the playoffs since mid-December.

That's when the Jets veteran offensive lineman was shelved with a partially torn knee ligament that required arthroscopic surgery. He spent the next few weeks watching helplessly from the sidelines - all the while hoping he could return in time for the postseason.

"That's what I've been working towards the whole time," Woody said. "I've just been behind the scenes, just doing my thing."

Now, the postseason is here, and Woody believes he is ready. The 33-year-old went through a limited practice Tuesday, his first action since Week 14. He said he felt "pretty good," with only slight soreness in his knee.

"But that's expected," he said. "I haven't really practiced or anything for a while."

Veteran Wayne Hunter filled in admirably for Woody the last three weeks. Mark Sanchez was sacked just once during that span, and the Jets topped 100 rushing yards in each game. But Woody, who won two Super Bowls with the New England Patriots, brings a veteran presence to the line, something that should be valuable at raucous Lucas Oil Stadium.

"He's a veteran, and he knows the game well," left tackle D'Brickashaw Ferguson said. "He's a talented player. We're just glad to have him back."

But Woody still has some work to do. He said he had a practice that he can "build on," but admitted that he's not sure how his surgically repaired knee will hold up in a game.

"I don't know," he said. "That remains to be seen."

Against the Colts' defensive end tandem of Dwight Freeney and Robert Mathis (21 combined sacks), that's cause for concern.

"Whenever you have pass-rushers like Indy...we'll just have to make sure our technique is really sound this week," Ferguson said.

That means Woody has three days to sharpen his skills and ready for the Colts' pass rush. He doesn't plan to let Gang Green down.

"Guys have done a great job getting to this point," he said. "Now I have the opportunity to come back and really help this team in the postseason, and I plan on doing that."

[JiF]

I understand Woody is a veteran, has rings and is very used to playing against the Colts...but does anyone else feel like the more athletic Hunter makes for a better match up for Mathis/Freeney?

I'm pretty sure they typically line Freeney up at RDE and Mathis at LDE, but either way, Hunter has been outstanding the past few weeks. Our oline had it best 2 performances of the season back to back against Pitt and Chi without Woody.

I dunno. Not sure how I feel. Kinda want Woody not to play so Rex isnt faced with that decision. Or am I crazy and we should go with the Vet in this big of a game?

[#27TheDominator]

I understand Woody is a veteran, has rings and is very used to playing against the Colts...but does anyone else feel like the more athletic Hunter makes for a better match up for Mathis/Freeney?

I'm pretty sure they typically line Freeney up at RDE and Mathis at LDE, but either way, Hunter has been outstanding the past few weeks. Our oline had it best 2 performances of the season back to back against Pitt and Chi without Woody.

I dunno. Not sure how I feel. Kinda want Woody not to play so Rex isnt faced with that decision. Or am I crazy and we should go with the Vet in this big of a game?

If Woody is 100% you play him and don't worry about sacks. You run the ball right down Freeny's throat. Problem is I'm not convinced Woody'll be 100%.

[F.Chowds]

I understand Woody is a veteran, has rings and is very used to playing against the Colts...but does anyone else feel like the more athletic Hunter makes for a better match up for Mathis/Freeney?

I'm pretty sure they typically line Freeney up at RDE and Mathis at LDE, but either way, Hunter has been outstanding the past few weeks. Our oline had it best 2 performances of the season back to back against Pitt and Chi without Woody.

I dunno. Not sure how I feel. Kinda want Woody not to play so Rex isnt faced with that decision. Or am I crazy and we should go with the Vet in this big of a game?

I totally agree especially on that quick track in Indy.

[JiF]

If Woody is 100% you play him and don't worry about sacks. You run the ball right down Freeny's throat. Problem is I'm not convinced Woody'll be 100%.

The way they've been stopping the run over the past few weeks is going to make it hard to just run, run, run. Sanchez will be forced into obvious passing situations when those 2 can pin their ears and do what they do. Especially if we get down early.

But further, our run game has come back to life with Hunter in place of Woody. So I'm not sure that Woody is the answer if you want to commit to ground and pound.

I'm not so certain that I'd take a 100% Woody over Hunter right now. Thats my issue.

[TNJet]

I think its safe to say we will play both Woody and Hunter at RT. Woody being rusty and not at full strength will allow that to happen. All is well, calm down jet nation.

[#27TheDominator]

The way they've been stopping the run over the past few weeks is going to make it hard to just run, run, run. Sanchez will be forced into obvious passing situations when those 2 can pin their ears and do what they do. Especially if we get down early.

But further, our run game has come back to life with Hunter in place of Woody. So I'm not sure that Woody is the answer if you want to commit to ground and pound.

I'm not so certain that I'd take a 100% Woody over Hunter right now. Thats my issue.

We are pretty much in agreement. I probably think that a 100% Woody is better than you do. I think Woody has been hurt for a long time and playing like crapy even when he was in the lineup. He wasn't giving up many sacks last season or early this year. Hunter has had trouble with some speed rushers when he started, but he does look solid.

[JiF]

I think its safe to say we will play both Woody and Hunter at RT. Woody being rusty and not at full strength will allow that to happen. All is well, calm down jet nation.

This could very well happen...and I'm pretty sure we'll see them in the game at the same time quite a bit. Which is a probably a good thing.

We are pretty much in agreement. I probably think that a 100% Woody is better than you do. I think Woody has been hurt for a long time and playing like crapy even when he was in the lineup. He wasn't giving up many sacks last season or early this year. Hunter has had trouble with some speed rushers when he started, but he does look solid.

Maybe I'm still half massed over the job Hunter did on Peppers...but I think TNJet probably hit the nail on the head...we'll see both. Probably even on the field at the same time.

[spjets]

I think its safe to say we will play both Woody and Hunter at RT. Woody being rusty and not at full strength will allow that to happen. All is well, calm down jet nation.

i agree,,,,gotta go with the VET to start...keep an eye on Woody and make the change from there....

[Bleedin Green]

I understand Woody is a veteran, has rings and is very used to playing against the Colts...but does anyone else feel like the more athletic Hunter makes for a better match up for Mathis/Freeney?

I'm pretty sure they typically line Freeney up at RDE and Mathis at LDE, but either way, Hunter has been outstanding the past few weeks. Our oline had it best 2 performances of the season back to back against Pitt and Chi without Woody.

I dunno. Not sure how I feel. Kinda want Woody not to play so Rex isnt faced with that decision. Or am I crazy and we should go with the Vet in this big of a game?

I was kind of thinking the same thing earlier when I first read this. Maybe it's purely coincidence, but the OL has looked a hell of a lot better these past few weeks with Hunter in there. You'd have to think Ryan and probably even more so Callahan are smart enough to know what the best decision for the team is though.

[Vicious89x]

I was kind of thinking the same thing earlier when I first read this. Maybe it's purely coincidence, but the OL has looked a hell of a lot better these past few weeks with Hunter in there. You'd have to think Ryan and probably even more so Callahan are smart enough to know what the best decision for the team is though.

I would like to jump on this train. Hunter has looked for some reason, seemed to answer the call and our O-Line has looked pretty solid. Not saying he's the reason, but he hasn't hurt as much as expected.

[Larz]

the more o-lineman the better