Patriots' Woods getting his fill

Playing time up with Thomas out

FOXBOROUGH - When outside linebacker Adalius Thomas broke his right forearm against the Bills Nov. 9, the question was how the Patriots would fill the void.

Perhaps they'd re-sign free agent Rosevelt Colvin to bolster their linebacker ranks. Or maybe Junior Seau would be summoned off his surfboard in San Diego.

Yet 11 days have passed without the Patriots adding front-line reinforcements, a decision that has thrust third-year man Pierre Woods into a leading role.

It's a significant leap.

The team's top backup at outside linebacker entering the season, Woods had played sparingly on defense before Thomas's injury - 61 of a possible 456 plays (13 percent). The low total was reflective of how Thomas and fellow outside linebacker Mike Vrabel seldom departed to the sideline.

While the Patriots have adopted a more liberal committee-like approach at some positions - such as running back - that wasn't the case at outside linebacker. If anything, Woods was utilized to give Vrabel short breathers.

Yet from the time Thomas sustained his injury, Woods has since missed just five defensive plays. Last Thursday against the New York Jets, he started in the team's 3-4 alignment, played some weakside linebacker when the defense shifted to a 4-3, and stayed on when the defense went to a nickel package (five defensive backs).

The 25-year-old Michigan alum has since been reminded of his extended action by more than just reporters; he's been hearing it from his body, too.

"Kind of sore," the 6-foot-5-inch, 250-pound Woods said yesterday when asked about taking on a heavier load. "But it's OK. We're just a group of guys trying to go out there with one mind-set, one goal, and that's to try to get a win."

Woods, who finished with a career-high nine tackles (seven solo), appeared to have some mixed results in his first start.

He made a solid tackle on the second play of the game, dropping receiver Jerricho Cotchery for a 1-yard loss, and on the first play of overtime he registered the first sack of his career.

On the flip side, he had trouble shedding the block of tight end Chris Baker early in the Jets' fourth-quarter touchdown drive, which allowed running back Thomas Jones to get to the edge and turn upfield for an important 11-yard gain.

Patriots coach Bill Belichick called the overall performance a building block for Woods, noting that "he doesn't have as much experience as the other two guys, but he does a solid job for us."

Woods, who teammates credit with having a strong work ethic and attention to detail, downplayed his suddenly expanding role yesterday, saying he's just following the script that has been in place for years.

"When you practice here, you learn from all the veterans, and you try to emulate what they do," he said. "It's just something you do, it's your job. That's what all the players expect from you."

Having grown up in the rough-and-tumble inner city of Cleveland, Woods isn't about to be overwhelmed by his current situation, or the challenge of butting helmets with powerful offensive tackles and tight ends. He often heard police sirens and gun shots on a regular basis while growing up in the projects, so he knows a thing or two about perspective.

Woods's desire to play football as a youngster came after watching San Francisco 49ers receiver Jerry Rice. He often attempted to emulate Rice while playing "dyno-man" - a street football game in which the ball is thrown up and whoever catches it becomes the target of a ferocious blitz of rushers - with friends and schoolmates.

Woods remembers endless games of "dyno-man" and that's where much of his toughness was likely born. It also helps explain, in part, why he thrives in the organized chaos of the kicking game, where his 11 tackles lead the Patriots this season.

Now, since Thomas broke his forearm, Woods is being called upon more regularly to thrive on more than just special teams. He is attacking the challenge.

"I've always been confident in my abilities and this is me learning the system even more, being out there, and recognizing plays a lot faster," he said. "You just keep working and continuing to grow."

Mike Reiss can be reached at mreiss@globe.com.