Steely Dan Posted April 25, 2009 Share Posted April 25, 2009 Linky Eric Wood C Height: 6'4" Weight: 310 College: Louisville Conference: Big East Hometown: Cincinnati, OH High School: Elder Combine Results: 40 Yard Dash : 5.25 seconds Bench Press : 30.0 reps Vertical Jump : 30.5 inches Broad Jump : 99.0 inches 3 Cone Drill : 7.56 seconds 20 Yard Shuttle : 4.51 seconds Overview Wood is the picture of durability. The unquestioned leader of the Cardinals' front wall, he finished his career with 49 consecutive starts at center, the second-longest streak in school history behind Travis Leffew (51, 2002-05). It was also the sixth-longest streak among active NCAA players last season, topped by Andrew Hartline of Central Michigan (51), Andrew Gardner of Georgia Tech (51), Jason Phillips of Texas Christian (50), Dallas Reynolds of Brigham Young (50) and Clint Sintim of Virginia (50). Called by many the "most prepared player in the nation," Wood has been known to be found in the wee hours of the morning still examining game tapes in the film room, preparing for his upcoming opponent. He not only brings incredible knowledge and instincts to the field, but plays with the true nastiness that has scouts comparing him to the NFL's old time centers like Mike Webster of the Pittsburgh Steelers and Tim Grunhard of the Kansas City Chiefs. Performing as his team's Iron Man is nothing new for Wood. He started every game in his final two seasons at Elder High School, as the team compiled a 28-2 record during that span. As a 15-game starter at offensive tackle, he guided the school to its second straight state title with a 31-7 win over St. Edward's High as a senior, picking up all-league first-team accolades. As a junior, Wood started at both offensive guard and tackle, in addition to lining up at tight end, earning all-district honorable mention. He also earned a pair of letters playing on the basketball team, picking up all-league recognition during his final campaign. Wood enrolled at Louisville in 2004, turning down scholarship offers from Bowling Green, Ohio University, Cincinnati, Indiana and Columbia. He spent that season performing on the scout team, but a stellar performance in 2005 spring drills earned him the starting center position, a job he would maintain throughout his playing career. He was a consensus Freshman All-American, adding Academic All-Big East Conference honors, as he delivered 85 knockdowns and had touchdown-resulting blocks on nine of the team's 41 scores on the ground. As a sophomore, Wood received All-Big East Conference second-team recognition. He started all 13 games, registering 79 knockdowns to go with 10 touchdown-resulting blocks. He made all the line calls, as the offense ranked second in the country, averaging 475.31 yards per game. He also posted a pair of tackles. In 2007, Wood led the nation's sixth-ranked offense, picking up All-Big East first-team honors. He collected 86 knockdowns and 11 touchdown-resulting blocks. He was one of the few bright spots on a turnover-prone offense, grading 83.25 percent for blocking consistency. He helped the team average 488.0 yards per game, but the Cardinals' running game was halted, placing 64th in the country (146.08 ypg) after finishing 12th the previous season (185.31 ypg). For the second season in a row, Louisville failed to make the bowl season in 2008. Wood continued his stellar play, receiving third-team All-American and first-team All-Big East honors. The offense scored only 34 times, with Wood ranking second among the nation's centers with 16 touchdown-resulting blocks. He graded 87.08 percent for blocking consistency and made 78 knockdowns as the Cardinals averaged 376.67 yards per game. He also recorded an assisted tackle. High School Attended Elder (Cincinnati, Ohio) High School...Started every game over the course of his final two seasons, as the team compiled a 28-2 record during that span...As a 15-game starter at offensive tackle, he guided the school to its second-straight state title with a 31-7 win over St. Edward's High as a senior, picking up All-League first-team accolades...As a junior, Wood started at both offensive guard and tackle, in addition to lining up at tight end, earning All-District honorable mention...Also earned a pair of letters playing on the basketball team, picking up All-League recognition during his final campaign. I'm glad to see the Bills are taking guys that don't have injury issues. I like this pick a lot. The question is will they use him at guard or will they slide Hangartner to guard and put Wood at C? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
McD Posted April 25, 2009 Share Posted April 25, 2009 I'm liking this pick. He wouldn't have made it to us in the 2nd round. should still have a shot at an OT or a TE there. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John from Riverside Posted April 25, 2009 Share Posted April 25, 2009 I think we should go LB or TE in the second What the picks say to me is that the bills beleive in the OT's they have......now you go out and get a veteran insurance policy after the draft. Cornilious Engram? (sp) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dwight Drane Posted April 25, 2009 Share Posted April 25, 2009 Last year it was Johnson and Cox.......this year it is Wood..... All I know is whoever scouts the SEC for the Bills has a PP fetish. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mickey Posted April 25, 2009 Share Posted April 25, 2009 He's a solid pick and is certainly an upgrade on the interior of the line. He's big and has a mauler reputation. Our line has lacked toughness and this guy is definitely an improvement. Allows Hangartner to move to his more natural position at G. Wow, we are going to have a killer line with Langston at RT, Buter at RG, the kid at C, Hangartner at LG and Peters at LT....oh...wait a minute...oh crap. Oh well, its a start. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mickey Posted April 25, 2009 Share Posted April 25, 2009 I think we should go LB or TE in the second What the picks say to me is that the bills beleive in the OT's they have......now you go out and get a veteran insurance policy after the draft. Cornilious Engram? (sp) No, it says that the appalling situation at center is even more appalling than the appalling situation at tackle. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
agilen Posted April 25, 2009 Share Posted April 25, 2009 Wow, we are going to have a killer line with Langston at RT, Buter at RG, the kid at C, Hangartner at LG and Peters at LT....oh...wait a minute...oh crap. Oh well, its a start. Well, we just replaced probably one of the dumbest O-linemen in the game with what sounds like the smartest in the draft class. Yeah, he isn't an LT, but I doubt the kid is stupid enough to hold out then play like crap. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Big Turk Posted April 25, 2009 Share Posted April 25, 2009 Seems like we could have traded down and had this guy? Who cares....why take a risk the guy you want is gone to get a 6th or 7th round pick... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Captain Hindsight Posted April 25, 2009 Share Posted April 25, 2009 Love it Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dibs Posted April 25, 2009 Share Posted April 25, 2009 Exciting pick. The Bills have Wood. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
billnutinphoenix Posted April 25, 2009 Share Posted April 25, 2009 Finally indeed. How many years have we been waiting for a pivot man. GREAT pick. Strong and mean enough to handle Wilfork. He has most troubles with wide-bodied pass rushers..He'll most likely be our LG... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cåblelady Posted April 25, 2009 Share Posted April 25, 2009 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lets_go_bills Posted April 25, 2009 Share Posted April 25, 2009 He seems like a bit of a reach there but he's a nasty lineman and I love that. He's gonna be a good one. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pirate Angel Posted April 25, 2009 Share Posted April 25, 2009 Seems like we could have traded down and had this guy? you can only trade down if there are teams willing to trade with you. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lets_go_bills Posted April 25, 2009 Share Posted April 25, 2009 Linky Eric Wood C Height: 6'4" Weight: 310 College: Louisville Conference: Big East Hometown: Cincinnati, OH High School: Elder Combine Results: 40 Yard Dash : 5.25 seconds Bench Press : 30.0 reps Vertical Jump : 30.5 inches Broad Jump : 99.0 inches 3 Cone Drill : 7.56 seconds 20 Yard Shuttle : 4.51 seconds Overview Wood is the picture of durability. The unquestioned leader of the Cardinals' front wall, he finished his career with 49 consecutive starts at center, the second-longest streak in school history behind Travis Leffew (51, 2002-05). It was also the sixth-longest streak among active NCAA players last season, topped by Andrew Hartline of Central Michigan (51), Andrew Gardner of Georgia Tech (51), Jason Phillips of Texas Christian (50), Dallas Reynolds of Brigham Young (50) and Clint Sintim of Virginia (50). Called by many the "most prepared player in the nation," Wood has been known to be found in the wee hours of the morning still examining game tapes in the film room, preparing for his upcoming opponent. He not only brings incredible knowledge and instincts to the field, but plays with the true nastiness that has scouts comparing him to the NFL's old time centers like Mike Webster of the Pittsburgh Steelers and Tim Grunhard of the Kansas City Chiefs. Performing as his team's Iron Man is nothing new for Wood. He started every game in his final two seasons at Elder High School, as the team compiled a 28-2 record during that span. As a 15-game starter at offensive tackle, he guided the school to its second straight state title with a 31-7 win over St. Edward's High as a senior, picking up all-league first-team accolades. As a junior, Wood started at both offensive guard and tackle, in addition to lining up at tight end, earning all-district honorable mention. He also earned a pair of letters playing on the basketball team, picking up all-league recognition during his final campaign. Wood enrolled at Louisville in 2004, turning down scholarship offers from Bowling Green, Ohio University, Cincinnati, Indiana and Columbia. He spent that season performing on the scout team, but a stellar performance in 2005 spring drills earned him the starting center position, a job he would maintain throughout his playing career. He was a consensus Freshman All-American, adding Academic All-Big East Conference honors, as he delivered 85 knockdowns and had touchdown-resulting blocks on nine of the team's 41 scores on the ground. As a sophomore, Wood received All-Big East Conference second-team recognition. He started all 13 games, registering 79 knockdowns to go with 10 touchdown-resulting blocks. He made all the line calls, as the offense ranked second in the country, averaging 475.31 yards per game. He also posted a pair of tackles. In 2007, Wood led the nation's sixth-ranked offense, picking up All-Big East first-team honors. He collected 86 knockdowns and 11 touchdown-resulting blocks. He was one of the few bright spots on a turnover-prone offense, grading 83.25 percent for blocking consistency. He helped the team average 488.0 yards per game, but the Cardinals' running game was halted, placing 64th in the country (146.08 ypg) after finishing 12th the previous season (185.31 ypg). For the second season in a row, Louisville failed to make the bowl season in 2008. Wood continued his stellar play, receiving third-team All-American and first-team All-Big East honors. The offense scored only 34 times, with Wood ranking second among the nation's centers with 16 touchdown-resulting blocks. He graded 87.08 percent for blocking consistency and made 78 knockdowns as the Cardinals averaged 376.67 yards per game. He also recorded an assisted tackle. High School Attended Elder (Cincinnati, Ohio) High School...Started every game over the course of his final two seasons, as the team compiled a 28-2 record during that span...As a 15-game starter at offensive tackle, he guided the school to its second-straight state title with a 31-7 win over St. Edward's High as a senior, picking up All-League first-team accolades...As a junior, Wood started at both offensive guard and tackle, in addition to lining up at tight end, earning All-District honorable mention...Also earned a pair of letters playing on the basketball team, picking up All-League recognition during his final campaign. I'm glad to see the Bills are taking guys that don't have injury issues. I like this pick a lot. The question is will they use him at guard or will they slide Hangartner to guard and put Wood at C? Thanks for that Dan! Good stuff, he sounds like a nasty, hard-nosed football player. Just what we need around here. Drafting to fortify the O-Line is smart. It all starts in the trenches. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nucci Posted April 25, 2009 Share Posted April 25, 2009 Seems like we could have traded down and had this guy? With whom? I love this general comment every time we pick. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DanInSouthBuffalo Posted April 25, 2009 Share Posted April 25, 2009 Jauron was just on Sirius NFL and says Wood will be the left guard to start, but they have the flexibility to play Hangartner and Wood at guard OR center so the pick creates instant depth. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ramius Posted April 25, 2009 Share Posted April 25, 2009 Someone please check on Bill in NYC. He probably splooged in his pants and then passed out. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BuffaloBillsMagic1 Posted April 25, 2009 Share Posted April 25, 2009 With whom? I love this general comment every time we pick. I just heard on ESPN radio a buffalo official, not sure if Modrak but says they will convert wood to Guard and play our free agent pickup from Carolina at Center. I would have kept Wood at his natural position where he was great but this is the Bills!!! we never seem to play poeple at their best positions. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steely Dan Posted April 25, 2009 Share Posted April 25, 2009 Exciting pick.The Bills have Wood. I wondered how long it would be before that stupid pun showed up!! Jauron was just on Sirius NFL and says Wood will be the left guard to start, but they have the flexibility to play Hangartner and Wood at guard OR center so the pick creates instant depth. Thanks that's what I was wondering about. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts