The Arizona Cardinals added linebacker Josh Woods this offseason on a one-year contract. He has, thus far in his NFL career, been a stud special teams player with limited experience on defense.
He hopes to change that this season.
It won’t be easy, as the Cardinals have a projected linebacker starting lineup that includes Kyzir White, Zaven Collins and Isaiah Simmons.
“I go into every year thinking this is going to be the year that I finally get to scratch the surface, get out of the ST (special teams) box, so I’m attacking this year just like every other year,” he said on the PHNX Cardinals Podcast.
His offseason preparation is going to be the same but he intends on competing, which is what new head coach Jonathan Gannon wants — he wants constant competition.
Woods is ready to take the next step in his career.
“I’m for sure coming in there to take a job and the dominoes will fall where they do,” he said. “I’m pretty sure I’m coming in there to finally kick down the door to playing linebacker and not just reserve special teams guy.”
Wood will be given the opportunity.
He was primarily signed because of his special teams play but anything he can add on defense will be a bonus.
Listen to the latest from Cards Wire’s Jess Root on his podcast, Rise Up, See Red. Subscribe on Apple podcasts or Spotify.
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