Joe Woods aims to make every opposing coach cringe with relentless pressure and air-tight coverage. Same goes for the Steelers’ Mike Tomlin on Sunday.
But this matchup, admittedly, is a bit different for the Broncos’ defensive coordinator. Woods owes a lot to the head man roaming the visitor’s sideline. The respect runs deep.
“Mike’s my guy,” Woods said. “I can’t lie about it.”
Their paths crossed on the Buccaneers’ and Vikings’ coaching staff between 2004-’06.
“Mike was my mentor,” Woods said. “He taught me how to see the game differently, how to prepare and how to handle a room. He’s just a dynamic personality. I owe a lot to him, really, for me being in the position I’m in. We remain friends. When I go home and go back to Pennsylvania, I stay with him for a couple days. I just look up to him.”
Tomlin’s reputation as a defensive mastermind is well known. Yet Woods appreciates what Tomlin taught him about the other side of the football.
“Mike played offense in college. He was a receiver and when he first started coaching he coached on offense,” Woods said. “As a defensive coach, you kind of look at things defensively from your view, but when I was with him, he taught me how to look at it from an offensive standpoint. It helped me a lot in terms of my growth and what I look at.”
— , The Denver Post
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Whatap on tap?
Week 12: Pittsburgh Steelers, 2:25 p.m.Sunday, KCNC-4; 850 AM, 94.1 FM
TV/RADIO: Here’s what sports are airing today
Must-Read
Chase to 100: Von Miller’s sack milestone result of “scientific” approach
Miller’s sack prowess has always relied on a combination of rare football smarts and otherworldly athleticism. Mad science mixed with slam poetry. His attention to detail, such as noticing the placement of an offensive lineman’s hands and feet, gives him an edge, too. Read more…
New Broncos offensive line looks to build on sack-free game against Chargers
Putting the Broncos’ offensive line tumult into perspective: Eight players have started at least one game. Only one player (Garett Bolles) has started all 10 games. And three players — Connor McGovern, Max Garcia and Billy Turner — have started games at two positions.Read more…
Bowlen Trust files motion requesting NFL serve as arbitrator in Broncos ownership dispute
The three-person trust which runs the Broncos submitted a filing Friday in Colorado District Court requesting a stay in the proceedings triggered by a lawsuit last month by a brother of owner Pat Bowlen requesting the trust be removed from power. Read more…
Quick Hits
+Broncos Game Plan: How Denver matches against the Steelers, injury report and predictions.
+Inside The Game: How practice made perfect on Broncos’ fake punt.
+´հ: Denver Broncos Week 12 preview vs. Pittsburgh Steelers.
+John Elway’s college quarterback tour continues in Missouri.
+Broncos podcast: What must happen for surprise AFC wild card push.
+Steelers’ NFL-best pass rush will challenge Case Keenum and Co.
+Broncos-Steelers pairs NFL’s unexpected rushing stars Phillip Lindsay and James Conner.
+Young cornerbacks Isaac Yiadom, Brendan Langley have six games to earn role for 2019.
+Want to chat about the Broncos?
By The Numbers
189
How many yards receiving Antonio Brown tallied against Chris Harris the last time the Broncos faced the Steelers. Harris has beenwaiting for the rematch since his 2015 humiliation.
Parting Shot
Kickin’ it with Kiz: Playoffs? Must Broncos rally for postseason berth for coach Vance Joseph to keep his job?
Hey, don’t blame us. The staff here at Kickin’ It Headquarters decided more than a year ago the Broncos could do better than Joseph as coach. Read more…
Get in Touch
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