FOXBORO - The New England Patriots’ back end is starting to feel more settled by the week, and a big part of that comes from the growing connection between Kevin Byard and Craig Woodson.
The two starting safeties talked with reporters at their lockers on Wednesday, and the conversation kept circling back to the same themes: building on last week’s win, keeping that confidence rolling, and getting ready for a Las Vegas Raiders offense that asks a lot of its defensive backs.
Through three games together, Byard and Woodson have already piled up 19 tackles and three pass breakups. Woodson also sealed the 29-26 win in Buffalo with an interception, the kind of play that puts a game away and leaves no doubt about who owns the moment.
Even with Woodson missing one game because of a shoulder injury, the partnership is clearly taking shape. The rookie from a year ago is settling in beside a veteran who led the NFL in interceptions last season, and the trust between them is showing up in how quickly they’re both reacting on the field.
"We definitely have chemistry," Woodson told Patriots On SI. "I think for us, we talk all the time and we see a lot of things the same, so I think it makes us play faster."
Byard has stepped into New England as a captain in his first season with the team, and his influence has been obvious. Woodson has a proven example to lean on, while Byard has seen firsthand what the younger safety can bring when he’s healthy and available. That was part of what stood out when Woodson returned after the Patriots’ Week 3 loss in Jacksonville.
"It was awesome," Byard said. "Obviously Craig is another player that we trust on that can go out there and make plays.
I think for what we both bring, just being versatile as far as our disguise and different things that we can do. ... It was good to have him back for sure."
Now comes a different kind of test. The Raiders have leaned heavily on their tight ends, with Brock Bowers and Michael Mayer playing major roles in their 3-1 start. That kind of size and versatility can force safeties into a lot of uncomfortable decisions, and Patriots coach Mike Vrabel made it clear Wednesday that he sees exactly what Las Vegas is asking defenses to handle.
"I can't say enough about them," Mike Vrabel said Wednesday. "Really, Brock is a receiver.
That's impressive - what he does at his size, the speed, the route craft, and being able to catch at the catch point. He's like a big slot receiver.
He has downfield speed, he runs outward breaking routes, he runs routes like a receiver, but then also he's got the ability to double guys up inside.
"I think that Mike has really turned into a complete tight end, and everything that I think people that looked at him coming out of the draft envisioned."
Woodson said the Patriots’ answer starts with discipline and communication.
"You kind of have to be good with your keys, read run/pass," Woodson said. "I think we'll get a plan together, get going and stick to that."
Byard echoed that the job won’t get any easier this week.
"We've done a good job up until this point, but this is going to be probably the biggest challenge up to this point," Byard said.
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