Published: May 02, 2008 10:22 am         

In the Zone: Woodson deserved to go higher

Andre’ Woodson got shafted, not drafted. The guy goes out and struggles in the Senior Bowl under a new coach and new receivers and losses all the respect he has earned over the past two years. Give me a break! What does the NFL stand for, the Not Fair League?

Woodson went in the sixth round, was the 11th quarterback chosen and went to the New York Giants, who already have a Super Bowl quarterback in Eli Manning. Don’t get me wrong; I like the Giants and I think they proved their knowledge of the game by taking Woodson, but he needs to play somewhere.

From the 10 quarterbacks chosen ahead of Woodson only two have better stats during their last two seasons. Colt Brennan from Hawaii and Josh Johnson from San Diego are the only two with more touchdown passes and Brennan has thrown 11 more interceptions.

Outside of Brennan and Johnson, the closest quarterback to match stats with Woodson was Erik Ainge from Tennessee. Ainge threw 50 touchdowns and 19 interceptions in his last two seasons, while Woodson boasted 71 touchdown passes with only 18 picks, not to mention holding the NCAA record for the most passes without an interception.

Woodson threw 25 more touchdowns and 11 less interceptions than Matt Ryan from Boston College, who was the highest quarterback chosen. He threw 30 more touchdowns and three less interceptions than Joe Flacco from Delaware. He threw 25 more touchdowns and one more interception than his cross-state rival, Brian Brohm from Louisville.

His stats also humiliated a couple of quarterbacks like Kevin O’Connell from San Diego State and Dennis Dixon from Oregon. Woodson threw 53 more touchdown passes and with only five more interceptions than O’Connell and 39 more touchdowns with the same amount of interceptions as Dixon.

Woodson put Kentucky football on the map with big wins over Louisville, Arkansas, #1 LSU and then Florida State for their second consecutive bowl victory.

All I have to say is watch out Eli if Woodson gets a chance in practice. You will be the only guy more upset about the way the draft went than I was.

Good luck Andre’ and thanks for the memories. I will choose my new favorite NFL team when you make your first start.