Lions' Woody will start at tackle
Damien Woody is making a career shift to regain a starting job on the Lions' offensive line.
Woody, who lost his job at right guard to Stephen Peterman earlier in the season, has been moved to right tackle -- a trouble spot on the line most of the season.
Woody will start at right tackle in a crucial game against the Vikings at the Metrodome on Sunday. He will be the fourth Lion to play right tackle this year and the third starter.
"Everybody else, it seems like they've been out there," Woody said Monday. "Why can't I give it a try?"
Barry Stokes, who started 11 games at guard and tackle last year but was released in the last cut this year, was signed Monday to add depth to the line.
Woody is in his ninth pro season and fourth with the Lions. He played center and guard for New England before signing with the Lions in 2004.
He has practiced at right tackle occasionally the last couple of weeks and was told by the coaching staff Monday that he's starting, Woody said.
The offense needs a boost, whether it's from a position change or simply better play all around.
The running game has had long periods of unproductiveness. The 47 sacks allowed are the most in the league. And there has been an issue of how receivers have been used -- or not used -- in the last two games.
Roy Williams caught only three passes in the loss to Green Bay on Thanksgiving Day as the focus of the passing game shifted to rookie Calvin Johnson. Calvin Johnson had a team-high seven catches, but he also had two clear-cut drops and failed to catch a pass in the end zone.
Williams showed by his body language Thursday that he wasn't happy being overlooked in the game plan, but he downplayed the issue Monday.
"That's a little first for me," Williams said. "The credit goes to Al Harris (Packers' cornerback). They doubled me all day. It was just frustrating.
"I don't think I was written out (of the game plan). I just don't think it was looked my way. It was more taking advantage of what Calvin Johnson had over there. I don't ever say anything. You'll never hear me say anything."
In the previous week, a loss to the Giants, only three passes were thrown toward Calvin Johnson. He caught all three. He had at least 12 passes thrown to him against Green Bay.
The line has been more stable than in recent seasons. Center Dominic Raiola, left guard Edwin Mulitalo and left tackle Jeff Backus have started all 11 games. Peterman has started the last eight games at right guard, since supplanting Woody.
Right tackle has been a problem area all year, and it has come to a head in the last month.
George Foster, acquired in the offseason in a trade with Denver, has played in 10 of the 11 games with nine starts. Foster was demoted to the inactive list against Green Bay.
Jonathan Scott replaced Foster as the starter against Denver but went out early in the game with a broken left thumb. Scott missed two games and returned as the starter against Green Bay. Scott again left the game early, this time because of a severe hamstring injury.
Foster has been bothered by penalties and sacks all season. He leads the NFL with nine false starts and 10.75 sacks allowed, according to STATS Inc., which provides stats for media organizations and several leagues, including the NFL.
When Foster gave up an early sack against the Giants two weeks ago, he was replaced by Blaine Saipaia, primarily a backup guard and center. Saipaia replaced Scott against the Packers. Saipaia struggled badly in both games.
With Scott unavailable, Woody was promoted ahead of Foster.
"Woody's a veteran," coach Rod Marinelli said.
"He's bright. He's athletic. He can absorb the power rush. He's strong enough to do that."
"We may have to give him some help over there. You hate to give too much. It hurts some of the stuff you're trying to do in the passing game."
Personnel dept.
Quarterback Jon Kitna did not participate in practice Monday because of a sore left knee.
Kitna was hit on a rollout in the third quarter against Green Bay.
Marinelli expects Kitna to be available for Wednesday's practice.
Kitna had little reaction to the change at right tackle.
"We just keep plugging along," he said. "That's something I try not to think about or concern myself with. I can't do anything about that. All I can do is do my job."
Scott was put on injured reserve Monday, ending his season.
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