The Patriots originally signed Pierre Woods as an undrafted free agent on May 8, 2006. The 6-foot-5-inch, 250-pound linebacker collected 24 tackles, 11 tackles for loss, three sacks and two forced fumbles as senior for the University of Michigan last season. He earned All-Big Ten second team honors as a sophomore in 2003, after tallying 68 tackles and a team-high seven sacks. The Cleveland native is the third undrafted free agent, joining Mike Wright and Randall Gay, in the last three seasons to make the final roster out of training camp.
Woods sat down with us to answer some questions about his life both on and off the football field.
FAVORITES
What is your favorite reality TV show? Flavor of Love on VH-1. That is the most hilarious show ever.
What is your favorite thing to do off the football field? Whenever I get a chance to I like to spend time with my family.
What is your favorite ice cream flavor? Strawberry.
Where is your favorite vacation spot? I haven't been on vacation in a long time. My godfather has a nice place down in Tampa, Florida.
What is your favorite concert that you have attended? There were a whole bunch of groups: Brooke Valentine, David Banner, Mike Jones and the Ying-Yang Twins.
What was your favorite class in college? Either African-American studies or my film and video class.
OFF THE FIELD
What is one thing that you can't live without? My television. I have to watch SportsCenter. My other favorite shows are House, 24 and Prison Break.
What was your most embarrassing moment in sports? I went up for a dunk in the city basketball championship game and missed. It was like Grant Hill's Sprite commercial a couple of years back.
Do you remember the most remarkable play you have ever seen on the gridiron? I remember when Karlos Dansby made an interception along the sidelines in college and then threw it to one of his teammates who returned it.
What type of food do you refuse to eat? Pig feet and chitlins.
You wore the number 45 in training camp and now you have switched to number 58. Is there any significance? They gave me the new number and I embraced it. It is not the number that makes you. You make the number. It is a blessing. Whatever number they give me I'm going to wear it with pride.
Which player on this team best resembles your personality? That is a tough question. I would have to say Eric Alexander.
What scares you the most? I don't like scary movies, but that is not what scares me the most. I don't like guns.
What is something interesting about you that the fans may want to know? Probably that I'm a loyal person. I think that is very interesting. Not many people are loyal these days.
ON THE FIELD
What was your mindset coming into training camp as an undrafted free agent? I just wanted to work hard, have consistency and improve each day. It was a blessing that it worked out. I'm still working hard each day. It is never easy.
Have you talked to undrafted players like Randall Gay and Mike Wright as far as what to expect? I mostly talk to the guys at my position - Mike Vrabel, Tedy Bruschi and Rosevelt Colvin. They give me great advice on different things to expect during the season. They tell me to continue working hard and stay focused.
Which player or coach have you learned the most from in your career? My high school coach, Ted Ginn, Sr. Coming from the streets, he has always been there for me. He was a father figure for me when I lost my father in the eighth grade. He was like a guiding light.
Do you remember the recipient of your hardest tackle? I hit LenDale White pretty hard in the Rose Bowl. My biggest hit was during kickoff coverage against Wisconsin's fullback. He said he was happy we didn't play them for two years.
THIS OR THAT
A weekend in Las Vegas or a weekend on the beach in Cancun? I'll go with Vegas.
Go to the concert or buy the CD? I'll buy the CD.
Playstation 2 or X-Box? Playstation 2.
Sports car or SUV? SUV. I have a Chevy Blazer.
Bigger rivalry: Red Sox/Yankees or Michigan/Ohio State? Everyone knows it's Michigan vs. Ohio State. The tension when you go down to the Horseshoe is crazy. The fans just hate you. It is the same way at the Big House. It is a great rivalry that a whole bunch of players can talk about and remember for a long time.
Relax at home or out on the town? Relax at home.
JUST FOR FUN
If you were playing in a basketball tournament and the game was on the line, which teammate would you least like to take the last shot? That's a hard one. Who looks the most unathletic? There is no way that Corey Mays could make a shot.
If you had a free roundtrip plane ticket to anywhere in the world, where would you go? I would love to go to Africa.
If you could attend any event in the world, what would you choose? The Super Bowl. I don't just want to attend. I want to play in the game.
If you could have a cameo on any TV show, which would you choose? I would be on Martin.
