S Kevin Byard sees big future for Patriots' leading Super Bowl tackler

FOXBOROUGH, Mass. — Craig Woodson had a promising rookie year, and one veteran is very excited to get to play with the young safety and be a part of his development.

“I think he’s a very talented player, just watching the film, seeing some things that he did last year. Trying to build upon that,” Kevin Byard told reporters on Tuesday. “A very smart — he’s a mature guy too as well. I know he’s only in his second year. He seems very mature how he goes about his business, so I’m excited to be able to play with him for sure.”

However, there's one thing he wants to specifically see more of from Woodson.

“Hopefully we can get some turnovers this year,” Byard simply said.

Woodson finished the season with one interception, recording it in the team's Divisional Round win over the Houston Texans. As for Byard, he has 36 career interceptions.

So, he knows a thing or two about how to find the ball and create the turnover. And he opened up about what it takes during his press conference.

“Anticipation,” Byard said. “I think in this league, especially being at safety, the quarterbacks aren’t throwing the ball to us, you know what I mean? Like, you may get one or two a year where the balls just thrown right to you, you just gotta catch it. You have to be able to — from film study to anticipating route concepts and seeing stuff over and over again and understanding what the offense is trying to do. You have to put yourself in position to make plays and then the second part is just really just catching the ball.

“If you want to be able to get to the higher numbers, you have to be able to anticipate route concepts based upon practice, film study, the coverage we’re running, understanding where your plays are to be made. Then after that it’s just trusting your God-given abilities to go make those plays.”

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