Carr Would Like Two Woodsons Himself

Washington State has two players imitating Charles Woodson during practices. Michigan coach Lloyd Carr wouldn’t mind simply cloning the Heisman Trophy winner.

Carr wants Woodson to play as much as possible without diminishing his effectiveness against WSU in the Rose Bowl.

“We want to get him the ball and let him do something with it,” Carr said. “But the thing you have to understand is, Washington State is going to throw the ball better than anybody we’ve played, which puts more pressure on him as a defensive player.”

And that might limit the number of snaps Woodson sees as a receiver. WSU’s big-play offense actually might increase Woodson’s use on offense because the Cougars tend to score quickly.

Carr limited Woodson’s receiving plays early in the season because most of those games were staged in draining warm-weather conditions. As the season progressed, Woodson played more on offense, particularly after he emerged as a Heisman candidate.

Woodson obviously is going to be on the field as often as his body allows New Year’s Day. Teammates say Woodson has had tremendous pre-Rose Bowl workouts and made an interception that some claimed was better than his gravity-defying pick against Michigan State.

“He’s in great shape,” Carr said. “We’ll see how he is, how hot it is. We have some things he’ll play an important role in.”

WSU’s D.J. Dobbins (defense) and Dirk Bernd (offense) have been playing the role of Woodson during Cougar drills. Woodson isn’t impressed.

“They won’t give them the look they’re looking for,” said Woodson, drawing a laugh from the crowd of print and electronic media.

Michigan quarterback Brian Griese agreed.

“I don’t know that they have a Heisman Trophy winner on their team,” he said. “It’s hard for any team to simulate the star player of another team.”

Woodson was equally defiant at the mention of the “Fab Five” nickname of WSU’s receivers.

“I only know one Fab Five and that was (the nickname of former Michigan basketball players) Chris Webber, Juwan Howard, Ray Jackson, Jimmy King and Jalen Rose,” he said.

Woodson isn’t sure what to expect from WSU quarterback Ryan Leaf.

“Maybe he will (challenge the cornerback), maybe he won’t,” Woodson said. Asked if he hoped Leaf would throw his way, Woodson said, “That’s what I play for.”

Big, bad WSU

Carr hears the perceptions: Tradition-laden Michigan against the underdog, just-happy-to-be-here Cougars. He just doesn’t believe what he’s hearing.

If there is a David-vs.-Goliath theme, Carr isn’t sure whom should be David.

“You look at the film and see what they’ve done against outstanding teams, UCLA, USC. They beat an outstanding Washington team in Seattle and that’s probably the noisiest crowd I’ve ever been in outside of Ohio Stadium,” Carr said. “So they know how to play in front of big crowds and they know how to execute offensively.

“They’re playing that role of a bunch of guys that walked on. They want a lot of sympathy. Well, how do you feel sorry for a team that’s 10-1? I don’t feel sorry for them and anybody that falls into that trap is looking for trouble.”

Added Woodson: “I think we’re playing the best team in the Pac-10 and we’re looking forward to the challenge.”

Wilted Roses

The ‘98 Rose Bowl marks the end of the longstanding Pac-10/Big Ten format. Next year, the Rose Bowl enters the Bowl Alliance and Carr said the tradition of the game probably will be lost.

“I hate to see this Rose Bowl pact end, but it’s going to end regardless,” he said. “It’s very special to bring a team here to represent the Big Ten in the last game.”

Welcome aboard

Carr reported no injuries or mishaps. “So far, so good,” he said… .

Griese recalled his introduction to Woodson following a practice prior to Woodson’s first season. Griese asked Woodson to defend receiver Tai Streets.

“Charles thought he was going to do the same thing he did to high school receivers,” Griese said. “Tai gave him a little move and I threw a nice pass for a touchdown and Charles was like, ‘Gee, this is what Michigan is like.”’

Notes

Carr on how he’s looked at by outsiders: “I’m unquotable, dull, boring. I learned that from (former Michigan coach) Bo Schembechler,” Carr said, laughing… . The Wolverines tour Universal Studios today, their last availability to the media before the game. Carr and WSU’s Mike Price hold news conferences Wednesday.

, DataTimes ILLUSTRATION: Color photo