JEFF SINER / Charlotte (N.C.) Observer / MCT
JEFF SINER / Charlotte (N.C.) Observer / MCT Arizona's Rod Hood intercepts a pass intended for Carolina's Muhsin Muhammad in the fourth quarter of Saturday's game. Hood had 40 tackles during the regular season.
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Hood is eager to play the Eagles
PHOENIX - The Eagles gave cornerback Rod Hood his early NFL education. Now a starter in Arizona, Hood can't wait to show his former team how much he's progressed.
"The last time we played them I wasn't able to play because I was hurt," Hood said of the Eagles' 48-20 win in Philadelphia on Thanksgiving night. "It's a blessing to get another chance, especially in the NFC Championship."
Hood originally signed with Philadelphia as an undrafted rookie free agent out of Auburn in 2003. Two seasons into a five-year contract with the Cardinals, he still speaks of his former team in reverential terms.
"I had a great time in Philly," he said yesterday. "We had a lot of success - an NFC championship, a Super Bowl [appearance]. It was just a great group of guys that influenced everything I do as a player."
Among the many influences on Hood was former Eagles secondary coach and current Giants defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo.
"He showed me respect - showed me how to play the game and he was always a positive influence," Hood said.
But Hood's greatest praise went to his former teammates.
"I was there with guys like Troy Vincent and Bobby Taylor and Brian Dawkins. It was a Pro Bowl secondary back then, so I was learning technique and the skills I needed to get better from these unbelievable players,"he said.
"Man I learned a lot from those guys."
Hood started a total of 12 games in his four years in Philadelphia, but played mostly as a nickel back. That experience helped convince him he was ready for a more prominent role.
"The nickel package in Philly is pretty much like a starter, so I was playing like 65-70 percent of the plays anyway," he said. "It was just time for me to move on. I wanted to be the consistent starter and create my own mold for me."
Hood had 40 tackles (39 solo) this regular season while intercepting a pass and recovering a fumble.
When he arrived in Arizona, the secondary was one of the most maligned units on a team accustomed to criticism. But the Cardinals defensive backs have been a key to the team's postseason success this year, picking off six passes thus far, including one by Hood in a 33-13 rout of the Carolina Panthers last week.
"We've had our highs and lows, but I'm one of the older guys in this secondary, so I try to bring leadership," Hood said. "To see this secondary come into its own, especially on the big stage, it's great to experience."
