Drafted with the team’s second pick in the first round of the 2009 NFL Draft (28th overall)…first player taken by the Bills from Louisville in the first round.
PRO
Drafted with the team’s second pick in the first round of the 2009 NFL Draft (28th overall)…first player taken by the Bills from Louisville in the first round.
2011
• Part of offense that allowed a league-best 23 sacks in 2011 and ranked fifth in the NFL (first in the AFC) with 4.9 yards per rush.
• 23 sacks allowed are the third-fewest in a Bills 16-game season
• Made his first Kickoff Weekend start at Center at KC (9/11) after transitioning to the position in 2010... anchored an offensive line the yielded 1.0 sack to the Chiefs and produced 163 rushing yards
• Anchored an offensive line that did not allow a sack to the Raiders (9/18) and blocking for 217 rushing yards
• Vs. NE (9/25), started at center for an offensive line that did not allow a sack and offense gained 448 net yards
• at CIN (10/2): Started at center, has started all 28 games he has played
• vs. PHI (10/9): started at center and helped block for rushing attack that tallied 143 yards ... held the then-NFL leading sack defense to one sack
• at NYG (10/16): started at center and helped block for a rushing attack that tallied 155 yards on 23 attempts
• vs. WAS (10/30): started at center, helped block for rushing game that produced 138 yards and RB Fred Jackson’s third straight 100-yard game and fifth this season
• vs. NYJ (11/6): started at C , offense did not allow a sack
• at DAL (11/13): started at C, before leaving the game with an injury ... Helped limit Dallas to one sack
• PLACED ON INJURED RESERVE ON NOV. 15
2010
Played and started 14 games, including four at center
vs. MIA (9/12) Started his second-consecutive Kickoff Weekend game... game marked his return to the playing field since suffering a season-ending injury against Jacksonville in 2009 (Week 11)
at NE (9/26) Started at right guard... member of an offensive line helping pave the way for a season-best 134 yards rushing
at BAL (10/24) Started at right guard... part of an offensive line that blocked for 506 yards of offense while limiting the Ravens’ defense to one sack
vs. CHI (11/7) Made his eighth start of the year at right guard... part of an offensive line that held the Bears’ defense to 1.0 sack
vs. DET (11/14) Made 19th career starter... part of an offensive line that blocked for RB Fred Jackson’s season-best 133 rushing yards, while holding the Lions’ defense to 1.0 sack for the second straight week
at CIN (11/21) Started the 10th game of the season, and 20th of his career, at right guard... left the game in the third quarter due to a knee injury and did not return
vs. PIT (11/28), at MIN (12/5) Inactive
vs. CLE (12/12) Made first career start at center, anchoring an offensive line that paved the way for a season-best 192 rushing yards on 42 carries (4.2 avg.)
at MIA (12/19) Made his second straight start at center in place of Geoff Hangartner
vs. NE (12/26) Started and played at center in place of C Geoff Hangartner for the third straight game
at NYJ (1/2) Started at center for the fourth consecutive game
2009
• At NE (9/14): Made NFL debut, starting at RG… joined fellow 2009 draft selection LG Andy Levitre as the first two true rookies to start for the team in a season-opener since 1970 (9/20/70 vs. DEN)… joined fellow rookie, LG A. Levitre and 1st-year player LT D. Bell, as the first three offensive linemen to start a game for a team without playing in an NFL game since the 1981 Washington Redskins…provided critical lead block along with C Geoff Hangartner on a RB Fred Jackson 3rd-and-15 conversion in the fourth quarter on a series producing a touchdown.
• Vs. TB (9/20): Started for the second straight week at RG… helped pave the way for RB Fred Jackson’s 163 yards rushing performance.
• At JAX (11/22): Started his 10th game at RG… left the game with a leg injury.
• Placed on Injured Reserve on November 24, 2009.
COLLEGE
Consecutive start string of 49 ranked second in school history…49 starts were the sixth-longest streak among active NCAA players…For his career, Wood registered 328 knockdowns and 46 touchdown-resulting blocks... allowed just two quarterback pressures and one sack on 882 pass plays. 2008: All-American third-team choice by The NFL Draft Report... All-Big East Conference first-team selection... Finalist for the Rimington Trophy, given to the nation’s premier center... Started all 12 games at center…recorded 78 knockdowns and 16 touchdown-resulting blocks…Did not allow any quarterback sacks or pressures on 391 pass plays. 2007: All-Big East Conference first-team selection...Started all 12 games at center...Registered 86 knockdowns…Allowed one quarterback sack and two pressures on 491 pass plays. 2006: Received All-Big East Conference second-team honors, as he started all thirteen games at center...member of the Rimington Trophy Watch List...Delivering 79 knockdowns for a unit that ranked second in the nation in total offense. 2005: Freshman All-American first-team selection by Rivals.com and The Sporting News…earned second-team honors from College Football News…Academic All-Big East Conference recognition...Moved into the starting lineup at center, leading the team with 85 knockdowns. 2004: Redshirted as a freshman.
PERSONAL
Political Science major... Son of Diane and Randal Wood...Resides in Louisville, Ky, … Attended Elder (Cincinnati, OH) High School...Started every game over the course of his final two seasons...started at tackle and played tight end...Also earned a pair of letters playing on the basketball team, picking up All-League recognition in his final season.
COMMUNITY
In 2011, Eric, along with fellow teammate Andy Levitre, served as spokesmen for the annual Team Up 4 MS campaign – a pledge program sponsored by WIVB-TV 4 that asked fans to donate for every touchdown and every sack the Bills made throughout the season. The program raised more than $8,500 for the local MS chapter and featured a PSA with Andy and Eric alongside Jacquie Walker from Channel 4 and Larry Norton from 97 Rock.
Eric was one of several Bills players in attendance at the second annual lighting of Niagara Falls on October 7th. Bills players were on hand to sign autographs and greet fans before the falls were lit pink to raise awareness for the fight against breast cancer. Eric was at the event as part of the 6th Annual Billieve Breast Cancer Awareness Campaign.
Eric also showed his support for the Play 60 Movement by visiting H.O. Brumstead in Holland, NY which was named the “Play 60 Super School” through the Back to Football Friday Program. Eric participated in the Ultimate Physical Education Class and presented the $10,000 grant to the school so they can continue their health and wellness initiatives.
Eric supported the Teammates For Kids Foundation this year by attending their annual dinner held in Buffalo in November. Eric, along with his other teammates, has supported the cause which was co-founded by Garth Brooks and Bo Mitchell 6 years ago.
The Offensive Line teamed up with Big Brothers and Big Sisters of Erie County to take 20 young men holiday shopping in December. Eric was amongst the group of players that gave an unforgettable experience to the young men.
