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GREENSBORO -- Try easier.

Doesn't sound all that inspirational, does it? If ordered onto the field with that one, a football team might struggle to run through cobwebs.

But it has its place. Or, to be more precise, it has its placement.

In two games, N.C. A&T's Lee Woodson has deposited eight of his 10 punts inside the opponent's 20-yard line. Although often in position to do so, he hasn't knocked one over the goal line for a touchback, thereby suggesting that football can have its moments of subtlety.

"I tend not to try as hard," Woodson said. "I've worked a little more in taking something off it and trying to angle it."

The Aggies have played only twice, which is why it's dangerous to extrapolate Woodson's numbers with any degree of certainty. But just for comparison's sake, consider that the best punters are happy to place one-third of their kicks inside the 20. So far, Woodson is off to a pretty nice start, one that has worked well in conjunction with an apparently improved defense.

Winston-Salem State outgained A&T in total yardage 271-225 last week, but because it had to start six of its eight post-punt drives at its 19-yard line or worse, its gains seldom amounted to anything. The Aggies claimed a 14-6 victory that makes them 2-0 entering Saturday's MEAC opener at Norfolk State.

"That's the perfect position for us," defensive end Tyre Glasper said. "We're going to put pressure on them. That's why we love Lee. He makes the job easier for us."

This propensity to pin the other guy back results partly from opportunity. On seven of Woodson's efforts, the Aggies' line of scrimmage has been the A&T 42 or better. It's hard to knock one to the opponent's 10 if you're kicking from deep in your own territory.

The flip side to Woodson's starting point is that it makes the punter think he can let it all hang out. The result of that is often the touchback, the punter's equivalent of the mountain climber who reaches for the summit, whiffs and tumbles 50 feet.

Probability suggests he'd have put at least one over the goal line by now, but so far, everything has been under control. Hey, a punt isn't always such a bad idea.

"The confidence level is there in knowing he can pin it down there for us," coach Lee Fobbs said. "The way Lee's punting the ball now, I'd rather have them go the length of the field."

Only three of Woodson's efforts have been returned, and they have resulted in a total of 15 yards in runbacks. A&T is 21st nationally in net punting after standing 97th in the department a year ago.

"The majority of the time last year, I wasn't as close to putting the ball inside the 20," Woodson said. "This year, I've been able to help my defense out. I worked on accuracy this offseason."

Contact Rob Daniels at 373-7028 or rob.daniels@news-record.com