Lewis said: ''Fortunately for us and the organization, Charles is a player who does not need a lot of tutoring. He is a quick learner. I was not close to being as good as he is when I was a rookie. I started one game as a rookie. He will start all 16 for us. He's got everything -- and he uses it all. He's got what all cornerbacks need and that is being cool, calm and collected. He can shake off the bad plays. He understands that receivers don't get credit even if they win a battle, but to give himself the blame. He is not a guy you have to grab and pull and make him pay attention. He watches us and we watch him. You learn a lot more that way than by just talking.''

Woodson added: ''On the field, that's where you learn. That's all you need right there.''

Woodson's debut against Kansas City last Sunday night was full of hard lessons. On the Chiefs' first few drives, they picked on him. It was the veteran receiver Andre Rison who gave him moves and shakes and finished it with a 30-yard touchdown catch that embarrassed Woodson. But he regrouped from that point on and played a solid game.

''Everything seemed like it happened so fast,'' Woodson said. ''It was my first N.F.L. game. I was pumped up and excited. I'm usually not the type of player jumping and hopping and hollering before a game. And I hyped myself right out of the first quarter. I said to myself, 'Get back to earth.' And then everything worked out. I told Andre afterward that he got me this time. But I'd see him again. We had a nice talk.''

Woodson said that while growing up in Freemont, Ohio, he was always the first picked for sandlot games in football and basketball. He has never thought that he wasn't as good as the opposition.

''Well, maybe if it was in tennis,'' he said, laughing.

So he tackles the N.F.L. initially on his ability. No red books or black books.

''But I'm not ruling that out,'' Woodson said. ''I'm not arrogant. I go out there and play football. Down the line, that's something that could come into play. These receivers are so good in the N.F.L. that it would be good to have an extra edge.

''My role here is to be a big-time player and that's what I have been all of my life. I need to be a consistent player that other people on the team can follow. My role is to make big plays in big games, especially, and in all games. To be a leader. I am enjoying myself, but right now I can't see myself 16 years down the road being in Albert's position. I just can't see it I guess because of my youth. But like him, I want to be someone that people look up to. Like both guys, I want to do my job and do it well.''