Jack Lambert
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Shonn Greene was good because of his bulldozing offensive line he had at Iowa. He'll flop in the NFL, just watch.
Danny Woodhead
- Thread starter Capt. Larsen
- Start date
Jets RB Woodhead working hard to prove himself
August 10, 2009 By RODERICK BOONE roderick.boone@newsday.com
CORTLAND, N.Y. - The adulation might not be quite on the Leon Washington level, not with someone who's yet to play in a meaningful game as a pro.
Danny Woodhead's popularity with some Jets fans is already off the charts, though, and many have fallen in love with the Nebraska native who's generously listed at 5-9, an undersize running back who's had to beat the odds stacked against him his entire football life.
"Man, he's a warrior," Washington said. "That guy, man, every play he goes out there and he really puts 110 percent in every play he does. He's a heck of a player. He's the NCAA all-time leading rusher. So running the ball, you know he can do that. He's got tremendous heart, so us small guys have that 'little man syndrome.' We stand 5-foot-8 and we really look like we're 6-foot-5."
Woodhead, picked up by the Jets as an undrafted free agent in May 2008, probably looked like a 6-5, 220-plus pound beast to opponents during his heyday at Division II Chadron (Neb.) State. A two-time winner of the Harlon Hill Trophy, which is D-II's version of the Heisman, he gobbled up a then-NCAA record 7,962 rushing yards and his 9,749 all-purpose yards remains an NCAA record. So does his single-season total of 2,756 rushing yards in 2006, and he also tied the all-time mark with 109 career touchdowns.
All those gaudy numbers now mean little to Woodhead - "I don't want to get caught up in stupid stuff like stats," he said. "That's just not who I am." - but the Jets were intrigued with his ability. They brought him in and he tore up his left knee in training camp a little less than three months later. He had season-ending surgery. His rookie season was done before it even began.
"It was tough," Woodhead said. "I never went through an injury like that. Things like that happen. If something like that happens and you are mad - I mean, I was mad - but it comes with football and you can't do anything but rehab it and get better. That's what I was focused on, was getting better for this year and I really feel I did."
His workload began increasing in the spring, when Washington and fellow running back Thomas Jones were boycotting organized team activities (OTAs) because of contract squabbles. The experience was invaluable, considering Woodhead spent most of the 2008 season simply attending meetings while on injured reserve.
Throughout training camp, Woodhead has proven he can do multiple things. Whether it's pinballing his way between the tackles, catching a pass out of the backfield or lining up as a wide receiver, he's been getting his share of work with the reserves. He's also lining up on special teams and special teams coach Mike Westhoff will give Woodhead a shot to see where he fits in. "We think he can be a factor in a lot of different areas," Westhoff said.
Woodhead might have the best set of hands of anyone in the Jets' stable of running backs and his versatility should aid his bid to find a spot on the roster.
link
August 10, 2009 By RODERICK BOONE roderick.boone@newsday.com
CORTLAND, N.Y. - The adulation might not be quite on the Leon Washington level, not with someone who's yet to play in a meaningful game as a pro.
Danny Woodhead's popularity with some Jets fans is already off the charts, though, and many have fallen in love with the Nebraska native who's generously listed at 5-9, an undersize running back who's had to beat the odds stacked against him his entire football life.
"Man, he's a warrior," Washington said. "That guy, man, every play he goes out there and he really puts 110 percent in every play he does. He's a heck of a player. He's the NCAA all-time leading rusher. So running the ball, you know he can do that. He's got tremendous heart, so us small guys have that 'little man syndrome.' We stand 5-foot-8 and we really look like we're 6-foot-5."
Woodhead, picked up by the Jets as an undrafted free agent in May 2008, probably looked like a 6-5, 220-plus pound beast to opponents during his heyday at Division II Chadron (Neb.) State. A two-time winner of the Harlon Hill Trophy, which is D-II's version of the Heisman, he gobbled up a then-NCAA record 7,962 rushing yards and his 9,749 all-purpose yards remains an NCAA record. So does his single-season total of 2,756 rushing yards in 2006, and he also tied the all-time mark with 109 career touchdowns.
All those gaudy numbers now mean little to Woodhead - "I don't want to get caught up in stupid stuff like stats," he said. "That's just not who I am." - but the Jets were intrigued with his ability. They brought him in and he tore up his left knee in training camp a little less than three months later. He had season-ending surgery. His rookie season was done before it even began.
"It was tough," Woodhead said. "I never went through an injury like that. Things like that happen. If something like that happens and you are mad - I mean, I was mad - but it comes with football and you can't do anything but rehab it and get better. That's what I was focused on, was getting better for this year and I really feel I did."
His workload began increasing in the spring, when Washington and fellow running back Thomas Jones were boycotting organized team activities (OTAs) because of contract squabbles. The experience was invaluable, considering Woodhead spent most of the 2008 season simply attending meetings while on injured reserve.
Throughout training camp, Woodhead has proven he can do multiple things. Whether it's pinballing his way between the tackles, catching a pass out of the backfield or lining up as a wide receiver, he's been getting his share of work with the reserves. He's also lining up on special teams and special teams coach Mike Westhoff will give Woodhead a shot to see where he fits in. "We think he can be a factor in a lot of different areas," Westhoff said.
Woodhead might have the best set of hands of anyone in the Jets' stable of running backs and his versatility should aid his bid to find a spot on the roster.
link
whiteathlete33
Hall of Famer
Thomas Jones is 5'10 and isn't all that great a running back. Washington is 5'8 which is almost the exact same height as Woodhead. Danny has breakaway speed which Washington does not. He also has more agility than all three of these backs. Come on now are we to believe 1 inch in height difference is the reason Woodhead isn't going to get playing time? Even if Woodhead came out of a school like Florida State or Penn State the results would still be the same. Even if he was 6'0 the results would still be the same.
Jack Lambert
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This may help out Danny some. If this happens, he could make the team as the 3rd RB.
From Rotowrold:
From Rotowrold:
celticdb15
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Good news Jack! We can only hope for the best, while the white cleansing time nears.
Jimmy Chitwood
Hall of Famer
here's what drives me crazy! "reporters" who print outright lies as if they were facts, usually with just enough truth mixed in to provide credibility to readers who are not knowledgable.
a case in point is the paid Jets blogger for NJ.com, M.A. Mehta:
but since he isn't bothered by the search for truth, i'll help him out.
Leon Washington: 5-8; 201-pounds; 4.42 in the 40; 2.65 20-yard; 1.62 10-yard; 17 bench reps of 225-pounds; 32 1/2-inch vertical; 8-foot 9-inch broad jump; 4.37 20-yard shuttle; 6.96 3-cone drill.
Danny Woodhead: 5-8; 197-pounds; 4.32 in the 40; 2.50 20-yard; 1.44 10-yard; 20 bench reps of 225-pounds; 38-inch vertical; 10-foot 1-inch broad jump; 4.20 20-yard shuttle; 7.03 3-cone drill.
just in case you missed the obvious, Woodhead is faster, stronger, can jump higher AND farther, and is quicker.
so what exactly makes Washington "of course" more talented? i'd like to know ...
i'll be here all week.
a case in point is the paid Jets blogger for NJ.com, M.A. Mehta:
so, the coach acknowledges that Woodhead possesses the hard-to-see traits of a good back in vision and great hands. now then, even a "reporter" as lazy as Mehta should be able to take 2 minutes and look up the two guys he is comparing ... their official draft numbers are easily available.M.A. Mehta said:
but since he isn't bothered by the search for truth, i'll help him out.
Leon Washington: 5-8; 201-pounds; 4.42 in the 40; 2.65 20-yard; 1.62 10-yard; 17 bench reps of 225-pounds; 32 1/2-inch vertical; 8-foot 9-inch broad jump; 4.37 20-yard shuttle; 6.96 3-cone drill.
Danny Woodhead: 5-8; 197-pounds; 4.32 in the 40; 2.50 20-yard; 1.44 10-yard; 20 bench reps of 225-pounds; 38-inch vertical; 10-foot 1-inch broad jump; 4.20 20-yard shuttle; 7.03 3-cone drill.
just in case you missed the obvious, Woodhead is faster, stronger, can jump higher AND farther, and is quicker.
so what exactly makes Washington "of course" more talented? i'd like to know ...
i'll be here all week.
Colonel_Reb
Hall of Famer
Good stuff Jimmy!
whiteathlete33
Hall of Famer
These idiot reporters always think a black is more athletic than a white. They have been thinking that way for years.
Colonel_Reb
Hall of Famer
Well, for what its worth, I took JC's comparative info and posted a comment below the article. I didn't word it exactly the way I should have, but I think I made my point. We've got to call out these idiots when they do something so egregious, even if it only helps wake up a couple of people out of the thousands who may read through the comments.
white is right
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That is good news. I don't think Jones is a special back and seems more like an undersized workhorse type back. Which usually means that he is one or two train wreck hits away from being a slow under sized back. If Jones is traded I think Woodhead all but makes the final roster barring an injury. Ps the last white tailback on to make the Jets was Pat Chafee in the 90's.
Woodhead Makes NFL Debut for Jets
By: Nick Jakusz Posted at: 08/14/2009 08:41 PM
EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J.â€" After being plagued by a knee injury in his first year under a professional contract, CSC alum Danny Woodhead made his debut in a New York Jets uniform in their first pre-season game of the 2009 campaign on Friday night against St. Louis.
Woodhead saw his first action as a kick returner. With about 8:00 to go in the second quarter, Woodhead returned a kickoff after a field goal 20 yards. The next opportunity came in the third quarter with 14:35 to go. Danny caught the kick off a yard deep into the endzone and returned it to the 24 yard line for a 25 yard return, the longest kick off return of the game for the Jets.
He also saw some time in the offensive backfield, rushing six times, gaining a total of five yards and being targeted one time for a pass from back-up quarterback out of Tennessee Erik Ainge.
New coach Rex Ryan also used Woodhead's speed as a gunner on the punt team.
The Jets ended up losing the game to the Rams, 23-20.
link
By: Nick Jakusz Posted at: 08/14/2009 08:41 PM
EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J.â€" After being plagued by a knee injury in his first year under a professional contract, CSC alum Danny Woodhead made his debut in a New York Jets uniform in their first pre-season game of the 2009 campaign on Friday night against St. Louis.
Woodhead saw his first action as a kick returner. With about 8:00 to go in the second quarter, Woodhead returned a kickoff after a field goal 20 yards. The next opportunity came in the third quarter with 14:35 to go. Danny caught the kick off a yard deep into the endzone and returned it to the 24 yard line for a 25 yard return, the longest kick off return of the game for the Jets.
He also saw some time in the offensive backfield, rushing six times, gaining a total of five yards and being targeted one time for a pass from back-up quarterback out of Tennessee Erik Ainge.
New coach Rex Ryan also used Woodhead's speed as a gunner on the punt team.
The Jets ended up losing the game to the Rams, 23-20.
link
I watched some of the second half when Woodhead was in at RB, and the play selection for his runs was ridiculous. Mostly right up the middle into the pile stuff, the kind of plays you expect to be called for a big power back when his team is ahead and trying to kill the clock. He did have one run designed to go to the outside but the blocking was poor (as it was for his other runs) and it was snuffed out before it began.
The announcers of course said precious little aboutWoodhead when he was in there. They regarded it as a given that Jones, Washington and the rookie Greene will be the team's three tailbacks, and unfortunately the odds are extremely good that they're right.
The announcers of course said precious little aboutWoodhead when he was in there. They regarded it as a given that Jones, Washington and the rookie Greene will be the team's three tailbacks, and unfortunately the odds are extremely good that they're right.
Tom Iron
Mentor
I think he's got a chance here. He got a lot of touches. He'll do better and you never know what'll happen. Things could turn his way. I hope for better results next week.
Tom Iron...
Tom Iron...
At 5'10" and white Izzo has plenty stacked against him to make the roster, I wonder if he was trying to make some friends on the dark side with this stupid hit. I guess aging special teams deamons need to get any edge they can when trying to make a squad, but this still pisses me off.
Thrashen
Hall of Famer
Izzo was Bellichick's white special team b1tch since coming over from the Dolphins in 2001. He went undrafted (I think) in 1996, and played strictly special teams under all-time caste greats like Jimmy Johnson and Dave Wanstadt.
He was always listed as a "backup LB," and I'm sure he never made a peep about never being "good enough" to be starting material. I'd be embarressed to be Izzo...over a decade of covering punts and kickoffs alongside rookies and other WSTD's.
Now he smashes a gifted young white RB during a non-contact drill? What a loser. I always wonder why white athletes never stick together, but not unlike the general population of selfish, prideless, "me first" white "males," loyalty and brotherhood are meaningless.Edited by: Thrashen
He was always listed as a "backup LB," and I'm sure he never made a peep about never being "good enough" to be starting material. I'd be embarressed to be Izzo...over a decade of covering punts and kickoffs alongside rookies and other WSTD's.
Now he smashes a gifted young white RB during a non-contact drill? What a loser. I always wonder why white athletes never stick together, but not unlike the general population of selfish, prideless, "me first" white "males," loyalty and brotherhood are meaningless.Edited by: Thrashen
Tom Iron
Mentor
Woodhead wasn't hurt so everything's okay. He shouldn't have fumbled. Expect the unexpected. I hope for the best for Woodhead. I've got a good feeling about him.
Tom Iron...
Tom Iron...
white is right
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Guys he is a 30 something bubble boy. He has to do this to catch the coaches eye. I'm not saying it's right(it's marginally dirty), but this is done in all contact sports. If an NHL enforcer sees a young guy in camp who is competing for his job right away he throws down with the guy early in camp.
Thrashen said:
while i don't care much for Izzo and his antics, guy's been cashing these NFL checks for a decade, which beats the hell out of working at the car dealership or some such. still, he should know better, old prick.
A disgruntled JoshS62 disputes my claim that Leon Washington is "more talented" than Danny Woodhead: "I don't know how you can say Washington is clearly a better athlete than Woodhead. You gave your subjective opinion with no facts to back it up. ... How about letting the people decide who the better athlete is based on these facts? Better yet, why don't we let their performances in camp and otherwise tell us who the better athlete is?"
Fair enough. We'll go Fox News on this question: We report. You decide.
Washington: 2008: Pro Bowl kick returner, Led NFL in combined yards (2,332), 9 TDs, NFL-high 10 plays of 40+ yards, recorded 200+ all-purpose yards in three games ... 19 career touchdowns, 4.9 yards per carry during three-year career
2009 Preseason stats: 2 carries for 9 yards, 1 catch for 1 yd (against Rams first-team defense)
Woodhead: No NFL regular season games played
2009 Preseason stats: 6 carries for 5 yards, 1 catch for no yards (against Rams' second- and third-string defenses)
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Fair enough. We'll go Fox News on this question: We report. You decide.
Washington: 2008: Pro Bowl kick returner, Led NFL in combined yards (2,332), 9 TDs, NFL-high 10 plays of 40+ yards, recorded 200+ all-purpose yards in three games ... 19 career touchdowns, 4.9 yards per carry during three-year career
2009 Preseason stats: 2 carries for 9 yards, 1 catch for 1 yd (against Rams first-team defense)
Woodhead: No NFL regular season games played
2009 Preseason stats: 6 carries for 5 yards, 1 catch for no yards (against Rams' second- and third-string defenses)
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