Danny Woodhead

[Capt. Larsen]

http://www.nydailynews.com/sports/football/jets/2008/04/28/2 008-04-28_jets_hoping_undrafted_danny_woodhead_can.html

Jets hoping undrafted Danny Woodhead can contribute
BY RICH CIMINI
DAILY NEWS SPORTS WRITER

Monday, April 28th 2008, 11:15 PM


Danny Woodhead sets NCAA rushing record at Division II Chadron State in Nebraska, but is not drafted, allowing Jets to snap him up and bring him to minicamp.

He's a small running back from a small college, but Danny Woodhead comes to New York this weekend with a chance to be Wayne Chrebet, circa 1995 - an underdog impossible not to root for.

"I always allow myself to dream big," Woodhead said Monday from his home in North Platte, Neb. "If people want to get behind me, I'm all for it. It's never bad to have the city of New York behind you."

You've probably never heard of Woodhead, but he happens to be the NCAA's all-time leading rusher - with 7,962 yards. You've probably never heard of his school, either - Chadron State, a Division II school in Chadron, Neb., a tiny town tucked away in the state's panhandle, about 90 minutes from Mt. Rushmore in South Dakota.

On Sunday night, Woodhead, not among the 252 players selected in the NFL draft, signed a free-agent contract with the Jets. They were so eager to sign him that they called during the seventh round. Maybe you caught that phone conversation on TV. ESPN dispatched a crew to North Platte to cover Woodhead, thinking he could be Mr. Irrelevant, the last player picked.

It's a long way from Woodhead's living room to the green room at Radio City Music Hall, about the same distance from Chadron to the NFL.

At Chadron, home of the nation's largest fur-trading museum, Woodhead played before average home crowds of 3,700. With the town nearly 100 miles from the nearest airport, the team traveled by bus to road games. For the eight-hour rides, he brought a pillow and slept in the aisle.

At 5-7-1/2, 197 pounds, Woodhead fit nicely between the rows of seats. At this weekend's rookie minicamp, he might look like a character from "Honey, I Shrunk the Kids" when he tries to block the hulking Vernon Gholston, the Jets' 6-3, 266-pound top pick.

"Honestly, I don't see (my size) as an obstacle," Woodhead said. "I haven't been the tallest guy my whole life."

That is one of the reasons why he admired Chrebet from afar. Their stories are similar: Undersized small-school star produces ridiculous college stats, but goes undrafted. Chrebet became one of the most celebrated anomalies in NFL scouting; Woodhead hopes to do the same.

"What he's accomplished is utterly amazing," said former Cowboys personnel chief Gil Brandt, a draft analyst.

Woodhead's numbers are hard to fathom. In 2006, he rushed for 2,756 yards, an NCAA record for any level. In his career, he amassed 19 200-yard games. He averaged 181 yards per game. He scored 109 touchdowns.

"I don't think guys in the NFL are going to care about what I did in college," said Woodhead, known for his modesty.

Because he didn't receive an invitation to the scouting combine, Woodhead had one shot to impress NFL scouts. He participated in the Nebraska Pro Day, where he upstaged some of the Cornhuskers' prospects. He blazed the 40 in 4.38 seconds, nearly matching Darren McFadden's eye-opening 4.33 at the combine. It was a satisfying day for Woodhead, who was disappointed that he never was recruited by Nebraska.

"He makes everybody else look like their feet are in cement," Brandt said of Woodhead's darting, low-to-the-ground running style.

Woodhead chose the Jets because they might have room for a young back after Thomas Jones, Leon Washington and Jesse Chatman. How did he celebrate his contract? A workout. He showed up at his local gym at 8 a.m. yesterday, greeted by a sign:

"Congrats, Danny. Go NY Jets!" Edited by: white lightning

 

[C Darwin]

Pros Give Chadron State Player Chance Div. 1 Schools Wouldn't

Link

NORTH PLATTE, Neb. -- Nobody ever had to tell Danny Woodhead that football is a game of inches.

At 5 feet 7 inches tall, he never got a major college scholarship offer out of North Platte High School. He went to Division II Chadron State instead and rushed for more yardage than any player in the history of college football.

Despite going undrafted by the NFL over the weekend, Woodhead will get a chance to prove everybody wrong again. He signed a free agency deal with the New York Jets.

He said he finds it ironic that the Jets are willing to give him a shot when no Division I school would.

"They'd send me letters, I'd send out my film, and it seemed like after I sent out my film, everything was cut off. Maybe it's because I wasn't very tall," Woodhead said.

He said it was a very long day on Sunday.

"It was intense (but I) didn't get down," Woodhead said.

The final day of the NFL draft dragged on as ESPN cameras were rolling in North Platte, in sort of a draft day reality show.

"It was frustrating at times, but I didn't let it get to me," Woodhead said.

It wasn't until after the draft was over that Woodhead's dream became a reality.

"I'm a New York Jet, I guess," Woodhead said.

It is a dream that he said he never truly had as a kid.

"I didn't think too much about the NFL at the time. It wasn't until college that I thought it might be realistic," he said.

Now, he has a chance to finally compete against the best of the best.

"I'm just going to go out there and do the same types of things I did in college. They may not be as successful at that level. I'm going to be who I am. I can't change anything," Woodhead said.

Woodhead leaves for the New York Jets' rookie camp on Thursday. He's looking back over the past half-decade even as he looks forward to the pros. Nebraska was among the Division I schools not to offer him a scholarship. Woodhead said he could have walked on under coach Frank Solich and he thinks he would have returned kicks. By the time coach Bill Callahan came on board, he had already committed to Chadron State.

"I wanted to go to a school that wanted me. Not a school that was like, 'You can walk on, maybe get a chance down the road.' That's not me," Woodhead said. "Personally, I think I would've been successful (at Nebraska). I really do. When I look at it, I feel I would've been able to play. But the coaches had a different plan. And the plan wasn't to have me there."

Woodhead said he has no regrets about being a Chadron State Eagle.

"My four years went pretty well. I can't complain with what happened," he said. "If (Division I schools) see what I did, fine. I don't do the 'I told you so' deal. That's not who I am. If they want to look at my stats, they can. That's not something I'm worried about. I'm so competitive, once I have a goal, I'm going to go as hard as I can until I get there."

The Jets' running game coordinator is Callahan. Woodhead said that the recently fired Husker head coach gets a bad rap, and that he would have remained loyal to Chadron State no matter what.

 

[celticdb15]

A quick look at some jet blogs, it seems most of the guys there are hoping Danny can contribute and seem eager to give him a shot

 

[ToughJ.Riggins]

Hard work might earn Woodhead spot on Jets roster

BY ERIK BOLAND | erik.boland@newsday.com
9:04 PM EDT, May 1, 2008

Seeing the T-shirts around campus, that was when it got downright strange for Danny Woodhead.

"There was a shirt like the 'Got Milk?' ads, but it said, 'Got Wood?"' the NCAA's all-time rushing leader said by telephone earlier this week. "I see stuff like that and say, 'I wouldn't pay for something like that,' but that's just me. It's kind of weird at first but there's something kind of cool about it, actually."

Woodhead put up almost otherworldly numbers at Division II Chadron State, earning cult-hero status in the town of Chadron, Neb. Among the staggering numbers: the career rushing mark of 7,962 yards, 101 career rushing touchdowns -- 34 his junior season -- a record 2,756 rushing yards in 2006 and a record 19 200-yard rushing games.

Woodhead went undrafted last weekend, but still became a national story when his Sunday afternoon of waiting was chronicled by an ESPN camera crew in his parents' home in North Platte, Neb. He was shown on the phone smiling toward the end of the draft after a call from the Jets saying they were interested in signing him.

Woodhead is at Hofstra, along with this year's draft picks, other rookie free agents and tryout invitees, for the Jets' rookie minicamp, which begins Friday.

Woodhead is listed as 5-71/2 -- "Let's call it 5-8 because I have to wear shoes during the games and stuff," he said with a laugh -- and his height is seen as one of his biggest obstacles to NFL success.

"These are the cards that have been dealt to me," Woodhead said. "I'm going to use them in every way possible."

Speed isn't a problem. The compact Woodhead, who weighs 197 pounds, ran a 4.38 40-yard dash at Nebraska's Pro Day. Fourth overall pick Darren McFadden, by comparison, ran a 4.33 at the NFL combine, which Woodhead did not receive an invite to.

"I believe I'm a good football player," Woodhead said. "More than anything, I'm going to work hard every single day. I hope they've seen that on film and with workouts. I'm going to come out and work as hard as I can. I can't change the things that have gotten me here."

Watching the draft with Woodhead, 23, and his family was his fiancee, Stacia, whom Woodhead has dated since his freshman year in high school. They are to be married July 5, with a late July date avoided for a very specific reason.

"It was like, hey, you never know," said Woodhead, a scholar- athlete with a 3.72 cumulative GPA in pursuit of degrees in mathematics and physical education. "I might end up in training camp."

Woodhead, and others who went undrafted, take the first step toward that Friday.
------------------------------------------------------------ ---------------------------------------------------


Wow I give the guy a lot of respect for dating the same girl since his freshman year of H.S. That's gotta be tough going through all those H.S and college years dating the same girl. Especially when he probably had girls running to him at Chadron like crazy b/c he was a football star. Good luck to Mr. Woodhead I personally think Woodhead is going to make the Jets roster!

 

[jaxvid]

Welker effect. Small speedy white guys need to cash in on the trend. It won't last long.

 

[ToughJ.Riggins]

May 3, 4:05 PM EDT

NCAA's career rushing leader hopes to make impact with Jets

By DENNIS WASZAK Jr.
AP Sports Writer

HEMPSTEAD, N.Y. (AP) -- Danny Woodhead took the football, cut quickly to his left and then disappeared.

The NCAA's career rushing leader was still somewhere on the New York Jets' practice field, but it was difficult to pick out his small frame among all the big bodies.

"He's hard to find for a couple of reasons," coach Eric Mangini said with a smile Saturday, "the obvious one and he's pretty quick and pretty elusive."

At 5-foot-7 1/2 - "People forget the half-inch" - he has heard about his small stature his entire football-playing life. Now in rookie minicamp with the Jets, Woodhead is hoping to make a big impression.

"A lot of other people have thought: 'You're the underdog, so you probably really want to do good,'" Woodhead said Saturday. "Honestly, I just think of it as being any other football player. I don't want people to feel sorry for me."

No need to. Not when he rushed for 7,962 yards in four seasons at Chadron State, compiled 9,479 career all-purpose yards - second-best in college football history - and was a two-time Harlon Hill Trophy winner as the nation's top Division II player.

"I just want to keep on playing, just like every other guy in this locker room," Woodhead said. "That's what I'm going to do is work hard and hopefully I can keep on playing football."

Woodhead is already something of a celebrity in the Jets' locker room, despite his humble, aw-shucks demeanor. The native of North Platte, Neb., was one of the NFL draft's most intriguing stories last weekend, when ESPN sent a camera crew to his home to chronicle the whole experience. After going undrafted, the camera caught Woodhead on the phone. The Jets were on the other end, telling him they wanted to sign him to a free-agent contract.

"I wanted to be somewhere, I really did," Woodhead said. "This just happened to be the best opportunity."

At first glance, Woodhead would not appear to have a realistic shot at making it in the NFL. He's the smallest guy on the roster - although he's got good weight on him at a solid 195 pounds - and looks like a kid lost in a forest when he's around players such as 6-8 defensive end Ropati Pitoitua or 6-5 linebacker Wallace Artis.

"There's a lot of guys that have been small and undersized and been great players in the National Football League," said 6-3, 264-pound linebacker Vernon Gholston, the Jets' top pick, sixth overall. "It's all about your heart and will to win and how well you can pick up everything at this point."

Woodhead is no Darren McFadden, of course. But if he can play special teams and learn the playbook, Woodhead just might have a chance with the Jets. He could prove to be the perfect complement to the elusive Leon Washington, who's 5-8, the powerful Thomas Jones and the versatile Jesse Chatman.

"I love football," Woodhead said. "If you love to play the game, it doesn't matter. I think everybody is like that. They just want a shot. I'm just trying to take advantage of this opportunity."

The fact Woodhead's gaudy numbers came against Division II competition means little to Mangini.

"When you have that kind of production, I think that's hard to do, whatever level you're at," he said.

Despite the practices being closed to the public, Woodhead has become a camp favorite among Jets fans. Video clips from his college career have been posted on various Web sites and message boards.

"That's good, then," he said with a smile. "I don't want to be hated by the New York fans. It's better to have them behind you."

Woodhead wasn't invited to the NFL combine, but made up for it when he impressed scouts during his pro day in Lincoln. He ran a 40-yard dash that was timed between 4.33 and 4.38 seconds, recorded a vertical jump of 38 1/2 inches and bench-pressed 225 pounds 20 times.

Throw in the highlights of some of his best runs, many of which he appears to be little more than a red streak flashing across the screen, and Woodhead makes people forget all about his height.

"Yeah, he's a little smaller than Gholston," Mangini said with a laugh. "But Leon isn't the biggest guy to get off the bus, but he's a pretty effective guy. I've been around a lot of players that people may consider undersized that were incredibly effective."

This underdog role is nothing new for Woodhead, who was lightly recruited out of high school by Division I schools. Instead, he chose to stay close to home and follow his brother, Ben, who was a wide receiver at Chadron State. He then carved out one of the most successful football careers in NCAA history, silencing the naysayers who said he was too small to play the game.

"It's something that people have said in the past, but I've never gotten caught up in it," Woodhead said. "It's never bothered me and I'm fine with how I am, so I'm just going to keep working hard."

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[KG2422]

Joe Morris was 5-7. Barry Sanders was 5-8. Danny Woodhead is about the same height and weight as they are. Only one big diference........ He's faster.

 

[ToughJ.Riggins]

But lets be honest, as agile as Woodhead is (Woodhead's likely in the 99th percentile of NFL RBs in this category), no one is as elusive as Barry Sanders. He was like an alien sent from outer-space to carry the ball. The way Barry would just cut on a dime, bouncing off both legs redirecting at full speed and make Pro-bowl LBs grab air will probably never be seen again.

But yes, you're right, Woodhead is faster and probably has a better initial burst to boot. I would guess Barry only ran in the 4.45 range. I saw him get caught from behind a few times by faster CBs.

But Barry was also a beast in strength, he could squat 800 lbs. I don't think Woodhead has quite that much lower body strength.

But lets give Woodhead credit, "he has the potential" to become the top RB in this class if given the chance, yet in the caste era he'll be fighting for a roster spot.

 

[Don Wassall]

Sanders wasn't Superman; he was caught and dropped in the backfield for losses perhaps more than any other runner in NFL history. He compensated with lots of long runs, which when put together gave him an excellent5.0 average yards per carry in his career. But he had a fair amount of stinker games where he did little or nothing.

 

[White Shogun]

Sanders wasn't Superman; he was caught and dropped in the backfield for losses perhaps more than any other runner in NFL history. He compensated with lots of long runs, which when put together gave him an excellent 5.0 average yards per carry in his career. But he had a fair amount of stinker games where he did little or nothing.

I agree. I remember watching Sanders, and I, too, was amazed at his agility. But as my knowledge of football became more sophisticated, I could see that his shucking and juking in the backfield often cost the Lions possession of the football. He'd break off a long run, then lose 5 yards two plays in a row and the Lions would have to punt.

If I recall correctly, didn't the Lions pull Sanders from the line up at the goal line?

 

[Don Wassall]

If I recall correctly, didn't the Lions pull Sanders from the line up at the goal line?

I know they did do that at least some of the time in Sanders' career. In '97 and '98 they used Tommy Vardell as their goal line specialist. He had 6 TDs both seasons. It was the last hurrah for Vardell, a first round draft pick as a FB who had 644 yards rushing in his second season for the Browns in '93 then blew out his knee in the first game the next year. Otherwise he would have been the NFL's "other Mike Alstott" during the '90s and early '00s.

 

[jaxvid]

Sanders was a great runner, very entertaining to watch. It really was amazing how he could cut and change direction. But you guys are right, he would get stopped for losses or no gain plenty of times each game but he would break off long runs which gavf him a great YPC and total yards. He really excelled late in the game when the other guys were tired then he was really dangerous. There are lots of ways to run the ball effectively and his was one of them.

 

[KG2422]

I know they did do that at least some of the time in Sanders' career.  In '97 and '98 they used Tommy Vardell as their goal line specialist.  He had 6 TDs both seasons.  It was the last hurrah for Vardell, a first round draft pick as a FB who had 644 yards rushing in his second season for the Browns in '93 then blew out his knee in the first game the next year.  Otherwise he would have been the NFL's "other Mike Alstott" during the '90s and early '00s. 

"Touchdown Tommy", he was fun to watch. He was a real fullback, unlike Hester or Woodhead. It's too bad fullbacks don't get the carries they used to. I find the running game mere entertaining than that short pass, flag footballish stuff.Edited by: KG2422

 

[ToughJ.Riggins]

Sanders wasn't Superman; he was caught and dropped in the backfield for losses perhaps more than any other runner in NFL history. He compensated with lots of long runs, which when put together gave him an excellent 5.0 average yards per carry in his career. But he had a fair amount of stinker games where he did little or nothing.

I agree. I remember watching Sanders, and I, too, was amazed at his agility. But as my knowledge of football became more sophisticated, I could see that his shucking and juking in the backfield often cost the Lions possession of the football. He'd break off a long run, then lose 5 yards two plays in a row and the Lions would have to punt.

If I recall correctly, didn't the Lions pull Sanders from the line up at the goal line?

I do certainly agree that Sanders was stopped for losses more than most, but I think two in a row for 5 yards was rare WS. Sanders would get stopped at the line or lose yards maybe 3 times a game where most runners have that happen once or twice. Running losses can really hurt a drive though, I agree, by getting a team into third and long which are hard to complete.

However, the Lions o-line was horrible as was their counter passing game with Scott Mitchell to keep the opposing D honest; so how can you fault Sanders for being too creative shucking and juking? That is what made him so special after all. Sanders was definitely a top 10 RB all-time no question in my mind. I'd definitely even rank him in the top 5!

Their are only two white RBs from the SuperBowl era, from before the caste system took full effect, that measure up to Barry. That would be Jim Taylor and John Riggins. The two best examples of recent whites who have been banned by the NFL in the modern era that "might" measure up are Jesse Lumsden and scat-back Tre Smith. I think Sam McGuffie, if he gets to play in the NFL, is the real deal though. I'm optimistic! He could be an all-time great when it's all said and done!

Jimmy Chitwood has written of other white RBs though (The NFL w/o the Caste System) from when I was real young that sound very impressive, but I have never seen play.

 

[bigunreal]

Barry Sanders was an undeniably great running back. However, he had a few very critical weaknesses, which no other running back of his caliber had. First, as was mentioned, his dancing around style caused him to be tackled for losses far more often than your average running back. Second, he had absolutely no nose for the end zone. Especially during the second half of his career, Sanders seemed to specialize in breaking long runs but somehow being caught just short of the goal line. His touchdown totals, compared to the yardage he accumulated, were pretty pathetic. I don't think anybody in the history of football had as many long non-scoring runs as Sanders.

Finally, Sanders was a truly odd guy. He certainly didnt display stereotypical black athlete behavior. No jumping up and down after every small gain, no bragging, no emotion whatsoever. Of course, he was raised by a father who publicly proclaimed that Jim Brown was the greatest running back of all time, and in fact was his favorite player. I'm sure that made Barry feel good. His decision to retire when the NFL all-time rushing record was his to take was truly bizarre. If I'm not mistaken, I believe he said he didn't want to break Walter Payton's record. All in all, he was definitely a unique player. Edited by: bigunreal

 

[Capt. Larsen]

Woodhead, a scholar- athlete with a 3.72 cumulative GPA in pursuit of degrees in mathematics

There's the clincher!

 

[PhillyBirds]

IMO, Sanders was a quitter. He was on a mediocre team and management refused to trade him when he begged for it. Instead of toughing it out, he retired early.

Of course that's just my opinion.

 

[backrow]

Danny is out, probably for a year.

link

 

[Colonel_Reb]

That is the worst news I've heard in a while. It truly is always something.

 

[ToughJ.Riggins]

Very sad news indeed. Woodhead has the potential talent to be a quicker, more agile, less powerful Maurice Jones Drew. This guy is an elite talent. But the Jets acted very fast on this by placing him on the injured waived list. This could indeed be a bad sprain/ partial ligament tear, rather than a complete tear.

The Jets could have acted as they did to get him on the Practice squad this year once he heals. The Jets are a great fit for him and I don't feel Danny's career is over. Woodhead is "very" popular, surprisingly, with the Jet fans and has some name recognition for his achievements and a cult following.

I was kind of figuring that Woodhead might have been placed on the taxi squad for a year to perfect his blocking etc. this year anyway before making the final 53 man roster next year. Lets hope that it's a partial tear/ ligament sprain. Those injuries heal much more nicely and Woodhead could be back to full strength by late September/ early October.

 

[ToughJ.Riggins]

Maybe if the Jets really like Woodhead as a player a lot they will promise him a spot on their practice squad once he heals if he doesn't talk about his injury or have his agent call other teams.

Lets hope the injury isn't as serious as it seems at first glance!

 

[Sean Carlisle]

Same sheit different smell. We always lose one of our greats to injury before they can even get going. I pray he recovers fully.

 

[guest301]

Damn. This really sucks big time. I pray he recovers fully as well.

 

[celticdb15]

Well some good news he has cleared waivers and is now on the Jets injured reserve list


[url]http://www.newyorkjets.com/blog/posts/587-woodhead-clears-wa ivers-now-on-ir[/url]

 

[ToughJ.Riggins]

Despite injury, Woodhead not ending pro football hopes
By CON MARSHALL Monday, August 04, 2008

Even though Danny Woodhead, the former Chadron State College football star, was injured last Friday during contact at the New York Jets' training camp at Hofstra University in Hempstead, N.Y., he will likely continue to pursue his dream of becoming a pro player, his father said Monday night.

"It's my understanding that he will have surgery next month, rehabilitate and try it again next year," said Mark Woodhead by telephone from his home in North Platte.

"What a bummer," the elder Woodhead said about the injury. "He's pretty cool about it. He was having a blast and playing well. He felt good about his chances (of making the team.)"

Mark Woodhead declined to be specific about the injury, but said it was to his son's left knee, is a major injury that will require surgery and usually takes about a year to rehabilitate.

"Danny felt he could compete physically, although he said everybody, no matter which position they play, is fast at that level," Mark Woodhead continued. "He said the mental aspect of the (pro) game is huge. There's a steep learning curve. He said the Jets have more than 20 pass protections. He said everybody has to know what all the other players are doing."

Mark Woodhead, who also played football at CSC in 1978 and '80, said the way he understands it, Danny will continue to be the Jets' property, even though an Associated Press story said he has been placed on the waived-injured list.

"The way I look at it, it will be kind of like a redshirt year for him," said the elder Woodhead. "He can still learn while he's there and rehabilitating. Since the injury happened early in training camp, he'll have lots of time to get ready for next year."

Woodhead signed a free agent contract with the Jets immediately after the NFL draft in April. Reports indicated he had attracted widespread attention during mini-camps early this summer because of his speed and flare.

During his four years at CSC, Woodhead became college football's all-time leading rusher with 7,962 yards and finished with 9,479 all-purpose yards and 654 points, both the second most in college football history. He was named the Harlon Hill Trophy winner in both 2006 and 2007 and also was a two-time Academic All-American.

Woodhead was married earlier this month. His wife, Stacia, is living in Omaha after graduating as a registered nurse this spring. She has been planning to move to New York in the near future.

Woodhead's older brother, Ben, who was a wide receiver for the Eagles before going to medical school to become a physician assistant, married his high school sweetheart in North Platte on Saturday. A younger brother, Joel, will be a freshman and play football at CSC this fall.

My take:
I honestly pray he makes a full recovery and is given a second chance. You can't ask for a third chance when you are a small Division II undrafted FA, but he deserves a second one. Supposedly he was playing great and impressing all the fans. I honestly think he would have been a rare white RB to make it at least for this season. Too bad. It seems like it might be an ACL or PCL, or serious cartilage tear.

They have great techniques now to treat damaged or torn cartilage through cartilage culture growth. They can basically replace the damaged cartilage now, but it is a very expensive surgery. A cartilage injury might actually be the best case scenario currently for Woodhead.