The Usage Of Danny Woodhead

[chris8812]

When you have The Hoodie as your head coach, things happen. You see a wrinkle that seems to work so well one week, then it dose not reappear for weeks; perhaps even remainder of the regular season. Thing is this guy plays for the post season. Anyone else out there have the feeling that come playoff time, Danny Woodhead will get a massive increase in touches? Woodhead is clearly the most trusted back in the Patriots offence. He plays his best when the Patriots are in 2nd & long and 3rd & long situations. These are critical downs in an offence predicated on short passes and baiting the D into coming up to the line. Woodhead has incredible burst, phenomenal change of direction and unmatched vision. In the past NE has been considered a place where once great backs go to finish out their days i.e. Curtis Martin, Corry Dillon, and now Fred Taylor. Other then the horrid bust that was Laurence Maroney, Hoodie has always preferred to go with a veteran presence at the RB position i.e. Kevin Faulk, Sammy Morris. The fact that the two leading rushers on this team are 3rd year players, with limited experience says something about the learning capability of both the Law Firm, and Woodhead. Now to the point of wanting Woodhead to get more touches, it would be awesome! But wouldn't you rather see him carry the rock when the D is not entirely sure what is going to happen? You only have to look to the Vikings usage of Gerhart to see how predictable a RB rotation can be without a plan. Come playoff time I expect to see a 50% increase in carries for Woodhead coupled with his catches out of the backfield I believe he will be the toast of the NFL.

 

[SuperSpeed23]

Id love to see him getting more carries. He and Green ellis should have about equal carries like you said chris, and then of course danny should still get plenty of targets in the passing game.

 

[Kaptain]

I wouldn't expect Woodhead to get any more touches in the playoffs than what he does now. The caste forces and the powers of the black lockerroom are already the reason he doesn't see a whole lot of touches and that isn't going to magically disappear in the playoffs. I'm sure every coach knows the Patriots are a more dangerous/explosive/better team with Woodhead out there than with law firm. They are not "saving him for the playoffs" they are using him as little as possible.

Can you imagine the lockerroom uproar if Belichek went over the game plan and said the Woodhead would be out there nearly every play now that we are in the playoffs? Barring injury, ain't gonna happen.

 

[chris8812]

Kaptain,
While I respect your opinion I have to disagree. Remember last year when Welker went down last year? Remember who led the Patriots in receiving YDs, Catches, & Targets? Little used Julian Edelman! There where other options (non white options) on the roster. Now I realize that was due to injury. But Bill knows what he's got in Woodhead. Through 10 games Woodhead is averaging 9.4 touches per game, both rushing and receiving. When the Patriots run play action with him in the back field the D comes up big time. He is a home run threat when he runs the ball and the D knows that. By comparison Green-Ellis is averaging 14.2 total touches per game with only 8 of those touches being via the pass. Woodhead gets roughly 5 less touches per game. Now it gets interesting, out of the 163 rushes Green-Ellis has 101 of them have come when the Patriots have the lead. And 103 of his rushes have come on first down. Another words when in traditionally rushing situations Green-Ellis gets the ball. We all know that there are elements in football that would like to injure a white man who has taken one of their positions. Bill knows this, trust me he is looking out for the longevity and health of Woodhead. I guess I have not really been very persuasive about my topic point. I suppose this could better be described as a justification of the style/amount of touches that Bill is giving Woodhead. We will just have to wait and see!

 

[chris8812]

By Comparison, Kevin Faulk through his ten year career has averaged only 8.2 total touches per game. It's Bill's way and in this case has nothing to do with the Caste System.

 

[sport historian]

By Comparison, Kevin Faulk through his ten year career has averaged only 8.2 total touches per game. It's Bill's way and in this case has nothing to do with the Caste System.

Very true. The Patriots are scoring points and winning games.

 

[Don Wassall]

Peyton Hillis's breakthrough will also make it easier for the Patriots to use Woodhead more if they want to. With an all-White o-line, Brady, Welker, Gronkowski, Edelman, etc., it's not like the offense will lay down.

The biggest NFL taboos are now on defense, with Whites not permitted to play cornerback and tackle, under ridiculously unfair scrutiny when they play safety, and almost always kept to just a starter or two out of eleven, with many defenses being all black. The notion that all 32 defenses have to be majority to (almost always) overwhelmingly black year after year, with none majority White in 20 years, is as much or more a farce than the taboos Whites face when it comes to running and receiving the ball.

 

[Westside]

In Danny's case, ability is at the forefront. I am sure Bill is not thinking, "Wait, Woodhead is a homerun hitter everytime he touches the ball. But... I have to consider the castesystem and rationing him touches. Even though that jeopardizes our chances of winning in the playoffs." Utter nonsense. The castesystem simply does not apply in the case of Woodhead, get used to it.

 

[Colonel_Reb]

<div>The biggest NFL taboos are now on defense, with Whites not permitted to play cornerback and tackle, under ridiculously unfair scrutiny when they play safety, and almost always kept to just a starter or two out of eleven, with many defenses being all black. The notion that all 32 defenses have to be majority to (almost always) overwhelmingly black year after year, with none majority White in 20 years, is as much or more a farce than the taboos Whites face when it comes to running and receiving the ball.</div>

You hit the nail on the head there, Don! We've got to keep up the fight and keep getting the word out about great White defensive players.

 

[Kaptain]

Kaptain,
While I respect your opinion I have to disagree. Remember last year when Welker went down last year? Remember who led the Patriots in receiving YDs, Catches, & Targets? Little used Julian Edelman! There where other options (non white options) on the roster. Now I realize that was due to injury. But Bill knows what he's got in Woodhead.

And I'll have to have a small disagreement with you and apparently everybody else. I said he would be used "as little as possible." Edelman was used a lot because he had to be - the Patriots were behind most of the last playoff game and lost. Sitting your undeclared best reciever available is suicide in that situation. This year apparently the Patriots could afford to hide Edelman. What good did his playoff performance do him?

In the very likely event that the Patriots roll over their opponents in the playoffs, I expect to see the same limited amount of action for Woodhead.

Kevin Faulk, I guess touched the ball about 10 times a game - not much more than Woodhead. Big deal. Everybody knows and can easily see (even DWFs) that Woodhead is way more talented than Kevin Faulk. Comparing Woodhead to Kevin Faulk is playing right into the caste systems hands. Woodhead is clearly a premier runner and Faulk was always clearly a career role player. In a fair and truly competetive league, Woodhead would be getting 20+ touches a game. Edited by: Kaptain

 

[Deadlift]

Peyton Hillis's breakthrough will also make it easier for the Patriots to use Woodhead more if they want to.  With an all-White o-line, Brady, Welker, Gronkowski, Edelman, etc., it's not like the offense will lay down.  
<div> </div>
<div>The biggest NFL taboos are now on defense, with Whites not permitted to play cornerback and tackle, under ridiculously unfair scrutiny when they play safety, and almost always kept to just a starter or two out of eleven, with many defenses being all black.  The notion that all 32 defenses have to be majority to (almost always) overwhelmingly black year after year, with none majority White in 20 years, is as much or more a farce than the taboos Whites face when it comes to running and receiving the ball.</div>

In college football this year, White D-linemen and linebackers' outperformed White receivers.

Wisconsin will often have 3 and 4 White D-lineman on the field at the same time. Florida State's (DE) Bjoern Werner is a fluid and explosive athlete. Stanford's "hybrid" LB/DE - Chase Thomas - had a breakout Junior season.

NC State (LB) Audie Cole flies all over the field and he's an excellent blitzer. Colby Whitlock and Bruce Miller (perhaps, in the NFL, he could be used like James Harrison) were good as usual.

Miami's - Colin McCarthy - finished the season very strong. A few games back, Chris White had an injury-scare when he intercepted a pass and landed awkwardly, but he's fine which is excellent news. There are several other excellent White athletes like Luke Kuechly, Alex Wujciak and J.R. Sweezy. Several other young athletes, as well, like Tom Wort, Max Bullough, Tanner Brock, Steve Greer, Margus Hunt, etc. This season, it has been harder for me to keep track of them!

When was the last time that there was "this many?" There's also Michael Hodges, Bront Bird, Brandon Bair, Derek Wolfe, Dan Giordano, Mark Herzlich (INT machine), etc.

 

[Deadlift]

I named mostly "big conference" athletes.. and it's because, if too many of them are shunned, people will ask questions.

More White fans are loving White linebackers' and are feeling a connection to them, and many Whites still don't believe that Whites are some tiny, unathletic race that could play D-line 25-years-ago, but, somehow, can't do so today. More people are getting tired of all the black fatties as well.

 

[ToughJ.Riggins]

Great article from a site that is not known for fairly ranking white players at draft time. I was surprised to see this from the National Football Post!


NFP Sunday Blitz

Of course the world underestimated Danny Woodhead(notes). He's 5-7, 195 pounds â€" too small. He played against Division II competition at Chadron State â€" not enough of a test. And he's white â€" the wrong color for a running back, according to the stereotype.

Leave it to Bill Belichick to find his value. Woodhead bounced around on the Jets for more than two years after they took him as an undrafted free agent. He spent 2008 on injured reserve, and was moved to wide receiver in 2009. This year, it appeared the Jets made the decision to cut Woodhead in the fourth round of the April draft when they drafted Joe McKnight(notes). Even though Woodhead clearly outplayed McKnight in the preseason, they kept the draft pick and cut Woodhead on Sept. 14.
AdChoices

Later that week, one day before the Patriots came to town, Woodhead was picked up by the Jets' primary rival. The Patriots had an opening for a back after trading Laurence Maroney(notes). During that first Patriots-Jets game, Kevin Faulk(notes) suffered a season ending injury. And opportunity's door swung open wide for one Danny Woodhead.

Since that time, Woodhead has established himself as the Patriots' nickel running back. He has 355 rushing yards, an average of 5.4 per carry, and 334 receiving yards â€" 104 of which came against his former team last Monday.

Bill Belichick finds ways to get the most out of players like Danny Woodhead.
ICON

While the Patriots certainly have shown they know how to use the former Harlon Hill winner, Belichick maintains Woodhead could be productive in any system. "He's a good third down back,"Â he told me. "He'd do everything Mewelde Moore(notes) does for Pittsburgh, or [LaDainian] Tomlinson does for the Jets on third downs. He'd play for any team that uses a third down back."Â

Woodhead will get another opportunity to prove that Sunday when the first place Patriots travel to Chicago to take on the first place Bears. On a day when extreme cold and high winds are expected, and on a playing surface in which less than ideal footing is expected, a player like Woodhead could play a significant role.

Woodhead rushed for more yards than anyone in the history of college football, but he'll probably never be a league-leader at the NFL level. What he can be is an outstanding role player, the kind of chess piece that Belichick uses in spots with a high degree of effectiveness. He really is the perfect replacement for Faulk.

"There are a lot of similarities between Woodhead and Faulk, which is what we saw when we took him,"Â Belichick said. "We kind of thought we were getting a younger Kevin Faulk with a lot of receiving skills, and even though he is an undersized guy, he has some interior run skills. He's also a tough kid like Kevin."Â

This is what one defensive coordinator who has tried to stop Woodhead this season told me about him. "Woodhead is the real deal. He must be about two feet tall, but he's tough as nails, catches the ball and makes yards after the catch. He will block any linebacker on a blitz and I haven't seen him show any fear at all. He can and does run the ball well inside and you better be ready when be ready when you attempt to tackle him. I could go on and on about this kid. He puts his helmet on and lays it on the line on every snap and that is how we used to play the game. This kid is a throwback, God bless him."Â

It's easy to see all that now. It wasn't so easy to see it in April of 2008. "The issues with him coming out were his size and the competition,"Â Belichick said. "We liked him, but obviously not enough, and we were wrong on that."Â

The Patriots were one of 32 who got it wrong with this kid.

National Football Post on Woodhead

 

[Animalmuther0]

Woodhead and Eliis may be seeing lots of touches today in Chicago. Wind gusts to 50+ MPH predicted. Pulling for DW all day!

 

[celticdb15]

Peyton Hillis's breakthrough will also make it easier for the Patriots to use Woodhead more if they want to. With an all-White o-line, Brady, Welker, Gronkowski, Edelman, etc., it's not like the offense will lay down.



The biggest NFL taboos are now on defense, with Whites not permitted to play cornerback and tackle, under ridiculously unfair scrutiny when they play safety, and almost always kept to just a starter or two out of eleven, with many defenses being all black. The notion that all 32 defenses have to be majority to (almost always) overwhelmingly black year after year, with none majority White in 20 years, is as much or more a farce than the taboos Whites face when it comes to running and receiving the ball.

In college football this year, White D-linemen and linebackers' outperformed White receivers.

Wisconsin will often have 3 and 4 White D-lineman on the field at the same time. Florida State's (DE) Bjoern Werner is a fluid and explosive athlete. Stanford's "hybrid" LB/DE - Chase Thomas - had a breakout Junior season.

NC State (LB) Audie Cole flies all over the field and he's an excellent blitzer. Colby Whitlock and Bruce Miller (perhaps, in the NFL, he could be used like James Harrison) were good as usual.

Miami's - Colin McCarthy - finished the season very strong. A few games back, Chris White had an injury-scare when he intercepted a pass and landed awkwardly, but he's fine which is excellent news. There are several other excellent White athletes like Luke Kuechly, Alex Wujciak and J.R. Sweezy. Several other young athletes, as well, like Tom Wort, Max Bullough, Tanner Brock, Steve Greer, Margus Hunt, etc. This season, it has been harder for me to keep track of them!

When was the last time that there was "this many?" There's also Michael Hodges, Bront Bird, Brandon Bair, Derek Wolfe, Dan Giordano, Mark Herzlich (INT machine), etc.


[/QUOTe

Deadlift you're right man, this year has been great for white defensive players in college!Our D-line and Linebacker threads this year, in the college football stars section,show a lot of promising young players!. They are packed to the brim with guys who have NFL potential. I think things are looking up. We haven't even covered many small school defensive players just b\c we've had so many guys playing and tearingit upthroughout the FBS.

 

[Deadlift]

"We haven't even covered many small school defensive players just b\c we've had so many guys playing and tearing it up throughout the FBS."

Great point! I didn't update the linebacker thread with stats from the last week of the regular season (I needed a break..), but I plan to add the Bowl Game stats of our great athletes! I'm hoping for some great performances.

 

[chris8812]

The last two weeks Woodhead has had games with 10 touches vs. the Packers.
And 16 touches vs. the Bills. The most important part of this slight up-tick in touches, is that his carries have come in consecutive sequences during the series. I expect 10-16 touches to be his average depending on match ups. But if it hovers around the 16 mark, my prediction of 50% increase would be almost exact&gt;

 

[celticdb15]

"We haven't even covered many small school defensive players just b\c we've had so many guys playing and tearing it up throughout the FBS."

Great point! I didn't update the linebacker thread with stats from the last week of the regular season (I needed a break..), but I plan to add the Bowl Game stats of our great athletes! I'm hoping for some great performances.

Glad you agree! Looking forward to seeing what stats our studs end up with.

PS* Danny Woodhead has been electric, so happy to see him get a chance to shine. When he was mentioned a couple of years ago I honestly didn't think this guy would even be given a chance in the NFL. I think the Pats have found a versatile runningback that has the potential to be around for a while.