Interesting Stat on Woodhead

[brady199]

YPC for RB's with 50 or more carries...

6.1 Jamal Charles
5.6 Danny Woodhead
5.2 Arian Foster
5.2 Brandon Jacobs
5.2 Darren McFadden

Kevin Faulks best season was 6.1 ypc in 2008, his career average is 4.2

Recieving average - Woodhead is at 10.9 ypc, which is better then Faulks best year which was 10.2, and Faulks career average is 8.6
Obviously Faulk has better hands, that goes without saying, also interesting that his best year by far was in 2008 without Brady.

It's a short sample with Woodhead, but so far so good.

I often think he should be more involved in the gameplan, but he's probably so successful because the pats use him in optimal spots.

 

[The Dynasty]

Woodhead is a very solid 3rd down back/back out of the back field. The one thing that Faulk has the clear advantage on him is in blitz pick up. Woodhead is strictly a change up back, and a very good one. Lets not try and make him into something he is not

 

[SoonerPatriot]

Woodhead is a very solid 3rd down back/back out of the back field. The one thing that Faulk has the clear advantage on him is in blitz pick up. Woodhead is strictly a change up back, and a very good one. Lets not try and make him into something he is not

And let's also not write off his perceived weaknesses as something that can't be coached up.

 

[The Dynasty]

And let's also not write off his perceived weaknesses as something that can't be coached up.

Size cannot be coached up. He is simply to small to take on some of the LBs/safeties in the NFL. He is a liability in blitz pick up, it isnt really a knock on him, he is just too small for that

 

[SoonerPatriot]

Size cannot be coached up. He is simply to small to take on some of the LBs/safeties in the NFL. He is a liability in blitz pick up, it isnt really a knock on him, he is just too small for that

Kevin Faulk says hi.

 

[brady199]

Size cannot be coached up. He is simply to small to take on some of the LBs/safeties in the NFL. He is a liability in blitz pick up, it isnt really a knock on him, he is just too small for that

I disagree, he's a couple of inches smaller and 7lbs lighter then Faulk. Picking up the blitz is first recognition, second quick feet to get in position, and third leverage. Based on that, He's got all the tools. I don't remember Brady getting crushed cuz Woodhead missed a pickup. He seems just fine to me.

 

[The Dynasty]

Kevin Faulk says hi.

Woodhead isnt even close to Kevin Faulks size. Dont list me their heights and weights, just put the 2 side by side, a huge gap. Woodhead has openly admitted he isnt 5'8" and there is no chance in hell he is 195, probably closer to 180.

I am not knocking Woodhead, I am just saying that he is too small to be an effective player in blitz pick up

 

[The Dynasty]

I disagree, he's a couple of inches smaller and 7lbs lighter then Faulk. Picking up the blitz is first recognition, second quick feet to get in position, and third leverage. Based on that, He's got all the tools. I don't remember Brady getting crushed cuz Woodhead missed a pickup. He seems just fine to me.

I remember a play last week that a Steeler LB just threw Woodhead aside. Just because Brady isnt getting crushed, doesnt mean that Woodhead is a great blocker, it means that Brady knows how to get they ball out fast

 

[malenurse2010]

He took on Ray Lewis just fine linebackers don't get much sturdier built than him, do you expect the Ravens to design an exotic new defensive package where Haloti Ngata is a weakside blitzer or something?

 

[eagle eye]

I remember a play last week that a Steeler LB just threw Woodhead aside. Just because Brady isnt getting crushed, doesnt mean that Woodhead is a great blocker, it means that Brady knows how to get they ball out fast

Describe the play so I can remember it because I don't remember anything like that last week.

Woodhead has been very good at blitz pick up the couple of times I have seen him having to deal with it. And I've seen him block very well.

 

[andrewgarrr]

Size cannot be coached up. He is simply to small to take on some of the LBs/safeties in the NFL. He is a liability in blitz pick up, it isnt really a knock on him, he is just too small for that

Blitz pick up doesn't require one to hold onto a defender for 3-5 seconds. They do not have the same requirements or the same expectations as a linemen or a tight-end.

Blitz pick up is a skill that relies on (1) good recognition (2) leverage (3) instincts. You don't need overwhelming size for blitz pick up.

He's a great third down back and makes very important plays for us. I don't think anyone is calling him the next Walter Payton, but I'm sure as hell happy that he's moving the sticks for us.

 

[andrewgarrr]

It's a crime that Haley doesn't give Charles more touches. Absolute travesty for my fantasy endeavors!

 

[SoonerPatriot]

Woodhead isnt even close to Kevin Faulks size. Dont list me their heights and weights, just put the 2 side by side, a huge gap. Woodhead has openly admitted he isnt 5'8" and there is no chance in hell he is 195, probably closer to 180.

I am not knocking Woodhead, I am just saying that he is too small to be an effective player in blitz pick up

They are in the same area code. The difference is not significant.

Fact is Woodhead can get better at recognizing blitzes. He can also learn how to more effectively use what size he does have to pick them up. Will he ever be a bruiser? Of course not, but to say he will never improve as a blocker is a bit of a reach.

If we're lucky he's going to be around for awhile. Faulk, as much as we all love him, probably not so much.

 

[eagle eye]

It's a crime that Haley doesn't give Charles more touches. Absolute travesty for my fantasy endeavors!

Whatever about your fantasy, the thing about Charles is that he ended up having surgery after getting a lot of carries towards the end of last year. He did very well but I think they want to keep him healthy. Also Thomas Jones is doing a very good job there to so there is no need to give Charles a heavy load.

 

[brady199]

I remember a play last week that a Steeler LB just threw Woodhead aside. Just because Brady isnt getting crushed, doesnt mean that Woodhead is a great blocker, it means that Brady knows how to get they ball out fast

Well the Steelers have great LB's, your not going to get every block, just watch Matt Light if you want proof of that, doesn't mean Light isn't a good pass blocker.

Woodhead could make 10 great pickups in a game, and you'll just remember the one he didn't make. Keep in mind, that sometimes a player looks bad on a play, but if you understood their responsibilities on every play, you might have a different outlook.

 

[The Dynasty]

Woodhead is not Kevin Faulk in terms of blitz pick up. Faulks legs are much bigger than Woodhead and he is much more stockier. If you compared the 2 in the weight room Faulk would destroy him.

Woodhead is hardly out there to pick up the blitz, when he is out there he is coming out of the backfield to make a catch, or is lined up as a WR. You can have the best form in the world, but when you weigh almost 150 pounds less than the guy you are blocking the LB can just throw him aside. Woodheads job is not to pick up the blitz, he is hardly out there when the RBs job is blitz pick up.

Dont try and turn Woodhead into something he is not. He is a great player for the Pats right now, and knows his role

 

[rhodeisland]

Woodhead is a very solid 3rd down back/back out of the back field. The one thing that Faulk has the clear advantage on him is in blitz pick up. Woodhead is strictly a change up back, and a very good one. Lets not try and make him into something he is not

I'm not convinced that Woodhead is strictly a change up back. You'd be hard pressed to find many change up backs who can break tackles and get the hard fought yards after contact that Woodhead seems to get on every run. I don't know what the best way to use his talents is, but it seems like he's making a pretty good case for a 50/50 time share with BJGE. Like how the NYJ use LT and Greene.

 

[Brady2Welker]

Woodhead blocked Ray Lewis, and some Steelers LBs. He wont stand up and block them every play, but when he does you'd be surprised, he chucks his body in there with the best of them.

 

[eagle eye]

Woodhead is not Kevin Faulk in terms of blitz pick up. Faulks legs are much bigger than Woodhead and he is much more stockier. If you compared the 2 in the weight room Faulk would destroy him.

Woodhead is hardly out there to pick up the blitz, when he is out there he is coming out of the backfield to make a catch, or is lined up as a WR. You can have the best form in the world, but when you weigh almost 150 pounds less than the guy you are blocking the LB can just throw him aside. Woodheads job is not to pick up the blitz, he is hardly out there when the RBs job is blitz pick up.

Dont try and turn Woodhead into something he is not. He is a great player for the Pats right now, and knows his role

Any chance of describing that play where you claim a Steeler threw him out of the way?

 

[brady199]

Woodhead is not Kevin Faulk in terms of blitz pick up. Faulks legs are much bigger than Woodhead and he is much more stockier. If you compared the 2 in the weight room Faulk would destroy him.

Woodhead is hardly out there to pick up the blitz, when he is out there he is coming out of the backfield to make a catch, or is lined up as a WR. You can have the best form in the world, but when you weigh almost 150 pounds less than the guy you are blocking the LB can just throw him aside. Woodheads job is not to pick up the blitz, he is hardly out there when the RBs job is blitz pick up.

Dont try and turn Woodhead into something he is not. He is a great player for the Pats right now, and knows his role

I've never seen any RB try to block a 350lb defender

Most the guys he will block will be 50-60lbs heavier then him, but none of them will have better leverage. You do know how leverage works, right?