Danny Woodhead = Non-expendable?

Its funny that Woodhead was one of the standout players last night. Just a few weeks ago, I wondered with the great running game with Ridley & Bolden, maybe Woodhead in his contract year might be expendable. Also, Vareen has finally showed us that he can indeed do what Woodhead does in
3rd down situations and making great screen plays and grabbing receptions as well.

Well, I think last night just really solidified that Woodhead still brings things that these other backs don't. He was great last night when the offense needed someone to step up most. While Ridley and Vareen fumbled the game away, Woodhead was brilliant making plays back and forth and scoring for us. I sure hope the team takes this into consideration at the end of the year. We need this guy. I loved the way he was on the sidelines cheering the team on as well. It seemed as if the air has been pulled out of the team and Woodhead was fighting his little heart out.

I love this kid on this team. He fits us perfectly.

Perennially underrated. Came onto the team as a "flash in the pan" and everyone figured he'd come down to earth. He's played at the same level ever since, but the difference is that everyone expects it now.

I hope he gets a nice sized NFL contract with the Pats, but if not them, another team. He deserves it.

Woodhead has become our new Kevin Faulk quicker than Faulk was able to do so.

He's reliable, versatile and has generally been durable.

Thankfully he isn't the sort of player our coaching staff lets go easily and I hope he stays here for years to come.

He seems to be the player that Bill and Brady trust the most. His blitz pick up is not something to write home about but his natural football smarts are paying off big time. The kid needs to get a good size contract from us. Most likely he should sign a team friendly contract.

No offense, but the notion that he ever WAS expendable is so foolish as to ENRAGE me.

We stumbled around for YEARS with CRAPPY Depth of Talent at O Back:

1 ~ Ancients like Taylor.
2 ~ Clowns like Maroney.
3 ~ Slugs like The Hyphenator.

Now we have PHENOMENAL Depth of Talent at O Back, and people want to just give that UP???

I have been saying it for weeks.

Woodhead needs to be factored in for the close season Re-ups.

He's a key part of this O.

I've been a big fan of Woodhead's for about 5 years now, maybe more. I remember reading about him when he was in Division III college (some college in Nebraska). I was fascinated while reading the article. Then I saw something about him on ESPN (while he was still in college), and at that point, really wanted the Pats to draft him, I believe he won the Heisman equivalent 2 times in a row. When I heard the Jets signed him as an undrafted free agaent after the draft, I was devastated, Thank goodness the Jets cut him. He's been an awesome Patriot since the day we got him. I love that they trust him to pick up the blitz, and he has excellent hands as a receiver, and is very productive as a runner when given the chance. He's the perfect Patriot, he just does his job, and does it very well. Hopefully they sign him to a long term contract.

P.S.-I'd love to see how Woodhead would do with a 20+ carry game, like he did back in his college games.

Who do you want starting at RB for the playoffs? I want Woodhead.

woodhead is like a faulk in my eyes...gotta keep this kid...huge

Who do you want starting at RB for the playoffs? I want Woodhead.

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Our best RB..Ridley. We need balance. Ridley gives us that. Pats have turned away from power running since 1st half of season and rely more on passing/draws. Part of that has to do with gronk being out remember. But i want out best...RIDLEY out there come playoffs

I love him as well, but he's still expandable, and might actually be one of the more expandable players if someone offers him $. I think he can do a ton and do it better than anyone on the team, but in the end they can cover most of what he does without a ton of drop off.

That all said I think he likes it here and the Pats like him, and I highly doubt they don't get a fair and reasonable deal done.

He's showing the mental toughness and focus while the younger players need to step up.

Brady_to_Moss said:

woodhead is like a faulk in my eyes...gotta keep this kid...huge




Our best RB..Ridley. We need balance. Ridley gives us that. Pats have turned away from power running since 1st half of season and rely more on passing/draws. Part of that has to do with gronk being out remember. But i want out best...RIDLEY out there come playoffs

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Ridley's last 6 weeks: 102 attempts 389 yards 3.8 ypc 2 fumbles

He's been ineffective the whole second half of the season.

Woodhead offers way more in the hurry up offense in the form of draws and motioning to slot WR on LBs IMO.

Off The Grid said:

1 ~ Ancients like Taylor.

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Bing!

2 ~ Clowns like Maroney.

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Bang!

3 ~ Slugs like The Hyphenator.

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Badda bing bang!

Woodhead's expendability would seem to be directly tied to Vereen's ability. So far, that means you have to keep him unless he asks for a ridiculous overpayment, IMO.

We do need that Clock Killin Corey Dillon clone like Ridley proved to be in the Miami game. Would love to have that rushing attack we had earlier in the season when we ran for 200-250 a game. That just kills the clock and demoralizes defenses, which we need to do in the playoffs. That being said, Get Ridley some stickum, have Woodhead line up wide as a receiver ala a Welker Jr, and truly freak out the defenses. Of course, we need Gronk back for the running game as well.

Deus Irae said:

Woodhead's expendability would seem to be directly tied to Vereen's ability. So far, that means you have to keep him unless he asks for a ridiculous overpayment, IMO.

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IF Woodhead resigns (Please make it happen Pats !), Vereen will be fighting for his football life against Jeff Demps (similar type player) next preseason.

scott99 said:

I've been a big fan of Woodhead's for about 5 years now, maybe more. I remember reading about him when he was in Division III college (some college in Nebraska). I was fascinated while reading the article. Then I saw something about him on ESPN (while he was still in college), and at that point, really wanted the Pats to draft him, I believe he won the Heisman equivalent 2 times in a row. When I heard the Jets signed him as an undrafted free agaent after the draft, I was devastated, Thank goodness the Jets cut him. He's been an awesome Patriot since the day we got him. I love that they trust him to pick up the blitz, and he has excellent hands as a receiver, and is very productive as a runner when given the chance. He's the perfect Patriot, he just does his job, and does it very well. Hopefully they sign him to a long term contract.

P.S.-I'd love to see how Woodhead would do with a 20+ carry game, like he did back in his college games.

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Chadron State is Division II.

Woodhead set the NCAA all-time rushing yardage record while he was there. That record was later broken by some Division III player, but I believe Woodhead still holds something like 7 all-time NCAA records, including notably most 200+ yard games and most 300+ yard games.

He also holds many Nebraska all-time high school rushing records.

Lots of folks here look down on Woodhead -- not just literally -- perhaps because he looks funny, wasn't drafted, and was cast off by the Jets. But for me, I see in him that the Pats have as a backup one of the greatest performers in NCAA history. I'm seeing a lot of that translating onto the field at the NFL level. I think his best is yet to come, and I only hope when it does he'll still be a Patriot.

Kevin Faulk is one of my all-time favorite Patriots. I used to dread the day when he retired. Fortunately, Woodhead stepped right into that role and reminds me quite a lot of Kevin, even to the point where like Kevin he's quietly worked at his pass blocking to the point where he's now very reliable at it. Which is crucial on this team. He even seems to becoming clutch like Kevin, although so far only in an unlucky way (Superbowl, Ravens, and 49'ers losses).

I well recall that during Kevin's time here, it seemed that every year people were hoping to replace him. That used to anger me, but now I see that perhaps it's just that way with "3rd down" backs: folks don't respect them.

I, for one, am deeply appreciative that Danny Woodhead is a Patriot.

Kasmir said:

Chadron State is Division II.

Woodhead set the NCAA all-time rushing yardage record while he was there. That record was later broken by some Division III player, but I believe Woodhead still holds something like 7 all-time NCAA records, including notably most 200+ yard games and most 300+ yard games.

He also holds many Nebraska all-time high school rushing records.

Lots of folks here look down on Woodhead -- not just literally -- perhaps because he looks funny, wasn't drafted, and was cast off by the Jets. But for me, I see in him that the Pats have as a backup one of the greatest performers in NCAA history. I'm seeing a lot of that translating onto the field at the NFL level. I think his best is yet to come, and I only hope when it does he'll still be a Patriot.

Kevin Faulk is one of my all-time favorite Patriots. I used to dread the day when he retired. Fortunately, Woodhead stepped right into that role and reminds me quite a lot of Kevin, even to the point where like Kevin he's quietly worked at his pass blocking to the point where he's now very reliable at it. Which is crucial on this team. He even seems to becoming clutch like Kevin, although so far only in an unlucky way (Superbowl, Ravens, and 49'ers losses).

I well recall that during Kevin's time here, it seemed that every year people were hoping to replace him. That used to anger me, but now I see that perhaps it's just that way with "3rd down" backs: folks don't respect them.

I, for one, am deeply appreciative that Danny Woodhead is a Patriot.

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Couldn't have said it any better. Woodhead is a warrior ! Also, interesting fact, ran a 4.33 and 4.38 at his pro day ! Though I do feel his knee injury took away some of that speed. With speed like that, usually you can break some very long runs, and never get caught from behind, I've seen him causght from behind most of the time.

It seems increasingly likely that Woodhead will be a long-term Patriot, and personally I would be very happy about such an outcome!

"WelkerStache"??? The #$%&??