Danny Woodhead ran for his life in last night’s preseason finale between the Jets and Eagles at Giants Stadium.
The Jets’ backup running back out of tiny Chadron State in Nebraska rushed for 158 yards on 18 carries and scored on runs of 55 and three yards.
The second TD run gave the Jets a 31-24 lead in the third quarter, a lead they didn’t relinquish.
It was the second-highest preseason single-game rushing total since 1992, when the NFL began recording preseason stats.
“Danny Woodhead is the first guy you’ve got to tip your hat to,” coach Rex Ryan said. “I think he wants us to know he wants to be on this football team.”
Woodhead, who spent last season on IR with a knee injury, went into the game knowing he could get squeezed out of a roster spot because of a numbers game.
Asked if Woodhead has done enough to make the team, Ryan said, “We’ll see. It always comes down to numbers, but I don’t know what more he’s supposed to do.”
The Jets are making their final cuts today.
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Second-year linebacker Vernon Gholston finally got his first NFL sack last night. It was one of seven the Jets recorded, with former Rutgers defensive end Jamaal Westerman, along with defensive tackle Howard Green, linebacker Marques Murrell, DT Matt Kroul, LB Kenwin Cummings and LB Jason Trusnik also making one each.
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Punter Reggie Hodges might be headed for the waiver wire after yet another inconsistent game, averaging 37.8 yards on four punts. A name to look for as a replacement is Jacksonville’s Adam Podlesh, who averaged 43.2 yards gross and 36.6 yards net last season. It looks as if Steven Weatherford is going to win the Jags’ job, meaning Podlesh would be cut. Podlesh’s strength is directional punting.
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Backup quarterback Kellen Clemens was 0-for-2 with an interception. But the pick was not his fault. Wide receiver Wallace Wright bobbled a Clemens pass right into the arms of Eagles’ cornerback Jack Ikegwuonu.