CINCINNATI — Little Danny Woodhead played big again in a huge game.
Makes you wonder what player personnel people with the Jets and Patriots were watching when they let him go from their rosters for nothing. No matter, though, the Chargers are delighted to have him, regardless of who let him go and how he got to San Diego.
Woodhead, the 5-foot-7 power-ball running back, was as significant a contributor to the Chargers’ 27-10 AFC wild-card win over the Bengals as anyone on the San Diego roster. He gave the Chargers a 7-0 lead on a 5-yard scoring run in the first quarter, rushed for 54 yards on 11 carries, caught a couple passes, blocked and returned a kickoff 23 yards.
“I know there are probably 31 other teams in the league that wish they had Danny Woodhead, because the dude can do it all,’’ Chargers fullback Le’Ron McClain said. “You can put him at any position on the field and he can get the job done.
“It’s really amazing watching him. Watching him as a fan before he got here, the guy’s tougher than anyone. Now, being in the locker room and playing with him the guy is amazing — he runs between the tackles, catches passes out of the backfield. The guy can do it all.
“He’s a little man with a big heart who’s tough to bring down. He’s a great asset. I’m glad he’s on our team.’’
So is everyone else on the Chargers.
“He’s my man, my best friend on the team,’’ safety Eric Weddle said. “He’s a guy that epitomizes a football player. He can do everything on the field — run, catch, block. He’s a mismatch nightmare. No one can really cover him one-on-one.
“Why did teams let him go? We don’t know why, but were glad they did. He’s been one of the best free-agent pickups we’ve had in recent years with what he brings to our team.
“You never know what goes on in those organizations, why they let him go, but he’s a special, special player that brings a dimension that we haven’t had in a long time.’’