Danny Woodhead is showing the world what a lot of Jets fans — but, unfortunately, not Jets management — saw in the preseason. And even more unfortunately for Gang Green, Woodhead is doing it for their most hated of rivals, the Patriots.
The Little Back That Could enters Sunday’s AFC playoff showdown with the Jets averaging an eye-popping 5.6 yards per rush, third most in the league among runners with 60 or more carries.
Not only that, Woodhead also has 379 yards on just 34 catches, making the 5-foot-8, 195-pound former undrafted free agent one of the NFL’s most dangerous third-down backs.
Not bad for a kid from Division II Chadron (Neb.) State who wowed Jets followers in preseason but was deemed by coach Rex Ryan as unworthy of a roster spot when the decision came down to Woodhead and underachieving fourth-round pick Joe McKnight.
Here is what makes Woodhead so dangerous that the 14-2 Patriots scrambled to sign him to a two-year contract extension:
SPEED
Woodhead isn’t a true burner, but he appears that way in part because he has short legs and is just as quick coming out of a cut as he is making one. The short legs also mean quick steps, and since Woodhead is a churner, he looks as fast running side-to-side as he does straight head.
SIZE
This might be the best weapon in Woodhead’s arsenal. Instead of a drawback, he uses his lack of size as an attribute by hiding behind much bigger offensive linemen and downfield blockers, making it difficult for defenses to find him and get a straight shot at him. This is especially effective on screen passes, a longtime Tom Brady favorite.
INTELLIGENCE
Woodhead’s teammates say he is a workhorse in the film room and a quick study, which is important on a team that abhors routines on offense and changes its gameplan from week to week perhaps more than any other club.
“His work ethic is second to none,” teammate Fred Taylor said. “He’s a smart kid who gets it.”
SMALL DOSES
This is where the Patriots’ offensive coaching staff deserves the credit for Woodhead’s emergence more than Woodhead himself. Realizing he is most effective in limited engagements and probably wouldn’t hold up as the No. 1 guy in an NFL backfield, the Patriots gave Woodhead just 131 touches in 14 games. The bulk of the workload is carried instead by BenJarvus Green-Ellis, a 1,000-yard rusher who had almost twice as many touches.
BLOCKING
Woodhead is fearless when it comes to delivering a block and can’t be dismissed in that department because of his size.
“He’ll go down low to try to take out a guy twice his size and won’t even think twice about doing it,” Taylor said.