I would like to know how his receiving skills are. If Woodhead can catch passes and run good routes in addition to taking carries and playing special teams he could end up being quite useful. Schotty likes to create matchup problems with his pre-snap motion and Woodhead playing the slot could certainly be one of them. I think he could be quite valuable to the Jets, though maybe not as a conventional running back.
Caulcrick can sit on the PS. He doesn't need to be active. Harstock can fill in as the FB in certain sets. No one is going to be clamoring to sign Caulcrick of the PS in my opinion, EXCEPT maybe mangini.
In 2007, due to injuries, the Giants ran Jacobs, Ward, Bradshaw, & Reuben Droughns. This running game was key to them having the success they did that year. Droughns' true value to the team came not only in the form of him being a #4 RB, but also that he could play some FB as well. Akin to this, Woodhead could be a #4 RB that takes few handoffs, but is used as a WR to create matchup problems. Also, if you put him & Leon in the same backfield I can't help but believe Woodhead is open that play; Leon draws attention like a magnet and Woodhead should get matched up VS a slower LB. If you keep 4 RBs the fourth needs to have more to contribute than just running the ball, and I believe Danny Woodhead is that guy.
Maybe he can sit on the PS with Woodhead, because neither of them has any real value outside of stepping in for an injured player on this team. There is already a corresponding player on the roster that can do what both of them do much better - Richardson and Leon.
Excellent! Can you imagine a shotgun formation with Leon and Woodhead in the backfield? You could fake the inside draw or pitch to one and then screen to the other. In addition to that, as Leon can play WR too, you could motion them both out to play WR and see if you can count the matchup problems this creates before the playclock expires. I really think Woodhead's contributions to this team are beyond simply taking handoffs.
I think the general consensus is that if we put Woodhead on the PS he's going to get signed off of it by another team. I feel as though that same risk is significantly reduced with Caulcrick. Again, though: a) what do I know b) maybe we do carry six RBs c) There could be other issues with Woodhead that I'm not taking into account. I did notice last night that, while he was quick off the line, his top end speed was not what I thought it would be. He also made a comment after the game that he felt like he had a backpack on his back when he was running, i don't know what that is... interesting point though either way.
He's on the team. Gimme a break. Yeah there are a lot of factors - 1. he can fly. 2. he is fearless 3. He makes the most out of every opportunity he gets. 4. He's an f'n football player! I don't want to hear about his size or that other horse crap. He's on the team. If he doesn't the Jets need to go into another business. Used cars or somethin'
I don't know what the reality is behind how safe either of them would be on the PS, but I think Woodhead is one of those players that Jets fans overrate just a tad bit too much. They need to be giving more carries to Leon, and I see keeping Woodhead on the roster as giving some of Leon's carries to DH, and I am definitely not in favor of that. The ball needs to be in Leon's hands as much as possible. Maybe they put both on the PS, maybe they keep both active, I actually hope it's the former although I'd be more comfortable keeping Jehuu active to spell the aging Richardson and keep him healthy. Woodhead... well, I'm sure a large part of it is that I am just not as impressed with him as a lot of people are.
He's a running back and he has the initials DW, if you put him on that practice squad he will somehow end up on the Giants. I don't think he has amazing top speed, just great quickness and agility. I might compare him to Ahmand Bradshaw on the Giants; out of all the RBs in camp he runs the fast 10 yard dash, but the slowest 40. I think it's far more useful to have that quickness and change of direction ability. I would rather him consistently break 25 yard runs and get caught from behind than have 25 mediocre runs and then one huge TD run where he burns everyone. That quickness is especially useful if he plays WR and starts taking screens, that ability in space could be quite dangerous.
Who are you going to take carries away from to give to Woodhead? You can't take the short-yardage/endzone carries from TJ or Greene - he's not physically capable of handling them. Are you going to take them away from our AFC leading rusher or from our explosive backup who does Woodhead's job better?
I see Woodhead possibly making the roster, but as I said previously I question how many games he'll be activated for... so he most likely won't be taking carries away from Neon Leon.
That's kind of my problem with the Caulcrick versus Woodhead argument here. I DO see Jehuu being activated for a number of games, because we can't just rely on offensive linemen and TE's to spell TRich all year, and if we run the ball as much as it sounds like we will, we're definitely going to need someone who can consistently spell TRich. O-linemen (i.e. Turner) will come into the game in special play packages, but they don't know all of those FB assignments because the are primarily O-linemen and it will be a tad bit difficult to force them to learn the full gamut of 2 positions if they are going ot be effective as depth OL. This is why, in my mind, JC takes priority over DW.
i got that same feeling, but i don't think he can be as successful, being a small white rb is much tougher then being a small white wr
I think it'd be cool if Woodie made the team, but let's temper the hype. Jesse Chatman had a monster 4th preseason game last year. How was his contribution in 2008? Bear in mind he only had two backs ahead of him.
I still submit that using Woodhead as a pass-catching option (so as not to take carries away from Leon) could let him contribute to the team more than most #4 RBs.
It's called a roster spot and a reserve role. I never said he would be taking carries away from anyone. If anything the Jets need to figure out how to utilize Leon better, especially with rookie Sanchez now the #1 QB. BTW - very impressed with Ainge last night as well. Jets could have a nice #1 and #2.
Woodhead has been timed at 10.5 in the 100 meter dash which, in addition to established his 40 times, qualifies him as being both quick and fast.
