Danny Woodhead

I watched much of this game, although it was hard to deal with the Mike/Michael Vick circus. The Jets' announcers did the game, and one would expect them to be overly impressed with such a dynamic performance. Instead, there was only muted praise for Woodhead from these typical homer announcers. Even when he was over 150 yards rushing, they could only wonder if he'd "done enough" to make the roster. Really, could it be any more obvious?

We all know what kind of love and praise would be heaped upon any small black RB who did what Woodhead did. We all know those homer announcers would be quite adamant about him not only making the roster, but saying things like "you have to find a way to get that little guy on the field."

Anyway, here is the predictable take on this from Rotoworld:

"Danny Woodhead rushed 18 times for 158 yards and two touchdowns and added one reception for 10 yards against the Eagles in the preseason finale.

The 5'8 Chadron State star broke off a 55-yard touchdown run in the second quarter, but it's hard to make a statement against a third-string defense. While it was an impressive night for Woodhead, he's still a longshot to make the final roster."

Still a "longshot" to make the team as the FOURTH RB after that performance. There is really nothing else to say.

Rotoworld, as my Mom says, is the pits! They must have "males" like M.A. Mehta writing for them.

Here is the Newark Star Ledger story about Woodhead. He was all but cut coming into this game. Will Ryan grow a set and keep Woodhead after this game is the $64,000 question..... NY Jets running back Danny Woodhead makes case for roster spot in 38-27 preseason victory over Philadelphia Eagles
by Dave Hutchinson/The Star-Ledger
Thursday September 03, 2009, 10:10 PM
Tim Farrell/The Star-LedgerJets running back Danny Woodhead runs for a touchdown in the second quarter.

Jets second-year running back Danny Woodhead has heard his entire career that he's not good enough. He's not big enough. He's not fast enough.

So it was just like old times this training camp and preseason for the former two-time Division 2 player of the year at Chadron State. He makes for a nice story but nothing more.

Well, think again.

Woodhead, who has spent his entire career on the bubble, made his case for a roster spot as he rushed for 158 yards and two touchdowns on 18 carries in the Jets' 38-27 victory over the Philadelphia Eagles Thursday night at Giants Stadium. He set up a third touchdown.

It was vintage Woodhead as the 5-9, 195-pounder raced off right tackle for a 55-yard touchdown, ripped off a 44-yarder to set up another score and then bulled over left tackle for a three-yard score.

''He's been playing his butt off,'' said Jets tight end Dustin Keller. ''He's hitting the holes hard and just finishing. He's showing everybody what he can do.''

But despite his personal showcase, Woodhead could be a victim of the numbers game.

Entering the game, the Jets planned on keeping five running backs: Thomas Jones, Leon Washington, rookie Shonn Greene, Tony Richardson and Jehuu Caulcrick.

Keeping Woodhead would be a luxury.

On Tuesday, coach Rex Ryan said he had six roster spots open, but it's unlikely that running back was one. He was lukewarm regarding Woodhead's chances when asked about him early in the week.

''It (being on the bubble) isn't something you can really think about if you're in this situation,'' said Woodhead this week. ''If you do, it'll be detrimental to you. I'm just going out everyday like I'm on this team. I think you have to. If not, things may start to go bad. I just focus on what I can do and that's just play football.

''I'm just trying to get better and help my team win. If I try to do everything for myself, it's not going to turn out right. It just won't. Plus, that's not my style anyway. I'm a team player.''

Woodhead, who spent all of last season on injured reserve with a knee injury after signing as an undrafted free agent, announced his presence early in the second quarter. On a second-and-six from the 45-yard line, he darted off right tackle, bounced to the outside and sprinted down the right sidelines for the touchdown.

Early in the third quarter, Woodhead struck again. This time, he bolted off left guard, found daylight and raced 44 yards to the four-yard line. Two plays later, quarterback Erik Ainge hit wide receiver Wallace Wright with a touchdown pass.

Woodhead capped his night with a three-yard touchdown run off left tackle with 5:53 left in the third quarter to give the Jets a 31-24 lead.

It was the end to a solid training camp and preseason for the Nebraska native who rushed for 7,962 yards at Chadron, the most in NCAA history at the time. He scored in 38 straight games and is second all-time in scoring with 654 points. His 109 career touchdowns tied the all-time record.

''I don't know what everyone on the outside thinks,'' said Woodhead. ''The biggest thing is I've proven I can play on this level to myself. Hopefully, I've proven it to the coaches also. But that's not my decision to make. My job is to be a football player.''

at the very least he showed what he can really do, so hopefully some team will snap him up if they waive him or try to put him on the pracice squad.

f'in ridiculous that kind of performance doesn't wrap up a roster spot. Most teams would kill to have a guy put up those numbers in a late preseason game. If he was a black rookie he would be getting considered for a starting spot not on the bubble.

I was very impressed with Woodhead's performance last night. He will certainly make an excellent change of pace back late in games with his great speed (kind of like the very good Darren Sproles.) Surley the Jets coaching staff have noted Danny's performance and will want his talent in order to win?

Top 3 rusher in preseason. The two best ruuningbacks in the NFL this preseason were Danny Woodhead and Peyton Hillis. Just crazy that they get recognition and the DWF's will never know how good Woodhead is. Imagine how good Nate Kmic would be.

Did you guys know Woodhead ran a 10.5 100m in highschool? Holy sh*t. That is faster than Tyson Gay was, haha.

The latest rumour I have read on the net is that if Woodhead is cut. He will be scooped up by the Browns who are already decimated at the position. From what he looked like last night he shouldn't clear waivers if he is cut tomorrow. Edited by: white is right

Here are the Jets preliminary cuts. It looks like white fullback Brock Cristopher isn't among them. Courtesy of the NY Post.....Jets make some cuts

By MARK CANNIZZARO

The Jets made at least some of their final cuts on Friday, though they're not announcing any of them until Saturday afternoon when Rex Ryan has a conference call with reporters.

An inside source has told The Post of several of the players who were told on Friday they were cut. Tight end Kareem Brown, fullback Jehuu Caulcrick and tackle Stanley Daniels were among the group. Others believed to be cut included receiver Britt Davis, guard Ryan McKee, tight end Kevin Brock from Rutgers, running back Anthony Kimble, tight end Jack Simmons, who had a dropped TD pass Thursday and receiver Marcus Henry

The Jets are required to be down to the 53-player limit by 6 p.m. Saturday.

As of Friday night it's believed that running back Danny Woodhead, who rushed for 158 yards and two TDs in Thursday night's preseason finale, was still on the roster. The Jets' dilemma is if they try to keep Woodhead on the practice squad surely another NFL team will sign him to their 53-man roster.

As one Jets player said, Rex Ryan "told the team more moves would be made to make our team better.''

Among those moves is something at punter, where the Jets were awaiting other teams' final cuts so they can replace inconsistet Reggie Hodges with an upgrade. The Jets have had their eye on Jacksonville punter Josh Podlesh, who might be cut in favor of Steven Weatherford.

ENd

I'm glad Brock and Danny are still on the team!

A new update.... Let's toast Danny Boy the pipes are calling you home! You made it! Here is the NJ.com story....NY Jets cut Jehuu Caulcrick, keep Danny Woodhead
by Dave Hutchinson
Saturday September 05, 2009, 2:22 PM

Despite having only one fullback, the Jets have released second-year pro Jehuu Caulcrick and kept halfback Danny Woodhead, according to two people with knowledge of the team's cuts. They spoke on the condition of anonymity because they're not authorized to speak publicly.

The waiving of Caulcrick means that 37-year-old veteran Tony Richardson is the lone fullback on the roster, and the club decided to keep four halfbacks, including Woodhead. Thomas Jones, Leon Washington and rookie Shonn Greene are the other running backs.

Woodhead, a two-time Division 2 player of the year at Chadron State, rushed for 158 yards and two touchdowns in the Jets' 38-27 victory over the Philadelphia Eagles in their preseason finale on Thursday night at Giants Stadium. He also set up a third touchdown.

The speedy and shifty 5-foot-9, 195-pound Woodhead scored on runs of 55 and three yards, and raced 44 yards down to the four-yard line to put the Jets in position for another score.

Even so, it was thought Woodhead was a longshot because of the presence of Washington, Jones and Greene. Woodhead's performance, however, made it nearly impossible to cut him, and Greene (ribs) has been banged up.


Caulcrick, 6-foot, 250 pounds, was thought to be a lock as the backup and heir apparent to Richardson. He spent last season on the Jets' practice squad. The former Michigan State star remains practice squad eligible and the Jets may bring him back if he clears waivers.
Edited by: white is right

that's awesome!!!!

Congrats to Danny Woodhead!

Whew! Danny has saved himself for now

Good job danny. If the Browns rumor is true, do you guys think the Jets are keeping Woodhead on the roster so as to get more value out of him in a trade with the Browns?

Way to go Danny. The best news in a long time. I sure wish Nate and Stan could also get a fair shot.

Woodhead is the man!

Great job for Danny. I agree with white lightning, this is the best news I've heard in a loooong time.

He would be better off on the Browns.

white lightning,
Way to go Danny. The best news in a long time. I sure wish Nate and Stan could also get a fair shot.
______________________________

I don't think Danny got a fair shot. He forced their hand. If they'd cut him, and he got picked up and did real good (which he would have), they'd have looked like the horses a**, and much worse, people might have even started asking questions. Same if they'd tried to sneak him through waivers and put him on the practice squad (oblivion). He'd have been picked up in a second. But now he's on the team and he's the lowest rb. But the guy just ahead of him is a bum and if either of the other two get hurt, he's in. My thought is that he ends up the year as the first string rb, barring injury, and in NY no less. This will drive the caste system nuts.

Tom Iron...

congrats to "little" danny woodhead...lets hope that they dont bury him on the Depth chart and little lighting doesntget buried in a numbers game

lets hope first game of the seaon Danny manages some carries and proves white guys can run

Congrats to Danny Woodhead!!!

Awesome news. Go Danny Boy, we are proud of you!

Tom Iron said:

white lightning,
Way to go Danny. The best news in a long time. I sure wish Nate and Stan could also get a fair shot.
______________________________

I don't think Danny got a fair shot. He forced their hand. If they'd cut him, and he got picked up and did real good (which he would have), they'd have looked like the horses a**, and much worse, people might have even started asking questions. Same if they'd tried to sneak him through waivers and put him on the practice squad (oblivion). He'd have been picked up in a second. But now he's on the team and he's the lowest rb. But the guy just ahead of him is a bum and if either of the other two get hurt, he's in. My thought is that he ends up the year as the first string rb, barring injury, and in NY no less. This will drive the caste system nuts.

Tom Iron...

Click to expand...

I think so too. He needed that game or a game fairly close. A solid game would have gotten him on the PS. With the Cleveland rumours there is no way they would have tried cutting him and getting him to clear waivers. Anyway he effectively is the 3rd tailback with Greene having rib problems and is a heart beat away from being the 3rd down tailback. Edited by: white is right

I have respect for the fact that Rex Ryan actually gave Woodhead a chance to prove he deserved a roster spot this preseason and played him a lot. Maybe next year the Jets will trade Leon Washington and his contract demand or something and Woodhead will assume the third down/ 2nd back role. Then when Thomas Jones retires or leaves via FA it isn't out of the question that Woodhead and Shonn Greene could split carries in NY. Woodhead's performance was absolutely huge two nights ago. Screw ESPN for their cover up "attempt" of his performance- Luginbill and friends must be very nervous right now.

I was thinking the same thing Tough. Ryan has got to get some credit for allowing Danny Woodhead on the field and now that he has proved he can play in the NFL maybe he will break through the barrier and start some day (hopefully sooner than later.)