Woodhead Looking To Continue Success
Danny Woodhead, one of the non-draftee invites at rookie camp this past weekend for the Jets, is an interesting story to watch. Standing taller then his 5′ 7.5″ stature would tell you, Woodhead is the current all time NCAA career rushing leader, and he finished his 2007 season at Chadron State with the second best career total in college football history, 9,479 all purpose yards. The running back who spent four years in college and won the Harlon Hill Trophy twice has heard about his small stature more than once in his college days, and hopes to make a different more lasting impression in the pros.
“A lot of other people have thought: ‘You’re the underdog, so you probably really want to do good. Honestly, I just think of it as being any other football player. I don’t want people to feel sorry for me.”
And with those stats, it only looks like he got cheated out of one thing: Not being drafted. When the Jets made the deal for Woodhead, agent Chris Gittings thought it to be a shame that other teams passed on the 200 pound back for others with similar height such as Rutgers’ Ray Rice (5-8), and Michigan’s Mike Hart (listed at slightly under 5-9).
To be honest, Woodhead probably wasn’t drafted because of the school — the fact that he wasn’t a D-I football player didn’t help. Yes, he has those two very important records to his name, but when you play at Chadron State they are really skewed stats. Nevertheless, he did set the records and he did play four years of college football. Who knows if Darren McFadden played four years of college? You also have to take into consideration the fact that he probably started from somewhere in his freshman year onward. Still, he had to have possessed some sort of talent to set those records, and it was a cheap gamble for the Jets who are gobbling up UDFA’s.
We’ll see how Woodhead fits into the scheme this year. If he makes the team, he could be competing with Jesse Chatman for the backup kick returner. Why not, right?
11 Responses to Woodhead Looking To Continue Success
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klecko71 says:
agree….but woodhead should easily beat chatman for a roster spot. this guy is supposed to be a “mangini type” player….so let him play
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P in CO says:
Chadron produced ex Bill, Panther and Packer DON BEEBE.
Been there numerous times and I must say it’s a sweet cool place despite being in Nebraska. It’s halfway been Denver and Mount Rushmore in SD.
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HOZ THE JET says:
what happen to the rb.from africa?i heard he is big and strong and a short yd. specialist.
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Doctor K says:
I think the Jets have been looking for some storybook ending to some of the players they have tried out in the last few years from former first round picks to wrestlers and basketball players. This could be the one.
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billvv says:
He was cheated out of BEING drafted.
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Liam says:
Jets resigned Poteat for the vets minimum. Good signing. Apparently his 2 interceptions last year were the first of his career (odd factoid).
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vbsiena24 says:
I think I’m the only one who likes Jesse Chatman as the #3 RB.
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BoCash says:
I hope for all the best with this kid.
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DSmizzle says:
I’m not fan of Chatman… decent player, but it’d be nice to use the roster spot for someone with a little flash. Although I ‘spose it could be said that if TJ got hurt, Chatman is almost certainly more the type you’d want getting 20 carries a game rather than Leon or Woodhead, because they don’t seem to be built for the job.
I might not be accurate on Chatman’s size, however. Is he the size of a traditional every-down back?
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brad says:
Danny is a special runner and works extremely hard. Jets fans are in for a treat watching this kid come into the league. I agree with his college coach, he reminds me of Barry Sanders when he runs. Put him behind a good o-line and he’s in the secondary real fast. Forget the whole ‘danny’s too small’ or ‘he played in division II’. But what ultimately makes him so special is his humble attitude and work ethic.
Whatever happens I just hope they keep Leon Washington involved in the offense and special teams as much as possible.