A look at how the Patriots running backs did when it came to breaking tackles in 2010

Danny Woodhead (AP)

We have extolled the virtues of Football Outsiders for many years, and Aaron Schatz and the gang have come up with another interesting statistical breakdown — broken tackles from the point of view of the offense.

While Schatz notes that broken tackles can be a subjective stat, it reveals that BenJarvus Green-Ellis appeared to struggle, at least percentagewise, when it came to breaking tackles, while Danny Woodhead was one of the best running backs in the league at fighting through that first hit. Green-Ellis had a 4.1 percent broken tackle rate, which ranked as the fifth-lowest percentage among running backs — he totaled 10 broken tackles in 241 rushes or receptions. (Part of the low percentage is because of Green-Ellis’ high number of overall touches — at 241, he has more than the average running back, which likely accounts for at least part of the low percentage.)

Meanwhile, Woodhead had a 15.3 percent broken tackle rate, the fourth-best percentage among running backs — he finished the 2010 season with 20 broken tackles in 131 touches.

(By way of comparison, Chris Ivory of New Orleans was best with a 19.6 percentage, while Tashard Choice of Dallas was at the bottom with a 2.4 percentage.)

With numbers at both ends of the spectrum at the running back spot, it’s no surprise that overall, the Patriots ranked in the middle of the league when it came to broken tackles as an offense, as 5.9 percent of their plays included a broken tackle.