In Focus: Charting offensive opportunities for Patriots skill position players

Danny Woodhead

Every week over the course of the regular season, we’ll present a list of the Patriots’ “offensive touches,” a running tally of which one of the offensive skill position players is getting the most looks. Like our weekly look at targets, it can occasionally be an inexact stat, but it remains a good barometer of how confident the coaches (and quarterback) are when it comes to the skill position players at their disposal. Five weeks into the regular season, here’s a breakdown of the New England offense for 2012:

RB Stevan Ridley: 107 (102 rushes, 5 catches). 11 negative runs.
RB Danny Woodhead: 41 (36 rushes, 5 catches). 2 negative runs.
RB Brandon Bolden: 39 (37 rushes, 2 catches). 7 negative runs.
WR Wes Welker: 38 (0 rushes, 38 catches). 1 negative reception.
WR Brandon Lloyd: 28 (0 rushes, 28 catches).
TE Rob Gronkowski: 23 (0 rushes, 23 catches).
WR Julian Edelman: 12 (2 rushes, 10 catches). 1 negative reception, 1 negative run.
QB Tom Brady: 10 (10 rushes, 0 catches.) 12 sacks and 5 kneel downs.
TE Aaron Hernandez: 7 (1 rush, 6 catches).
WR Deion Branch: 3 (0 rushes, 3 catches)
RB Shane Vereen: 3 (2 rush, 1 catch)
TE Kellen Winslow: 1 (0 rushes, 1 catch)
TE Michael Hoomanawanui: 1 (0 rushes, 1 catch)
TE Daniel Fells: 1 (0 rushes, 1 catch)
TOTAL: 314 touches (190 rushes, 124 catches): 23 negative plays, plus 12 sacks.

By position
Running back: 190 touches (177 rushes, 13 catches). 20 negative runs.
Tight end: 33 touches (1 rush, 32 catches).
Wide receiver: 81 touches (2 rushes, 79 catches). 2 negative receptions, 1 negative run.
Quarterback: 10 touches (10 rushes, 0 catches)