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. Eight weeks into the regular season, here’s a breakdown of the New England offense for 2012:

RB Stevan Ridley: 156 (150 rushes, 6 catches). 17 negative runs.
RB Danny Woodhead: 68 (49 rushes, 19 catches). 2 negative runs, 1 negative reception.
WR Wes Welker: 60 (0 rushes, 60 catches). 2 negative receptions.
RB Brandon Bolden: 45 (43 rushes, 2 catches). 7 negative runs.
TE Rob Gronkowski: 43 (0 rushes, 43 catches).
WR Brandon Lloyd: 37 (0 rushes, 37 catches).
RB Shane Vereen: 20 (17 rushes, 3 catches). 1 negative run
TE Aaron Hernandez: 18 (1 rush, 17 catches). 1 negative reception
WR Julian Edelman: 15 (2 rushes, 13 catches). 1 negative reception, 1 negative run.
QB Tom Brady: 11 (11 rushes, 0 catches.) 14 sacks and 5 kneel downs.
WR Deion Branch: 5 (0 rushes, 5 catches)
QB Ryan Mallett: 3 (3 rushes, all kneel downs)
TE Daniel Fells: 2 (0 rushes, 2 catches)
TE Kellen Winslow: 1 (0 rushes, 1 catch)
TE Michael Hoomanawanui: 2 (0 rushes, 2 catches)

TOTAL: 486 touches (276 rushes, 210 catches): 33 negative plays, plus 14 sacks and eight kneel downs.

By position
Running back: 289 touches (259 rushes, 30 catches). 27 negative runs, 1 negative reception.
Wide receiver: 117 touches (2 rushes, 115 catches). 3 negative receptions, 1 negative run.
Tight end: 66 touches (1 rush, 65 catches). 1 negative reception.
Quarterback: 14 touches (14 rushes, 0 catches)