Target Practice: Tracking opportunities in Patriots passing game

Wes Welker

Targets have been compiled by the NFL since the start of the 2009 season, and while it remains an imperfect stat — a badly thrown ball from a quarterback can often go against the record of the receiver as opposed to the quarterback — it remains a good indication of the confidence level a passer might have in his pass catcher. Here’s a look at the target breakdown for the New England passing game through the first eight weeks of the 2012 regular season:

WR Wes Welker: 60 catches on 83 targets
WR Brandon Lloyd: 37 catches on 69 targets
TE Rob Gronkowski: 43 catches on 64 targets
TE Aaron Hernandez: 17 catches on 24 targets
RB Danny Woodhead: 19 catches on 22 targets
WR Julian Edelman: 13 catches on 19 targets
RB Stevan Ridley: Six catches on 10 targets
WR Deion Branch: Five catches on 12 targets
RB Brandon Bolden: Two catches on two targets
RB Shane Vereen: Three catches on four targets
TE Daniel Fells: Two catches on six targets
TE Michael Hoomanawanui: Two catches on two targets
TE Kellen Winslow: One catch on two targets
TOTALS: 210 catches on 319 targets

By position
Wide receiver: 115 catches on 183 targets
Tight end: 65 catches on 98 targets
Running back: 30 catches on 38 targets