In Focus: Charting offensive opportunities for Patriots skill position players

Julian Edelman

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

RB Stevan Ridley: 191 (185 rushes, 6 catches). 23 negative runs.
RB Danny Woodhead: 73 (50 rushes, 23 catches). 2 negative runs, 1 negative reception.
WR Wes Welker: 73 (0 rushes, 73 catches). 2 negative receptions.
TE Rob Gronkowski: 53 (0 rushes, 53 catches).
WR Brandon Lloyd: 46 (0 rushes, 46 catches).
RB Brandon Bolden: 45 (43 rushes, 2 catches). 7 negative runs.
RB Shane Vereen: 38 (33 rushes, 5 catches). 3 negative runs.
WR Julian Edelman: 21 (3 rushes, 18 catches). 1 negative reception, 1 negative run.
TE Aaron Hernandez: 18 (1 rush, 17 catches). 1 negative reception.
QB Tom Brady: 12 (12 rushes, 0 catches.) 15 sacks and 6 kneel downs.
WR Deion Branch: 9 (0 rushes, 9 catches).
QB Ryan Mallett: 3 (3 rushes, all kneel downs).
TE Daniel Fells: 2 (0 rushes, 2 catches).
TE Michael Hoomanawanui: 2 (0 rushes, 2 catches).
TE Kellen Winslow: 1 (0 rushes, 1 catch).
TOTAL: 587 touches (330 rushes, 257 catches): 41 negative plays, plus 15 sacks and nine kneel downs.

By position
Running back: 347 touches (311 rushes, 36 catches). 35 negative runs, 1 negative reception.
Wide receiver: 149 touches (3 rushes, 146 catches). 3 negative receptions, 1 negative run.
Tight end: 76 touches (1 rush, 75 catches). 1 negative reception.
Quarterback: 15 touches (15 rushes, 0 catches).