Stevan Ridley

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

RB Stevan Ridley: 199 (193 rushes, 6 catches). 22 negative runs.
RB Danny Woodhead: 76 (52 rushes, 24 catches). 2 negative runs, 1 negative reception.
WR Wes Welker: 73 (0 rushes, 73 catches). 2 negative receptions.
TE Rob Gronkowski: 46 (0 rushes, 46 catches).
RB Brandon Bolden: 45 (43 rushes, 2 catches). 7 negative runs.
WR Brandon Lloyd: 45 (0 rushes, 45 catches).
RB Shane Vereen: 38 (32 rushes, 6 catches). 3 negative run.
TE Aaron Hernandez: 20 (1 rush, 19 catches). 1 negative reception.
WR Julian Edelman: 18 (3 rushes, 15 catches). 1 negative reception, 1 negative run.
QB Tom Brady: 15 (15 rushes, 0 catches.) 15 sacks and 6 kneel downs.
WR Deion Branch: 9 (0 rushes, 9 catches).
QB Ryan Mallett: 5 (5 rushes, all kneel downs).
TE Daniel Fells: 3 (0 rushes, 3 catches).
TE Michael Hoomanawanui: 2 (0 rushes, 2 catches).
TE Kellen Winslow: 1 (0 rushes, 1 catch).
TOTAL: 595 touches (344 rushes, 251 catches): 40 negative plays, plus 15 sacks and 11 kneel downs.

By position
Running back: 358 touches (320 rushes, 38 catches). 34 negative runs, 1 negative reception.
Wide receiver: 145 touches (3 rushes, 142 catches). 3 negative receptions, 1 negative run.
Tight end: 72 touches (1 rush, 71 catches). 1 negative reception.
Quarterback: 15 touches (15 rushes, 0 catches).