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

RB Stevan Ridley: 249 (243 rushes, 6 catches). 24 negative runs.
WR Wes Welker: 95 (0 rushes, 95 catches). 2 negative receptions.
RB Danny Woodhead: 86 (58 rushes, 28 catches). 2 negative runs, 1 negative reception.
RB Shane Vereen: 61 (54 rushes, 7 catches). 3 negative run.
WR Brandon Lloyd: 57 (0 rushes, 57 catches).
TE Rob Gronkowski: 53 (0 rushes, 53 catches).
RB Brandon Bolden: 47 (45 rushes, 2 catches). 7 negative runs.
TE Aaron Hernandez: 36 (1 rush, 35 catches). 2 negative receptions.
WR Julian Edelman: 25 (4 rushes, 21 catches). 1 negative reception, 1 negative run.
QB Tom Brady: 20 (20 rushes, 0 catches.) 20 sacks, 8 kneel downs, 1 negative run.
WR Deion Branch: 9 (0 rushes, 9 catches).
QB Ryan Mallett: 8 (8 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).
WR Donte Stallworth: 1 (0 rushes, 1 catch)
RB Lex Hilliard: 1 (1 rush, 0 catches)
TOTAL: 754 touches (434 rushes, 320 catches): 44 negative plays, plus 20 sacks and 16 kneel downs.

By position
Running back: 444 touches (401 rushes, 43 catches). 36 negative runs, 1 negative reception.
Wide receiver: 187 touches (4 rushes, 183 catches). 3 negative receptions, 1 negative run.
Tight end: 95 touches (1 rush, 94 catches). 2 negative receptions.
Quarterback: 28 touches (28 rushes, 0 catches), 1 negative run.