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. Here’s a breakdown of the New England offense for the 2012 regular season:

RB Stevan Ridley: 296 (290 rushes, 6 catches). 26 negative runs.
WR Wes Welker: 120 (2 rush, 118 catches). 2 negative receptions.
RB Danny Woodhead: 116 (76 rushes, 40 catches). 2 negative runs, 2 negative receptions.
WR Brandon Lloyd: 74 (0 rushes, 74 catches).
RB Shane Vereen: 70 (62 rushes, 8 catches). 3 negative runs.
RB Brandon Bolden: 58 (56 rushes, 2 catches). 10 negative runs.
TE Rob Gronkowski: 55 (0 rushes, 55 catches).
TE Aaron Hernandez: 52 (1 rush, 51 catches). 2 negative receptions.
WR Julian Edelman: 25 (4 rushes, 21 catches). 1 negative reception, 1 negative run.
QB Tom Brady: 23 (23 rushes, 0 catches.) 27 sacks, 8 kneel downs, 1 negative run.
WR Deion Branch: 16 (0 rushes, 16 catches).
QB Ryan Mallett: 8 (8 rushes, all kneel downs).
TE Michael Hoomanawanui: 5 (0 rushes, 5 catches).
TE Daniel Fells: 4 (0 rushes, 4 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: 925 touches (523 rushes, 402 catches): 50 negative plays, plus 27 sacks and 16 kneel downs.

By position
Running back: 541 touches (485 rushes, 56 catches). 41 negative runs, 2 negative receptions.
Wide receiver: 236 touches (6 rushes, 230 catches). 3 negative receptions, 1 negative run.
Tight end: 117 touches (1 rush, 116 catches). 2 negative receptions.
Quarterback: 31 touches (31 rushes, 0 catches), 1 negative run.