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Chargers sign Danny Woodhead to two-year deal 03.15.13 at 2:18 pm ET
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Danny Woodhead

Danny Woodhead

Free agent running back Danny Woodhead signed a two-year deal with the Chargers on Friday, leaving the Patriots after almost three full seasons in New England. The undersized Woodhead, who carved out a tremendous niche for himself in the Patriots offense, had 250 carries for 1,199 yards and 92 catches for 982 yards in his time in New England.

Woodhead was an utterly reliable presence with the Patriots, missing just three games in two seasons, and was a dependable presence in the passing game. His target rate was astounding — this past season, he had 40 catches on 55 targets for a 73 percent rate, the best for any New England pass catcher who was targeted at least 10 times. In addition, he became the first running back since Kevin Faulk to finish a season with at least 40 catches and 40 carries — he was the second-leading rusher on the team, finishing with 301 yards on 76 carries, good for a 4.0 yards per carry average.

Going forward, expect the Patriots to rely more on youngster Shane Vereen as a presence out of the backfield in the passing game. Vereen displayed a multidimensional flair late in the season — he had seven carries and five catches in the playoff win over the Texans — and will likely be asked to take over many of the responsibilities that fell to Woodhead over the last few years.

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  • pappi

    Wrong Ross

  • RobDX

    Chris price is currently in the Fetal position now.

  • fatchance

    unfortunately the downfall of a wealth of riches.

  • Koby

    thanks for the memories Woody, we will miss ya

  • guest

    so am I. and my youngest son. Welker and Woodhead – my 7 and 9 year olds’ favorite players…perfect. Thanks a ton Pats.

  • http://www.facebook.com/russ.desrosiers Russ Desrosiers

    Danny, we will miss you…………………100% effort on every play! Bill, what the hell are you doing??? This hurts me more than losing Welker.

  • Anonymous

    It’s Shane Vereen time! Enjoy SD Mr Woodcock…

  • ehhhh

    bye woodcock

  • Bruinman86

    The Kid was breath of fresh air in what could be a stagnant running game at times. Best of luck playing with Philip Rivers.

  • DAS330

    WTF????

  • TheseGuysAreRidiculous

    Guest, they were your kids favorite player? NNNNOOOOOOOOOOOOOO

  • Former Pats fan

    I do not know what Belichick is doing, but it appears that he is ruining his team, with the release of Wes Welker and Danny Woodhead.

    Please note that this long-time Patriots fan will look elsewhere for a team to root for.

    EG

  • EG

    Very, very poor judgment on the part of Belichick and company: no respect for how talented and dedicated Welker and Woodhead were. They were also great fun to watch.

  • Bob

    At least the Patriots were able to sign Arrington…Now we can at least keep our pass interference number up…!

  • natedizel

    After you see what Vereen and Bolden can do you will be a pats fan again.

  • jj

    Why is everyone so uptight? We enjoyed watching Welker and Woodhead, but the team is obviously missing something in winning a Superbowl and trying to go that route. You will all be cheering them on in the playoffs next year, don’t worry.

  • Mainah

    What a bunch of band wagoners you guys are. It is a business deal, come on. Saying I won’t root for my favorite TEAM because of 2 guys is ridiculous.

  • http://www.facebook.com/robby.clewley Robby Clewley

    Two of my fav pats players gone in a few days . Thx for the memories Danny

  • Marfons

    Kids gotta learn about life at some point

  • Boring Media Hype

    Another smurf gone…..BB might actually be starting to build a big man football team…it’s about time

  • Current Pats Fan

    Hey moron, they weren’t RELEASED!
    You would think a “long-time” fan would know that.

  • relax

    Must be youngster. Team evolves all the time yet always in hunt for Super Bowl

  • Steve

    What the heck is Belichick doing? Apparently loyalty and hard work count for absolutely nothing down in Foxborough. And signing other teams’ damaged or spent cast-offs in replacement? Guess Coach and Owner are telling us fans to forget about getting emotionally invested in the Pats….hope they get what they’re asking for….

  • Gray

    sigh bill what are you doing

  • Mal Tempo

    Belichick wants to get rid of anyone whose last name begins with ‘W’.

  • StupidNewEnglandFans

    Don’t embarrass yourself. If you’re changing team loyalties because Danny Woodhead wasn’t retained and Wes Welker left (HE chose to leave, btw) then you were never a true Pats fan to begin with.

  • fab4ever

    Stop it..just get a grip…it’ll all work out…

  • http://www.facebook.com/sean.kelly.9210 Sean Kelly

    a shame he’s gone. He exemplfies all the right qualities of a Patriot- determined, hard nosed, reliable worker. Was hoping he could fit in the offense somehow. Good luck, Danny!

  • bench warmer

    krafty and bill a bong will do anything to sell a jersey.

  • brandonruns

    FWIW, it’s starting to come out that Amendola was signed before the Welker negotiations were completed. Sounds like he tried to make it work, but the Pats weren’t willing.

  • Megan

    Woody you rock! YOU WILL BE MISSED!!!

  • Anonymous

    Loved Danny, but he is replaceable unlike another guy who just left…

  • munro

    You mean the kid’s gotta learn about greed at some point.

  • drew179

    I loved what Woodhead brought to this team. The Pats have depth at RB. They need help on DEFENSE. Their problem, as long as Brady is there, will never be scoring points. The years they won the Bowl was because the defense stepped up.

  • Fan since ’74

    Really ???? I don’t recall seeing either of these guys wearing any Patriots Super Bowl rings. Did you bail on the team when Ty Law left when Milloy was released or Seymour was traded? What about not signing Vrabel? Hey, Beldsoe was pretty good for a while and Belichick gave his job to some 6th round draft pick sitting on the bench – what a incompetent. Ok, sorry about the sarcasm.

    I was fans of both guys as well, but this is part of the NFL. Welker’s now on his fourth team and Woodhead is on his third.

  • Jim

    Woodhead had a lions heart,;.. undersized, tough the underdog that proved he could play, Best of Luck !!! A lot of Pats Fans will miss you.

  • Joe 222

    Welker is on his third team and so is danny. ……. ^^^!some pats fan huh

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