So let's talk about Danny Woodhead

[Kyle]

He's caused so many mismatch problems for other teams this year I was surprised the Chargers went away from him in the 2nd half last week. I get that each back has a role, but still surprised he wasn't more involved.

[TABF]

I have not seen much rhythm to our running back carousel. I'm a big McCoy fan and hope our future is bright, however, I have scratched my head on about the same pace as the previous 4 seasons.

[oneinchpunch]

In New England it seemed like everytime he touched the ball it was for a first down. But they used him all over. Im thinking he's been in the backfield more for blocking.

[Kyle]

You're right, Shane Vereen has that role for them now. Lined up at WR, etc. They did a good job of getting Woodhead matched up with a LB earlier in the year but I think they only threw to him twice last week. I know Mathews had a good game, but Ronnie Brown actually was more involved than Woodhead in the second half... strange.

[Stinky Wizzleteats+]

I thought for sure this thread would be about Eric Weddle

[BoltBalls]

Would it be crazy to have BOTH Woodhead and Mathews on the field during certain down and distances? For example, say it is 2nd down and short. Rivers under center, Mathews on one side and Woodhead on the other, with Gates moving around and 2 WRs on the flanks. Rivers has so many options with that formation depending on the defense. Pitch it to Mathews or Woodhead, hand it to one of them on an inside draw, playaction, screen pass, etc. I think it would be awesome myself, but I'm just an armchair coordinator...

[Panama]

Would it be crazy to have BOTH Woodhead and Mathews on the field during certain down and distances? For example, say it is 2nd down and short. Rivers under center, Mathews on one side and Woodhead on the other, with Gates moving around and 2 WRs on the flanks. Rivers has so many options with that formation depending on the defense. Pitch it to Mathews or Woodhead, hand it to one of them on an inside draw, playaction, screen pass, etc. I think it would be awesome myself, but I'm just an armchair coordinator...

I like your thinking. Throw so many possibilities at the D they just can't cover each one.

[Beerman]

I'd rather be in a two TE set vs two RB set. Of course that means your RB needs to be able to pass block which is the issue.

[BoltBalls]

I'd rather be in a two TE set vs two RB set. Of course that means your RB needs to be able to pass block which is the issue.

Yes exactly, which is what my thinking was of having both Mathews and Woodhead out there. Mathews can run screen or wheel routes while Woodhead is blocking, and the threat of running the ball with Mathews is still in play. I also feel that rotating Gates with Green as single TE needs to happen more often, along with the two TE sets.

[Beerman]

Yes exactly, which is what my thinking was of having both Mathews and Woodhead out there. Mathews can run screen or wheel routes while Woodhead is blocking, and the threat of running the ball with Mathews is still in play. I also feel that rotating Gates with Green as single TE needs to happen more often, along with the two TE sets.

The problem is that Woodhead is essentially wasted if we run with Matthews. The value of the two TE set is that you can still run 3 WR type patterns out of them or run the ball if the defense sits in its nickel defense. It's why NE had so much success the past few years when they had two elite options at TE. Teams had to sit in nickel defenses to stop the passing game and then got run over.

[BoltBalls]

The problem is that Woodhead is essentially wasted if we run with Matthews. The value of the two TE set is that you can still run 3 WR type patterns out of them or run the ball if the defense sits in its nickel defense. It's why NE had so much success the past few years when they had two elite options at TE. Teams had to sit in nickel defenses to stop the passing game and then got run over.

Very good point, especially with the example of how the Patriots used it. Green and Gates need to be used more often together without a doubt.

[thelightningwill]

You're right, Shane Vereen has that role for them now. Lined up at WR, etc. They did a
good job of getting Woodhead matched up with a LB earlier in the year but I think they only threw to him twice last week. I know Mathews had a good game, but Ronnie Brown actually was more involved than Woodhead in the second half... strange.

Ronnie Brown is a better pass blocker than Woodhead. Somebody told me that Woodhead could block. But I think he kind of sucks at it.