“It has been a little different year for me,’’ Woodhead said this week. “But I feel like I’ve contributed to the team.’’
Woodhead could have a significant impact on tonight’s Super Bowl. If the Patriots try short passes to negate the furious pass rush of the Giants, Woodhead could figure heavily into the game plan. He also has improved as a pass protector, something that will be vital.
“He takes a lot of pride in pass protection because people think he’s a little bit undersized. But he’s power-packed, he’s a strong guy,’’ offensive coordinator Bill O’Brien said. “A lot of those one-and-one blitz pickup sessions [in practice] have been really competitive and good. He’s gotten a lot better at that in the two years that he’s been here. He’s played a key role in that.
“Part of that is his intelligence to understand our protections. He was able to pick things up right away. You can’t say enough about him as a person and the way he’s come in and accepted his role and tried to get better every day.’’
Woodhead was a star running back at Chadron State in Nebraska, twice being named the Division 2 player of the year. Protecting the passer was not one of his responsibilities.
O’Brien said running backs coach Ivan Fears taught Woodhead the techniques needed to keep the heat off Tom Brady.
“We like unselfish guys, guys who accept their roles, and guys who love to practice and Danny is right at the top of that list,’’ O’Brien said. “The guy wants to do anything you ask him to do. He’ll go out and play receiver; he’ll play running back; he’ll block in pass protection; he’ll run the football; he’ll run routes out of the backfield. He wants to improve and he wants to know what he needs to do to get better. His role this year has been vital to us.’’
