[News] Reports: Ravens Signing Running Back Danny Woodhead

[BR News]

Baltimore is reportedly bringing in the versatile running back to help diversify the offense, which is particularly helpful after the departure of fullback Kyle Juszczyk. Woodhead is apparently healthy after missing most of last season with a torn ACL.

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[AZRaven520]

Cool.. Hope the ACL doesn't give anymore problems. But it brings vet experience to the young backs. Should be good.

[designermaryland]

just what they need. a guy for joe to dump the ball off to in the flats for no yardage. this makes no sense. we do not need a scat back to take time away from dixon being on the field. this is why the ravens are always in cap trouble. so essentially, they have wasted 3 of the past 3 years draft picks (dixon, buck allen, taliafero + signing west) and will cut at least two of them to sign the veteran for several million more, while taking playing time from the guy you have touted as your "number 1". brilliant front office we have.

[sizzlingdoom]

Wow. and I mean that in the worst way. We have Dixon. And they felt the need to spend 1.8 mil on West. Why would we sign a 32 year old dump off artist coming off an ACL? Seriously, what is that?

[hen826957]

I wish we kept Juice instead. He's younger and better than Woodhead at this point but it's an ok addition. I want them to get Mangold, Alston Jeffery/Pryor (unlikely), and Brandon Williams (unlikely).

[bioLarzen]

Wow. and I mean that in the worst way. We have Dixon. And they felt the need to spend 1.8 mil on West. Why would we sign a 32 year old dump off artist coming off an ACL? Seriously, what is that?

A signing that may very well turn out to be a good one.
Just because we already have running backs on the roster doesn't mean signing another one is a bad thing. West is an OK back with serious limitations - and therefiore will probably never be more than a serviceable player, while Dixon, while flashing all the potential and promnise to be a really good back, is hardly through his rookie campaign. Adding veteran presence to the RB corps may prove to be essential. Yep, it may also end up as a bust - but we can't always have Steve Smith and Weddle type surefire acquisitions, can we? :)

[bioLarzen]

I wish we kept Juice instead. He's younger and better than Woodhead at this point but it's an ok addition. I want them to get Mangold, Alston Jeffery/Pryor (unlikely), and Brandon Williams (unlikely).

Everyone wishes we kept Juszczyk. But we couldn't.

[20306cab]

Oh well, he does the same thing as Juice did. A lot older, but a heck of a lot cheaper, I hope. Can't believe the 9ers spent $5mil a year on a part time fullback. No wonder they stink. Oh yeah, that, and because they have a QB that's almost as pathetic as the Raven's QB.

[BigUgly]

Woodhead isn't quite the game breaker Harbs was looking for, is he?  Doesn't have better speed or hands than Dixon, and lacks the power of both West and Dixon.  I don't think he's much of a factor in pass protection on 3rd downs, either (a limitation of both West and Dixon as well).  I'm scratching my head over this one.

[sizzlingdoom]

Oh well, he does the same thing as Juice did. A lot older, but a heck of a lot cheaper, I hope. Can't believe the 9ers spent $5mil a year on a part time fullback. No wonder they stink. Oh yeah, that, and because they have a QB that's almost as pathetic as the Raven's QB.

The niners will have a new QB this year. Hoyer is their back up. They started completely over. But yeah, they spent wayyyy too much on Juice.
Woodhead does Not do the same thing as juice. He does not block. Just an old, overated ppr league 32 year old back coming off an acl
weak sauce at best

[sizzlingdoom]

Woodhead isn't quite the game breaker Harbs was looking for, is he?  Doesn't have better speed or hands than Dixon, and lacks the power of both West and Dixon.  I don't think he's much of a factor in pass protection on 3rd downs, either (a limitation of both West and Dixon as well).  I'm scratching my head over this one.

Makes no sense in any way, shape, or form.
It's our Shareece Wright signing of the offseason.
If we get the Jefferson deal done it'll pretty much make up for it. Depending on what this ridiculous Woodhead deal looks like. Hopefully it's like 1.5 mil for a year........or less

[sizzlingdoom]

Just watched his Chargers highlights. they were better than I thought. I don't know hoe old they were and what type of shape he's in, and his knee. But it looks like he's exclusively a pass catching back and wr with other stuff sprinkled in. So it's not like he'll be taking many if any handoffs. If he's healthy, he actually might be a decent insurance back, slot and extra scat wr, and possible returner. I shouldn't be so quick to judge. Might be a good signing. I also try to see the absolute best in a player/ their situation once they first join the Ravens. I hope he can return. Him and Camp would be a sweet return tag team. We tendered camp at 1.8 mil

[law215]

Why?! This is what kills me about the front office. They always talk difference makers but always go cheap on old men. I hoped they would save every loose penny they could find to add a Wr, CB, C. Instead they sign a old man at a position that is not a primary need and will frustrate younger players on the team that will loose snaps because of it.

[rossihunter2]

6 minutes ago, sizzlingdoom said:

Just watched his Chargers highlights. they were better than I thought. I don't know hoe old they were and what type of shape he's in, and his knee. But it looks like he's exclusively a pass catching back and wr with other stuff sprinkled in. So it's not like he'll be taking many if any handoffs. If he's healthy, he actually might be a decent insurance back, slot and extra scat wr, and possible returner. I shouldn't be so quick to judge. Might be a good signing. I also try to see the absolute best in a player/ their situation once they first join the Ravens. I hope he can return. Him and Camp would be a sweet return tag team. We tendered camp at 1.8 mil

He's also good in pass protection - he's here to be a 3rd down back and nothing more - I don't know why there is so much consternation here about him

[cobrajet]

Not sure I understand this move. Why when we have Dixon and so many other more needed holes to fill?

Edited March 9 by cobrajet

[Grapple Raven]

When I read this on my phone I was like "whaaaaaaaaat???, lol.   Scratching my head on this move too.

[BigUgly]

20 minutes ago, rossihunter2 said:

He's also good in pass protection - he's here to be a 3rd down back and nothing more - I don't know why there is so much consternation here about him

Not really.  Woodhead is one of the worst RBs in the league in pass pro.  As a 3rd down back, you are doing one of three things:  draw play, pass route, or pass protection.

https://www.profootballfocus.com/signature-stats-pass-blocking-efficiency-rbs-and-tes/

 

[sizzlingdoom]

  27 minutes ago, rossihunter2 said:

He's also good in pass protection - he's here to be a 3rd down back and nothing more - I don't know why there is so much consternation here about him

Not really.  Woodhead is one of the worst RBs in the league in pass pro.  As a 3rd down back, you are doing one of three things:  draw play, pass route, or pass protection.

https://www.profootballfocus.com/signature-stats-pass-blocking-efficiency-rbs-and-tes/

 

Yeah, he won't be in there for pass protection.
I'm thinkin route, screens, scat plays. Gabriel like plays
And I'm hoping for something in the return game too maybe. We tendered Camp....so Camp and Danny returning? That sounds awesome to me

[The Greek]

maybe they are planning on drafting a big rb like d'onta foreman and release west but still have the 2 skat backs in dixon and woodhead. woodhead can return punts as well

[sizzlingdoom]

maybe they are planning on drafting a big rb like d'onta foreman and release west but still have the 2 skat backs in dixon and woodhead. woodhead can return punts as well

They tendered West at 1.8 mil....does that mean we can still release him without paying that?
If not, looks like we're set at rb for the year
Dixon, then West.
Then Woodhead as the wr, scat back, gabriel role, returner
I wasn't stoked at first but now I'm kinda diggin it. Hopefully he's nice and healthy

[jdynamite]

I don't really understand this signing at all.. Woodhead is coming off injury, Dixon and Allen are both good receiving backs...  

 

Campanaro has a similar role already, as a returner/ slot WR/ trick play guy.  

 

And I'm just not confident the coaches will even use Woodhead properly similar to the Patriots or Chargers. 

Probably could have filled this void through the draft in the later rounds... 

 

[sizzlingdoom]

I don't really understand this signing at all.. Woodhead is coming off injury, Dixon and Allen are both good receiving backs...  

 

Campanaro has a similar role already, as a returner/ slot WR/ trick play guy.  

 

And I'm just not confident the coaches will even use Woodhead properly similar to the Patriots or Chargers. 

Probably could have filled this void through the draft in the later rounds... 

 

Camp can't be relied on. And will be teamed with Woodhead in the return game
Allen is good for Special teams and that really is it
Dixon will be our main back and will be carrying a lot of the load and needs time off. And needs to improve his pass protection
Also, he's not really going to be a rb- he'll be a screen/ wr/ scat back type. I doubt even our coaches can screw that up
His injury was week 2 as well at least. Could be interesting

[ravensnj]

Woodhead will quickly become a fan favorite. He has soft hands, can get open and is a smart, tough player. However, I really wanted Christian McCaffrey in the draft and this move appears to have muted that move. I believe McCaffery will be an NFL great, from day one! Disappointing :(

[KidNme]

I'm a little surprised at this move and wonder what they're up to.
Did we see enough from Dixon and West to determine we need a 3rd RB? I didn't think they did too bad considering the year we had and the fact that we rarely ran the ball.
Also, nothing mentioned about how much we'll pay him, just cheaper than Juice.
I'm not up on all the CBA stuff but can Woodhead be cut if he doesn't outshine our other 2 backs? Could he be a camp body for testing the waters with him or is he definitely on our team now?

[The Greek]

he can also be used out of the slot. our off coord. needs to be creative like mcdaniels is and like kyle shanahan was with the falcons utilizing the backs that they had

[RavensDieHard21]

We should have saved the money and waited for further cuts or the draft. This move is iffy 

[The Greek]

  1 hour ago, The Greek said:

maybe they are planning on drafting a big rb like d'onta foreman and release west but still have the 2 skat backs in dixon and woodhead. woodhead can return punts as well

They tendered West at 1.8 mil....does that mean we can still release him without paying that?
If not, looks like we're set at rb for the year
Dixon, then West.
Then Woodhead as the wr, scat back, gabriel role, returner
I wasn't stoked at first but now I'm kinda diggin it. Hopefully he's nice and healthy

i wasnt aware that west was tendered. thanks for the update.

[ByTheBay]

8 hours ago, designermaryland said:

just what they need. a guy for joe to dump the ball off to in the flats for no yardage. this makes no sense. we do not need a scat back to take time away from dixon being on the field. this is why the ravens are always in cap trouble. so essentially, they have wasted 3 of the past 3 years draft picks (dixon, buck allen, taliafero + signing west) and will cut at least two of them to sign the veteran for several million more, while taking playing time from the guy you have touted as your "number 1". brilliant front office we have.

Negative nelly 😀

Edited March 9 by ByTheBay

[January J]

3 hours ago, bioLarzen said:

A signing that may very well turn out to be a good one.
Just because we already have running backs on the roster doesn't mean signing another one is a bad thing. West is an OK back with serious limitations - and therefiore will probably never be more than a serviceable player, while Dixon, while flashing all the potential and promnise to be a really good back, is hardly through his rookie campaign. Adding veteran presence to the RB corps may prove to be essential. Yep, it may also end up as a bust - but we can't always have Steve Smith and Weddle type surefire acquisitions, can we?

 

2 hours ago, 20306cab said:

Oh well, he does the same thing as Juice did. A lot older, but a heck of a lot cheaper, I hope. Can't believe the 9ers spent $5mil a year on a part time fullback. No wonder they stink. Oh yeah, that, and because they have a QB that's almost as pathetic as the Raven's QB.

Agreed. And I'm sure we all would rather have juice- but not for that money.

1 hour ago, cobrajet said:

Not sure I understand this move. Why when we have Dixon and so many other more needed holes to fill?

Nobody has even seen the details of the deal. Say we got him near the vet minimum? Is it still a bad signing? Everybody keeps bringing up Dixon like we only need 1 back. Its clear we plan on Dixon being the workhorse- but we need a contingency plan incase of injury, etc. As of now  looks like were Rollin with Dixon, west and woodhead but we'll see. Buck might be on the way out.

[Militant X 1]

Cheaper doesn't always mean better.  So, we have 2 young and up and coming bucks in Dixon and West, you let Juice walk and then bring in a "older" cat who missed half of the season due to a TORN ACL?  Unbelievable!  SMH!!