New England is saying goodbye to the undersized Danny Woodhead, a former Jet who the Patriots used in various situations, often on third down, at tailback over the past three seasons. (photo: GMO66, Flickr)
But the Patriots are now bringing in another small all-purpose back and ex-Jet in Leon Washington, who they signed Thursday.
The 5-foot-8 Washington, most recently of the Seattle Seahawks, will be 31-years-old at the start of the 2013 season but still boasts exceptional return skills and could be utilized occasionally on offense.
Washington was traded to the Seahawks in April of 2010 after a four-year campaign with the Jets that saw him finish 2009 on injured reserve due to a fibula fracture. He has eight kick returns for touchdowns in seven years, rushing for 16 scores and catching for two more in that span.
Woodhead, who stands at 5-foot-8 as well, was signed by the Jets in 2010 as an undrafted free agent but was waived after Week 1. The Patriots picked him up that week, just in time to face the Jets. Woodhead rushed for 10 touchdowns and caught four more during his tenure in Foxborough.
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