Woodhead takes Ryan's vote of confidence in stride

Danny Woodhead had a wry smile on his boyish face, almost incredulous at the attention he was receiving.

The combo running back/wide receiver had been told what coach Rex Ryan had said in the minutes after the Jets concluded their 21-17 preseason win over the Eagles in Philadelphia, but Woodhead still didn't understand what all the commotion was about.

With cutdown day looming and many of the players featured in Thursday's contest playing for their NFL lives, Ryan was asked about the likelihood that Chauncey Washington did enough to make the final 53-man roster after leading the team in rushing with 56 yards on 12 attempts.

"Well, I think Danny Woodhead did," Ryan immediately said. "I'll go ahead and say that right now."

Given that golden nugget to cash in, Woodhead could've taken it like a handoff, darted through the throng of media surrounding him and spiked a water bottle in the middle of the locker room. But that's not the 5-9, 200-pounder's style.

The North Platte, Neb., native still had that "aw, shucks" vibe, barely even acknowledging Ryan's comments.

"Obviously, it gives you a little more confidence in yourself when your coach has confidence in you," Woodhead said. "But I'm not going to jump the gun and just be like, 'Oh, I have a roster spot.' You never know.

"But hopefully, I'm here. This is where I want to play.''

Woodhead's fate will be made official Saturday when the Jets shave their roster. He has impressed the coaches, showing true grit and determination to go along with an old-school mentality - the things that helped him set NCAA single-season and all-time rushing records at Division II Chadron (Neb.) State.

Woodhead had 113 yards on 23 total touches this preseason. His 14-yard touchdown in Thursday's win was the lone rushing score the Jets produced in their four games.

"I've just tried to do my best," Woodhead said.