Jets? New Fullback Hunting Linebackers By DAVE CALDWELL Published: September 29, 2006 HEMPSTEAD, N.Y., Sept. 28 ? Before his second practice with the Jets on Thursday, James Hodgins pulled up the sleeve of his white undershirt to reveal an enormous right biceps. Stretching across his arm is a tattoo of Jesus on a crucifix. That tattoo did not exactly match the one on Hodgins?s enormous left biceps: a skull with a knife blade sticking through one of the eye sockets. But the tattoos tell a lot about Hodgins, who was signed Wednesday to be the Jets? backup fullback. Away from football, Hodgins is a 29-year-old husband and father of two who quietly witnesses his Christian faith. When he plays football, his black socks barely reaching his ankles, Hodgins seeks out linebackers, then tries to humiliate them. ?It?s kind of like running the ball and scoring if I can pancake a linebacker,? Hodgins said with only the hint of a smile. The 265-pound Hodgins, a veteran of seven N.F.L. seasons, fills a vacancy for the Jets (2-1), who play Indianapolis (3-0) on Sunday. They did not have a big fullback who can pulverize linebackers, particularly in short-yardage situations. ?Having the ability to have a fullback who can thump is a big plus, especially in this division and against bigger teams,? Jets Coach Eric Mangini said Thursday. Mangini appears satisfied with his starting fullback, B. J. Askew, an adept pass-blocker who has impressed the coach on special teams. Askew, in his fourth N.F.L. season, enjoys playing on the kickoff, kickoff-return and punt units, as well as on offense. ?Any time I get on the football field, no matter what position it is, it?s a blessing, really,? Askew said. Asked how he felt about Hodgins joining the team, Askew said, ?Anything they feel can help the team is all right with me.? Hodgins outweighs Askew by 30 pounds and looks more like an offensive lineman than a player who occasionally runs and catches the ball. Hodgins adds heft to a Jets? running attack that has gained only 243 yards in three games. ?When we were doing research about him, the quote that I liked the best is there were games when he?d make linebackers quit,? Mangini said. Mangini did not want to reveal the source of that quotation, identifying him only as a friend. Hodgins was cut Sept. 2 by the Arizona Cardinals and had been at home in Chandler, Ariz., a Phoenix suburb. Shoulder and knee injuries had limited him to one game in the last two seasons. He began to think his football career was over. ?I had my doubts,? he said. ?But I really wanted to play. I wasn?t ready to give it up yet.? Had he retired, Hodgins?s final N.F.L. game would have been the 2005 season opener at the Meadowlands against the Giants. He was covering a punt after the Cardinals? first series, and a Giants? player, identity unknown, sideswiped him. After he was cut, Hodgins spent more time with his wife, Stephanie, and two sons, Isaiah, 7, and Isaac, 6. He began to think hard about becoming a public speaker ? a way to witness his faith ? before the Detroit Lions and the Jets called. The Lions backed away from offering him a contract after losing their first three games, but the Jets asked Hodgins to visit on Sept. 18. He weighed 275 pounds ? way too much. Before he returned on Monday, he had lost 11 pounds, mostly by working out and refusing to eat. He would like to lose a little more weight, although he will let the Jets decide exactly how much. Taped to his locker was a request from the team to have his body fat measured. He said he has learned some plays and has been impressed with his new team. Before practice, he pulled a black skull cap over his braided hair and ate a granola bar while he listened to his new teammates joke around. This is where he wants to be. ?I hit linebackers,? he said. ?That?s what I do.? EXTRA POINTS Wide receiver Laveranues Coles was named as the American Football Conference offensive player of the month. Coles has 331 yards receiving, the most in the Jets? first three games since Don Maynard had 356 yards in 1968. ... A day after waiving guard Norm Katnik, the Jets re-signed him and added him to their practice squad. Wide receiver Sloan Thomas was cut.
Its nice to hear that the lockerroom is a good place. Sounds like a real good signing that could be very beneficial in both running and passing.
Until he does something on the field it's all talk. The guy doesn't even sound like he's in football shape. Then again, who would want to be the shape of a football?
