http://myespn.go.com/blogs/afceast/0...ts--faith.html Jesse Chatman owes the New York Jets. He's fully aware of that, and he intends to make amends. In a mostly overlooked move, the Jets signed Chatman over the offseason to back up running back Thomas Jones. Chatman, however, was suspended four games for violating the NFL's performance-enhancing drugs policy. Sunday's game against the Cincinnati Bengals will be Chatman's first with the Jets since he gained 180 yards in their preseason finale. "I plan on paying the Jets back for sticking with me," Chatman told me Thursday morning from the Jets' facility in Florham Park, N.J. "They didn't have to do what they did for me. That's why it's going to be a good time." Chatman has been forgotten about because of his absence and splashier Jets acquisitions, but he will contribute. He might be the NFL's most underrated running back. He's fun to watch. He's only 5-foot-8, but he'll lower his shoulder into a would-be tackler as easily as he'll spin out of traffic. He's a sure-handed receiver who could line up at fullback on some plays. He made his mark on special teams early in his career. Chatman's a warrior. He forged on last year with the Miami Dolphins despite a badly sprained ankle. In a four-game stretch with Miami before he got hurt, he ran for 348 yards and a touchdown and caught 10 passes for 59 yards. "All you can say is, preseason spoke for itself," Chatman said. He rushed for 93 yards and had six catches for 87 yards in the last exhibition. "What I can bring to this team will be shown. In due time it's eventually going to come out. It just hasn't been my time yet." So why don't you know much about Chatman? The dude is 29, after all. He went undrafted from Division I-AA Eastern Washington over concerns about his size and competition level. "You're forced to walk into this league with a chip on your shoulder," Chatman said. He spent three years with the San Diego Chargers mostly as a special teams standout and occasional LaDainian Tomlinson relief man. Then Chatman ate himself out of the league. He didn't play for two years, but a new training regimen helped him cut enough weight to convince the Dolphins to sign him. The NFL suspended Chatman because a diuretic that could be used as a masking substance turned up in a drug test. Chatman never has tested positive for steroids, agent Brett Tessler claimed. Tessler unsuccessfully appealed the NFL's finding. "I was worried the Jets would cut me," Chatman said. "I'm still worried. This is the NFL. Anything is possible. Nothing is guaranteed. I view every practice as a game day for me. I'm interviewing every day." Chatman likely wouldn't have had an impact in the Jets' free-wheeling loss to the San Diego Chargers in Week 3, but he might have helped the cause in a plodding effort against the New England Patriots in Week 2. "I just want to make sure I can help my team as much as possible," Chatman said. "I'm excited that they still see me as having a role on the team despite my situation I just went through. I'm just ready. "I started biting my fingernails off because I couldn't sit still. The games we had trouble with I felt I could've helped, and that made it worse." __________________
I had assumed the Jets knew the test results and appeal were taking place when they signed him, but this leads me to believe otherwise.
I suspect they did. They had a lot of RB's in camp this year he could have gotten cut very easy I've got a strong feeling this kid is going to be a major pleasant surprise to every one Saw him quit a bit with Miami last year was very impressed. Very quick,and a lot of low to the ground power. If he had a severely sprained ankle last year, he sure didn't look it. Have a feeling he also impressed Mangini. Think about it. The Jets are carrying 4 QB's and 4 kickers. Roster spots are at a premium. Yet Mangini kept a roster spot open for a guy who had a 4 game suspension for substance abuse. Think this guys going to be a good one
Getting Chatman back is nice. I still think he's our 3rd best runningback, but he can definitely be an exciting change-of-pace guy. Who knows?
i have a feeling the Jets won't get stuffed on the goal line like they did earlier in the season with big Chat in the backfield.
I think he can bring a lot more to the table than that, he looked great in his limited carries in Miami last season. My concerns are about his recurring weight issues.
I agree. Don't forget this guy was out of football for two years over weight issues. I really don't understand that. He is 5' 8", and his playing weight is around 225. That should be easy to do for a 5'8" guy. Guess it ain't. He had a contract that required weight max at certain times. He swears he wasn't masking steroids. I suspect he was managing his weight. From the limited # of carries he had last year, he looked very good. If he is grateful to the Jets he will keep his weight down
It wasn't steroids he tested positive for. He tested positive for a diuretic at the end of last season.
interesting. i don't know why i thought it was steroids. but anyways, im excited to see if he can add anything to our run game.
Guys, I don't know if any of you were watching Dolphins football this time last year, but let me tell you: this dude runs HARD. That's a hundred yards from scrimmage per game for the craptacular 2007 Fins offense. I was really jazzed about this acquisition in the offseason. This is our power running game right here. This guy is the the 2008 Ryan Grant. He's hungry, he's well-rested and he gets to feast on the Bengals D Sunday.
He absolutely runs hard. I'm quietly optimistic he can do something, but I'm tempering my expectations until I see it as a Jet.
i watched what i could last year hes very capable of contributing and his attitude in this article shows in the way he runs take a look for those who havent seen him yet for some reason theres two antonio chatman plays but you guys are smart enough to navigate it http://search.nfl.com/search/?query=jesse+chatman&type=video love this one http://www.nfl.com/videos?videoId=09000d5d8041d48c lets hope we see more of this http://www.nfl.com/videos?videoId=09000d5d8041d48c http://www.nfl.com/videos?videoId=09000d5d8041d48c
The Bengals Defense is 6th against the pass, but 29th against the run. Hopefully, at least one of our running backs has a good game this Sunday.
thats retarded, sorry i was loading each video and posting the link not realizing it streams the video so yeah i posted tired last night. check out all of his highlights vs the eagles and patriots last year and youll see what i mean. the guy refuses to go out or down. nice burst and has some nice moves too. but biggest thing is this guy runs extremely hard. theres a play vs the pats last year from the dolphins 2 or 3, chatman runs around and over their front seven. switches direction and blows over Harrison. i love the way he runs i just hope the staff gives him and leon the ball more, thomas jones is running ok, but its seriously time to share the carries.
