The boys in Green are at it again.
The Jets signed running back
Jesse Chatman to a one-year contract on Sunday. Chatman rushed for 515 yards and one touchdown in 128 carries last season for the Miami Dolphins.
I'm going to assume Gang Green made this move simply to add depth at the running back position and nothing more. That's what Jets beat writer and blogger
Rich Cimini thinks and hopefully he's correct. I guess signing running backs in the NFL these days is like picking up pitchers in the Majors -- you can never have too many. Initially, I feared this pick up was a signal that the Jets were shying away from drafting running back Darren McFadden. I still waver back and forth on whether the Jets should draft McFadden, but if he's available when the Gotham Green pick at No. 6, the addition of Chatman should in no way affect their decision.
But the draft is still more than a month away.
As far as Chatman goes, he's a good story if you're into those. I remember reading about how he conquered his weight problems in an issue of Sports Illustrated last year. I can't find the article online, but I still possess the "hard" copy. Yeah, I still like reading actual magazines.
Anyway, Chatman went from being LaDainian Tomlinson's backup in San Diego in 2004 (gaining 392 yards at a 6.0 clip) to being out of football by 2005. Injuries and a lack of playing time caused Chatman's 5'8 frame to balloon to nearly 270 pounds by year's end and the Chargers released him. After failed stints in Miami and New Orleans, Chatman was ready to call it quits. But through diet and perseverance, Chatman was able to shed the weight and hooked up with his old Chargers offensive coordinator Cam Cameron last season in Miami.
Chatman will have another reunion of sorts when he joins the Jets. Gang Green's offensive coordinator Brian Schottenheimer and Chatman worked together in San Diego.
A nice story, but Chatman will need to work even harder if he expects to receive significant playing time in the Jets backfield next season.
With or without the arrival of McFadden.
Leave a comment
