Comments on: Jesse Chatman Practicing Again

By: dakar

dakar — Wed, 01 Oct 2008 04:55:02 +0000

steve in philly

i’ve been saying that forever…we can use leon like westbrook or LT and we’ll see a hugh difference in our running game…but we have that ( little running backs can’t get the job done syndrome ) whereas i think leon can if only given the opportunity…but obviously our coaching doesn’t see it that way…just my thoughts…

By: Jon A

Jon A — Wed, 01 Oct 2008 04:14:16 +0000

MARK MY WORDS: Chatman will be a great addition to this team, assuming Mangini is smart enough to use him right.

1. GOAL LINE WEAPON: Lets face it, Thomas Jones has trouble at the goal line. Let’s give someone else a chance. (Obviously Leon isn’t a goal line back.)

2. CHATMAN’S TENACITY: Anyone who watched this guy closely in he preseason knows that he runs with anger, and he frequently breaks the first tackle. He’s can be very valuable late in the game (ie: protecting a vulnerable Jet lead) when the opposing defense gets sluggish.

….But I hate to break your bubble, my dear Jets Nation, Mangini isn’t as smart as we think he is.

By: ED TREACY

ED TREACY — Tue, 30 Sep 2008 19:21:27 +0000

A running trio is not a bad thing (e.g Giants Jacobs,
Upshaw , Ward).

Plus Chatman catches the ball coming out of the
backfield with the ability for YAC.

By: subwayfare

subwayfare — Tue, 30 Sep 2008 16:58:33 +0000

I’m afraid TJ is only good with a running start into an obvious hole. He’s solid and tough to bring down once he gains a little momentum but when there’s no daylight in front of him he gets flatfooted and quickly bogs down. I think he’s actually a better option with the lead, once the D gets a little tired and the holes come easier. I liked opening with Leon, forcing the D to respect him on screens as well as cutbacks, maybe wearing them out a bit. Of course, TJ is a much better option in protection. Chatman is sort of a combo of the two, definitely better in short yardage but less of a liability in pass blocking than Leon. (See Adalius Thomas double sack of he and Favre.)

I would love to see all three get significant plays and put the #1, #2, ego stuff aside.

By: DSmizzle

DSmizzle — Tue, 30 Sep 2008 16:45:00 +0000

Leon needs the ball more, particularly at a time when TJ isn’t blowing anyone away (believe it or not, he had more yards per game last year with last year’s horrible line; whether it takes time to “gel” or not, this line is already better than last year’s pathetic group).

Through 4 games, Leon is on pace for 64 carries, whereas last year he had 71 (down from 151 before they acquired TJ).

Bottom line for me: Whatever they use Chatman for, it should be used to spell TJ, not to get additional carries. TJ’s workload should be reduced not only by getting spells from Chatman, but by Leon getting more carries.

By: Steve in Philly

Steve in Philly — Tue, 30 Sep 2008 16:31:32 +0000

I’d say just give Leon the ball. A lot. Sometimes he gets swallowed up… sometimes he looks better than Brian Westbrook. I think it would be better than TJ running two yards and falling over.

By: JustAGreenGuy

JustAGreenGuy — Tue, 30 Sep 2008 16:22:23 +0000

They took Hodges from another teams practice squad. You have to keep a player from another team’s practice squad on your roster for 3 weeks.

By: The Ed(itor)

The Ed(itor) — Tue, 30 Sep 2008 16:18:20 +0000

How come the JETS can cut ben graham after 2 games but couldn’t waive hodges?? Can anyone explain this to me?

By: Bent

Bent — Tue, 30 Sep 2008 16:16:08 +0000

I’d like to think that running from inside the three will be a viable option now. Not saying they should do it every time or anything, but I’m sure Chatman will be better in short yardage situations than Jones.

Having said that, the Jets didn’t even activate a third RB all last year, so JC2 will need to contribute to special teams, otherwise he may not even be an option unless another runner gets hurt.

By: DSmizzle

DSmizzle — Tue, 30 Sep 2008 14:55:24 +0000

Chatman is a decent player, but is really a backup.

Let us JETS fans endeavor to stop the timeless practice of JETS fans overrating their own players!

For instance, Kerry Rhodes and Darrelle Revis are great players, whereas Jesse Chatman and Eric Ainge are not!

So its nice that he’s coming back, but I don’t expect it to be a huge difference-maker. He doesn’t really offer terribly much that TJ doesn’t, and Leon is the guy for a change-of-pace.

In my mind, the best thing about him coming back is that he’d pick up the slack if TJ were hurt; thats about it. As for his potential as a “1(A)” RB, I’d much prefer a guy like the Lamont Jordan of old!