Backup Chatman makes some noise
SAN DIEGO — How badly does it hurt the San Diego Chargers when LaDainian Tomlinson can’t carry the ball full time?
Jesse Chatman has quickly answered that question: not at all.
Chatman used to have one of the NFL’s most obscure jobs until Tomlinson strained his groin four weeks ago. Since then, there’s been little dropoff when the obscure substitute replaces the superstar for the surprising Chargers (4-3).
Given the most extensive playing time of his three-year career, Chatman has broken long runs and scored big touchdowns in the last four games.
He has put the Chargers at ease.
“I’m pretty sure all of us worry about what happens if L.T. goes down,” said Chatman, who played at Eastern Washington University. “Right now with the little opportunities I’m getting, hopefully I’m calming those worries down, if he does go down, that I want them to know that I’m able enough to step in and take care of the job.”
Tomlinson was hurt in the second half of a home win over Tennessee on Oct. 3, finishing with 147 yards and one touchdown. He’s started the last three games and scored a touchdown in each, but failed to crack 65 yards in any of them and made way for Chatman several times.
With his groin acting up last Sunday and the Chargers leading Carolina by four points, Tomlinson told the coaches he felt Chatman would be more effective in the fourth quarter. Sure enough, Chatman rambled 52 yards just before the 2-minute warning, then scored on a 5-yard run to clinch the 17-6 victory.
“I can’t think of a guy that’s a backup that may be better than him in the National Football League,” Tomlinson said. “He’s done a tremendous job. Jesse has a lot of talent.”
That’s pretty good praise for a guy who joined the Chargers as an undrafted rookie in 2002. Until now, his best games were during the exhibition season.
“This is the same guy. He’s just getting an opportunity in the regular season,” fullback Lorenzo Neal said. “It’s hard to get on the field when you’ve got Superman in the backfield.”
Chatman, consigned mostly to special teams in his first two seasons, had 14 carries for 36 yards and eight catches for 98 yards.
Since Tomlinson got hurt, Chatman has taken advantage of his chances, gaining 207 yards on 25 carries, with three touchdowns.
In a home win over Jacksonville on Oct. 10, Chatman had 103 yards on 11 carries, including a 41-yard touchdown run.
At 5-foot-8, 247 pounds, Chatman is 2 inches shorter and 26 pounds heavier than Tomlinson. He’s more of a straight-ahead runner, but has some moves, too.
“He’s got real quick feet, so he’s going to make some people miss. Once he gets going, he’s going to give you about 50, 60 yards,” said Tomlinson. Chatman is a lot like Tomlinson: quiet, humble and likely to take nothing for granted. He credits his offensive line and receivers for opening holes, and tries to pick up anything he can from his more famous teammate, including Tomlinson’s ability to anticipate defenses.
“That’s all you can do is watch the best,” said Chatman, who’s playing with a turf toe. “I mean, I’m in a great situation right now, being behind the greatest back in the league. You can’t help but do good behind a back like him, because honestly, when a back like him goes out of the game, I feel the defense feels like they’ve got a chance to rest, and that’s when I come in and capitalize on them resting.”
Starting tight end Antonio Gates, who also joined the Chargers in 2002 as an undrafted rookie, said Chatman has earned trust.
“As a backup running back, that’s critical,” Gates said. “If the starter goes down, everybody says, ‘Well, damn, we don’t have LaDainian, let’s throw the ball,’ you know? But when Jesse’s in the game, we have just as much confidence in Jesse.”