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Post by Roosevelt on Aug 15, 2024 9:42:24 GMT -5
Giants’ Elijah Chatman is ready to stop being overlooked: ‘Strongest guy on the team’
Elijah Chatman’s father used to walk down stairs on his hands. Yes, strength runs in the Chatman family, even if calisthenics workouts are very different from the brute force that is helping Elijah in his job. Three months after he earned a contract with the Giants by impressing during his two-day tryout in rookie minicamp, Chatman is getting first-team reps along the defensive line in training camp. He appears to be on the right side of the roster bubble. You might laugh at the size juxtaposition of All-Pro Dexter Lawrence (6-foot-4, 340 pounds) lining up next to Chatman (a generous 6-foot, 278), if not for the threat that Chatman could inflict painful payback. “He’s short. He’s not little,” defensive line coach Andre Patterson said. “Two different things. He’s probably the strongest guy on the team.” Chatman could be one of those noteworthy finds who slips through traditional scouting cracks because he does not fit the prototypical physical mold. Too small to succeed in the NFL trenches, doubters would say. “I didn’t see it as an obstacle, but obviously it was an obstacle and still is an obstacle,” Chatman told The Post. “I look at it as motivation to go that much harder. I have to work twice as hard because I’m not as big as the guys, so I have to be stronger and I have to be faster.” Giants defensive tackle Elijah Chatman #94, during practice at the New York Giants training facility. Charles Wenzelberg / New York Post Strength has never been a problem. He earned a spot on the annual College Football Freaks list compiled by The Athletic in 2023. Chatman was bench-pressing 225 pounds not long after he started lifting weights in seventh grade, and he was able to do 42 reps at 225 entering his final year at SMU. He pushed his other workout-warrior maximums to 715 pounds on the back squat and 375 pounds on the power clean before leaving school. Add in a 31-inch vertical leap and 32 ³/₄-inch arms.
But Chatman credits Patterson — one of the NFL’s top defensive line coaches — for tapping into his speed in their short time together. “He knows my skill set better than I actually did,” Chatman said. “I knew I had power and speed, and I knew how to use it, but I didn’t know how to use it as best I can to my advantage. He taught me to run off the ball. Whenever I run off the ball, I create problems. Because I’m fast, I’m in the vicinity of the offense like that [quick]. It’s really taken my game to another level.”
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Post by Roosevelt on Aug 15, 2024 9:44:28 GMT -5
Never heard of him before. Interesting to learn he's getting 1st team reps.
Every year there are always these stories that have you rooting for underdog players. It'd be nice to see if this kid can make it.
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Post by Rangers13 on Aug 15, 2024 9:47:05 GMT -5
Size, size, size matters yet it’s the very reason Aaron Donald dropped. This kid has a quick first step and improving his hand technique could pose problems for these heavy set Guards . . . or not. We will see.
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Post by vinnie on Aug 15, 2024 9:58:51 GMT -5
Hope the kid does well, would be a pleasant surprise and cool story.
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Post by Roswell on Aug 15, 2024 10:21:16 GMT -5
Back in the day, the Giants had John Mendenhall.
Built the same. Same motor.
If Chatman turns out like him, the Giants will have an unbelievable front 7.
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Post by Kruunch on Aug 15, 2024 10:33:34 GMT -5
Lofty words when Dexter Lawrence is on the team.. A good coach knows when to grind you.. and when to lift you up. These kids who were once big fish in a small pond. Are now guppies in an ocean of sharks. Patterson who can get blood from a stone. Will squeeze every btu out of him.
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Post by GameTime on Aug 15, 2024 10:54:40 GMT -5
I would dig being a "short 6 foot tall"....lol
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Post by Danke Schoen on Aug 15, 2024 11:12:06 GMT -5
Always rather hear positives than negatives.
That said if he makes the team, do three things:
1. Destroy the OL.
2. Destroy the QB.
3. Stop the run.
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Post by Analyst on Aug 15, 2024 11:19:47 GMT -5
Its all about the leverage, strength and the motor with these guys.
Get your shine on Chatman. Eat some offensive line.
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Post by McCherry on Aug 15, 2024 12:06:59 GMT -5
Its all about the leverage, strength and the motor with these guys. Get your shine on Chatman. Eat some offensive line. The DL was a main concern, but these kids are giving us reasons for optimism.
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miggs
Starter
Posts: 4,850
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Post by miggs on Aug 15, 2024 13:09:53 GMT -5
I don't think he even gets moved back on run plays. Will watch for that against Houston. The only thing he can't do is knock passes down. As long as he gets to the QB as he does, it's all good.
Wish Beavers would get some recognition for his stellar play against Lions.
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Post by Nite on Aug 15, 2024 13:11:23 GMT -5
Well I'm not tall either. But I can chest press 380 lbs, arm curl 150 lbs and squat about 200 lbs (on a good day)
If the G-men needs me, I'm ready baby!!
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Post by hof56lt on Aug 15, 2024 13:49:47 GMT -5
.
Andre Patterson defensive line coach had a similar undrafted FA player 25 years ago,
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Post by lt56 on Aug 15, 2024 14:08:53 GMT -5
I believe it, those Compact guys like Aaron Donald (not comparing in anyway) are always very strong for some reason, rooting for Chatman hopefully they found a Hidden Gem
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Post by Analyst on Aug 15, 2024 14:23:04 GMT -5
I heard he was the nephew of Jonas Seawright.
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Post by Danke Schoen on Aug 15, 2024 14:43:18 GMT -5
Well I'm not tall either. But I can chest press 380 lbs, arm curl 150 lbs and squat about 200 lbs (on a good day) So that’s what it’s like having sex with your girlfriend? OH SNAP!!
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Post by Fletch842 on Aug 15, 2024 15:05:25 GMT -5
I heard he was the nephew of Jonas Seawright. Do I feel a new legend of... thread coming
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Post by repeatchamps on Aug 15, 2024 15:12:06 GMT -5
Height reminds me of Jerry Ball who was not very tall either but Elijah's weight class is nowhere near Jerry's lol. One of my favorite non-Giants players was Jerry Ball.
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Post by repeatchamps on Aug 15, 2024 15:16:49 GMT -5
. Andre Patterson defensive line coach had a similar undrafted FA player 25 years ago, Nice find! Randle was a legendary player. Exciting player to watch.
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Post by BigBlueDog42 on Aug 15, 2024 17:31:24 GMT -5
Never heard of him before. Interesting to learn he's getting 1st team reps. Every year there are always these stories that have you rooting for underdog players. It'd be nice to see if this kid can make it. This one has a chance. He has the power of a big man and the speed and leverage of a smaller man if he gets the technique down he is gonna be tough to block, he will have to figure out how to keep longer guys hands off him.
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Post by BigBlueDog42 on Aug 15, 2024 17:35:56 GMT -5
Well I'm not tall either. But I can chest press 380 lbs, arm curl 150 lbs and squat about 200 lbs (on a good day) If the G-men needs me, I'm ready baby!! lol you need to combine the chest press and arm curl and make that your squat and you will be heading in the right direction.
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Post by Nite on Aug 15, 2024 18:50:13 GMT -5
Well I'm not tall either. But I can chest press 380 lbs, arm curl 150 lbs and squat about 200 lbs (on a good day) So that’s what it’s like having sex with your girlfriend? OH SNAP!! Don't knock it till you try it...
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Post by presumablygunner on Aug 15, 2024 22:59:23 GMT -5
is this mfer on a one year deal?
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thrax
Special Teams
Posts: 199
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Post by thrax on Aug 16, 2024 3:40:17 GMT -5
Make me say your name and I'll yell it out the window too.
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Post by repeatchamps on Aug 16, 2024 8:52:26 GMT -5
Never heard of him before. Interesting to learn he's getting 1st team reps. Every year there are always these stories that have you rooting for underdog players. It'd be nice to see if this kid can make it. This one has a chance. He has the power of a big man and the speed and leverage of a smaller man if he gets the technique down he is gonna be tough to block, he will have to figure out how to keep longer guys hands off him. He's got to learn to get low my man, like Jerry "bowling" Ball just 52 pounds lighter though lol.
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Post by BigBlueDog42 on Aug 16, 2024 9:03:15 GMT -5
This one has a chance. He has the power of a big man and the speed and leverage of a smaller man if he gets the technique down he is gonna be tough to block, he will have to figure out how to keep longer guys hands off him. He's got to learn to get low my man, like Jerry "bowling" Ball just 52 pounds lighter though lol. He is already low he will win with leverage he has learned that part but they will have some advantages to with length he will have to learn to deal with it.
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Post by Jomo on Aug 16, 2024 10:35:33 GMT -5
Never heard of him before. Interesting to learn he's getting 1st team reps. Every year there are always these stories that have you rooting for underdog players. It'd be nice to see if this kid can make it. The proof will be in the pudding BUT, he wouldn't be the first undersized guy to be a "disruptive" force in the NFL. I wish him well, he's filling a position of real need so if he continues to grow in the job, it will be a real plus for us.
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Post by Analyst on Aug 16, 2024 11:51:42 GMT -5
I heard he was the nephew of Jonas Seawright. He once broke a sweat in two.. When he was born he named himself.. By his fifth birthday he got a full time job. When he turned 18 he kicked his parents out of the house. While most free agents have to get a try out. He just showed up and hasn’t left since. He isnt trying out for the Giants, the Giants are trying out for him.
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Post by imgrate on Aug 16, 2024 12:09:29 GMT -5
DL depth was a glaring weakness going into the offseason.. You can basically say that about every team ever, because you can never have enough DL talent. That said, with the shape of our roster, we really need to luck out on prospects like this guy in order to build a top shelf team
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Post by vinnie on Aug 16, 2024 12:12:04 GMT -5
He once broke a sweat in two.. When he was born he named himself.. By his fifth birthday he got a full time job. When he turned 18 he kicked his parents out of the house. While most free agents have to get a try out. He just showed up and hasn’t left since. He isnt trying out for the Giants, the Giants are trying out for him. I heard a rattlesnake bit him and the rattlesnake died.
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