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Posted By	Discussion Topic: Hatchette targets starting role in N.Y.
Calm Your Nut	posted on 03-20-2001 @ 5:30 PM
O&A Board Regular Registered: Nov. 00	HEMPSTEAD, N.Y. – Matthew Hatchette, Minnesota's third wide receiver last season behind Cris Carter and Randy Moss, signed a two-year contract Monday with the New York Jets. The deal totals $1.6 million and includes a $400,000 signing bonus. Hatchette, 6-foot-2 and 201 pounds, caught 16 passes last year. He will compete for a starting job with the Jets, who are looking for a big wide receiver to replace Keyshawn Johnson, traded a year ago to Tampa Bay. New York's top wideouts last season were 5-10 Wayne Chrebet and 5-9 Dedric Ward. Ward will not return next season. Hatchette, a seventh-round draft choice in 1997 from Langston, had trouble finding playing time during his four years with Minnesota. "It was fun while it lasted," Hatchette said. "I'll take everything I've learned from those three -- I include Jake Reed in that bunch -- and apply it to what I'm doing here." Hatchette's 16 catches were good for 190 yards and two touchdowns. In four seasons, he has 43 receptions for 620 yards and four touchdowns, numbers the Jets hope he can surpass in one year. "Unfortunately for Matthew, he's played the last two years behind perhaps the two best wide receivers ever to play the game," said Hatchette's agent, Mitch Frankel. "That's why we put in provisions that will be based on Matthew's play." Jets general manager Terry Bradway said Hatchette's size was a major factor. "Our first priority was to improve the size in the perimeter positions," Bradway said. "We've got a 6-5 quarterback in Vinny Testaverde and he'll be able to see Matthew coming across the field. Matthew did well at Minnesota playing behind some pretty good players." Information from The Associated Press was used in this report. Watching Over "Kwyjibo"

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