File Under: Eric Mangini, Erik Coleman, Tom Brady, Abram Elam
03/05 — Lost in the Jets' signing frenzy of the last week was the departure of a veteran player with a positive attitude. Safety Erik Coleman, who was an unrestricted free agent, signed with the Atlanta Falcons on Saturday.
Coleman provided the Jets with some strong play for a fifth-round draft pick, starting the first 36 games of his career. And he opened that career with a bang when he made interceptions in his first two games as a pro, against the Bengals and Chargers in the first two games on the 2004 schedule.
His biggest game may well have been the 17-14 upset of the Patriots at Gillette Stadium in 2006. He had eight tackles on defense (plus another on kick coverage), and his pick of a harassed Tom Brady at the Pats 38 set up the Chad Pennington-to-Jerricho Cotchery touchdown pass that made it 17-6 with 4:45 to play.
Coleman unofficially had eight double-digit tackle efforts, topped by 13 takedowns in the 2005 regular-season finale vs. Buffalo and two more after head coach Eric Mangini took over — 10 in the win over the Lions in '06, 10 more in the playoff loss at New England, and 12 in the home defeat of the Dolphins last season.
The young man from the great state of Washington also wore a friendly smile and had a kind word at all times, even after he lost his starting job to Abram Elam last midseason, and he was one of the top Jets when it came to the important community work the team does.
Coleman's reaction this past season after returning to practice following a one-game layoff after he suffered a concussion in Game 4 at Buffalo was typical of his attitude in general.
"It feels great to be out there with the team and participating," he said. "It was one of the toughest things to have to watch your team go out there and play without you. It is hard and you don’t want to get used to that."
Coleman's team now dresses in red and black, not green and white, but I know he'll take his winning personality with him to Flowery Branch, Ga. Here's a hearty wish for a continuation of your solid NFL career, Erik.
Xavion Said:
Sun, March 9, 2008 - 1:07pm ET"Looks like Ill be going to a few panthers games this year to see some of our former players Like Vilma, E. Coleman, Abraham, Is becht still with the Bucks? Not to mention Our 3rd and 5th rnd picks. still think we could have kept the 5th rnder "
Randy Lange Said:
"Xavion, Anthony Becht just agreed to terms on a contract with the St. Louis Rams this past week."
Nolan Said:
Mon, March 10, 2008 - 6:20am ET" Its good to hear some good stories about human decency in these football players. Sometimes you just get a bad taste in your mouth from the Vick characters. Its refreshing to hear of the good a guy is capable of. Another guy who seems to be a real decent guy is Cotchery. I read his story on him adopting his little girl and possibly the young boy, and its good to know $ isnt everything 2 these guys. "
Row Said:
Wed, March 19, 2008 - 6:58pm ET"Why did we not sign sammy knight? Is there a reason we traded vilma for a 4th round pick? This is becoming rediculous. I sure don't want ty law, someone agree with me. "
Ira Said:
Wed, March 5, 2008 - 10:42am ET"Randy, As you know Erik Coleman is a great person and good player. Hated to see him leave but he just didn't fit in with this new system. He will be a very good player for the Falcons. Nice that you brought up his big INT in NE in 06 that led to a TD that gave the Jets a cushion for the win. Really like the Woolfork signing. Maybe he will show his skills this time around."
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