Hank Poteat - #23 - CB - Pittsburgh - Profile

CAREER HIGHLIGHTS    

■ Established career highs in 2007 with 16 games played, nine starts, 45 tackles, two INTs and five PDs.

■ After going his first seven NFL seasons with no interceptions, recorded first two INTs of career in back-to-back games, vs. PHI and Donovan McNabb in Week 6 and at CIN and Carson Palmer in Week 7.

■ Has appeared in eight postseason games, making one start, with 13 tackles and two PD.

■ Member of Super Bowl XXXIX champion New England after signing with Patriots in time for 2004 NFL playoffs.

■ Had distinction of playing and defeating MIA in consecutive games in 2006, for NE on 10/8 and for Jets on 10/15.

SEASON BY SEASON

2007 (JETS) Started sixth consecutive game and recorded season-high six tackles (five solo) in Week 13 at MIA. … Made first start of season and came up with second INT in three quarters to set up second-quarter Mike Nugent FG in Week 7 at CIN. … Returned first INT of pro career 11 yards in fourth quarter to set up Nugent FG in Week 6 vs. PHI.

2006 (JETS/NE) Made six tackles (five solo) and recovered Corey Dillon FUM in AFC Wild Card Game at NE. … Notched six tackles, all solo, in Week 15 at MIN. … Tallied season-high seven tackles and one PD in Week 13 at GB. … Recorded six tackles (four solo) in Week 12 vs. HOU. … Waived by NE, Jets and NE again in six-week span before re-signing with Jets 10/11.

2005 (NE) Made first career RS start and led Patriots with nine tackles (eight solo) in Week 17 vs. MIA.

2004 (NE) Recorded one tackle in Super Bowl XXXIX victory over PHI. … Collected two tackles and one PD in AFC Championship vs. PIT.

2003 (TB) Saw action for TB in one game after being signed 10/21.

2002 (PIT) Made first career start as PIT opened with five DBs in AFC Wild Card Game vs. CLE.

2001 (PIT) Registered first career NFL tackle and returned two punts for 10 yards, one kickoff for 19 yards in Week 6 vs. TB.

2000 (PIT) Led Steelers with 24 KR for 465 yards. … Had two PR, including 53-yard TD return Week 16 vs. WAS.

CAREER TRANSACTIONS

■ Re-signed by Jets as FA 9/24/08.

■ Released by Jets 8/31/08.

■ Released by NE 10/10/06.

■ Signed by NE as FA 9/27/06.

■ Released by Jets 9/2/06.

■ Signed by Jets as FA 9/1/06

■ Released by NE 8/29/06.

■ Signed by NE as FA 10/19/05.

■ Released by NE 8/30/05.

■ Signed by NE as FA 1/11/05.

■ Released by CAR 9/5/04.

■ Signed by CAR as UFA 12/30/03.

■ Waived by TB 11/12/03.

■ Signed by TB as FA 10/21/03.

■ Waived by PIT 8/31/03.

■ Selected by PIT in third round (77th overall) of 2000 NFL Draft.

BEFORE THE NFL

■ Finished Pitt career with 136 tackles, 10 INTs, school-record 1,917 KR yards, 90 rushing yards and 54 receiving yards.

■ Earned All-Big East honors as senior after posting 55 tackles, three INTs, nine PDs and one FF over 11 starts.

■ Last Pitt DB before Jets 2007 first-round pick Darrelle Revis to earn All-Big East honors in back-to-back seasons.

■ Established single-season record as junior with 764 KR yards on 36 returns.

■ Twice earned all-conference honors as DB/RB at Harrisburg (Pa.) HS.

■ Lettered three times each in basketball and track.

■ Attended prep school at Maine Central Institute in 1995.

OFF THE FIELD

■ Majored in business at Pitt.

■ He and wife, Jasmine, have two daughters, Ariana Mia and Sierra Mariah, and one son, Hank III.

■ Helped put two of his four younger siblings through college.

■ Born in Philadelphia.

■ Re-signed by Jets as UFA 5/06/08.

■ Signed by Jets as FA 10/11/06.