Jets2013 Posted August 31, 2016 Share Posted August 31, 2016 http://nypost.com/2016/08/30/jets-upstart-lb-beating-the-odds-just-dont-call-him-a-survivor/ SPORTS Jets upstart LB beating the odds — just don’t call him a survivor By Mark Cannizzaro August 30, 2016 | 11:06pm. When it was suggested to Jets linebacker Mike Catapano that the word “survivor’’ might best encapsulate his football career — which, in the span of just three years, already has included two season-ending injuries and a stunning release by the team that drafted him — he politely interrupted in mid-sentence. “I think ‘fighter’ is better,’’ Catapano said. “ ‘Survivor’ sounds like you’re just trying to stay afloat. Fighting, that’s what I’m about. I just keep coming. Doesn’t matter what you throw at me, I just keep coming … like the movie, ‘The Terminator.’ ” Catapano is not your cookie-cutter NFL player who entered the league drafted from a big college football program. He’s a local kid from Bayville on Long Island who played his high-school ball at Chaminade and grew up bleeding Jets green, idolizing Curtis Martin. He went to Princeton, not a football factory, and got drafted by the Chiefs in 2013. During a phone call with The Post on Tuesday, Catapano’s father, Mike, recalled a day at the gym during his son’s sophomore year at Princeton when he tried to encourage his dreams, well aware players from Ivy League teams do not draw a lot of attention from NFL scouts. “Mike, you just get on the field, and once you do that, I know you’re going to prove yourself,’’ the dad told his son. “Dad, I’m not just going to make a camp, I’m going to get [freaking] drafted,’’ the son told his dad. “Sometimes you have to set a goal that takes your breath away,’’ the elder Catapano said. “Once he puts something in his head and envisions it, he makes it happen.’’ Yet Catapano’s path to the NFL (and sticking once he got there) hardly has been a magic carpet ride. It has been littered with enough moments to make a lesser man question himself and quit. “My story shows that it’s not all smooth sailing, that you’re going to have tons of adversity — injuries, things not working out the way you want,’’ Catapano said. “I don’t think anyone works as hard as I do.’’ Three years that have included one season-ending concussion (2014 in Kansas City), one release (in 2015 by the Chiefs) and a season-ending foot injury late last year with the Jets. Now, Catapano is considered a key piece to a Jets defense that ranked fourth in the NFL last season. Catapano’s start in Saturday night’s preseason game against the Giants was a symbolic moment for him because it was against the Giants last Dec. 6 when he suffered a freak Lisfranc injury in his right foot and didn’t played again in 2015. “Of course, there are always moments of fear, always moments of … ‘is this going to work out?’ ” Catapano said. “You’re going to feel afraid. Courage is fighting against it, not feeling that fear. “During those moments, I lean on my girlfriend Jenna [Redel], my parents [Mike and Barbara] and my sister, April. They are my rock.’’ Catapano and Redel met three years ago in Kansas City, where she is from and was a Chiefs cheerleader. “I never recall a moment when he was at a low, because that’s just not who Mike is,’’ Redel said by phone. “He’s always confident in himself, always strong. But there were times when I could feel it even though it was not verbal.’’ Everyone close to Catapano is hoping the roadblocks are behind him, that he can stay healthy and carry on with the NFL career he always has wanted. In the midst of a transition from defensive end to outside linebacker and down from 290 pounds to 270, Catapano is expected to start again in Thursday night’s preseason finale against the Eagles. Once the regular season begins, it looks like he will share time with rookie third-round pick Jordan Jenkins. A date that looms large on the Catapano calendar is Sept. 25, when the Jets play at Kansas City. But first things first for a player who takes nothing for granted: Thursday night’s preseason finale. And, if you know what’s good for you, don’t refer to the fourth preseason game as meaningless or garbage time. “People that don’t think it’s important probably aren’t going to stay around too long,’’ Catapano said. “I go into every game the same way: Like it’s the last game I’ll ever play.’’ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
joewilly12 Posted August 31, 2016 Share Posted August 31, 2016 Maybe he has a career in boxing because so far he's shown me nothing as a football player. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TuscanyTile2 Posted August 31, 2016 Share Posted August 31, 2016 "would you like fries with that?" (Disclaimer: I haven't really followed him at all. I hope he is successful w/ the Jets and makes the above comment look ridiculous.) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nostradamus Posted August 31, 2016 Share Posted August 31, 2016 17 minutes ago, joewilly12 said: Maybe he has a career in boxing because so far he's shown me nothing as a football player. He looked great in the 2 games he played last year before getting injured. Lets see what he does this season. Saw an interview with Bowles talking about him the other day. Bowles called him a "workhorse". Bowles said he has battled back strong from season ending lisfranc injury last year and is just now getting back into playing shape (apparently he will play some snaps tomorrow for that reason). Will be interesting to see how Bowles ends up using him and Jenkins. From what i hear now both Catapano and Jenkins will see significant playing time in different formations. Curious to see how Catapano and Bishop look tomorrow. Definitely 2 guys to keep your eyes on tomorrow. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pcola Posted August 31, 2016 Share Posted August 31, 2016 Not for nothing, he did start last week in Jenkins spot so he is the next man up behind a rookie. I think he's pretty safe. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nostradamus Posted August 31, 2016 Share Posted August 31, 2016 9 minutes ago, Pcola said: Not for nothing, he did start last week in Jenkins spot so he is the next man up behind a rookie. I think he's pretty safe. Actually from what I heard (and from a very good source) he is the starter in 4-3 formations)....and its either him or Jenkins in 3-4 formations. Curious to see how he looks tomorrow. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Integrity28 Posted August 31, 2016 Share Posted August 31, 2016 1 hour ago, joewilly12 said: Maybe he has a career in boxing because so far he's shown me nothing as a football player. You have no idea what you're looking at, so that's cool. Kaep. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jet9 Posted August 31, 2016 Share Posted August 31, 2016 Fighter? Careful, Geno. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
New York Mick Posted August 31, 2016 Share Posted August 31, 2016 1 minute ago, Jet9 said: Fighter? Careful, Geno. Lol Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nostradamus Posted September 1, 2016 Share Posted September 1, 2016 1 hour ago, Jet9 said: Fighter? Careful, Geno. LMAO Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jetster Posted September 1, 2016 Share Posted September 1, 2016 He stood out last year in 2 games before getting hurt. Like I said before, when you have Pro Bowl talent like Mo, Leo & Sheldon, the accompanying guys just have to be 110%ers who hustle their azzes off & fight, bite & claw. Catapano fits that role. Good luck to him. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Maxman Posted September 1, 2016 Share Posted September 1, 2016 4 hours ago, joewilly12 said: Maybe he has a career in boxing because so far he's shown me nothing as a football player. Really? Kid showed a lot of promise before he got hurt. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CrazyCarl40 Posted September 1, 2016 Share Posted September 1, 2016 Guy is a decent role player for someone drafted in the 7th and cut by the Chiefs. His injury was a serious one, but to expect him to be a starter and thrive in that role is asking too much. But that's the state of our OLB corps right now. A couple of hopeful guys and a bunch of special teamers. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
joewilly12 Posted September 1, 2016 Share Posted September 1, 2016 4 minutes ago, Maxman said: Really? Kid showed a lot of promise before he got hurt. Not impressed so far also disappointed in Mauldin so far we need our LBs to make a statement stand out be noticed make plays. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Maxman Posted September 1, 2016 Share Posted September 1, 2016 1 hour ago, joewilly12 said: Not impressed so far also disappointed in Mauldin so far we need our LBs to make a statement stand out be noticed make plays. Well if you watched him in those games, he looked good. But a few games isn't enough hopefully he can stay healthy. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kevin L Posted September 1, 2016 Share Posted September 1, 2016 Plenty of tough choices coming up. A welcome change from recent years. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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