Fantasy Football Challenge - Football Fanatics Articles Archive

Enclosed in this archive is every bit of the action and updates that occurred in September 2003 within the world of fantasy football. You may want to read these articles for research on players in the coming year, or just check to see if we were way off base with our reporting. Whatever the reason, it's all here for your enjoyment.

Fantasy Football Challenge - September 2003 Fantasy Football Articles

Fantasy Football Challenge - September 2003 Fantasy Football Articles Archive

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for long.

"A lot of people thought I had retired," he said.

It wasnt so. Cut by Oakland late in the preseason, he was staying fit at his house in Los Angeles -- an out-of-work receiver waiting for a phone call that never came.

These days, Hatchette is back in the league, starting for the Jacksonville Jaguars. He caught a touchdown last week in the opener and is showing that his league-leading performance last spring in NFL Europe merited a spot on an NFL roster.

"He always felt he could play in this league, he went over to Europe to prove it and he did," head coach Jack Del Rio said.

Hatchettes is the rare story of a guy who returns to the league a full year after getting cut because nobody thinks he can play.

"I looked at a couple peoples situations, like Rich Gannon. He sat out a year," Hatchette said, referring to the Raiders quarterback, who didnt play in 1994. "But its not the same thing when its you whos going through it."

The trip to Europe was humbling. The league was established more for developing players or long shots looking for a first chance, and not so much for six-year veterans trying to resurrect careers.

Hatchette said this wasnt about the money because "you play for something like $1.50 a day." It was for an opportunity, and he shared his businesslike attitude with whoever listened.

"I told them to do everything here like they would do it in training camp," he said. "Youve got to treat it like the coach of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers is watching you every day. Some said this is NFL Europe, so were not going to treat it like the NFL. But I said you have to. You have to show a sense of consistency about yourself, and thats what I did over there."

Playing for the Amsterdam Admirals, Hatchette had 61 catches for 790 yards and seven touchdowns. He led the league in all three categories.

When he returned to the States, he found a journeyman receivers paradise in Jacksonville. The Jaguars were thin at the position and didnt use a draft pick to take a receiver.

"He came in here knowing he was going to

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