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Jerricho Cotchery News & Rumors

Cotchery ready when the Steelers need him
December 26
Pittsburgh Tribune Review
 
"Jerricho Cotchery does a lot of things well, but exercising patience isn't among them. The veteran wide receiver spent the first half of this season waiting and watching from the sidelines. A tender hamstring limited his playing time, thus disrupting his transition into an evolving Steelers offense. It's not what Cotchery imagined when he signed a free-agent deal with the Steelers only days after Plaxico Burress opted to return to New York instead of Pittsburgh. Realistically, Cotchery accepted the role of trotter opposite the Steelers' thoroughbreds — Mike Wallace, Antonio Brown and Emmanuel Sanders. Cotchery appears to have hit his stride just in time as the Steelers (11-4) prepare for"
Steelers WRs Ward, Cotchery set for Week 10
November 11
Pittsburgh Tribune Review
 
"The Steelers' situation at receiver looks better Friday than it did earlier this week. Hines Ward and Jerricho Cotchery practiced Thursday and are expected both to play Sunday in Cincinnati. Ward was knocked out of last week's loss to the Baltimore Ravens with concussion-like symptoms. Cotchery didn't practice Wednesday because of a knee injury. "They're getting better, and it looks like they're going to make it," Steelers offensive coordinator Bruce Arians said. The Steelers don't have much margin for injury at the position. Emmanuel Sanders recently had minor knee surgery and is expected to miss two to three weeks. Arnaz Battle, the special teams captain, has yet to practice because of a"
Jerricho's injury walls come tumblin' down
September 24
Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
 
"It was a quick and successful start for Jerricho Cotchery after he signed with the Steelers two weeks into training camp. After averaging 51 catches and 645 yards in seven seasons with the New York Jets, his debut with the Steelers in the second preseason game was equally productive. Cotchery had two catches for 49 yards against the Philadelphia Eagles, including a 20-yard touchdown from Byron Leftwich. His arrival looked to be the finishing touch to a receiving corps that includes Hines Ward, Mike Wallace, Emmanuel Sanders and Antonio Brown. "When I first walked into the locker room in the preseason game and to see my name on a black-and-gold jersey, it was a sight," Cotchery said."
Cotchery: Steelers perfect fit
August 15
New York Post
 
"On his first day as a Steeler, Jerricho Cotchery explained why he chose to leave the Jets. "It was time for a change of scenery and the organization as well," Cotchery told the Pittsburgh media yesterday. "I didn't really see myself fitting in there. "People from the outside looking in say, 'Well, you've been there that long, obviously you're going to be a part of the future,' but I didn't really see it that way." Initially following Cotchery's release, it was assumed the Jets had made the move to open up a spot for free-agent wideout Derrick Mason, whom they eventually signed. But Jets coach Rex Ryan later said it was Cotchery who had requested to either be traded or released. Cotchery,"
Jerricho Cotchery says he didn't fit in with Jets
August 15
Newark Star-Ledger
 
"After seven seasons with the Jets, Jerricho Cotchery reported today to his new team, the Pittsburgh Steelers. The receiver, who asked the Jets for a trade or release after last season, addressed the media for the first time since the Jets granted his request Aug. 4. "It was time for a change, time for a change of scenery for myself and the organization as well," Cotchery told The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. "It was time to move on. Future-wise I didn't really see myself fitting in. "People on the outside looking in might say, well you been there that long, you're part of the future, but I didn't really see it that way. I think it would have been beneficial for both sides to move on.""
Cotchery settles in at camp
August 15
Pittsburgh Tribune Review
 
"The way Jerricho Cotchery tells it, he should have no trouble meshing with teammates who share a blue-collar sensibility. "My game is not pretty; it's not cute. My game is to get the job done," Cotchery, the Steelers' latest addition, said Sunday at St. Vincent College. "Whatever I have to do to help this team win the Super Bowl, I'm all for it." It is fitting that Cotchery plans to take a Hines Ward approach at his second NFL stop. The Steelers signed Cotchery to a one-year contract to provide experience at wide receiver along with Ward, their most tenured player. Cotchery, who was released by the New York Jets earlier this month, is also something of an insurance policy. The Steelers"
Cotchery finds Steelers the perfect place to catch on and build a future
August 15
Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
 
"Jerricho Cotchery was tired of being passed over when the New York Jets kept bringing in former Steelers receivers such as Santonio Holmes and Plaxico Burress. At 29, he felt he had no future with the team that had its Super Bowl hopes dashed seven months ago in the AFC championship at Heinz Field. So, even though he was scheduled to earn nearly $2 million this season with the Jets, Cotchery asked for his release and jumped to the team he always has quietly admired. And the Steelers are glad to have him. Cotchery brings experience and depth to a position loaded with young talent and gives the Steelers a fifth receiver who is proven and productive in the NFL. "I'm just here to help the team"
Ex-Jets receiver Cotchery to sign with Steelers: report
August 12
New York Post
 
"Jerricho Cotchery will go from the Jets to the team that ended their season last year. According to an ESPN.com report, Cotchery will sign a one-year deal with the Steelers on Thursday. The Jets released the receiver last week after the team began bringing in other options at the position. Cotchery -- coming off back surgery -- will play behind Mike Wallace and Hines Ward in Pittsburgh. The Jets signed 37-year-old Derrick Mason to replace Cotchery, 29, who played the first eight seasons of his career with the Jets."
Jerricho Cotchery agrees to contract with Pittsburgh Steelers after Jets grant receiver release
August 12
New York Daily News
 
"Former Jets wideout Jerricho Cotchery has a new home. Cotchery, who asked to be released from the Jets last week, agreed to terms on a contract with the Pittsburgh Steelers . He had played his first seven seasons with Gang Green. Last season, Cotchery caught 41 passes in 14 games, his lowest reception total since he became a starter in 2006. He became dispensable following the free-agent frenzy. The Jets signed Santonio Holmes to a five-year, $50 million deal once the lockout was lifted, then added wideout Plaxico Burress for $3 million guaranteed. Cotchery, who underwent back surgery for a disk injury in the offseason, wanted a better role than being a third option at best."
Steelers sign Cotchery
August 12
Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
 
"The Steelers today agreed to a one-year deal with former New York Jets wide receiver Jerricho Cotchery. Cotchery had visited the Steelers training camp earlier in the week but left without a contract. He is expected to fill a reserve role with the team, most likely as their fifth receiver behind Hines Ward, Mike Wallace, Emmanuel Sanders and Antonio Brown.

The Jets released Cotchery, 29, last week. Cotchery was drafted by the Jets in the fourth round out of North Carolina State in 2004. He has 353 career catches for 4,474 yards and 18 touchdowns."

Veteran WR Cotchery plugs key slot
August 12
Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
 
"Former New York Jets wide receiver Jerricho Cotchery left Saint Vincent College Monday without signing a contract with the Steelers. He wanted to see if he could find a better situation than the Steelers, who wanted him to be the fifth receiver. But, after visiting Baltimore, Cotchery changed his mind and signed a multiyear contract Thursday with the Steelers. He will not be with the team for the preseason opener tonight against the Washington Redskins in Landover, Md., and is not expected to join them until the Steelers return to training camp Sunday. The Steelers were seeking a veteran for the slot, and Cotchery, who played all eight of his NFL seasons with the New York Jets, fits the"
Steelers reach deal with reciever Cotchery
August 12
Pittsburgh Tribune Review
 
"The Steelers agreed to terms with veteran receiver Jerricho Cotchery on a one-year contract Thursday, a team spokesman said. Cotchery, released by the New York Jets last week, visited the Steelers on Sunday. The receiver met with the Baltimore Ravens on Wednesday. The Steelers have been looking for a veteran receiver to pair with Hines Ward and complement their young receiving corps of Emmanuel Sanders, Antonio Brown and Mike Wallace. The Steelers were interested in Plaxico Burress before the former Steeler signed with the Jets. The Jets drafted Cotchery, 29, in the fourth round in 2004. He has 358 career receptions for 4,514 yards and 18 touchdowns. Cotchery, who had offseason back"
Former Jets wide receiver Cotchery will join Steelers
August 11
Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
 
"Several days after he left Saint Vincent College without a deal, former New York Jets wide receiver Jerricho Cotchery has changed his mind and agreed to a contract with the Steelers."
Source: Cotchery won't be joining Ravens
August 11
Baltimore Sun
 
"Free-agent wide reciever Jerricho Cotchery won't be joining the Ravens, a league source said. Cotchery, a long-time receiver for the New York Jets, visited the Ravens on Tuesday. The team let Cotchery leave without signing him to a contract. There were no problems with Cotchery's physical, another source added. Cotchery is coming off back surgery in February."
Jets coaches wish Jerricho Cotchery best after release
August 9
Newark Star-Ledger
 
"During Brian Schottenheimer's tenure with the Jets, receiver Jerricho Cotchery had always been a part of the roster. Until last week, that is, when Cotchery was released after his request to part ways with the Jets. "Jerricho is one of my favorite guys I've ever coached," said Schottenheimer, the offensive coordinator. "I love him; I love his family. But it's part of the business, and you get used to it. ... We wish him nothing but the best." After seven seasons with the Jets, Cotchery asked to be traded after the 2010 season because he felt under-appreciated, The Star-Ledger reported last week. Cotchery had been a starter for four seasons but yielded to Santonio Holmes early last season."
Cotchery to visit Ravens on Tuesday
August 9
Baltimore Sun
 
"Free-agent wide receiver Jerricho Cotchery will visit the Ravens on Tuesday, two days after he met with the Pittsburgh Steelers. It's unknown whether the Ravens will sign him. A source said last weekend that Cotchery has shown interest in joining the Ravens, but the team is still gauging whether to add him to wide receiver group that is topped by Anquan Boldin and two rookies (Torrey Smith and Tandon Doss)."
Ravens could turn to Cotchery after losing Mason to Jets
August 7
Baltimore Sun
 
"Derrick Mason chose to sign with the New York Jets over the Ravens, who could now turn to Jerricho Cotchery to provide experience to the wide receiver group. Mason, 37, was the Ravens' all-time leader in receptions and receiving yards. The Ravens released him last week to create $4.5 million in salary-cap room. "After a lot of very thoughtful and careful consideration, conversations with my family and prayer, I have decided to sign with the New York Jets," Mason said. "I'm looking forward to working under Rex and rejoining some familiar faces." The Ravens have now lost out on two wide receivers -- Malcom Floyd and Mason -- in a span of 24 hours. The next receiver on their list is"
Jets lose another good guy in Jerricho Cotchery
August 5
Bergen Record
 columnist Tara Sullivan
"It wasn't his final play as a Jet, it didn't represent any last-second heroics, and in the haze of another abbreviated run toward the Super Bowl, a labor lockout and a cold, quick end to his New York career, it is a play that could easily be forgotten. Yet, it was a play that said everything about what Jerricho Cotchery has been about across seven seasons in green, a play that his inherited coach showed the entire team at the next-morning's meeting as the embodiment of what it means to fulfill the overused mantra of "playing like a Jet." A quick reminder: This was last November, Jets in Cleveland, overtime. New York at its own 37-yard line, facing third-and-9. Quarterback Mark Sanchez"
Jets release veteran receiver Cotchery
August 5
New York Post
 
"The Jets and longtime wide receiver Jerricho Cotchery said goodbye yesterday, but the reasons are as hard to decipher as coach Rex Ryan's tattoo. The team said Cotchery asked to be released, which the Jets did late yesterday afternoon. Cotchery, speaking a few hours before the release, said he had been told he would be released if the team signed Derrick Mason, who was visiting the Jets and was undergoing a physical. The Jets still are believed to be ready to sign Mason, but announced nothing last night. After the team released Cotchery, Ryan told reporters that Cotchery wanted out. He said Mason was not the reason Cotchery was released. "He asked for a trade or to be released and that's"
Jets release Cotchery; expected to sign Mason
August 5
New York Post
 
"The Jets released Jerricho Cotchery on Thursday, and are expected to replace him with another veteran receiver, Derrick Mason. A somber Cotchery said the Jets plan on releasing him if Mason passes a physical with the team Thursday. The Jets have yet to announce signing Mason. In a twist, Jets coach Rex Ryan said Cotchery asked to be released or traded. Both he and quarterback Mark Sanchez said they tried to talk Cotchery into changing his mind. Cotchery has been with the Jets since 2004. He said he wanted to spend his entire career as a Jet but that's not going to happen now. Cotchery said he expected to be released Thursday. "I loved being a Jet," Cotchery said. "The main thing right now"
Jerricho Cotchery taking advantage of re-opening of team facilities
April 29
Newark Star-Ledger
 
"Jerricho Cotchery reported to the Jets facility today, with a far more satisfying outcome than his trip in on Tuesday. The receiver met new strength and conditioning coach Bill Hughan. He discussed his rehab from offseason back surgery with head athletic trainer John Mellody. He got in the hot tub, used the training room and was headed to the cold tub after speaking with reporters. The NFL opened its doors to players this morning, and while there is still lingering uncertainty with the legal battle not yet over, Cotchery preferred to enjoy the moment after being locked out for nearly seven weeks. Also reporting to Jets headquarters were right guard Brandon Moore, linebackers David Harris"
Cotchery played in pain
March 24
New York Post
 
"Jets receiver Jerricho Cotchery played the 2010 season with a herniated disk and underwent back surgery on Feb. 3, according to an ESPN.com report. Perhaps that explains the team-high eight passes Cotchery dropped during the season, uncharacteristic for him. Cotchery, 28, told ESPN.comthat doctors "shaved off" the piece of the disc that was pressing against a nerve. He told the website that the condition was at its worst in October."
Jets WR Jerricho Cotchery rehabbing from offseason back surgery
March 24
Newark Star-Ledger
 
"Jets receiver Jerricho Cotchery is rehabbing from offseason back surgery, a person with direct knowledge of his physical condition confirmed. That person requested anonymity because the team has not announced Cotchery's injury. ESPNNewYork.com first reported that Cotchery had a procedure to relieve a herniated disc in his back that he played with during the 2010 season. Cotchery is rehabbing at a facility in New Jersey while players are locked out of the team headquarters in the current labor impasse. Cotchery told ESPNNewYork.com that his condition worsened midway through the season and caused shooting pain down his leg. "It wasn't a good feeling," Cotchery told ESPNNewYork.com. "It was"
Cotchery doesn't grab attention, just key receptions
January 18
New York Post
 
"Largely overshadowed by brash fellow receivers Santonio Holmes and Braylon Edwards, Jerricho Cotchery doesn't do choreographed celebrations or headlinegrabbing trash-talk. All he seems to do is play — and help the Jets win. That's what he did in the divisional playoff upset in New England, and that's what he plans to do in Sunday's AFC Championship Game in Pittsburgh. "A lot of satisfaction goes into that [win at New England]. A lot of people said we were the team that got beat 45-3, but all along we were saying we weren't that. To go out there and show we are who we thought we were, it feels good," Cotchery said. "Our goal is to win the Super Bowl. We're going to prepare like crazy this"
Jerricho Cotchery the silent weapon
January 17
Bergen Record
 
"Jerricho Cotchery doesn't get quite as much attention as fellow wide receivers Braylon Edwards and Santonio Holmes. But maybe the Patriots should have paid more attention to him on one fourth-quarter play. Cotchery turned a short pass from Mark Sanchez into a 58-yard gain, which led to Sanchez's third touchdown pass three plays later. Cotchery's big play swung the momentum back to the Jets after New England had trimmed their lead to three points. "We knew we had to answer," Cotchery said. "We had to answer on that drive. On that play, Mark and I were on the same page and it just blew open. I stayed on the move. He expected me to stay on the move, and after that I was just trying to make a"
Overlooked Cotchery makes some noise
January 17
New York Post
 
"The Quiet Man had a loud night. "This is time everyone is looking for a spark, and this entire year I've just been trying to get into a groove," Jerricho Cotchery said after helping the Jets beat the Patriots 28-21 in an AFC divisional playoff last night. "I haven't been able to get into a groove, and I think the last game against Buffalo in the regular season, being able to play when the starters were out, that allowed me to kinda get my feel back." Cotchery, an unsung and unappreciated hero, had five catches for 96 yards as he gave Mark Sanchez a formidable target over the middle."
Jerricho Cotchery hopes he's ready
November 30
Bergen Record
 
"Wide receiver Jerricho Cotchery practiced on a limited basis Monday. Cotchery has missed the last two games because of a torn left groin muscle suffered at Cleveland on Nov. 14, but seemed optimistic about playing Monday at New England, although he didn't come out and say anything definitive. "You've got to read between the lines on this one," Cotchery advised reporters. "Division game, [both teams] 9-2, a lot on the line. "I definitely feel a lot better," said Cotchery, who said he ran some routes in practice and did some cutting. "Hopefully, I'll be out there on the field. I want to be out there with my teammates. These last five games are very crucial to our season. Everyone wants to be"
Jets WR Jerricho Cotchery ruled out; RT Damien Woody probable vs. Bengals
November 25
Newark Star-Ledger
 
"Tuesday, coach Rex Ryan said he thought RT Damien Woody had a better chance of playing against the Bengals than WR Jerricho Cotchery. Today, the Jets ruled Cotchery (groin) out, and Woody (knee) is listed as questionable. That designation means there's a 50-50 chance he will play, though he did not practice today. Woody sustained an MCL sprain in his right knee against the Texans, but an MRI revealed no structural damage. "I guess there's always risk of further injury, but our focus is winning this game," Ryan said Tuesday. "It's not about resting players. If Damien can go, then we're going to play him.""
Groin injury puts Jets' Cotchery on sidelines
November 20
New York Post
 
"As expected, the Jets ruled wide receiver Jerricho Cotchery, who has a groin injury, out for tomorrow's game against Houston. But closing the door on Cotchery just opened it for others, including versatile Brad Smith, who could take a bigger receiving role and big Patrick Turner, who was called up from the practice squad. "I worked as hard as I could to give myself a chance to play this week, but didn't make enough progress, wasn't able to do enough stuff on the field," said Cotchery, who had to be convinced to sit. "It was very wise. I'm going to continue to work to get my groin better and have a chance of playing next week. "Sometimes you have to hear someone else to get you out of the"
Sources: Cotchery won't take field this week
November 19
New York Post
 
"The Jets have not publicly ruled injured receiver Jerricho Cotchery out for Sunday's game, but according to sources, he won't play. In fact, that the Jets are set to sign receiver Patrick Turner off the practice squad is an indication they're preparing to play the next two games without Cotchery, who suffered a partial tear of his left groin last Sunday. Cotchery said yesterday that he lightly jogged for the first time this week. He called that "progress," and said he feels a lot better than he did Sunday and Monday. But, he said, he hasn't done any position work. "That's the final exam," Cotchery said. "You've got to be able to do some position stuff before you go out there on Sunday. You"
Jets receiver Jerricho Cotchery's overtime catch still talk of team
November 16
Newark Star-Ledger
 
"Jerricho Cotchery hovered near the first-down marker at midfield in overtime Sunday, hobbling on a groin that an MRI would later reveal as slightly torn. As Jets quarterback Mark Sanchez evaded a pass rush, the banged-up receiver became the primary target. Sanchez pointed, and fired. Cotchery leapt, fully extended, and came down with the grab, on third-and-9. It was what coach Rex Ryan would come to call something "I've never seen in all the years I've been coaching." It was the main attraction in a screening of video highlight reel called "Play like a Jet" - an assortment of plays Ryan feels embody the style of football he wants from his players. It remained the talk of the locker room a"
Cotchery 'playing like a Jet'
November 16
Bergen Record
 
"Mark Sanchez was in a familiar place Sunday against Cleveland, out of the pocket and on the run. He was motioning Jerricho Cotchery to move with him to get open. Only problem was, Cotchery really could not. Cotchery felt a pull in his left groin during a play in overtime, and momentarily had to stop his pass route. "I was hobbling around out there," Cotchery recalled Monday, "and just saw Mark scramble out of the pocket and I was like, 'Don't look at me!' but he did. He told me to slide the other way, and I'm like, 'I can't.' " Nonetheless, Cotchery not only kept going despite the injury, he dove and made a 10-yard catch while fully extended, giving the Jets a first down at midfield. That"
Jets in awe of Jerricho's diving Cotch
November 16
New York Post
 
"Jerricho Cotchery was the center of attention yesterday -- for a couple of reasons. First, an MRI exam revealed the Jets receiver has a slight tear to his left groin, an injury he suffered while running a route during overtime of Sunday's 26-20 win over the Browns. He is likely to miss Sunday's game against the Texans, though the team has not ruled him out. Second, Cotchery was featured in coach Rex Ryan's weekly "Play Like a Jet" film segment, which he plays for the entire team to showcase an above-and-beyond play. That play happened to be Cotchery's acrobatic diving catch on a third-and-nine in overtime that came right after he tore his groin. It was the buzz of the locker room. Right"
Jerricho Cotchery suffers groin injury, will have MRI today
November 15
Newark Star-Ledger
 (scroll down)
"Receiver Jerricho Cotchery injured his groin on a 10-yard catch in overtime that converted third down. He actually injured his groin before making the catch, when he made a break to try to shed the defender. "The gutsiest play I've seen in a long, long time," Ryan said. Cotchery, who was hooked up to a steam machine in the locker room, could not finish the game and sounded worried about the injury."
Cotchery anxious to put drops behind him
November 7
New York Post
 
"Jerricho Cotchery spent the week with a look of angst and anticipation on his face. Cotchery, who's not just the most dependable receiver on the Jets he's perhaps the most dependable player on the roster, has been stewing over his uncharacteristic multi-drop performance in the Jets loss to the Packers last Sunday. That left him desperate to get back onto the field and erase the taste of the last game. "I wish I could have played a game the very next day," Cotchery said. He called the Packers game, in which he had at least two critical drops in the fourth quarter alone, perhaps his worst game as a pro. "It was nothing I'm used to," he said. "But everything isn't 'Pleasantville.' You can't"
Cotchery fine with his role
August 13
Bergen Record
 
"On the star-studded, big-name, camera-ready Jets' roster, Jerricho Cotchery can be easy to miss. He doesn't have his own TV or radio show. He wasn't obtained in a blockbuster, headline-making trade. And his nickname, J-Co, while catchy, is fairly obvious. But underestimate Cotchery at your own risk, as coach Rex Ryan recently noted. "We had two deep passes by [Mark] Sanchez [in which] he underthrew" Cotchery, Ryan said after a recent practice, adding that he "told Jerricho, 'If Sanchez throws a ball like that to you, when you're that open, just signal fair catch. Don't take the hit. Just signal fair catch.' [Cotchery] looked at me like I was crazy, but Sanchez has to get the ball out there"
Cotchery: We need TJ back
January 26
New York Post
 
"One of the most resounding messages out of the Jets locker room yesterday came from one of their most reserved, soft-spoken players. "I think the NFL is very aware of the New York Jets right now," receiver Jerricho Cotchery said. "We're starting to build something special around here. We played the way we talked about playing in the beginning of the offseason when Rex [Ryan] first got here. We'll continue to do that." Cotchery made a plea for the Jets to keep 31-year-old running back Thomas Jones, who appeared to slow late in the year despite having a terrific 1,402-yard rushing season with 14 touchdowns. With the emergence of rookie Shonn Greene, speculation about Jones' future has"
Call Jets' Jerricho Cotchery, Kerry Rhodes and Chargers' Philip Rivers the 'Bama Boys
January 17
New York Daily News
 
"Joe Pate has been recruiting high-school football players for 30 years in the Deep South, mainly in his home state of Alabama. He knows the country roads and small towns as well as the back of a Waffle House menu, and he can say for sure that no stretch of highway treated him better than Interstate 65 in the fall and winter of 2000. A North Carolina State assistant coach at the time, Pate signed two recruits that would change the face of his program - a quarterback-wide receiver tandem that tormented ACC defenses for four years. Sunday, they are rivals in the AFC divisional playoffs. The old coach signed Jerricho Cotchery from Phillips High School in Birmingham and Philip Rivers of Athens"
Cotchery, Rivers have ex-coach Amato's attention
January 15
New York Post
 
"few years ago, when Chuck Amato was Jerricho Cotchery's head coach at North Carolina State, he told NFL teams the wideout had enough speed to make plays downfield, despite concerns to the contrary. "Every time we throw the ball downfield, for some reason, for a slow guy, he comes down with the football all the time," Amato said he told those teams. Amato coached Cotchery, now in his sixth season with the Jets, and quarterback Philip Rivers, now a Pro-Bowler with San Diego, for all four of their years at N.C. State. This weekend, Amato's two former players will face off in San Diego when the Jets play the Chargers for the right to head to the AFC title game. Amato, who coached the Wolfpack"
Cotchery hungers for Rivers payback
January 12
New York Post
 
"The way Jerricho Cotchery sees it, he owes Philip Rivers one. Cotchery, the Jets receiver, and Rivers, the Chargers quarterback, starred together at North Carolina State and also were high school rivals growing up in Alabama. The two meet again on Sunday in San Diego when the Jets play the Chargers in the AFC divisional playoff game. "It is a little weird, because we're very familiar with each other and the chemistry we had at N.C. State was unbelievable," Cotchery said yesterday. "I still owe him from high school, though, because he knocked me out in the second round of the playoffs my senior year, and that still hurts. I still remember that and I'm sure he still remembers that as well."
Ex-mates, rivals face off
January 11
New York Post
 
"Jerricho Cotchery caught 21 of Philip Rivers' 95 touchdown passes at North Carolina State. Cotchery, at Phillips High in Birmingham, also competed against Rivers of Athens High in the basketball playoffs. "It was my job to stay on him the whole game," Cotchery told me last year. "He was a great shooter, so I knew I had to stay in his face the whole game. I couldn't even let him breathe. We won by almost 30 points.""
Page turner
November 23
Boston Globe
 
"Late last Sunday, before the Patriots escaped the visitors' locker room at Lucas Oil Stadium, coach Bill Belichick spoke to his players. The sting of that night had to stay there. "He told us to press on,'' cornerback Jonathan Wilhite said. On Monday, Junior Seau gave his teammates an imperative. "Have a short memory,'' he said. When the Patriots gathered Wednesday for their first practice since their meltdown against the Colts, Belichick was convinced the Patriots had taken only one thing from the game. "We couldn't let last week beat us twice,'' linebacker Adalius Thomas said."
Patriots corner favorite target of Mark Sanchez
November 23
Boston Herald
 
"Leigh Bodden experienced every cornerback's fantasy play in the Patriots' 31-14 dismantling of the New York Jets yesterday at Gillette Stadium. In the first quarter, Bodden nimbly slipped between Jets quarterback Mark Sanchez and intended target Jerricho Cotchery, and returned the first of his three interceptions 53 yards for the game's opening touchdown. Bodden routinely rehearses the pick-six play in practice, anticipating the moment when a quarterback throws a short sideline pass. He saw nothing but open field at the onset of his touchdown run, and he outlegged Sanchez at the end of it. "I went for it, caught it and the rest is history," said Bodden. "I pretty much knew I had six and I"
Leigh Bodden takes his pick
November 23
Boston Herald
 
"The Patriots defense made Jets quarterback Mark Sanchez look like the rookie he is in yesterday's 31-14 romp at Gillette Stadium, picking the first-year signal-caller off four times. Cornerback Leigh Bodden tied a team record with three picks, none bigger than his first of the day, which he returned 53 yards to give the Pats a quick 7-0 advantage. On third-and-8 from the Jets 46, Sanchez took the snap in the shotgun and locked in exclusively on wide receiver Jerricho Cotchery, who was 7 yards downfield in the left flat."
Jets look for big returns from new special teamers
November 20
New York Post
 
"With just a couple of days separating the Jets from the most important game of their season, they're still sorting out their kickoff and punt returners for Sunday in New England. With safety Jim Leonhard (fractured thumb) not able to return punts, it looks as if receiver Jerricho Cotchery will return punts against the Patriots. Cotchery, who returned kickoffs early in his career, approached special teams coach Mike Westhoff and asked to return punts and, according to Westhoff, looks like the best option. "He's sure-handed and completely smooth back there," Westhoff said. When the Jets use their two-man return tandem, it looks as if receiver Brad Smith will be the second player back for"
Ground Green needs air support
November 1
New York Post
 columnist George Willis
"When Brian Schottenheimer first saw Jerricho Cotchery was healthy enough to play in today's game against the Dolphins at the Meadowlands, the Jets offensive coordinator admitted he got a "warm and fuzzy" feeling. It meant for the first time since the Jets acquired Braylon Edwards from the Browns, they would have their top two receivers at full strength in an offense that needs to be more than one-dimensional. Sure, the Jets will take their bows for being just the second NFL team in five decades to rush for more than 300 yards in back-to-back games. But, ultimately, they envision having an offense that not only can ground-and-pound opponents, but also riddle them with air strikes as well."
Cotchery excited to return
October 31
New York Post
 
"Jerricho Cotchery was limited in practice yesterday and is listed as questionable with a hamstring injury. But he will be ready to go tomorrow vs. Miami, and should provide a healthy partnership with Braylon Edwards for the first time since Gang Green traded for Edwards. Cotchery got hurt during Edwards' first Jets practice, and was limited to one catch for four yards in part-time duty off the bench in the Monday Night loss in Miami. After missing the Buffalo and Oakland games, Cotchery is set to return for tomorrow's rematch. "It's tough sitting on the sidelines watching, not having a chance to get out there and help your team. To finally be back out there with those guys, it feels good,""
Hamstring injury will sideline Cotchery again
October 24
New York Post
 
"The Jets had hoped to get Jerricho Cotchery back from his hamstring injury in time to play tomorrow in Oakland, but the starting wide receiver will miss his second straight week. Considering the passing game fell apart last week -- with Gang Green throwing six interceptions -- that cannot be good news. "Jerricho's not going to be able to play this week," coach Rex Ryan said yesterday. "I was hoping Jerricho [would] be able to do it, but to make that trip all the way out there, we feel it's best for him to stay back and rehab. . . . He's not going to play. "I did [think he could play]. I was hoping. He was getting better, but we definitely don't want this happening all the time, and each"
Jets wide receivers Cotchery and Smith to miss second straight game
October 23
Newark Star-Ledger
 
"Jets wide receivers Jerricho Cotchery (hamstring) and Brad Smith (quad) each won't play for the second week in a row, coach Rex Ryan said Friday morning. Cotchery, whom Ryan had hoped would play, will shut it down with the hope of being 100 percent next week against the Dolphins. David Clowney will replace him in the starting lineup. "We think it's best he stays here and rehab and we get him 100 percent for next week," said Ryan. "We don't want this to be a thing that happens all the time." Ryan said Smith has been slow to heal and there's a chance he could be out next week as well."