Cotchery Not Concerned About the ‘Title of Starter’
While receivers are stereotypically described as me-first divas, Cotchery has always stood out as more substance than flash. With the additions of both substance and flash in Braylon Edwards and Santonio Holmes, it’s worth wondering if Cotchery is getting edged out of how much he can contribute to this team.
JP Pelzman writes an article on Cotchery, exploring his role, which seems to be in question for the first time since 2006.
…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 a little quicker. J-Co beat a guy by like 10 yards.”
So Cotchery still has the talent that has helped him lead the Jets in receptions in each of the last three seasons. But come October, he might not be a starter.
That’s because the Jets obtained Super Bowl XLIII MVP Santonio Holmes in a trade with Pittsburgh in April. Holmes and Braylon Edwards, acquired from Cleveland last October, figure to be the starting receivers once Holmes returns from sitting out the first four regular-season games because of an NFL-imposed suspension. He will be eligible to return for the Monday night game against visiting Minnesota on Oct. 11.
“It’s just a title,” Cotchery said when asked about being a starter. “Everyone is going to get their opportunity to get out there and make plays. It doesn’t matter what anyone calls you. First guy off the bench or third guy, you’re playing in the game. You’re going to have the opportunity to go out there and help the offense put points on the board. The title of starter and all those things? It doesn’t matter.”
From a raw-talent perspective and how that plays out on the field in terms of stats, it’s going to be interesting. While Holmes and Edwards were higher draft picks (and thus are likely better “consensus” athletes) Cotchery’s drive, knowledge of this offense, and discipline can’t be understated as how they factor into working with a QB. Obviously, Edwards and Holmes have more “upside” comparatively, but it’s Cotchery’s intangibles *rolls eyes at self* that I think could be the difference.
Cotch goes on in this article to talk about learning the work ethic of a pro receiver from Wayne Chrebet. Not a bad guy to model oneself after.
Braylon Edwards also had a strong spring, so his numbers should be up this year. But his catch percentage will continue to be the issue. Holmes will be a major contributor, and was targeted 40 more times than either Edwards or Cotchery during the 2009 season in a more pass-focused offense, so it’s not like he’s not used to being a #1 or #1A type receiver.
There might be more talented players, but Cotchery to me is still this team’s first overall option until I see otherwise. Last year, Cotchery led the team with 97 intended targets, but it will be very interesting to me to follow who’s getting targeted in this offense over the course of the season, and who rises to the top by the end.
Until I see otherwise, I still think that Cotchery might have the best all-around year as a receiver. Maybe someone else will have more TDs, but I think he’s the steadiest option in terms of yards, receptions, TDs.
I’m rooting for Cotch, but I think we, the fans, will all be winners with this Murderer’s Row of receivers.
14 Responses to Cotchery Not Concerned About the ‘Title of Starter’
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Cotchery is all that but, Santonio Holmes is on another planet. Holmes was a great pick-up. Braylon is even more dangerous but, if he had Cotchery’s hands, there would be no stopping him.
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Cotchery is a better player than Edwards….hands down. It doesn’t matter what pick a WR was, or how fast and tall they are. Production on the field is what counts. Cotch produces.
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If Cotchery just plays the way Cotchery can play –he will get his fair share of balls thrown his way. When we go to three or four receiver formations — good luck, to our opponent. To have the luxury of a platoon system for receivers, without a drop-off in talent, is an awesome thing. As many of us have said, for most of the off-season — if Sanchez can take his game to the next level, this is going to be one great season. As I have always said, it will be up to Schottenheimer, to take full advantage of our Offensive ability. He might be the only one holding us back. We shall see.
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He is kinda like this era’s Curtis Martin in regards to how extremely dependable he is, and how low-key he goes about getting it done.. and if you ask me, no one gets it done better than Cotch..
Just look at some of the things he’s done to the Pats over the years.. one handed catches, rolling over the top of defenders and sprinting to the endzone when others think he was down, etc etc
Guys like Cotchery are my favorites
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i think the play of him rolling over that guy is still favorite play ever…does anyone have a link to that? i tried on youtube but couldnt find it!…he has no highlight tape what a shame.
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You can find it on nfl.com on the videos link. I can’t remember exactly how I found it but its there.
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Other guys may have more flash, but J-Co will have a major role in the offense. You can take that to the bank.
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I never viewed Cotchery as a number 1 receiever, however he is certainly as good as a Wes Welker as a second Receiver.Thing about the NFL is there should be no such thing as #1 receiver anyway.2 Wide Recevers always take the field and it depends on which side they prefer and the routes they take.Week 1-4 Edwards and Cotchery are the 2 receivers on each side of the ball with Coles in the slot.When Holmes gets back, Edwards and Holmes are the 2 Wide Outs with Cotchery moving to the slot.Cotchery depth wise has got to be the best Slot receiver in the NFL.Which 3rd receiver is better than Cotchery?
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Next season, the one and two receivers: Holmes and Cotchery. Edwards can be Santa at the Christmas party. There isn’t a single fan, that has been a Jets fan for more than one year, that doesn’t love Cotchery. He is THE MAN, hands down.
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J-Co is that unsung WR that may not always make that big TD catch but has a big part in getting the O down the field. Definitely a jersey worth buying instead of Tomlinson’s or Holmes or Edwards. In a few years that 89 jersey will have similar reverence to the #80 jersey.
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Love the Chrebet angle. I remember years keyshawn had better numbers except on third down. I just remember when we needed 9- 10 yrds you knew not only was Chrebet gonna catch it but he would get you 1 extra yard then was neede just to be sure. I see that in JCo. That confidence that he got it.
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Perhaps the most underrated Jet and among the most underrated in all of football. The guy is so sure-handed. He’s great even with average size and average speed. Just imagine if he had elite athletic measurables!
Cotchery is the number 1 IMO. The guy is as sure handed as anyone in the league. IDK why he doesn’t get the respect he deserves around the league, he is border line elite. It’s about time people around the league stop sleeping on this guy