Jerricho Cotchery Agrees With Steelers, Heads To Jets' House Of Horrors
NEW YORK (WFAN/AP) – One week after Jerricho Cotchery was granted his requested release from the Jets, the wide receiver found a new home.
The 29-year-old fan favorite is headed to Heinz Field, the Pittsburgh Steelers' arena. Otherwise known as the Jets' house of horrors.
On December 19 last season, Gang Green won at Heinz, 22-17 -- for the first time ever. That's right, ever. For their Pittsburgh encore, one month later, the Jets lost to the Steelers in the AFC championship game.
The seven-year veteran, reportedly disrespected by the Jets, was released by the club last week. New York later signed 37-year-old veteran receiver Derrick Mason.
"I don't know how to look at it," Cotchery told the Newark Star-Ledger's Jenny Vrentas. "When I became a starter, I performed well as a starter. Last year, I just had a tough deal; a tough deal with a lot of things. I don't want to get into specifics with a lot of things. Everybody knows I had the injury, but it's more than just an injury."
Cotchery gives Pittsburgh some needed depth at wide receiver behind Mike Wallace and Hines Ward.
He has 358 career receptions, but his numbers fell considerably last season in New York. He hauled in just 41 passes in 14 games in 2010, his lowest reception total since he became a starter in 2006.
Pittsburgh has been in the market for a bigger receiver. The team failed to sign Plaxico Burress, who ended up with the Jets. The 6-foot-1 Cotchery will be the tallest proven wide out on the team when he joins the Steelers in training camp on Sunday.
Cotchery won't play in the preseason opener on Friday night against Washington, though his new teammates didn't wait to welcome him aboard.
"We welcome Jerricho Cotchery (sic)! Any man willing to put his hand in the pile is always welcome!" safety Ryan Clark posted on his Twitter page. "Going to be a lot different from the Jets though!"
Cotchery is hoping for a bigger role than the one he fulfilled in New York last season, where he became a second or third option for quarterback Mark Sanchez. He requested his release earlier this month after the team signed Burress and went after Mason.
Jets fans: are you still upset about Cotchery's release? Sound off in the comments below...
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