Jerricho Cotchery Continues to Be a Productive Threat
Mandatory Credit: Mark Konezny-USA TODAY Sports
"Sometimes they have Ferraris out there and sometimes you’ve got Bentleys, … Jerricho [Cotchery] is a conversion van. He’s always going to be there. He’s going to tote the family well. He’s going to be safe. He makes every catch he’s supposed to and makes all the plays he should make. He’s an awesome player. He’s underrated in this league, but he’s eating people up in the slot.-Ryan Clark (via Scott Brown of ESPN.com)"
Antonio Brown had a terrific game against the Detroit Lions on Sunday afternoon, and the wide receiver has enjoyed a fantastic 2013 campaign overall from a productivity standpoint. As of now, Brown is the NFL-leader in receptions (74) and also leads his team in receiving yards (952). Despite his success in those particular areas, Pittsburgh’s “number one” pass-catcher however is only second on his team in touchdown catches at the moment.
The leader in that category is Jerricho Cotchery, and the crafty veteran is having one of his best professional seasons in recent memory. Although Cotchery currently ranks third on the team in receptions (34) and receiving yards (503), his seven touchdown receptions have been an enormous help to the Steelers.
As Pittsburgh’s “number three” guy behind Brown and Emmanuel Sanders, Cotchery has been a model of consistency and reliability for his offensive teammates. Like Clark mentioned above, he’s a “safe” player for Ben Roethlisberger to target and is an underrated threat in the Steelers’ passing game.
A great route-runner who has reliable hands and can run-block well, the veteran pass-catcher has been a focal point of Pittsburgh’s offense in recent weeks. Overall, Cotchery has hauled in 12 catches for 175 yards and five touchdowns including the game-clinching one versus the Lions yesterday.
Even though the Steelers are in a “rebuilding mode,” I for one hope that they can lock up Cotchery for another few seasons with a new contract during the spring. Remember, Emmanuel Sanders could be leaving for a more lucrative deal elsewhere next spring when he becomes a UFA.
If Sanders bolts, then the only depth on the roster behind Antonio Brown at the wide receiver position will be Markus Wheaton, Derek Moye, Justin Brown, and Kashif Moore. With that in mind, it certainly would not hurt the Steelers to hang on to Cotchery, and the offense could definitely use a productive pass-catcher to take the pressure off of the team’s other wide receivers.
So let’s hear it for the “compact van,” and let’s hope the front office can ink him to a new deal after this season comes to a close as well.
Stats & Contract Info. Provided By: ESPN.com, Steelers.com , Spotrac, and Pro Football Reference
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