Jerricho Cotchery
Encyclopedia
Cotchery was selected by the New York Jets
in the fourth round (108th overall) of the 2004 NFL draft
.
In 2005, Jerricho entered the season as the fourth string wide receiver, but following an injury to Wayne Chrebet
, he moved up the depth chart to third string. In 16 games (with one start), he caught 19 passes for 251 yards. He returned 4 kicks for 105 yards (26.3 yard average) and 23 punts for 182 yards (7.9 yard average).
Fellow Jets WR Justin McCareins showed up for training camp for the 2006 season
and failed his physical, landing in new head coach Eric Mangini
's doghouse. Mangini promoted Cotchery to be the second starting receiver opposite Laveranues Coles
calling him "most outstanding player in our offseason program." Cotchery responded with 82 catches (tied for 16th in the NFL) and 961 yards (22nd). Many of his catches were spectacular or in important situations. Much of his success comes from his remarkable ability to gain yards after a catch.
The Jets made the playoffs as a wild card team behind Cotchery's strong play in 2006. Cotchery had 100 receiving yards and a touchdown in the Jets' wild-card weekend loss to the New England Patriots
.
Cotchery signed a multi-year extension with the Jets on March 1, 2007.
Former Jets head coach Herm Edwards admitted he regretted not playing Cotchery more while he was head coach of the NY Jets.
Cotchery made 57 catches for 821 yards in 2009. Although he only had 3 touchdowns, he was a very important player for rookie quarterback Mark Sanchez
to throw to. His most impressive touchdown of the season was against the New England Patriots in Week 11, where he caught a 29 yard touchdown pass in a tight space at the edge of the endzone. In Week 17 facing the Cincinnati Bengals, Cotchery caught numerous passes and fought for yardage that made the running game more fluid. He then caught a pass from Mark Sanchez and ran it in for a touchdown, but it was a rushing touchdown.
After several seasons, Cotchery was released by the Jets on August 4, 2011.
on August 11, 2011 after he had met with the team at training camp the previous week.
Cotchery is married to his wife, Mercedes whom he married a month after being selected by the Jets in 2004
. The couple adopted their daughter, Jacey, in 2007.
Cotchery majored in Sports Management at North Carolina State.
New York Jets
The New York Jets are a professional football team headquartered in Florham Park, New Jersey, representing the New York metropolitan area. The team is a member of the Eastern Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League...
in the fourth round (108th overall) of the 2004 NFL draft
2004 NFL Draft
The 2004 NFL Draft was the procedure by which National Football League teams selected amateur college football players. It is officially known as the NFL Annual Player Selection Meeting. The draft was held April 24-25, 2004 at the theater at Madison Square Garden...
.
New York Jets
In 2004, Cotchery caught 6 passes for 60 yards in 12 games (with no starts) as the team's 5th receiver. As a kick returner, he had 13 returns for 362 yards (27.8 yard average) and one touchdown.In 2005, Jerricho entered the season as the fourth string wide receiver, but following an injury to Wayne Chrebet
Wayne Chrebet
Wayne Chrebet is a former football player who played 11 seasons as a wide receiver for the New York Jets of the NFL from 1995 to 2005.- High school and college career :...
, he moved up the depth chart to third string. In 16 games (with one start), he caught 19 passes for 251 yards. He returned 4 kicks for 105 yards (26.3 yard average) and 23 punts for 182 yards (7.9 yard average).
Fellow Jets WR Justin McCareins showed up for training camp for the 2006 season
2006 New York Jets season
The 2006 New York Jets season began with the team trying to improve on their 4–12 record in 2005. The season marked the first for rookie head coach Eric Mangini, who replaced Herman Edwards after the latter left the Jets to coach the Kansas City Chiefs...
and failed his physical, landing in new head coach Eric Mangini
Eric Mangini
Eric Mangini is the former head coach of the Cleveland Browns and New York Jets of the National Football League and current NFL analyst for ESPN.-College:...
's doghouse. Mangini promoted Cotchery to be the second starting receiver opposite Laveranues Coles
Laveranues Coles
Laveranues Leon Coles is an American football wide receiver who is currently a free agent. He was drafted by the New York Jets in the third round of the 2000 NFL Draft. He played college football at Florida State University....
calling him "most outstanding player in our offseason program." Cotchery responded with 82 catches (tied for 16th in the NFL) and 961 yards (22nd). Many of his catches were spectacular or in important situations. Much of his success comes from his remarkable ability to gain yards after a catch.
The Jets made the playoffs as a wild card team behind Cotchery's strong play in 2006. Cotchery had 100 receiving yards and a touchdown in the Jets' wild-card weekend loss to the New England Patriots
New England Patriots
The New England Patriots, commonly called the "Pats", are a professional football team based in the Greater Boston area, playing their home games in the town of Foxborough, Massachusetts at Gillette Stadium. The team is part of the East Division of the American Football Conference in the National...
.
Cotchery signed a multi-year extension with the Jets on March 1, 2007.
Former Jets head coach Herm Edwards admitted he regretted not playing Cotchery more while he was head coach of the NY Jets.
Cotchery made 57 catches for 821 yards in 2009. Although he only had 3 touchdowns, he was a very important player for rookie quarterback Mark Sanchez
Mark Sanchez
Mark Travis John Sanchez is an American football quarterback for the New York Jets of the National Football League . He was drafted in the first round of the 2009 NFL Draft as the fifth overall selection by the Jets and the second quarterback taken overall...
to throw to. His most impressive touchdown of the season was against the New England Patriots in Week 11, where he caught a 29 yard touchdown pass in a tight space at the edge of the endzone. In Week 17 facing the Cincinnati Bengals, Cotchery caught numerous passes and fought for yardage that made the running game more fluid. He then caught a pass from Mark Sanchez and ran it in for a touchdown, but it was a rushing touchdown.
After several seasons, Cotchery was released by the Jets on August 4, 2011.
Pittsburgh Steelers
Cotchery agreed to a one-year deal with the Pittsburgh SteelersPittsburgh Steelers
The Pittsburgh Steelers are a professional football team based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. The team currently belongs to the North Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League . Founded in , the Steelers are the oldest franchise in the AFC...
on August 11, 2011 after he had met with the team at training camp the previous week.
Personal life
Cotchery was born with six fingers on his left hand. He is the second youngest out of 13 children. On May 30, 1998, Cotchery was in a car accident. He lost a lot of blood through several cuts on his arms, hands and head. Cotchery still has scars on his wrists and hands, and as of 2008, shards of glass continue to work their way up and out of his skin.Cotchery is married to his wife, Mercedes whom he married a month after being selected by the Jets in 2004
2004 NFL Draft
The 2004 NFL Draft was the procedure by which National Football League teams selected amateur college football players. It is officially known as the NFL Annual Player Selection Meeting. The draft was held April 24-25, 2004 at the theater at Madison Square Garden...
. The couple adopted their daughter, Jacey, in 2007.
Cotchery majored in Sports Management at North Carolina State.
Community work
- He established the Cotchery Foundation in 2007 to “inspire children to conceive and achieve goals by providing programs and services designed to enhance their futures.”
- He is a recipient of the Jets' 2007 Marty LyonsMarty LyonsMartin Anthony Lyons is a former American Football defensive tackle who played his entire eleven year career from 1979 to 1989 with the New York Jets of the National Football League...
Award for community service. - He also hosted a one-day Skills & Drills Football Clinic at Legion FieldLegion FieldLegion Field is a large stadium in Birmingham, Alabama, United States, primarily designed to be used as a venue for American football, but is occasionally used for other large outdoor events. The stadium is named in honor of the American Legion, a U.S. organization of military veterans. At its peak...
in Birmingham, AlabamaBirmingham, AlabamaBirmingham is the largest city in Alabama. The city is the county seat of Jefferson County. According to the 2010 United States Census, Birmingham had a population of 212,237. The Birmingham-Hoover Metropolitan Area, in estimate by the U.S...
, with teammate and fellow Alabama native Kerry RhodesKerry RhodesKerry Rhodes is an American football safety for the Arizona Cardinals of the National Football League. He was drafted by the New York Jets in the fourth round of the 2005 NFL Draft...
in 2007. - He is also a winner of the Jets' 2006 Kyle CliftonKyle CliftonKyle Clifton was a linebacker who played thirteen seasons in the National Football League for the New York Jets. He led the NFL in tackles with 199 in 1988. His career totals are 1,484 tackles, 5.5 sacks, 12 interceptions,and 37 pass deflections.He was number 59....
Good Guy Award, which recognizes consistent willingness, cooperation and professionalism in everyday dealings with various departments in organization. - Hosts an annual summer football camp for children ages 7–18 at William Patterson University in Wayne, NJ.
- On April 22, 2009 he participated in NFL's Take a Player to School Day. He got the chance to spend the day with fourth grader at Susan E. Wiley Elementary School, Javier Benitez and his classmates. He conducted an assembly on the importance of health and fitness as well as hard work and staying in school, and he participated in a physical education class.