Having watched the game several times at this point one of the things that stands out to me is how good Cotchery is with the ball after the catch. He had real problems with Favre last year because he hadn't adjusted to the zip on the ball very well after Chad's floaters. Last Sunday he looked like he was fully adjusted to Sanchez arm strength and he made a number of really good plays after the catch. The key for the Jets is to make sure that there's another receiver who's a real threat alongside Keller and Washington. If they do that then Cotchery gets single coverage and maybe goes for 90 catches and 1,200 yards this year.
He has the talent, but if he's going to be a #1, he can't be dropping those TD passes in the endzone even if it was good coverage. It was in his hands. As hardworking as he is, I just don't see a #1 type production from a posession receiver. I hope he proves me wrong.
I hate to say this but Cotchery's first 3 years as a starter look just like Marvin Harrison's first 3 with the Colts. Then Manning comes in and Harrison goes apeshit for a decade. His YPC stays the same but the overall numbers go sky high. They're the same age also. Harrison broke out at 27 in Manning's rookie year and Cotchery is 27. Well, I can fantasize at least...
If you get thrown at a lot you have many more opportunities to drop a pass. It's a rare situation when a team is so thin at WR or so badly coached that a Justin McCareins gets a lot of balls tossed his way. I actually think Cotchery has excellent hands. I'm guessing that when he becomes fully adjusted to working with a high velocity NFL QB the occasional drops become much more occasional. Chad really did have an effect on the receivers around him on the Jets. His high floaters were easy to catch but also an occupational hazard because of the way they stretched receivers out in traffic. Sanchez seems to be throwing low in traffic. That's an adjustment the receivers who worked with Chad will have to make.
I have to agree. I always underrate the guy but he blows me away every time the ball is in his hand. He may not be a burner, but he is a complete player. Great blocker, great hands, his YAC is always hard fought, I definitely can see Cotch gaining 1200 this year. As far as that TD 'drop', WSW is right, it was defended well.
He doesn't have blazing speed but he's great at breaking tackles and picking up YAC. The first guy almost never brings him down. Sanchez's accuracy will aid in regards to YAC especially as they grow more comfortable with each other. We don't have the textbook "#1" receiver but with the other weapons on offense that teams have to pay attention to Cotchery is in good position for a big year.
Why do u "hate to say this"? Thats a favorable comparison for Cotch and we'd go "apeshit" if that happens.
Of all the players we drafted this decade not one has been more professional, better at his craft and developing his craft than Cotchery. The guy has been an outright stud for us since he got an opportunity to play. He reminds me more and more of George Sauer Jr who was arguably the first or second best WR this team ever had.
The zip on Sanchez short throws is going to help Cotchery a lot because he'll have another split second to make a move on the defender after he catches the ball.
Yeah, the guy he actually reminds me a lot of is Hines Ward. Almost the same suite of skills although he hasn't been quite as productive as Ward was in his prime yet. WRs bloom late and the good ones really do stick around until 35 or so. Maybe he's the guy, aside from Sanchez, most likely to be on the 2018 roster.
Cotch has always been a touhg guy for defenders to bring down. he's not the fastest guy but he is strong and elusive.
I'm actually more impressed with the improvements Stuckey has made. DOn't get me wrong, Cotch is obviously the best WR on this team, but I think as a unit we are developing well. Could this have something to do with our new WR coach? After all he did work with some pretty good players in St. Louis...
And to bring the StL parallels further, Cotchery succeeded Torry Holt as the #1 receiver at NC State and broke his school records for receptions and 100 yard games. He is one of 2 ACC players to catch 200 balls and go for 3,000 yards in his career. Obviously he was great after the catch there also. If Sanchez is really a gunslinger, and I have to say he looks like one at this point, then Cotchery has a real chance to do something very special over the next few seasons.
That one juke of his for the first down was a fucking ankle breaker. My favorite current Jet (obviously). Jerricho Cotchery represents everything that was right about Eric Mangini's tenure. If he can't beat you, it's not because he didn't work hard enough.
