Steelers Sign Jerricho Cotchery

Posted on August 11, 2011 by adam

According to ESPN’s Adam Schefter the Steelers have agreed to a one-year deal with free agent wide receiver Jerricho Cotchery. We knew this was a possibility since he spent some time in Latrobe over the weekend, and when we talked about this on the most recent podcast (check it out, if you already haven’t), I thought it would be a mild upset and surprise if they eventually signed him. I figured he would get a better off or more potential playing time elsewhere (like, say, Baltimore) but here we are, with Cotchery as a Steeler.

With Hines Ward a year older and Emmanuel Sanders currently sidelined with a foot injury it certainly doesn’t hurt to have another veteran option, especially since former second-round pick Limas Sweed seems to be on his last chance with the Steelers, and probably already on his way out the door.

He’s spent his entire career to this point with the New York Jets, catching 358 passes since entering the league in 2004, including 41 last season in 14 games. For the advanced metrics, his DVOA took a pretty steep dive last season, but was a solid performer in previous years.

Solid player over his career that can make some tough catches. One Jets fan liked him enough to put this massive highlight film together.

Related posts:

  1. Steelers Sign 15 Undrafted Free Agents
  2. Steelers Sign Adrian Jones; Place Colon on Injured Reserve
  3. Steelers Try To Fix Tackle Hole, Sign Flozell Adams
  4. Steelers Sign Woodley to 6-Year, $61.5M Deal
  5. Steelers Will Not Sign a Third QB This Week
This entry was posted in 2011 steelers, Free Agency, Wide Recievers and tagged . Bookmark the permalink.
  • http://www.facebook.com/howieweinstein Howie Weinstein

    This is a great move – will fit in with current corps nicely!

  • Anonymous

    I really like this signing. With Sweed not showing much, Randle El gone, and Sanders’ foot a concern, reliable depth was a concern. At best, Cotchery is a good youngish-but-veteran receiver coming off a down year. I think his floor is Randle-El, but his upside is much higher. He’s also by all accounts I’ve heard a classy, high-character guy.

    I anticipate the “starters” being Ward and Wallace with Sanders #3 and Cotchery and Brown fighting for the #4 spot. If Sanders is still hurt early in the season Cotchery will have a shot to show himself off. I also anticipate Ward getting more plays off, and more situational receiver packages being used. If he acquits himself well, he may stick around be Ward’s heir as “wily veteran” of the otherwise very young corp of receivers.

    • Anonymous

      Oh, and I’d much rather have Cotchery than Burress.

      • Mike L

        I agree, Cotchery played last year.   Also this keeps him off the Ravens team which could use a reliable WR.

  • Cols714

    Great move by Pittsburgh. Ward is older and will probably miss time. Sweed is just about gone and Sanders is injured. I imagine he makes the team over Sweed.

    Gives them a really good option if Ward or Sanders misses games.

  • EasyLikeSundayMorning

    Cotchery was more productive for the Jets than I realized. For the 4 seasons from 2006-2009, his per year averages were: 73 catches, 942.5 yards, 12.9 yards per catch and 4 TDs.  

    As a point of comparison, Santonio’s per year career averages are: 57.4 catches, 916.2 yards, 16.0 yards per catch and 5.2 TDs.

    I’m not saying he’s Santonio in terms of skills. And I’m guessing Santonio’s advanced stats are better.  But Cotchery might be a pretty good pick up who could step into a productive role if injuries require it, as Cols said.

  • BillinDC

    It’s game day….FINALLY. As Bart Scott said: CAN’T WAIT!

    Will be @ FedEx tonight.

  • http://pulse.yahoo.com/_UR6KXGPFIFYZSVJNCXCJNHDQJQ Bob Costas

    The Ravens acquired Lee Evans by trade (4th rounder).  I’m not too concerned about the move but Evans might play better on a more stable team.