Cotchery works through the Packer defense
The New York Jets announced the signing of wide receiver Jerricho Cotchery to a contract extension. The announcement was made by Jets' General Manager Mike Tannenbaum.
"Jerricho Cotchery is the type of player we are looking for here," Tannenbaum said. "He earned a starting role this year and showed the productivity and consistency we want at that position. I am pleased Jerricho will remain a New York Jet."
Cotchery, in his third year from North Carolina State, started all 16 games and the playoff game in the 2006 season and established career highs with 82 catches for 961 yards (11.7 yards per catch), including six touchdown receptions.
"Jerricho Cotchery exemplifies everything we are looking for in our players," said Head Coach Eric Mangini. "He is smart, tough, hardworking, selfless, competitive and football is important to him. During training camp, he took advantage of the opportunity to compete and became not only a starter but a key contributor to what the team was able to accomplish in 2006. I am pleased that Jerricho will remain with the Jets for years to come."
Cotchery hooked up with Chad Pennington for the two longest plays of the Jets' 2006 season. His 71-yard touchdown catch-and-run Week Two vs. the Patriots was the longest regular season play from scrimmage for the Jets. In the playoff game at New England, he had four receptions for 100 yards, which included a game-high 77-yard touchdown reception from Pennington.
"It was an easy process," Cotchery said of the negotiation. "I wasn't expecting them to come to me a year early, but they did and it was very easy. It was a number that I wanted and it had to be fair for both sides. It ended up being that, and I'm thankful they were able to get it done."
Originally from Birmimgham, AL, Cotchery had 25 receptions in his first two seasons as his main role was on special teams. He returned a kickoff 94 yards for a touchdown, the first score of his career, in the 2004 regular season finale at St. Louis.
