Bye Bye Floyd, Hello Cotchery?

According to ESPN’s John Clayton, Jerricho Cotchery was released by New York today. He expects Philip Rivers and the Chargers to make a run at signing him.

“Now that J. Cotchery is a former Jet, watch for Philip Rivers to push for the Chargers to sign him. They’re lifelong friends.”

Rivers and Cotchery played together at North Carolina State. Each came into the NFL in 2004.
Cotchery broke the school records with 200 receptions, and 15 100+ yard games in his career. Torry Holt was the record holder before him. He also had 3,119 yards and 21 touchdowns in his career at NCS.

He was the 108th pick in the fourth round of the 2004 draft by the New York Jets. He’s been with them for his entire career (7 years).

In New York, Jerricho had 353 receptions for 4,474 yards, and 18 touchdowns. He also rushed for 80 yards and a touchdown.

Yes, the numbers aren’t jaw dropping. But he had Chad Pennington, Brett Favre on the downhill, and a young Mark Sanchez. Imagine what he could do with Philip Rivers, who’s in his prime, throwing him the ball. If he does sign with the Chargers, he will have a very good chance battling for the second outside receiver.

Cotchery is 6’1” and 200 lbs. He’s not the 6’5” receiver, hence Vincent Jackson and Malcom Floyd, that Rivers is used to throwing to, but he’s the type of guy who doesn’t drop many balls, will help out younger receivers, and already has chemistry with the quarterback.

San Diego will wait till Malcom Floyd makes his decision before they make any of their own. Floyd would be a much better guy to have over Cotchery, but it depends on his price. The Chargers would much rather have Jerricho for cheap, than paying Floyd top dollars just to stay. The way it’s looking as of now, Floyd will be a Raven. The only way he remains a Charger, is if he takes less money to stay in San Diego. The Chargers will not jump in on the bidding war with Baltimore, San Fransisco, or any other team willing to pay Floyd.