We are in the midst of a rare and miserable NFL football season in which the Pittsburgh Steelers (2-6) are not exactly among the league’s elite. After an 0-4 start and two consecutive devastating losses at Oakland and New England, they are buried in the AFC North, and unofficially out of the playoff discussion just midway through the season. There is a crop of core players and youthfulness at most positions who are either continuing to try to improve for the future or who may be fighting for good standing within the organization, as general manager Kevin Colbert, head coach Mike Tomlin and his coaching staff look to assess what they have and what the future may hold.
One player in particular, veteran wide receiver Jerricho Cotchery, is not exactly a major piece to the puzzle they are trying to put together to build another championship roster. The 31-year-old is in his 10th professional season and aside from a few pretty productive years early on in his tenure with the New York Jets, the veteran has a decidedly average résumé. He came to Pittsburgh in 2011 on a one-year deal after the Jets released him and was re-signed for two more years, making this the last year on his current (and very affordable) $3 million contract. In those two years in black and gold, Cotchery had just 16 and 17 catches for a total of 442 yards and two touchdowns, including none last season. In seven years with the Jets, he had two seasons of 82 receptions and another with 71, going for at least 858 yards in each of those three seasons (2006-2008), over 1,000 in one (2007) and a career-high six touchdowns in 2006.
So far in 2013, as the third WR on the depth chart, Cotchery has had a bit of a resurgence in production, becoming one of Ben Roethlisberger’s favorite red zone targets. His five touchdowns lead the team, a number inflated by his three-score performance at New England on Sunday. He has 29 catches with eight games still to play, putting him on pace for 58 which would be the most in any year aside from those three above average years as a Jet. These are certainly not Pro Bowl numbers or anything to build an offense around, but number 89 deserves some credit for exceeding expectations, albeit modest ones, on a team that has wildly underachieved and disappointed as of Week 9. He will not come close to reaching career highs in receptions (82) or yards (1,130), but is just one touchdown away from tying his mark from 2006 in that category. In every game so far this season, except in the team’s win at New York, Cotchery has had a minimum of three catches, four targets, and averages 53 yards per game and 14.6 yards per catch, second most in a year in his career. He scored the team’s only touchdown in Week 1 vs. Tennessee and scored once in London against the Vikings.
With Antonio Brown the clear top receiver in Pittsburgh, Heath Miller and Emmanuel Sanders also frequent targets, and rookies Markus Wheaton and Derek Moye waiting in the wings, Cotchery certainly has competition on this roster if he is to be retained after this season. His performance, to date, has definitely warranted consideration and is deserving of perhaps at least one more year. All accounts of his effort, work ethic and leadership yield positive feedback from teammates and coaches. He has been especially important in the development of Wheaton, the team’s third-round draft pick in April. As this trying season rolls along Sunday at Heinz Field when the Buffalo Bills (3-6) come to town, expect Cotchery to continue battling, continue making an impact that should not go unnoticed. This small bright spot in an otherwise dark Steelers season deserves recognition.
