By Tom Rock
The Jets put a bit of a dent in the room they have under the salary cap today by signing WR Jerricho Cotchery to a long-term contract extension. Terms were not announced (yet), but the receiver, who thrived under Mangini in his third NFL season would have become a free agent after the 2007 season had he not been wrapped up.
“Jerricho Cotchery is the type of player we are looking for here,” GM Mike 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.”
“Jerricho Cotchery exemplifies everything we are looking for in our players,” Mangini echoed. “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.”
The move spells near-certain doom for fellow WR Justin McCareins, who was pushed out of his starting role by Cotchery this season and is due to earn almost $3 million in 2007 and has four more years left on his contract. McCareins has said he wants to play where he is wanted. It’ll be interesting to see how much the Jets want him now.
Also, the Jets formally announced that they have released RB Derrick Blaylock and DL Bobby Hamilton. They liked Hamilton a lot, more off the field than on, so if he’s still kicking around in August don’t be surprised if Big Bobby comes back.
Comments (2)
Askew thinks that he can start at HB for a team just because he 'says' he ran a 4.3 40. Good bye and good luck. The Jets were fighting to win games and make the playoffs last year and he's complaining that his role weasn't defined and he didn't get enough touches. Go join Lamont in Oakland with rest of the 'me first' players. He should remember KR Chad Morton. He left the Jets for the Skins with the promise of being moree a part of the offense. He wasn't. 2 teams later he was just released by the Giants.
Great job by the jets locking up Jerricho Cotchery to a longterm deal. he definitely earned and I think he might be better than Coles. I would like to see Vilma get signed too. Justin McCareins should be gone and the jets should find a cheaper number 3 wide reciever.