At last, Cotchery takes the final step with Carolina
SAN FRANCISCO — The moment Jerricho Cotchery never thought would arrive is about to do just that.
After two agonizingly close calls with the Jets that left him despairing at ever getting to a Super Bowl, the seemingly ageless wide receiver is finally on the NFL’s ultimate stage as a member of the Panthers.
Cotchery is all but pinching himself about facing the Broncos in Super Bowl 50 on Sunday in Santa Clara that — win or lose — already marks the culmination of a 12-year quest.
“I just know how extremely hard it is to be in this position,” Cotchery said during the Panthers’ media availability in San Jose. “As you get closer to the end of [your career], you just dream of moments like this to be able to contend.”
The fleeting nature of a chance at the Super Bowl was driven home for Cotchery at the end of his seven-year stint with the Jets in 2010, when Gang Green came up short in the AFC Championship game for the second year in a row.
Then-Jets GM Mike Tannenbaum got rid of Cotchery after that season, and Cotchery’s presence at the Super Bowl this week makes it easy to see why Tannenbaum later called that move his biggest regret with the team.
That’s because Cotchery, now in his second year with the Panthers after a brief stint with the Steelers, isn’t just hanging on at the bottom of the Carolina roster five years later.
The former fourthround pick is both a big source of veteran leadership and a key contributor, especially when it comes to converting third downs with clutch catches.
Cotchery’s steadily reliable presence is a major reason the Panthers were able to withstand the loss of leading receiver Kelvin Benjamin to a preseason knee injury.
In addition to catching 39 passes for 485 yards and three touchdowns, including a game-winning score in a Week 13 comeback victory over the Saints, Cotchery is getting credit for helping the remarkable career turnaround by fellow receiver Ted Ginn Jr. and the impressive development of rookie wideout Devin Funchess.
Cotchery continues to play down what essentially was a player-coach role this season, despite raves from coaches and teammates for his steady and upbeat influence.
Cam Newton certainly appreciates Cotchery’s contributions, in large part because Cotchery is defying the odds.
“I heard Jerricho Cotchery was washed up 10 years ago,” Newton said with a laugh Tuesday.
Cotchery still thinks about his time with the Jets — “I will always cherish my time with them,” he said Tuesday — but has more important things to do than get nostalgic about them.
Namely, Cotchery wants to decorate a low-key career known mostly for its durability and reliability with a gaudy Super Bowl ring.
“Coming in here with the Panthers and continuing to contend has been awesome,” Cotchery added. “To be at this point in time and to be on this stage at this point in time of my career is definitely a blessing.”