On his first day as a Steeler, Jerricho Cotchery explained why he chose to leave the Jets.
“It was time for a change of scenery and the organization as well,” Cotchery told the Pittsburgh media yesterday. “I didn’t really see myself fitting in there.
“People from the outside looking in say, ‘Well, you’ve been there that long, obviously you’re going to be a part of the future,’ but I didn’t really see it that way.”
Initially following Cotchery’s release, it was assumed the Jets had made the move to open up a spot for free-agent wideout Derrick Mason, whom they eventually signed. But Jets coach Rex Ryan later said it was Cotchery who had requested to either be traded or released.
Cotchery, who also visited with the Ravens after the Jets released him, thought he found the right fit with the Steelers.
“After my visit here I just felt like this was the place for me,” Cotchery said. “It’s the type of atmosphere I need to be in right now. Business-wise you still have to take the visit, and I think that was the best thing to do, go down there and take the visit but all along I felt like this was the place for me.
“The way they handle their guys over there, [it’s] just something I need at this time. I feel like this is the best atmosphere for me to be able to thrive in as a player and as a person.”
Last season, Cotchery played in 14 games for the Jets, catching 41 passes for 433 yards and two touchdowns. But after catching 82 balls in both 2006 and ’07, his number of catches has dropped each of the last three seasons. After serving as the No. 3 receiver in the Jets’ offense last year, behind Santonio Holmes and Braylon Edwards, he would have been a backup again for the Jets this year — the final year of his contract — behind Holmes and Plaxico Burress.
Cotchery will likely be the No. 3 receiver for the Steelers, behind Hines Ward and Mike Wallace, and could be pushed for time by Emmanuel Sanders, who currently is out with a foot injury.