Let's put the Cotchery has little value takes to rest

[top dawg]

Even after strong suggestions otherwise,  you still have some fans,  even Huddlers,  saying Cotchery should be cut.  Well,  perhaps so---in a tunnel---but it's not going to happen this year.  The hints keep on coming, this time from David Newton's latest.

 

"The biggest thing is he brings such stability to that core," Rivera said.

 

 

"He’s taken a lot of these young guys under his wing and he’s explained how things need to be done and how to do things. That’s what you need from a veteran guy, and he’s taken that role."

http://espn.go.com/blog/carolina-panthers/post/_/id/15000/jerricho-cotchery-still-has-something-to-offer-panthers

Really,  Huddle,  how many times have we heard someone say that J-Co should be cut in favor of younger upstarts with varying degrees of suspected potential?  

This is big boy football being run by men.  

[L-TownCat]

WE GET IT

[Snake]

Typical Rivera, if the only thing he brings is teaching what the hell are the coaches for.  We have a younger player in Bersin who could step in and do his role.  Allowing a younger player to make the team and learn but nope.  Let's keep slow ass Cotchery and Harper in there because they bring stability... 

[TheRed]

Rivera talking him up really doesn't mean all that much either way.

At most, Cotchery will be around for another season. The plan clearly is to allow the younger guys to become our core.

Besides, all the "veteran leadership" in the world means diddly poo when said veteran is dropping game winning touchdowns.

[KB_fan]

I know it's tempting to want to root for the young guys, and I'm a bit torn about giving Cotch the spot, but I really do understand it.  A player in the locker room and on the field can lead in a way a coach cant.  I don't think Bersin can be that leader because he is one of the ones fighting to prove himself, fighting for a roster spot.  Sure he's been with the Panthers for all or part of 3 seasons, but he's not an ESTABLISHED player.  Ginn is just coming back...  Cotch is the obvious guy to be the veteran leader of this unit.  I've got some stats to prove it (smile....!, but we'll save those for the "roster trivia" quizzes...!)

 

 

[Snake]

I know it's tempting to want to root for the young guys, and I'm a bit torn about giving Cotch the spot, but I really do understand it.  A player in the locker room and on the field can lead in a way a coach cant.  I don't think Bersin can be that leader because he is one of the ones fighting to prove himself, fighting for a roster spot.  Sure he's been with the Panthers for all or part of 3 seasons, but he's not an ESTABLISHED player.  Ginn is just coming back...  Cotch is the obvious guy to be the veteran leader of this unit.  I've got some stats to prove it (smile....!, but we'll save those for the "roster trivia" quizzes...!)

 

 

Younger guys are never given the opportunity if the old players are hanging around. IIt's the reason they got rid of Smith to let Cam grow.  Rivera's biggest weakness is this though and it's not going to change. Bersin deserves more time and so do players like Funchess and Brown and Cotchery is taking those snaps. 

[csx]

He isnt going anywhere. Just accept it and move on. 

[TheRed]

I don't know, I like Jerricho. But we need consistency. It's strange how he gets a pass, yet so many people harped on KB for rookie mistakes.

Personally, I would like to set the bar for the veteran leader of our WR core a little higher than a guy who coming in was supposed to improve our red zone offense, but only managed to muster 1 touchdown all season long. While also at the same time being responsible for the most costly drop of our entire season that directly lead to a tie game which resulted in a losing record for our team.

We've got a lot of talent on this squad this year, I would rather not waste a roster spot on a guy just because he is nice, and happens to be a veteran. If we can't rely on him when we need him the most, what's the point? Based on his performance last year, if it comes down to keeping Cotchery, or facing the risk of losing a young promising player, I think it's an obvious choice.

[KB_fan]

David Newton has a pretty good article on this, explaining Cotch's experience and gifts as a slot receiver and where he fits in the picture.

http://espn.go.com/blog/carolina-panthers/post/_/id/15000/jerricho-cotchery-still-has-something-to-offer-panthers

If we were only keeping 5 wideouts I could see the concern with keeping Cotch.  But if we go with 6, or even the amazing hinted at SEVEN wideouts, then I have no problem keeping him.

I'm pretty sure he will be working himself out of a job and his playing time will decrease over the season.  Rivera et al saw the benefits of letting rookies play & develop last year.  I think we'll see more of it. 

[jumpman910]

Like Bersin is THAT much of a better option.  

[AceBoogie]

Yet he's the one that seems to never be in the right place. 

[top dawg]

The fact is,  none of our receivers have the veteran savvy of Cotchery on the field.   If they do,  they certainly haven't shown it.  J-Co's practical experience is not going to be replaced in a day by anyone else currently on the roster.  

 

[TheRed]

Think about this for a moment.

Remember Tiquan Underwood, who didn't even make it past training camp with us last year?

He had a better season statistically in 2013 with Mike Glennon throwing him the ball than Jerricho Cotchery did for us last year.

Underwood: 12 games, 24 receptions, 440 yards, 18.3 average, 4 touchdowns.

Cotchery: 15 games, 48 receptions, 580 yards, 12.1 average, 1 touchdown.

By the way, Underwood is now playing in the CFL.

So yeah, let's hear some more about Cotchery's value.

[*FreeFua*]

If they were keeping Cotch as a #5 cool, but as long as he's on the active roster he's going to get snaps and that's a problem. That means he's taking snaps away from either Funchess, Ginn or Brown. 

 

Also, while we're talking WR's I really hope we keep Byrd over Bersin. Bersin showed Saturday he still can't fight through press coverage when he got jammed against the smaller corner in Ronald Darby. Bersin's inability to fight through press cost the Panthers twice in big situations against the Seahawks in the playoffs last season. I was a big fan of his last training camp but like Cotchery, I just don't trust this coaching staff enough to use him properly if kept.