Cochery to visit

[sick beats]

I can't believe Cotch coming back to Pgh wasn't a given. He saved his career here. So, we are now missing 2/3's of our top 3 WRs. This might now force us to go Evans in the 1st.

[hawaiiansteel]

Sunday, March 16, 2014

WR could become an issue

The Steelers took an expected hit on Sunday when wide receiver Emmanuel Sanders signed a three-year deal with Denver worth $18 million.

But another, unexpected loss could also be on the way as free agent wide receiver Jerricho Cotchery is scheduled to visit Monday with the wide receiver-starved Carolina Panthers.

If the Steelers lose both wide receivers, they will be in a similar situation to Carolina. The Panthers released wideout Steve Smith last week and he signed with Baltimore, while Brandon LaFell, Carolina’s other starting wideout, signed with New England late Saturday night.

The Steelers still have Pro Bowl receiver Antonio Brown, but are now in danger of losing two of their top three wideouts.

Sanders was second on the team with 67 receptions for 760 yards and six touchdowns in 2013, while Cotchery led the Steelers with 10 touchdown receptions to go along with his 46 receptions for 602 yards.

If Cotchery, whom the Steelers would like to re-sign, agrees to a deal with Carolina, the only receivers other than Brown with NFL experience on Pittsburgh’s roster would be Derek Moye and Markus Wheaton, two players with eight combined career receptions.

The Steelers have had some talks with Cotchery’s agent and he just returned from a team-sponsored fan cruise on Saturday, but the 31-year-old played collegiately at North Carolina State.

Just in case, the Steelers also have set up a meeting with free agent wideout Lance Moore of New Orleans on Tuesday.

Pittsburgh has just over $3 million in remaining salary cap space after making five free agent signings last week, including Carolina safety Mike Mitchell, though the team can count on an additional $8 million in cap space being cleared June 1 when LaMarr Woodley’s contract comes off its books.

[URL]http://nflfromthesidelines.blogspot.com/2014/03/wr-could-become-issue.html[/URL]

[thor75]

Cotchery not expected to leave Charlotte tonight, so it looks they may be working on contract details, physical, etc.

[BradshawsHairdresser]

Cotchery not expected to leave Charlotte tonight, so it looks they may be working on contract details, physical, etc.

[papillon]

X2..Ugh

Pappy

[feltdizz]

I think Cotch might stay down here fellas... Panthers lost a ton and I think the GM thought the market would be in his favor when it came to WR's. They are desperate and are probably going to overpay Cotch and make him their #1 WR until a rookie steps up.

[BradshawsHairdresser]

I think Cotch might stay down here fellas... Panthers lost a ton and I think the GM thought the market would be in his favor when it came to WR's. They are desperate and are probably going to overpay Cotch and make him their #1 WR until a rookie steps up.

I fear you're right.

This would be a blow...not only on the field, but by all accounts, Cotch has been a great locker room influence.

Reports seemed to indicate he was inclined to come back here. Steelers should have locked him up before other teams had a chance to court him. I don't understand this whole "let him shop around and let other teams set the market" mentality. With some players that might be the wise course to take...with others, I'm not so sure.

[feltdizz]

I fear you're right.

This would be a blow...not only on the field, but by all accounts, Cotch has been a great locker room influence.

Reports seemed to indicate he was inclined to come back here. Steelers should have locked him up before other teams had a chance to court him. I don't understand this whole "let him shop around and let other teams set the market" mentality. With some players that might be the wise course to take...with others, I'm not so sure.

I think Fans AND GM's have miscalculated the market for WR's...

[SidSmythe]

I think this is a combo of taking him for granted and him thinking he can actually be the #1 guy elsewhere.

In reality Cotchery found a home and his best chance of success comes as being #3 in Pittsburgh

[feltdizz]

I think this is a combo of taking him for granted and him thinking he can actually be the #1 guy elsewhere.

In reality Cotchery found a home and his best chance of success comes as being #3 in Pittsburgh

I think it's just a sellers market when it comes to WR this year. If Lafell can make $4 mill as a #2/#3 in NE why wouldn't Cotch try to cash out one last time before retiring?

Panthers have nothing at WR right now... if he can make 4 to 5 mill while being the #1 or #2 in Carolina he would be a fool not to give it a shot.

[SidSmythe]

I think it's just a sellers market when it comes to WR this year. If Lafell can make $4 mill as a #2/#3 in NE why wouldn't Cotch try to cash out one last time before retiring?

Panthers have nothing at WR right now... if he can make 4 to 5 mill while being the #1 or #2 in Carolina he would be a fool not to give it a shot.

Oh I don't disagree. BUT he isn't going to do it alone. So if $$$ is his motivation then go for it.

[costanza2k1]

Can't blame him for leaving, he'd be the #1 WR over there compared to the #3 here...

[SidSmythe]

Can't blame him for leaving, he'd be the #1 WR over there compared to the #3 here...

He'd be our #2 actually w/ Brown getting the attention

[feltdizz]

Oh I don't disagree. BUT he isn't going to do it alone. So if $$$ is his motivation then go for it.

I think it's money and the chance to prove he can carry the load or at least be more than a #3.... all while being compensated better than he was in Pittsburgh.

I can't blame him for leaving for money, ego, chance to be a #1

[feltdizz]

He'd be our #2 actually w/ Brown getting the attention

Pretty sure the plan is for Wheaton to be the #2. You don't draft a WR in the second round to be your #3.