Jerricho Cotchery underwent back surgery last month

C Mart · 03-23-2011, 04:47 PM

Jerricho Cotchery underwent back surgery last month for a nagging disc injury, a source confirmed with the Daily News this afternoon. The veteran wide receiver is expected to be ready for training camp in August assuming there’s a resolution to the labor impasse. He's currently rehabbing at a local facility near his New Jersey home.

Cotchery, who turns 29 this summer, missed two games last season with a slight groin tear suffered during a highlight-reel catch against the Browns. The veteran wide receiver finished with 41 catches for 433 yards and a pair of touchdowns in the regular season. Cotchery had a team-high 12 receptions during the Jets’ playoff run to the AFC Championship Game.

[URL]http://www.nydailynews.com/blogs/jets/2011/03/jerricho-cotchery-expected-to-be-fine-after-recent-back-surgery-for-disc-injury[/URL]

124 · 03-23-2011, 04:49 PM

He won't be a Jet after 2011. Contract expires, turning 30, and the Jets are going to invest heavily in both Santonio Holmes and Braylon Edwards once this new CBA is reached.

Dimitri_0515 · 03-23-2011, 04:54 PM

I love Cotchery. Great wide receiver for the Jets, always a gentleman off the field. I will be sad when he goes.

brady's a catcher · 03-23-2011, 04:58 PM

That's a man right there. I've had a herniated disc, had a different surgery though. Anyway, that he could still play NFL games with that type of injury speaks for itself. Truly a player more valuable than his 40 time or size or raw talent and easily one of my favs in over 30 years as a fan.

David Harris · 03-23-2011, 05:09 PM

Year Salary Cap Number Dead Money if Cut Cap Savings if Cut
2007 $2,639,166 $10,102,500 -$7,463,334
2008 $3,291,666 $8,333,334 -$5,041,668
2009 $3,671,666 $6,666,668 -$2,995,002
2010 $3,716,666 $5,000,002 -$1,283,336
2011 $3,791,666 $3,333,336 $458,330
2012 $3,991,670 $1,166,670 $2,325,000

Revi$_I$l@nd · 03-23-2011, 05:30 PM

[QUOTE=124;3986527]He won't be a Jet after 2011. Contract expires, turning 30, and the Jets are going to invest heavily in both Santonio Holmes and Braylon Edwards once this new CBA is reached.[/QUOTE]

Isn't his deal through 2012 :i_dont_kn

Vinny Testaverde's Niece · 03-23-2011, 07:40 PM

Well that would explain the unusual number of dropped passes he had last season. Hope this helps him get back to his usual abilities.

Gas2No99 · 03-23-2011, 09:23 PM

Per Espn

It was an out-of-character season for the sure-handed Jerricho Cotchery, who dropped a team-high eight passes -- and now we know why.

Unbeknownst to the public, the New York Jets' veteran wide receiver played with a painful herniated disk throughout the season and underwent back surgery Feb. 3, Cotchery told ESPNNewYork.com Wednesday.

The procedure was a microdiscectomy. Cotchery said doctors "shaved off" the piece of the disc that was pressing against a nerve. He said the condition worsened in October, causing shooting pain down his leg and into his foot. He decided to tough it out, waiting to address it until after the season. In retrospect, he wishes he had the surgery before the 2010 season.

"It wasn't a good feeling," Cotchery said. "It was pretty painful. I wouldn't want any football player to have to go through that."

Cotchery said his rehab is going well and he hopes to start running in three to four weeks. He's confident he'll be ready for training camp -- if there is a training camp.

Because of the lockout, Cotchery isn't permitted inside the Jets' facility, forcing him to rehab at a private facility in New Jersey.

"That's the toughest thing, not being around the people that know my body the best," he said. "I can't even talk to [the Jets' trainers], that's the crazy part about it. I like the place I go to, but everything I need is in the Jets' facility."

Even though Cotchery is confident about a full recovery, his surgery adds more uncertainty to the up-in-air receiving corps. He's the Jets' only experienced wideout under contract. Santonio Holmes, Braylon Edwards and Brad Smith are free agents.

General manager Mike Tannenbaum has said he's hoping to re-sign all three players, but that might be difficult. A lot will depend on the new collective bargaining agreement.

It was a difficult year for Cotchery, who lost his starting job to Holmes and missed two games with a partially torn groin.

In fact, he hurt his groin on one of the signature plays of the season. His groin popped while running a route against the Browns, but he hopped eight times to get open and made a diving catch. Some teammates called it one of the greatest plays they'd ever seen.

Cotchery finished with 41 receptions for 433 yards and two touchdowns. In the playoffs, he led the Jets with 12 catches, although he did have a drop against the Steelers in the AFC Championship Game.

His back was an issue last offseason, but he decided to hold off on surgery, hoping it would heal with rehab and exercise. It didn't. He said it didn't require daily treatment, but would flare up on a fairly regular basis. He played through it, risking permanent damage.

"You try to eliminate that thought, but it's in the back of your mind," he said. "Chances are, if you have a herniated disc, it's probably going to rupture at some point."

Cotchery is upbeat about his prognosis.

"My back is feeling good and I'm progressing really well," he said. "I can't wait to get back on the field."

Rich Cimini covers the Jets for ESPNNewYork.com. Follow him on Twitter.

EM31 · 03-23-2011, 09:33 PM

As a team we need to find ways to get more players like Cotch. Solid performers whose contracts do not break the bank and at the end of the day where the performances on the field were better than the money that was paid out for them.

Hopefully he sticks around for a while

Ruby2 · 03-23-2011, 10:24 PM

I love Cotch but outside of the New England playoff game and that awesome catch against Cleveland he was pretty bad last year.

Hopefully he returns to form next year.

jeT.MAC · 03-23-2011, 10:56 PM

Get Well J Co bc the jets are going to need u sooner or later..:yes: i think the jets should draft a WR or bring in a solid backup FA.

David Harris · 03-23-2011, 11:07 PM

Cotch is a true Jet. He's accepted a smaller role with extraordinary class.

The groin pop catch is the defining play of his career.

124 · 03-24-2011, 09:58 AM

[QUOTE=Ruby2;3986771]I love Cotch but outside of the New England playoff game and that awesome catch against Cleveland he was pretty bad last year.

Hopefully he returns to form next year.[/QUOTE]

Agreed.

By far his worst year as a Jet.

If both Edwards and Holmes are brought back I'd like to see Cotchery fall down another notch, down to the fourth option at receiver, behind Keller who should be the third option, as he proved in the first four games last season when he played that role.

lamont_jordan_rules · 03-24-2011, 01:05 PM

... def explains his diminished production ...

... love the way cotch handles himself on & off the field ...

... gonna check youtube to see if i can rewatch the vid of that catch ...

(found it - [url]

Ruby2 · 03-24-2011, 08:43 PM

[QUOTE=lamont_jordan_rules;3987129]... def explains his diminished production ...

... love the way cotch handles himself on & off the field ...

... gonna check youtube to see if i can rewatch the vid of that catch ...

(found it - [url]

NYJETS3233 · 03-24-2011, 11:12 PM

the guy deserves to be a lifetime jet. no other way around it. he had his worst season as a jet, yeah. what do you expect with Santonio and Braylon on the team this year? and he missed two games. the guy is a gamer, through and through. i wish we had 53 of him.

03-23-2011, 04:47 PM	#1
C Mart Jets Insider VIP Join Date: Sep 2003 Posts: 21,304	Jerricho Cotchery underwent back surgery last month Jerricho Cotchery underwent back surgery last month for a nagging disc injury, a source confirmed with the Daily News this afternoon. The veteran wide receiver is expected to be ready for training camp in August assuming there’s a resolution to the labor impasse. He's currently rehabbing at a local facility near his New Jersey home. Cotchery, who turns 29 this summer, missed two games last season with a slight groin tear suffered during a highlight-reel catch against the Browns. The veteran wide receiver finished with 41 catches for 433 yards and a pair of touchdowns in the regular season. Cotchery had a team-high 12 receptions during the Jets’ playoff run to the AFC Championship Game. [URL]http://www.nydailynews.com/blogs/jets/2011/03/jerricho-cotchery-expected-to-be-fine-after-recent-back-surgery-for-disc-injury[/URL]

03-23-2011, 05:09 PM	#5
David Harris All Pro Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Murray Hill Posts: 7,094	nyjetscap.com Year Salary Cap Number Dead Money if Cut Cap Savings if Cut 2007 $2,639,166 $10,102,500 -$7,463,334 2008 $3,291,666 $8,333,334 -$5,041,668 2009 $3,671,666 $6,666,668 -$2,995,002 2010 $3,716,666 $5,000,002 -$1,283,336 2011 $3,791,666 $3,333,336 $458,330 2012 $3,991,670 $1,166,670 $2,325,000

03-24-2011, 01:05 PM	#14
lamont_jordan_rules Can't Wait To See Marty Mornhinweg's Offense! Hall of Fame Charter JI Member Join Date: May 1999 Location: Atlanta via NJ Posts: 6,241	... def explains his diminished production ... ... love the way cotch handles himself on & off the field ... ... gonna check youtube to see if i can rewatch the vid of that catch ... (found it - [url] Last edited by lamont_jordan_rules; 03-24-2011 at 01:08 PM.

03-23-2011, 04:49 PM	#2
124 There's NO reason to delay the process. Start Geno Smith. All Pro Join Date: Oct 2004 Posts: 7,970	He won't be a Jet after 2011. Contract expires, turning 30, and the Jets are going to invest heavily in both Santonio Holmes and Braylon Edwards once this new CBA is reached.

03-23-2011, 04:54 PM	#3
Dimitri_0515 Banned Join Date: Jun 2007 Posts: 11,182	I love Cotchery. Great wide receiver for the Jets, always a gentleman off the field. I will be sad when he goes.

03-23-2011, 04:58 PM	#4
brady's a catcher R.I.P Goofy Maloof All Pro Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Alexandria, VA Posts: 6,690	That's a man right there. I've had a herniated disc, had a different surgery though. Anyway, that he could still play NFL games with that type of injury speaks for itself. Truly a player more valuable than his 40 time or size or raw talent and easily one of my favs in over 30 years as a fan.

03-23-2011, 05:30 PM	#6
Revi$_I$l@nd is Cro-ing H.A.M...Whatever that means Banned Join Date: Jan 2010 Posts: 2,489	[QUOTE=124;3986527]He won't be a Jet after 2011. Contract expires, turning 30, and the Jets are going to invest heavily in both Santonio Holmes and Braylon Edwards once this new CBA is reached.[/QUOTE] Isn't his deal through 2012 :i_dont_kn

03-23-2011, 07:40 PM	#7
Vinny Testaverde's Niece Post Count Not Affected By Demise of Hotties Forum All League Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: NYC Posts: 4,176	Well that would explain the unusual number of dropped passes he had last season. Hope this helps him get back to his usual abilities.

03-23-2011, 09:23 PM	#8
Gas2No99 Patiently waiting for disappointment once again All League Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: 245-A Posts: 2,938	Per Espn It was an out-of-character season for the sure-handed Jerricho Cotchery, who dropped a team-high eight passes -- and now we know why. Unbeknownst to the public, the New York Jets' veteran wide receiver played with a painful herniated disk throughout the season and underwent back surgery Feb. 3, Cotchery told ESPNNewYork.com Wednesday. The procedure was a microdiscectomy. Cotchery said doctors "shaved off" the piece of the disc that was pressing against a nerve. He said the condition worsened in October, causing shooting pain down his leg and into his foot. He decided to tough it out, waiting to address it until after the season. In retrospect, he wishes he had the surgery before the 2010 season. "It wasn't a good feeling," Cotchery said. "It was pretty painful. I wouldn't want any football player to have to go through that." Cotchery said his rehab is going well and he hopes to start running in three to four weeks. He's confident he'll be ready for training camp -- if there is a training camp. Because of the lockout, Cotchery isn't permitted inside the Jets' facility, forcing him to rehab at a private facility in New Jersey. "That's the toughest thing, not being around the people that know my body the best," he said. "I can't even talk to [the Jets' trainers], that's the crazy part about it. I like the place I go to, but everything I need is in the Jets' facility." Even though Cotchery is confident about a full recovery, his surgery adds more uncertainty to the up-in-air receiving corps. He's the Jets' only experienced wideout under contract. Santonio Holmes, Braylon Edwards and Brad Smith are free agents. General manager Mike Tannenbaum has said he's hoping to re-sign all three players, but that might be difficult. A lot will depend on the new collective bargaining agreement. It was a difficult year for Cotchery, who lost his starting job to Holmes and missed two games with a partially torn groin. In fact, he hurt his groin on one of the signature plays of the season. His groin popped while running a route against the Browns, but he hopped eight times to get open and made a diving catch. Some teammates called it one of the greatest plays they'd ever seen. Cotchery finished with 41 receptions for 433 yards and two touchdowns. In the playoffs, he led the Jets with 12 catches, although he did have a drop against the Steelers in the AFC Championship Game. His back was an issue last offseason, but he decided to hold off on surgery, hoping it would heal with rehab and exercise. It didn't. He said it didn't require daily treatment, but would flare up on a fairly regular basis. He played through it, risking permanent damage. "You try to eliminate that thought, but it's in the back of your mind," he said. "Chances are, if you have a herniated disc, it's probably going to rupture at some point." Cotchery is upbeat about his prognosis. "My back is feeling good and I'm progressing really well," he said. "I can't wait to get back on the field." Rich Cimini covers the Jets for ESPNNewYork.com. Follow him on Twitter.

03-23-2011, 09:33 PM	#9
EM31 All Pro Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Oceanside, Long Island Posts: 9,150	As a team we need to find ways to get more players like Cotch. Solid performers whose contracts do not break the bank and at the end of the day where the performances on the field were better than the money that was paid out for them. Hopefully he sticks around for a while

03-23-2011, 10:24 PM	#10
Ruby2 Patron and Grapefruit Juice Bitchess!!! Hall Of Fame Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Jerseystrong Posts: 17,025	I love Cotch but outside of the New England playoff game and that awesome catch against Cleveland he was pretty bad last year. Hopefully he returns to form next year.

03-23-2011, 10:56 PM	#11
jeT.MAC All Pro Join Date: Jan 2006 Posts: 5,516	Get Well J Co bc the jets are going to need u sooner or later..:yes: i think the jets should draft a WR or bring in a solid backup FA.

03-23-2011, 11:07 PM	#12
David Harris All Pro Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Murray Hill Posts: 7,094	Cotch is a true Jet. He's accepted a smaller role with extraordinary class. The groin pop catch is the defining play of his career.

03-24-2011, 09:58 AM	#13
124 There's NO reason to delay the process. Start Geno Smith. All Pro Join Date: Oct 2004 Posts: 7,970	[QUOTE=Ruby2;3986771]I love Cotch but outside of the New England playoff game and that awesome catch against Cleveland he was pretty bad last year. Hopefully he returns to form next year.[/QUOTE] Agreed. By far his worst year as a Jet. If both Edwards and Holmes are brought back I'd like to see Cotchery fall down another notch, down to the fourth option at receiver, behind Keller who should be the third option, as he proved in the first four games last season when he played that role.

03-24-2011, 08:43 PM	#15
Ruby2 Patron and Grapefruit Juice Bitchess!!! Hall Of Fame Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Jerseystrong Posts: 17,025	[QUOTE=lamont_jordan_rules;3987129]... def explains his diminished production ... ... love the way cotch handles himself on & off the field ... ... gonna check youtube to see if i can rewatch the vid of that catch ... (found it - [url]

03-24-2011, 11:12 PM	#16
NYJETS3233 All League Join Date: Mar 2008 Posts: 975	the guy deserves to be a lifetime jet. no other way around it. he had his worst season as a jet, yeah. what do you expect with Santonio and Braylon on the team this year? and he missed two games. the guy is a gamer, through and through. i wish we had 53 of him.