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Favre, Cotchery making quick connection for Jets

BY KATIE STRANG | caitlin.strang@newsday.com

9:30 PM EDT, August 21, 2008

Brett Favre hasn't had much choice but to perfect his skills at .developing relationships with new receivers. Throughout his 16-season career with the Packers, Favre worked with a myriad of talented offensive targets arriving in Green Bay, and made adjustments accordingly. Now he'll be expected to apply that same ability with an entirely new receiving corps with the Jets.

Although coach Eric Mangini said Favre doesn't seem to have any bias toward a particular receiver when he sees an opening, Favre has seemed to discover a burgeoning chemistry with Jerricho Cotchery during his short time with the Jets.

With Laveranues Coles limited in practice with a leg injury, Favre has found an attractive option in Cotchery, who last year had 82 receptions for 1130 yards.

In his debut against Washington last Saturday, Favre connected with Cotchery for his first completion as a Jet on a quick, 11-yard slant. Cotchery was covered in the first passing lane, but continued his route, and made the catch in what Favre described as the "second window." On the next drive, Favre went downfield to Cotchery, whose 19-yard reception helped set up Favre's first touchdown pass, a 4-yard connection to rookie tight end Dustin Keller.

"He's been great, and I think it's translating to some good things on the field," Cotchery said. "He just came in, fit in, and everyone welcomed him. Each and every day he's been getting more and more comfortable with everyone here."

Cotchery said the two have built a solid rapport already through verbal communication and by learning each other's style on the field. Once they see more game action together, Cotchery expects the dynamic to become even more seamless.

"Once chemistry out on the field develops, you can gradually get toward that point where you don't have to do anything verbally, you can just understand each other and get a good feel for each other on the field," Cotchery said.

With Favre's penchant for improvisation, Cotchery has also needed to adapt his route-running in some ways.

"He threatens the defense and threatens the entire field, so there aren't any clear-out routes. You have to be available on each and every route," Cotchery said. "Some routes, you're not the primary guy, but with Brett you may end up the primary guy, so you have to stay honest on each and every route."

With Cotchery filling the role of primary receiver in practice and preseason games, he has quickly become familiar with Favre's legendary fingertip-searing passes.

"I just know there's a lot of zip on the ball," Cotchery said. "It helps especially when you're trying to fit into tight spots, especially against man coverage. He's fitting into those spots, so it lets you know you're going to have the .opportunity to make a play."

But while Favre is famous for his bullets, Cotchery said he thinks some underestimate his full arsenal of weapons.

"Everyone, even fans, just knows him for throwing the ball hard, but he can throw a variety of balls, he can throw touch passes, he can do it all from a QB's perspective," Cotchery said. "That's what makes him so great."