Humble Cotchery appreciated by teammates

FLORHAM PARK, N.J. - Jerricho Cotchery is perfectly content standing in the background while the spotlight shines on everyone else.

The newcomers, guys such as wide receivers Santonio Holmes and Braylon Edwards, get credit for the impetus on the Jets' latest postseason push. But it's the soft-spoken Cotchery, a mainstay in the Jets' locker room since the 2004 draft, who is one of the team's most sure-handed receivers.

New England found that out in Sunday's 28-21 divisional loss to the Jets, as Cotchery caught a pass up the middle from Mark Sanchez, then hustled down the right sideline for a 58-yard gain - a play that helped set up Holmes' 7-yard score, which put the Jets ahead 21-11 early in the fourth quarter.

Cotchery said New England knew what was coming, explaining that linebacker Jerod Mayo motioned to teammate Brandon Spikes where the route would be before the snap. And still the Patriots couldn't stop him.

"Mayo was pointing, like: 'Something is coming right here,' " Cotchery said. "Word is, he's a pretty smart player. And he was right."

To no one's surprise, the humble receiver didn't acknowledge his own speed or the way he toed the sideline and leaped over a defender to gain additional yardage. Instead, he credited offensive coordinator Brian Schottenheimer for making "a great call" and Sanchez for making a well-timed throw.

"I just try to take advantage of the opportunities that I have," Cotchery - who had five catches for 96 yards - said in his trademark raspy Southern twang.

SEE PHOTOSAFC Divisional: Jets 28, Patriots 21

But his teammates are quick to point out how critical a role he fills.

"Make no mistake about it," Edwards said, "Jerricho's still a No. 1 to No. 2 receiver that works the outside. He's not a slot receiver that can be OK on the outside. He's a good outside receiver that just happens to play the slot. So when you put him in that slot, he creates mismatches on safeties, your dime cornerback, your linebacker, whoever is in that slot."

Edwards and Holmes may get most of the media attention but Cotchery gets most of the praise from the coaching staff, Schottenheimer said.

"I think if you ask them both [Edwards and Holmes], the guy that they probably look up to the most, with the way he works and the way he plays the game, it's probably Jerricho," he said.

Regardless of how much attention he gets or whom it's from, Cotchery said he enjoys being surrounded by so many offensive weapons.

"It's fun being around guys making plays, so when your chance comes, you want to make that play as well," he said.

"The Patriots usually find a couple guys to double, but [on Holmes' touchdown], they tried to double three guys - myself, Dustin and Braylon - and they left Santonio single. So he made them pay for it. When everyone's rolling, you can't double everybody. That's one of our sayings."