Cotchery Is Released by the Jets

FLORHAM PARK, N.J. — Not long before Jerricho Cotchery’s tenure with the Jets came to an end with his release on Thursday, his thoughts drifted to an August afternoon in 2008. With Brett Favre en route to his introductory news conference in Cleveland as the Jets’ new quarterback, Chad Pennington stood before the Jets’ offense and, in one of his final acts as their starting quarterback, gave a heartfelt and emotional speech.

“It was a tough deal for a lot of people,” Cotchery said. “He was a great leader for this team, and he got released.”

Almost three years later, Cotchery  found himself in a position similar to Pennington’s, with teammates sharing memories and offering  tributes to him. A scheduled visit to Jets headquarters Thursday by the 37-year-old free-agent Derrick Mason foretold bad news for Cotchery, one of the team’s most dependable receivers and respected players.

Mason, familiar with Ryan from their time with the Baltimore Ravens, is expected to supplant Cotchery, 29, as the Jets’ No. 3 receiver.

Later, Coach Rex Ryan said that the Jets had wanted to keep Cotchery, but that he had asked to be traded or released.

“He means the world to the team and the organization — I mean, from my eyes,” cornerback Darrelle Revis said.

Revis  added: “He’s done a lot for this organization. He has a clean record. He’s not out here getting in trouble. He’s representing himself the right way. You’ve got to try to at least reward a guy, keep him on the team as long as you can because those guys, you want to try to replace them, but you really can’t.”

Quarterback Mark Sanchez said he was surprised earlier this week when he heard that Cotchery might leave the team.

In seven seasons with the Jets, Cotchery evolved from special teamer to standout receiver, catching 358 passes for 4,514 yards and 18 touchdowns.

Perhaps his most memorable reception occurred last Nov. 14 in Cleveland, when he tore a muscle in his left groin early in a play but hopped nine times on his right foot to get open and made a crucial diving catch.

Cotchery missed two games with that injury and was also hampered by a herniated disk in his back, which required off-season surgery and landed him on the physically unable to perform list.

He said he expected to play soon, but for another team, not the Jets, the only organization he knows.

“Everyone wants that dream scenario where they want to play their entire career with one team,” Cotchery said. “But it doesn’t happen that often.”