Steelers/NFL
The Pittsburgh Steelers have finally landed a coveted wide receiver they sought, agreeing to terms with free agent wide out Jerricho Cotchery this afternoon. ESPN reports that the deal is a one year deal.
We are told that the deal has not been offically signed but an agreement between the two sides has been reached.
The Steelers emerged as the only legitimate suitor this week for Cotchery, as the Baltimore Ravens decided not to make an offer on Wednesday. Cotchery visited the Steelers on Sunday and Monday, passing a physical and the two sides remained in contact throughout the week.
What does the signing of Cotchery mean?
The Steelers go into the season with an extremely deep receiving corps with Mike Wallace, Emmanuel Sanders, Hines Ward, Antonio Brown and now Cotchery in their top five.
The addition of Cotchery does not solve the big receiver presence who could stetch the field that the Steelers sought with Plaxico Burress, but Cotchery gives them insurance and great depth in wake of injuries, sophmore slumps or for instance Hines Ward taking a step back.
The Cotchery signing means the end of the Limas Sweed era and is not good news for Tyler Grisham who probably won’t make the team now.
The Steelers last year carried six receivers and if they do so again, seem destined to keep that sixth spot for Arnaz Battle due to his abilities on special teams.
The pursuit of Burress and now signing of Cotchery is another sign that the Steelers intend to open things up again like 2009 after Ben Roethlisberger and Bruce Arians had to buy into the “run” mandate from ownership last season.
