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It was only one year ago Jerricho Cotchery was the only established receiver on the roster. The Jets were considering trotting out the likes of Chansi Stuckey, David Clowney, Brad Smith, and Wallace Wright in starting roles. An early season trade for Braylon Edwards solidified the starting spot opposite Cotchery. The offseason steal of Santonio Holmes gave Gang Green an elite receiving corps.
It is not often a 26 year old Super Bowl MVP coming off a 1,200 yard season is available let alone traded for a fifth round pick. There are good reasons Holmes was available for such a cheap price. His contract is up after the year, and he has a ton of off field baggage. He will sit out the first four games of the year for violating the league's substance abuse policy and will get an even more serious punishment if he violates again. Pittsburgh's quarterback gave the team enough PR for management's taste this offseason.
While there are clear risks, the potential benefits outweigh them by far. The Jets got a top notch receiver for next to nothing. He is playing for a new contract, which should provide extra motivation to stay on the straight and narrow. If he does not, the team can cut ties after the season.
Very few teams have secondaries capable of matching up with three above average starting wideouts like the Jets will have in 2010. Gang Green is sure to depend on the passing game more in Mark Sanchez's second season than in the first, but the benefits to the run game will be huge. Teams will be much more hesitant to stick eight in the box with two deep threats in Edwards and Holmes on the outside.
Jerricho Cotchery also will enjoy life when he moves inside in three receiver sets to work the slot. His route running and physicality give him an almost unfair edge against the average nickel. Considering the attention the other weapons will draw, he stands a great chance of being the most productive slot target in the game.