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Cotchery: I fit with Steelers, not with Jets

Jerricho Cotchery

New York Jets wide receiver Jerricho Cotchery (89) makes a diving catch for a first down in overtime against the Cleveland Browns in an NFL football game Sunday, Nov. 14, 2010, in Cleveland. The Jets won 26-20. (AP Photo/Mark Duncan)

Mark Duncan

Jerricho Cotchery has left the Jets for the Steelers, and in addressing reporters in Pittsburgh today he said he feels like he’s now in the place where he belongs.

“It was time for a change of scenery,” Cotchery said. “I didn’t really see myself fitting in.”

But Pittsburgh, Cotchery says, is going to be a perfect fit.

“That’s exactly why I came here -- to play for a Super Bowl contender,” Cotchery said. “And the atmosphere. The way they handle their guys over here, it’s something I need at this time. It’s the best atmosphere for me to thrive in as a player and as a person.”

Cotchery has spent his entire seven-year career with the Jets, and he once looked like a perfect fit, with 82 catches for 1,130 yards in 2007. But his catches and yards declined each year after that, and last year in particular he didn’t seem to be a good fit for what the Jets were doing offensively.

Whether Cotchery will be a better fit in a Steelers offense that already has Mike Wallace and Hines Ward as the established starting receivers remains to be seen. But Cotchery thinks he’ll fit in just fine.