The Wolfpacker: An Independent Magazine Covering NC State Sports
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/644580
82 ■ THE WOLFPACKER BY RYAN TICE I n his 12th NFL season, veteran wide receiver Jerricho Cotchery made his first Super Bowl appearance, suiting up for the Carolina Panthers in the 50th edition of the big game. Although it was a forgettable perfor- mance for both the Panthers, who lost 24- 10, and Cotchery — who had what looked to be a catch early in the game ruled incom- plete on the field and upheld on review de- spite evidence to the contrary; and dropped two other balls after not dropping a single pass in the regular season — it was still a significant improvement from last year's 7-8-1 finish for Carolina. Cotchery also made it three consecu- tive Super Bowls with at least one former NCSU player — the school's longest such streak since five in a row from 1999-2003 — and marked the 35th appearance by a Wolfpacker on Super Sunday, although he did not earn what would have been the program's 16th ring. In three playoff games for the top-seeded Panthers, Cotchery hauled in seven passes for 56 yards and started the NFC Champi- onship Game against the Arizona Cardi- nals. The 33-year-old wideout (he'll turn 34 in June) finished third on his team in regular-season and postseason receiving; he recorded 39 catches for 485 yards and three touchdowns in the first 16 games, only one of which Carolina lost. Although the 6-1, 205-pounder has posted 87 receptions for 1,065 yards and four scores in his two years with the fran- chise — his most productive back-to-back years since 2009-10 with the Jets — the longtime receiver's contract was voided Feb. 11, making him an unrestricted free agent in March. Before that move was made, Cotchery said he would play next year only if he's back with the Panthers, but his playing future is now uncertain. "This is a special place, but I don't know what the future holds right now, especially at this point in time in my career," he told BlackAndBlueReview.com Feb. 10. "I just don't know anything. "I do know this — coming back here the past two years have just been tremendously wonderful for me. Bringing my wife back down to her home state and just playing ball here again, being before these fans, it's been wonderful." NFL Player 2015 Recaps • David Amerson (Played at NC State from 2010-12), CB, Oakland Raiders: Appeared in 16 games (the first two with the Redskins) and started 12 times (all with the 7-9 Raiders) while recording 60 tackles, four interceptions and one forced fumble … NFL.com credited him with 29 passes defended, which ranked second in the league. • Tyson Chandler (2010-14), OT, Buffalo Bills: The undrafted rookie spent all year on the 8-8 Bills' injured reserve. • Audie Cole (2008-11), LB, Minnesota Vi - kings: Appeared in seven games with one start for the 11-5 Vikings before suffering a season-ending broken ankle … Notched three tackles and a fumble recovery. • Jerricho Cotchery (2000-03), WR, Carolina Panthers: Finished third on the team in receiving with 39 receptions for 485 yards and had three touchdowns in 14 games … Started three times in the regular season for the 15-1 Panthers and also logged a 16-yard rush … In three postseason contests, he started once and hauled in seven passes for 56 yards. • Rob Crisp (2010-14), OT, Arizona Cardi - nals: The undrafted rookie was injured but spent all year on the 13-3 Cardinals' practice squad. • Mike Glennon (2011-12), QB, Tampa Bay Buccaneers: The 6-10 Bucs' backup quarterback did not see regular-season action. • T.J. Graham (2008-11), WR, Free Agent: Was released before the end of the season, but he did appear in four games for the 7-9 Saints … Made one start and posted four catches for 24 yards, plus made four tackles on special teams. • Steven Hauschka (2007), K, Seattle Se - ahawks: Converted 29 of 31 (93.5 percent) field goals and 40 of 44 (90.9 percent) extra points … Ranked third in the NFL in field goal percentage, tied for eighth in scoring (127 points) and tied for 10th in field goals made … His long of 54 yards tied for the 13th longest kick in the league this season … Made 2 of 3 field goal attempts in a pair of playoff games (the miss was a 55-yarder, his first postseason misfire ever) and all four extra points. • Nate Irving (2007-11), LB, Indianapolis ■ PACK PROS Jerricho Cotchery Plays In His First Super Bowl Cotchery was the NFC champion and Super Bowl runner-up Carolina Panthers third-leading receiver in 2015, catching 39 passes for 485 yards and three scores. PHOTO BY MELISSA MELVIN-RODRIGUEZ/CAROLINA PANTHERS