Jets' Cotchery doesn't feel need to start
Receiver Jerricho Cotchery, right, chases down a pass against cornerback Kyle Wilson. Credit: Joe Epstein
CORTLAND, N.Y. - Jerricho Cotchery is sometimes the forgotten man.
With a group of wide receivers that includes Santonio Holmes and Braylon Edwards, Cotchery essentially has been pushed into the slot as the third receiver. That's the place he'll be once Holmes returns from his four-game suspension for violating the NFL's substance-abuse policy, meaning the guy who led the Jets in receptions (57) and receiving yardage (821) won't be starting.
And he's perfectly fine with that.
"It's just a title," Cotchery said Tuesday. "Everyone is going to get their opportunity to get out there and make plays. It doesn't matter what anyone calls you. First guy off the bench or third guy, you're playing in the game . . . The title of starter? It doesn't matter."
Slauson in front
Matt Slauson leads the battle with rookie Vladimir Ducasse for the starting left guard spot. They've been neck and neck at times in camp, but having spent a year-plus learning the offense gives Slauson the edge.
"He has a grasp of the system," Rex Ryan said of Slauson, who will start Monday's preseason opener against the Giants. "He has a better grasp of the techniques being used, but that doesn't mean by any stretch that [Ducasse] can't catch him because I see him improving. I think it's still going to be a good competition for that spot."
Extra points
Mark Brunell, who was signed to mentor Mark Sanchez, is expected to back him up. "Brunell, I think, has pretty much got a lock on that No. 2 spot," Ryan said . . . LB/DE Jason Taylor (groin) participated only in individual drills. Marlon Davis (knee) and LB Brashton Satele (ankle) sat out again. TE Jeff Cumberland (head) practiced for the first time since Friday after sitting out the morning session.
