Jerricho Cotchery Is Back With The Carolina Panthers

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Jerricho Cotchery is back to assist with new Panthers wide receivers coach Lance Taylor on Carolina's coaching staff as reported by Black and Blue Review.

“Here’s a guy very familiar with our guys, a guy that was the quiet leader in that group," said Rivera.

Nobody really took over that leadership role for the Panthers receivers in 2016, and it showed. Ginn was the veteran of the group, but has never really had that trait. Carolina's slot receiver position as a whole diminished without Cotchery in 2016 as well.

With Philly Brown and Brenton Bersin both set to be free agents this off season, Panthers brought in Victor Cruz for a visit last month. Carolina could opt to let both go if they can reach a deal with Cruz, or keep one and let the other go. It would likely be Bersin walking as Philly Brown accounted for 27 of the 30 receptions in the slot last season. Panthers also liked rookie Damiere Byrd and may choose to try and implement more of him.

It will be interesting to see how things develop with Cruz going forward. In a radio interview last month after the visit, Cruz said the visit "went well." Having two veterans such as Cotchery and Cruz would be great additions to the locker room and on the field for the younger corps of guys.

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Article thumbnail photo Jesse Fraetis photography.

Written by Tripp Morgan

Victor Cruz Visit With Carolina Panthers, 'Went Well.'

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As many expected, the Carolina Panthers brought in free agent wide receiver Victor Cruz for a visit on Monday. 

General Manager Dave Gettleman was with the Giants in 2010 when they brought Cruz in undrafted and he shot to stardom. Gettleman bringing Cruz in to visit says that Gettleman both likes Cruz as a player, on and off the field, and that the Panthers front office wants to address the wide receiver position. 

Cruz said in a phone conversation that the visit, "Went well" according to Art Stapleton of The Record.

Cruz was released a week ago in a move to free $7 million of cap space with players like Odell Beckham Jr. becoming house hold names and rookie Sterling Shepard impressing in his rokie season.

Cruz, 30, recorded 39 catches for 586 yards and one touchdown in his first season back after being sidelined with injuries the previous two seasons. Cruz would immediately bring a much needed veteran presence that was lost when Jerricho Cotchery left. For comparison, Cotchery had 39 catches for 485 yards and three touchdowns with the Panthers in 2015. 

The slot receiver position struggled last season and Cruz could be a viable option and more importantly, cost effective. It seems the interest is mutual on both sides. 

Follow @TrippMorgan6 and @Cat_Chronicles on Twitter for the latest news and updates following this story and others with the Carolina Panthers.

Thumbnail photo by Jesse Fraetis photography.