We were presented by win Bet Betting is the team sport bet together win Bet. Eric Ellen here in the studio, joined by a special guest, one of my favorite Jets of all time, Jericho Catri j COO. So great to see you. Oh man, it's good to be here. Uh, first time since two thousand eleven. Yes, yes, it is so. So what was it like when the cars taking you to the building today And what's going through your mind?
I will say, very very nostalgic, you know, um, nothing but great memories, you know, just just start you know, flooding your mind at that point, you know, and just walking into the building, you know, seeing that green, seeing that white. You know, we didn't want much black when I was here, but just seeing the colors here and seeing the logos, man, it was a special feeling. Do you like the black in the uniform? I do? I do? I do. I always wanted that, you know that I
missed it. I missed it on both ends, you know, but when once I got here, they had discontinued it, and then once I left, we brought it back. Hey, can you go down memory lane and tell folks what it was like when you were drafted in all four because we weren't at this facility. We're on Long Island, on the campus of all Stree University. Well, first and foremost, it was a dream come true. You know, It's something I had worked for, you know, my entire life, you know,
to to to have that moment. And then when the Jets called, when F five one six number popped up, it was an exciting feeling. It was the team that I had the best connection with, and the interview process had to combine, and so I was very excited to hear hear the voices on the other end of the phone. How were you only the sixteenth player selected in the two thousand four draft class? Because only one player in that draft class had more receiving yards in their career,
and of course that was Larry Fitzgerald. Well, it was a loaded draft for sure. You know, we had we had every position you know, kind of feel there, you know, quarterbacks, you know, the receiver position, d lineman, you name it. All of those guys were in that draft, you know, And so I picked a good time to come out. But it was a different time back then, because if you look back at your numbers, oh four oh five, you really had to remain patient because they weren't forced
feeding you into the lineup, right. And when I came, I was welcomed into a veteran group, and that was the blessing for me. You know, just had a bunch of veteran guys on offense. You know, Chad Pennington at the quarterback position, Curtis Martin at the running back position, Kevin Y you know at center, Waynekerbet in the same room, you know, learning from him, and Sentinel Moss and Justin
mccarren's all of these guys on offense. And and so just those first two years for me was a great learning experience because I had, you know, an offense that was filled with vets. But were there times and you're such a positive guy, but when were there times that you went home and said, what is going on here? Well, for me, I've always been about the team. That's something
my dad instilled in me. You know, every time he asked, you know, about a game, you know, he asked about how the team did first before he asked about how I did. If he didn't see the game, and so it was just kind of instilled in me. And you know, I was playing on all of the special teams. So I felt like I was a starter. My wife, My wife can attest to that. And you know, I was
a starter on special teams. You know. That's how you know, I kind of looked at it way back then, and uh, you know, I just tried to fulfill my role to the best of my abilities. What's your relationship like with her mother? Words? Because one thing that he has said post coaching Jericho contries I should have put him in the lineup earlier. Well, you know, that's hindsight, you know. Um, I knew that he loved me as a player and
as a person as well. And uh, and he was a big part of me feeling like I had to that that best connection, you know, with with the Jets because of that interview process, you know. And uh, he's the reason why I had I wore the number eighty nine. You know, I wanted to switch back to my college number eighty two. Um, but he kept saying eight nine and eight nine the entire training camp, And by the end of training camp, I said, I guess I have to keep eighty nine. What clicked in all six he
took off? I know, opportunity obviously did put you on the field. But the production was there. And what would you say in terms of when was it like clear in your mind that hey man, I'm gonna be here for a while. Well, just the learning process over those first two years. Uh, just soaking up all of the information I was getting from the VET. Uh that that took me under their wings, you know. And um, you know, once Lavernis Cold came the colds came back in two
thousand and five. He was instrumental in that. UM and by the time I hit my third year, everything was just slowed down, you know. I just it just felt like college again for me. And you know, once the first game hit, first game of the year versus Tennessee, the Tennessee Titans, and OH six scored a touchdown, and I felt like there was no turning back after that. There was no turning back after that. Your first postseason experience, you guys didn't get to win in New England, but
you go for over a hundred yards receiving. Uh what was how would you remember that OH six campaign? Um? You know it. I just felt comfortable that entire season, you know, just kept felt comfortable with my game, Uh, felt comfortable with my preparation and you know, just my ability to go out and make plays, you know, and just the way that we prepared each and every week, you know, under the coaching staff that we had coach
man Jeanie and Brian Shardenheimmer running the offense. Just you know, every week, I felt prepared to go out and make plays. And uh, and so I think that was the that was that was the biggest thing about it. Oh seven, your numbers continue to send, But obviously the team took a step back for a number of reasons. What was your reaction when you heard that the Jets that traded for Far and Away, Well, it was you know, a little bitter sweet in in a in a sense because yeah,
Chad Pennison. Uh we we were part of ways with Chad Pennington, and then we brought in this exciting figure you know to come in and sling the ball around, you know, and so, uh, it was it was sad to see Chad go because he was instrumental in my development as well, you know, as far as that that quarterback to receive a communication that needs to happen on a daily basis, um that that was no longer there.
But when Brett came in, obviously he had been in the league for a long time doing his thing, and um, the communication Paul was natural to him. So everybody was excited. And I remember the first practice he was there. I mean, we have fans out there two hours before the first practice, just filling up the stands out there on Long Island, and uh, it was there was a lot of excitement
about that. What are plenty to meet your career? Well, uh, he meant a lot because of his his ability to address you know, not only the professional part of it, but the personal part of it. You know, UM, just letting guys know when they came in as as young rookies, we met with veterans. We have veteran guys, and so our first rickey meeting was with veteran guys, and you know,
Chad encouraged them coming up and speaking to us. But with Chad making sure that we knew that we had to put in the time, you know, studying our playbook, put in the time, taking care of our bodies, um, and just making sure we're we're we're just taking care of every part of what it means to be be a professional, you know, and and that that involves the personal aspect of it. How good was that team? And
oh wait you were eight and three. You went into Tennessee winning in Nashville and put on a thumping there. I mean that team was undefeated. Trying to know and then things kind of fellow apart, dumb stretch. We were really good, Yeah, I mean we were really good. We um, we had the makings of of a team that can
do it. You know, they can win it all. And you know, just things that happened and throughout the natural course of a season, you know, with with injuries and things of that nature, that kind of affects your ability to to push forward. And unfortunately that that happened more so at the quarterback position than anything that that that played a big, big factor in us, you know, kind of going into that slump at the end of the year.
How direct change the dynamic of this club And on night just him entering the building, but just a free flowing atmosphere. Um, you know, guys, guys just felt more relaxed and felt more comfortable to go out and do their jobs. And um, you know, guys were just having a lot of fun doing doing doing what we do, you know, and that's played played this child's game or football. You know, it's it's supposed to be fun. We know we have work to do, but um, the fun aspect
is always in it. And um, that's that's what he brought. He brought a lot of fun and guys enjoy that. And you saw that free spirited nature that we had each and every week, you know when we when we stepped out on the field. Listen, you experienced a lot of success with different quarterbacks. It was of course to your career because you don't play from old four to fifteen if you can't make adjustments. With that being said, how tough was it for you to go from puntington
too far to see chest? And that's not taking anything away from Mark. That's just a kid who started a number of games at USC, comes out early and walks into the situation, which it was a good situation, but still he's an experienced signal caller. Yeah, that's the frustrating part about about my entire career. You know, I look back and I say, man, I had all of these great guys, but then when you look at it closely,
it's like I never had them long enough. You know, a lot of these guys get to play with the same QB for well over a decade. Right, then they get to reap the benefits from from that, you know, But I never never got that chance. And I felt like I was climbing with Chad. And then we had the quarterback change there, and then another quarterback change, So three three quarterbacks, three different quarterbacks and three three years
and and so you're constantly working on the chemistry. You're constantly working on things, things that you know, uh, that would help you succeed on the field, you know, But that that that inconsistency is just gonna gonna creep in at some point, you know. So yeah, you know, it would have been fun. And you always took the high road, don't matter what came your way. Um, was that something you talked about how you were raised? Is that just something that you knew, Hey, this is how you're gonna
handle the adversity no matter what happens. Well, people knew I was about the Jets. It was about the Jets winning force first and foremost. And everybody that knows me knows that, you know, and and so I wasn't going to make it about me when it comes to numbers or things of that nature. I didn't play for the numbers. I played to to lock arms with the guys beside me, and uh and go out and try to try to
do something special, you know. And uh we we had a lot of winning years, you know, during the time I was here, and and that's something I look back on and really really have great memories about. Win bet is not Live in New Jersey and they're bringing the excitement of win Las Vegas to online sports betting, getting on all your favorite teams, players and sports from boosteap partlays to live in game odds on every major sport.
They have what you need to win. Sign up today to receive a special offer risk free one thousand dollar sports bet. Download the windbat app now or visit w y N and vett dot com to start winning wind Beat and the Pistil sports book and gave me partner of the New York Jets office up to the change in terms of conditions at windbet dot com. Must be
twenty one the older at President of New Jersey. If you're someone you know has a gambling problem, called on seven zero seven one one seven the on nine run. You guys takedown Cincinnati. You go into San Diego and take care of business against the Chargers and then against the Colts. You have more than a hundred yards receiving in that game, you have a double digit lead against Peyton Manning and his building. What stands out about on
night just that breakthrough. You know, you felt like you were a team, you know that that can push forward in the playoffs. You felt like you had the components, you know, the go and win it all. And and you know, we we we battled throughout that entire year and then it came down to the last two games of the year to make it into the playoffs, and
we wore those and got into the playoffs. People thought we backed into the playoffs, and then we showed up, you know, we showed up and we played well, and uh it was just a fun ride. And the biggest thing about about that ride was the Jets fans. Yeah, yeah, yeah, you know, because we're going on the road, right, We're going on the road. And when we stepped foot into those hotels, j E T S, Jets, Jets, Jets all over the place, and uh, that was that was a
fun a fun ride ride for us all. So I'm getting goose bumps listening to you know, honestly, God, because you're talking about the fans and the connection they have with you and how loud they were during those runs. But there was a moment for me that stands out that defines your career and defines who you are. That's Cleveland two thousand and ten. Can you take me through that play from your advantage point and what happened, Because there's some people listening and watching who didn't have an
opportunity to see that. They can look it up on YouTube right now, I suggest they do to find out what eighty nine was all about. Well, you know, coming off of the line of scriments, you know, UM going against the defender that I was going against. You know, dbs do their their normal thing. They try to get away with the little tugs, and this dB in particular
tugged by handle Warmer. And when he did that, as I was pulling away from him by growing Popp just felt the pop boom popping them like man right in the middle of the play. And so I'm hopping through um and it looks like Sanchez was going to get sacked, and so now I got to kind of hopping in in position where where he can see me. A little bit, but not really a valuable option, you know. And he turns out and he's looking dead at me, and I know he's throwing it to me, and you gotta come alive.
You gotta come alive and go and make that play for the team. At that point third and eight when I caught it, you know, just just trying to be mindful of of what the first down marker is and make sure I got the first down, you know before I you know, had to make my way off the feel how much does adrenaline adrenaline override the pain at
that point? Oh, I mean just just what you're how are you how you phrased the question in the beginning, you know, just the mentality of it and um, and obviously that that adrenaline is gonna kick in when you have that, you know, kind of that mentality is just by any means, you know, just kind of helped the team out in any way you can, and uh, well
we'll get the rest fixed. You know. After the game ten an amazing run, you go to man in his his place, you guys get it done in that final minute crow as the return Sanchez, it's bray um and then you go to New England. What was the experience like for you to go to Gillette Stadium after taking that pounding
three about a month before. Well, we were ready for that moment, right we Uh, we made a big deal about that moment right after after they beat us forty three up there in Gillette and we're both were nine in two something like that going into that game for the division. We felt like we were about to take it from him. Uh and and they handed they handed it to us, and there was a lot of you know,
uh in between the lines talking going on. And so after that we came back and buried that ball out there out back, and uh, we just kept that in the back of our minds. And when it was time to play them again, you know, we were already about we were are we all were ready for that battle and um and so to to go into their house at that point in time, and and and and and go and in advance to the FC Championship on their field was a was a was a big, big moment.
Did you have a higher moment than that that game? Because you made so many contributions over the course of your career here up until eleven, but in terms of the lights being on the situation, how much that game met in the rivalry. Did anything that clips up I don't know, I don't know. I mean, that's that's the
one to think about right there. I mean, with with everything surrounding the game and the way that they handled us in that that second game in the regular season, UM, no one really thought we were going to go in there and beat them, but we all felt like we were, you know, and so going into that matchup and just um just proving ourselves right in that sense, uh was was really fun. And so that that has to rank up there for sure. So it ranks up there. But
what were your favorite moments during that game? Because you made some key catches, one over the middle that stands out to everybody, just nation where there's so many there are so many, you know, um, um Braylen's touchdown before halftime, uh LT had a nice grown um for his touchdown. Santonio Holmes his touchdown, and then um just when when they were battling back, just having that opportunity to step up in that moment with the long pass to catch
a run that I had. Um, it was just all of that, All of that was just just fun to be a part of and then Sean Green sealing the deal, you know by with his long run down the sideline and uh going to sleep on the ball. We're not gonna talk too much about Pittsburgh. I talked to Sanchez about this a couple of weeks ago. But how would that been different? What what needed to change for you
guys to win that game? Man? That's I mean, that's you know, I think after that game, UM kind of made a bad statement and saying that, you know, talking about how much they wanted it, Um, But we wanted it, you know, we wanted it as a group. Uh, the hunger in our eyes. It was. It was the same a week before. Um. Just one of those days, man, just just those those those moments where guys step up and make plays. And they had a bunch of guys
on their side that did that. You know, as far as you know, the defense is concerned with the strip sack and they ran it back forward touchdown. UM ended up being being a big difference in the game eleven. It ends for you here as a jet Um. Do you ever go back and say, Man, I don't think you live like that. But with that being said, all these contributions such a talented guy, so ingrained in the community. Not only make contributions on the field, but you were
a dude who went out in the community. Everybody loved you in the building. Um, how tough was that saying goodbye? Yeah, that was really tough. And that's that's something that's you know, since since that day, that's been been really tough every time you revisited, you know, Um, because because like I said in the beginning, I'm about the Jets, you know, and that's kind of that's kind of however, mindset was
my my entire family's mindset. My dad, you know, that path he passed away in two thousand and eighteen, he still had that Jets tag on on the front of his car. You know. I had moved on and played for two different teams after that, but he never took that Jets tag off the off that car. You know, it's still on it, you know. And so that's kind how you know, we we we roll really, you know. And uh so, so it was tough. It was tough for sure. Um, but I'm glad to be back, Glad
to be back. We're pumped to have you back. What drew you into coaching because I know you were on Rivera's staff in Carolina and now you can tell us what you're doing on the college level. Just my love for the game. Love for the game, you know. Um, just football from Birmingham, Alabama. You know, as soon as you're born, they put a football in your hand, you know. And then actually who you're rooting for? Alabama, Alvern, you know.
But but I just love a ball. Uh. And that's at the end of the day, that's that's what it is. And and so right now that love for the game has taken me down to Limestone University down in Gafney, South Carolina. I'm working for an unbelievable head coach and Mike Ferry with an unbelievable staff down there that he's put together. And uh, and so we're having a blast
right now. We've only been on the job for almost three months now, but we've had we've had a blast coaching guys up, recruiting and getting ready for getting ready for this fall. He said it. Um, growing up in Alabama, you're giving a football to you in your hands. When you're a kid, it's either Alabama or over. How the heck did Yarcho Katri wind up at NC State. Did those schools not recruit you? They did, but they backed off.
They did, but they backed off and and that's kind of how the story went for me with the N State in state schools and so, uh, NC State was the first school to offer me. And that was that came through my the guy that recruited me, my man,
Joe Pate, and uh, he's stuck. He stuck with me throughout the entire time, made sure that I was getting everything handled as far as being eligible and getting you know, uh admitted to NC State and so, um, they stayed there, they day there and you know, at the end of the day, once I went on the visit, it was it was home for me. It was home for me. And I committed soon after that and and signed and I was ready to row. Do you and Philip Rivers
still talk? Yeah, yeah, yeah, we do, we do. He's he's coaching ball down down in Alabama, UM, in high school, and so he's having a blast doing that. And that's that's something that we had talked about, you know, while we were in college, you know, cut playing and then
when we're done, you know, coaching high school. UM. And Chad Pennanton kind of had that same same same mindset as well, grown up down the street from ut YEA yeah, yeah yeah, and so yeah, so Philip is having he's he's having a blast doing that, you know, and I'm rooting hard for him, and he's gonna be pretty good this year. We got a nice football too. They do, they do, and uh, I'm excited. I'm excited for what they have going on. Coach Doran down there is doing
an excellent job. He's built that thing the right way. And they got a quarterback to lead them, you know. And they they've always played good defense, ran the ball well, and now they got a quarterback that's uh that they
can they can go and win it. Full yeah, Devine, Larry, listen, watch out Clemson this year is not live in New Jersey and they're bringing the excitement of win Las Vegas to online sports betting, getting on all your favorite teams, players, and sports from boostep partlays to live in game odds on every major sport. They have what you need to win. Sign up today to receive a special offer risk free
one thousand dollar sports beat. Download the wind Bat app now or visit w y N and bet dot com to start winning wind Beat an official sports book and gave a partner of the New York Jets office up to the change. In terms of conditions at windbet dot com, must be twenty one the older at President of New Jersey. If you're someone you know has a gambling problem called one seven zero seven one one seven. What does a receiver have to do to fit in your room? Well,
m would be a smart player. Um. I think at the from the outset, you gotta you gotta feel the description, right, Uh, you gotta get open and catch the ball and and will help you develop in those areas. Um. But when it comes to you know, being in my room, you gotta have that team mindset because we're all going to develop and we're all gonna be able to go out
and contribute in some type of way. And so we got to have that team mindset to be able to when our number is called, go in and and make plays for the team and be excited about the success of the team. Because once the success of the team happens and everybody else is gonna gonna reap the benefits of it. What was it like for you to watch the Jets here at mini camp and go out on the green grass and and just take it in as an observer. That was really great to watch. It was
really great to watch that practice. Um just the excitement, the enthusiasm of the guys, um, you know, just just the way that they were flying around in the communication, you know, the excitement about you know, the guy making the play. You know, whether that be offensively or defensively. Those those guys were m h. It looks like a close knited group already, you know. So it was it
was fun. It was fun watching their practice. It was it was fun meeting coach and uh and and so I look I look forward and to to coming back more, you know, in the future. Yeah, what do you think about Robert Sala just from Afar and kneed an opportunity to talk to him today because you know, the players gravitate towards him. Yeah, yeah, coach alla Um. I was a fan of his before before the Jets, you know,
I hired him. I just really enjoyed watching him, you know, just from a player's standpoint, right because I've played against you know, teams that you know he's coached on, and also coached against teams that he's coached on. But but his excitement about his players. I mean that's you know that, that's that's what you love of as a player. You know, coach coaches in this. You know, he's in this with us. And and so I've always admired at about him and uh just just just his his his vision about how
he wants to do things and communicating that. Um that that's always something that I've beenmired about him. How can the receiver help a young quarterback? This whole roster is young, but Zack Wilson's entering year two being dependable, right if the if the quarterback is expecting you to be at a certain spot, just be at that spot right and and when you're at that spot, make the play right. So the more you make plays, um, the more the ball to come here away? Really right, because the quarterback
throws the guys that they can trust. Right if is he gonna run the right route? You know, is he going to make a play for me? And uh, and so that's that's kind of how the quarterbacks, you know, view it overall, Right, does this guy know what he's doing? Is he gonna make a play for him? I'm not gonna ask you for a scouting report on every receiver out there. That would not be fair of me. But what just think just watching the group as a whole.
Yea Corey Davis, who's a veteran receiver, Elijah Moore entering year to the Jets, drafted Garrett Wilson in the first round, number ten overall, they got Braxton Burials back. Well, it's a group that has a little bit of everything. You got big bodies in there, and you got you got fast guys, you got quick guys. Um, the physical part of it is in the group. Uh, you know, it's a group to be excited about, you know. And uh and so coach coach Austin is gonna do a great
job with him. He has done a great job with him so far, and uh so I'm looking forward to seeing that development. What do you think about the way receivers salaries have just exploded across the National Football League? Yeah? Really really good for them. You know. Um, it's a position man that it's hard to make it. It's hard to make it in this league at that position. And you know, you you only got a few years before people start calling you a bust, you know, and so
you gotta be on it. You have to really be on it. And and so when guys are on it, you know, ah, you know, it's good to see him. Read those benefits from it. Um, the versatility aspect of the game. How much did you like that for your team that Hey, yeah, I can play slot, but I can play outside. I can do anything you want. And how much of value is there for guys like they fourmentioned Elijah More and Garrett Wilson. We saw him Ohio State move around the formation. How much how helpful is
that for receivers? Yeah, I love that, just putting guys in different spots to be able to make plays. Um, it speaks to coaching really, guys that coaches that can see that guys are not just this right just because he's you know, five ten, you know he's a slot guy. You know, if the guy can go out and make plays on the outside, he deserves to be on the outside as well. And so when coaches see that and they're moving guys around like that, I mean, that's that's
a fun thing to watch, you know. And and when you've got guys that can make plays, you know, you can move into Elijah Moore around like that. Man, that's I know, that's that's got to be exciting, you know, because you you you the team that is playing you that week. They can't really you know, watch tape and and say this guy is gonna be at X or Z, you know, or in the slot. You know, he's he's gonna be moving around, you know, And so, uh, that's
that's gotta be fun for a receiver. I want to ask you about Her Knocks because you were part of that. What was experience like? Because you're actually here tonight, You're gonna be at the premiere of our production Crews series Flight New Heights, which cool. Access is tremendous, But what was it like for you to be part of Her Knocks and having cameras everywhere? I can't wait to see that. By the way, I saw a clip of that. I saw a little trailer. I can't wait to see that. Um,
but Hard Knocks, Uh, it was, it was. It was a great experience, really great experience. Um. You know, it's it's weird initially, you know, with all of the cameras around, but you know, after a week or so, you don't
even realize they're there, you know. And uh, but it was really fun to just go back and watch and um and see you know, really kind of how coaches think about you, you know, and um, but also how you interact with your teammates and how how you as a group interact, and so that was that was a fun fun thing to watch. I watched it every every week. Yeah, yeah, I did with a training camp at Courtland. Listen, and
have enjoyed this so much. UM, real quickly, let's go back to the fans, because you're gonna be able to mingle with some season ticket holders, some people who were at the seats and at Mattlife or the old medal lands. UM. Can you talk about your connection with the people who rooted you on early on in your career and again you went to two thousand and fifteen, and that speaks to your commitment to the game and everything you brought to the table playing with three different teams. I remember
it all, you know. I remember getting drafted, and I remember the fans excitement about that, you know, UM, me being able to learn from Wayne, you know, just just hearing hearing all of those things. UM. I saw the excitement about me being extended, you know, as a young player that developed in this program. Um, you know, and and I still hear the excitement, you know. Um, you know, from time to time, and I meet a lot of Jezz fans no no matter where I go, you know,
And I just love this fan base. It's a hungry fan base, um, and you know you gotta feed them, feed them, you know. But but everywhere I go, I meet Jezz fans. Um. Living down in Charlotte, Down in Concorde, there was a cupcake bakery that that I used to visit uh frequently and uh dough New York style bakery. They were Jets fans, and so I used to go
in there and just top it up with them. We talked about Jets, We talked about the Jets, you know, and so um, just Jets fans is it's a big part of of of of of what we do, you know, it's a big part of what we do. And and I'm excited to meet me, meet me the group, meet the group tonight. Well I've really enjoyed this, and listen, don't be a stranger. This is home for you. You will always be part of the Jets family. I appreciate that. I've always felt that way. I always felt that way