By BRIAN COSTELLO

With the departure of Laveranues Coles, Jerricho Cotchery is now the Jets’ top receiver. Cotchery and Coles have sort of been co-No. 1s for the last couple of years but there is no doubt who the No. 1 guy is now.

“I’m excited about it,” Cotchery said today. “I get a chance to be the leader of this group. It kind of reminds me of my days back at NC State. We had all these receivers and then next thing you know it’s my time to lead the group.”

Cothcery was asked if he thought his role would change at all with Coles in Cincinnati.

“I’m the leader of the group now so I have to set the tone for everybody,” he said. “I’m looking forward to that part of it. I’ve learned a lot from Laveranues since I’ve been here. I think I’m ready to step in and take what I’ve learned from watching him and my time in the league to step in and try to lead this group successfully.”

There has been a lot of speculation the Jets might draft a receiver in a few weeks to play on the other side of Cotchery. He said he believes in the receivers currently on the roster.

“I’m confident in our group also,” he said. “We have a lot of guys that when they’ve been asked to come in and make plays they’ve come in and done that. Brad (Smith) has made plays every time he’s gotten into a game. The only play (David) Clowney had last year he came in and made a play, a one-hand catch. We have guys that are ready to step up.”

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In case you haven’t heard, Kerry Rhodes isn’t a big fan of Jay Cutler. Here’s my favorite quote from today about if Cutler became a Jet:

“Would I take him sightseeing? Nah, I don’t think so,” Rhodes said. “If he comes in and helps us win, then I’m going to be his No. 1 fan. It’s not about me and him. There’s a bigger picture and that’s the team.”

Rhodes will be in St. Louis this weekend cheering on his alma mater – Louisville – in the Women’s Final Four.