It’s kinda weird to think that Tim Tebow’s college roommate lasted longer in an NFL job than Tebow did— but that’s exactly what Riley Cooper has accomplished.
I just sat through the 1970 movie classic “Patton”… that crazy gum-flapping general got more chances to lead army divisions through adversity and to victory than I ever got from my ex-wife…Cooper kinda reminds me of that kind of Patton-esque resilience…so I applaud Riley Cooper’s relative longevity with the Eagles.
What perplexes me is the dumping of Cooper based upon a new head coach’s rejection of the player’s past performance legacy related to circumstances beyond the player’s control.
Yes, Cooper’s reception numbers declined in the increasingly goofy Chip Kelly offensive scheme last year. But you had just paid the guy some decent guaranteed money for a nice season of numbers put up in a previous year.
Yes, his primary role was to block and decoy downfield. But apparently Doug Pederson wants a faster and more deceptive presence in his wide receiver profile.
Or maybe it’s simply a Howie Roseman move to cut losses and save cap space money?
At least ESPN.com likes the move to cut Cooper. Their take is that he should have been cut back in 2013 after the Kenny Chesney concert debacle. Damn liberals!
But here’s the real thought process going on with the ESPN.com geniuses— they think the Eagles should be building a wide receiver crew which values speed and agility above and beyond length and stature of body type.
ESPN.com calls the Eagles “a true mystery team going into 2016… the Eagles have in some ways returned to the Andy Reid era by hiring Doug Pederson as the head coach. But so much could look different in 2016.”
“What could change: New head coach. New offensive philosophy. A new defensive philosophy. A new QB if Sam Bradford doesn’t re-sign. A sign of optimism? Start on defense: In 2014 the Jim Schwartz-coached Bills defense was arguably the best in the NFL. Last year it fell off a cliff under Rex Ryan’s direction. Now Schwartz gets to work with a talented Eagles core. Don’t be surprised if they spike.”
Spike we must… but it won’t be Riley Cooper doing the spiking…
At least the guy has already qualified for his NFL pension. And chances are he will be picked up by another team for at least one more decent paycheck.
Cooper started 15 regular-season games and a playoff game in 2013, catching 47 passes for 835 yards and eight touchdowns. Kelly also cited Cooper’s blocking ability, an important role for wide receivers in Kelly’s offense, as a reason for starting Cooper.
After the 2013 season, the Eagles signed Cooper to a five-year, $22.5 million contract. The deal included a $4 million signing bonus. Chip Kelly liked him.
In 2014, Cooper caught 55 passes for 577 yards and three touchdowns. His role in the Eagles’ deep passing game was minimized as quarterbacks Nick Foles and Mark Sanchez struggled to throw the ball downfield.
In 2015, with Sam Bradford as the starting quarterback, Cooper’s playing time was reduced. After playing 89 percent of offensive plays in 2013 and 81 percent in 2014, Cooper was on the field for only 49 percent of the plays in 2015. He caught 21 passes for 327 yards and two touchdowns.
Where Riley Cooper ends up now matters little to the near-future prospects of the Birds. They need to worry more about who’s going to be playing QB in 2016 than whom that QB will be throwing to… It sure looks like Sam Bradford is possibly on the way out. I doubt Howie Roseman is willing to pay Sam the money he and his agent want to stay put in Philly. Be ready for a wild audition ride coming up at QB. I’ve seen this kind of rodeo before. It ain’t pretty.
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