Resurgent Cooper comes up big for Eagles
Riley Cooper, who was an afterthought in the Eagles offense for the first three games, has slowly returned to a more prominent role.
Riley Cooper, who was an afterthought in the Eagles offense for the first three games, has slowly returned to a more prominent role.
Lauded by the coaching staff for his blocking, the 6-foot-4, 230-pound sixth-year receiver helped jump-start the offense by scoring the first touchdown on a 32-yard first-quarter reception from Sam Bradford during Monday's 27-7 win over the New York Giants at Lincoln Financial Field.
Bradford took the snap from center, which usually indicates an Eagles running play. Cooper was able to run freely toward the end zone and had to wait momentarily for Bradford's underthrown pass.
In addition, Cooper also had to show great concentration because Giants corner Jayron Hosley, who was in front of him, just missed tipping the ball, as did Hosely's teammate Brandon Meriweather, who was to Cooper's left and closing in.
"That was great concentration, a great catch," Bradford said. "I left that ball a little short, and he did good job staying with it, making that play."
Cooper credited Bradford.
"I think it was a more impressive throw," Cooper said. "He put it right where he needed to, where only I could catch it, and that is my job to get the football."
It was Cooper's second touchdown in three weeks and just one shy of his season total of last year.
Cooper also had another big play, making a 43-yard reception on the first series of the second half. He beat Hosley deep but was hurt on the play, suffering a knee contusion. Cooper left the game, but later caught a 1-yard pass in the fourth quarter and finished with three receptions for 76 yards. That tied his season high for receptions and was a season-best for yards.
During the first three games this season, Cooper totaled just three catches for 25 yards, all coming in the 26-24 loss at Atlanta.
After going the next two games without a reception, Cooper caught a 62-yard touchdown in the Eagles' 23-20 loss at Washington. He said he never worries about statistics.
"We have a lot of weapons," Cooper said. "I don't expect the ball a certain amount of times a game."
Even when he wasn't contributing much in the passing game, Cooper remained a valuable special teams performer. Against the Giants, one play typified his importance.
Covering a 57-yard Donnie Jones punt early in the second quarter, Cooper tackled Dwayne Harris for no gain. The Giants were also called for holding, forcing them to start the drive on their own 4-yard line.
That play looked even bigger four snaps later, when Eagles cornerback Nolan Carroll returned an Eli Manning interception for a 17-yard touchdown.
"I just like football, whether it is special teams or whatever," Cooper said. "I like playing the game, the more snaps I can get the better."
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